We are back! Hopefully..

I am going to try my hardest to keep this updated, but we shall see.  I thought we would recap what has happened over this past summer.  I feel I always write how busy we are each summer and this one was no exception.  Ken counted the days and said we were home for about 15 days.  He was only able to go with us for the first week to Cali and the rest of the time it was me and the kids.  We had a blast. 

We started our summer with the girls going to Girl Scout camp.  This year they went to the horse camp and loved it.  They learned all about horses, rode them, took care of them, learned archery, became expert bird watchers, and many other things.  I just love the Girl Scout program!  Next, we picked them up and then when straight to Cali.  We were able to spend close to four weeks there.  We missed Grandma and Papa so much it was great getting to just hang out with them.  The plan was to visit our Claremont friends but that never happened.  Maybe next time:)

So we were off---we stopped by to see the Gaudin Family in Salt Lake and then we headed to Cali.  Here we are packed and ready!

We, of course, had to stop and get warm and tasty Krispy Kreme donuts.

We went to church with my parents and saw old friends.

As you can see my son needed a haircut.  I had to wait till we got down to Clai so he could get his first haircut done at "The Yellow Balloon"  It is were I got my first haircut and all my girls had gotten theirs.  It was tradition.  BUT, boy did he need one!  Luckily, my children don't have much hair until they turn two.

As you can see he wasn't too happy about it, but he did sit still through all of it.

He did have to have a cookie break though

And the final product--Oh look I have a little boy now:)

One of the things we miss most living in Idaho is the food, so Ken needed to fill up before leaving Cali.  And holy smokes did he ever!

First stop was Costco--I know it sounds strange but they have great salads and smoothies.

Next, Benihana, yum!

One more stop was a pizza place in Alhambra.  Their pizzas are HUGE!

We also, stopped in and said hi to Great Papa and Mimi.

Disneyland was next on the agenda, of course.

Daddy had to leave so we said our goodbyes.  BUT, I think he was sadder to go than we were--there was just too much fun to be had with Grandma and Papa.

We visited the LA Zoo

 

We swam  

Snuggled with Grandma on a nightly basis

Played in the water--Thanks Grandma!

Swam some more!

Went to the Beach

 Swam again

We ate at the Old Spagetti Factory--Grandma's favorite!

We celebrated Kenzie's 3rd birthday at Cheesecake Factory.  She loved being the center of attention!

While we were there we saw a water fountain show and rode a trolley.

Then we did the most stupid thing ever--we went to the beach on the 4th of July weekend.  My dad had to drop us off and then he finally had to park and walk an hour to get to us.  We were four rows deep in people and then had to walk an hour back to the car.  Thanks Dad for being such a trooper!

We did build a sand castle for Kenzie.

As you all know, Kenzie was born on the fourth.  SO why not celebrate it just like we were when she was born--with a pool party.  We added in the Dora scene due to her request.

Happy 3rd Birthday Kenzie!

And of course Papa was in charge of the fireworks

We went and had tea, another tradition.

We went to the Beach again!  I can't get enough of it.  We ended up in Santa Monica and enjoyed Bubba Gumps and the ferris wheel.

We went to Santa Monica and enjoyed Bubba Gumps. the ferris wheel, and the aquarium.

 Afterwards we went to the Lighthouse and did our traditional rolling down the hill.

The girls had to ride on Papa's motorcycle before we left.

Our last meal was at Big Boy--what a fun trip!