Arkansas Day 2

Monday was our big lake day. Bull Shoals lake is about the same size as lake Powell and just 15 minutes away from my grandma's. It is warm, surrounded by green trees, and almost completely ours alone! We literally only saw six other boats the entire day. We had almost all of my cousins there too so we had one big pontoon boat that we anchored in a cove and then two other boats that rotate out the skiers and tubers. I love this day! It is so much fun to me to just swim in the middle of the lake or float on life jackets and hang out with my cousins. No flags, no boats almost running us over, just making the most of our Arkansas lakes. Here we are at the marina getting ready to head out.

I love this picture of Crew with the wind blowing in his hair:)

Graham was so happy once we parked the big pontoon so he could take off his life jacket and play. This kid was such a trooper! We got to the lake about 10 and didn't leave until a little after 5! That is a long day on the lake for such a little guy and he did great!
Christian and Crew armed and ready

The boys needed a little help before braving the tube alone
After Maren dropped out.

Crew water skied for the first time. This little horse shoe was great to teach them. It is a lot easier to learn to ski when you don't have to worry about keeping your legs together and straight.

I was so proud of Crew for trying even though he would always bail about 20 seconds after he realized Matt wasn't behind him anymore!
Our pontoon had a deck on top that was great for jumping off
Christian in flight
Crew peeking down from the top
Crew took a little coaxing from his uncle Cam (he would buy him a toy at Walmart) but once he did we couldn't keep him off!

Poor kid, squeezing his face out of the life jacket. He hated wearing it on the boat but really loved swimming in the lake with all the rest of the kids.

Some of the cousins. So much fun to be with them. Don't worry about my evil glow from Graham's life jacket!

I love Crew's face here.

It was a great day and we were all wiped out by the end. But don't try anything on Crew... he was still ready for anything:)

Summer Vacation Part 2- Arkansas

I know, most people hear we go to Arkansas and ask "Why are you going there?" Let me explain... my mom grew up in northern Arkansas and I still have a lot of family out there. We grew up coming out here every summer for almost a month and I love this place! All the green, the lakes, the fireflies, the thunderstorms, the people and so much more. Many of my favorite memories as a child were here and there really is no place like it. This was Matt's third time and Crew's second time out and we had a fantastic week! Getting out there is a beast! Over 4 hours of airplanes (not including layovers) then a three and a half hour drive. But once we get there it is awesome. We traveled Saturday so our first full day there was Sunday. After church, we went down by the White River so my cousin Aaron could take some pictures with his darling fiance for their wedding announcement. I love this spot!

Mom and Maren at work with the happy couple!

Cooling down with popsicles on Great Grandma's back porch

Stay tuned... LOTS more

Summer Break- Part One

Matt has had the past couple of weeks off and sadly returns to the real world tomorrow... how did that go so fast? We did make the most of his time off and although we don't have pictures to show for all of it, it was a great summer break. One of the highlights, Matt and Crew went camping with our friends Tom and Jake. They kind of decided the night before but once they found a campsite the rest of the trip went great! Crew here is doing a little dancing while he eats his fire-roasted hot dog. A shot of their campsite.

What goes better with camping than kite flying?

Crew and Jake

Another highlight of the week was going to Temecula. We all went to our friend Dr. Walker for some teeth cleanings and then met up with Maren and the boys for lunch. The boys were polite and feed the ducks lunch first.

Crazy boys

Thursday we walked/ scootered to the Farmer's Market. Here is Crew riding his scooter down one of Matt's favorite ally ways.

And just because he isn't pictured at all in the rest of this post, my sweet, little, chunky one!

We loved having Matt around and are so sad he goes back tomorrow. However, Matt has totally taken over in Crew's world so maybe it will be nice for him to leave so I am cool again! We did just get back from a week in Arkansas so stay tuned for that as well.

Catching up...

Well, I am way past due for a post so here are some of highlights from the last couple weeks. First, Crew learned how to ride his bike with no training wheels! We have been meaning to do this for months, but three weeks ago he and Matt took them off and he was off and riding in no time! We were so proud of this big guy and you better believe he is too!
Last Saturday we took some friends back to El Matador Beach. Just like before, a fantastic beach day but made better with some friends. Crew and his buddy Jake.

Jake, Crew and Abby

The beach is a whole new experience now that Graham is mobile. Seriously, sand everywhere but he loves it.

We also got to go to the Surfing U.S. Open in Huntington beach. So fun to watch so many famous surfers! The pier was a hit too.

Abby, Crew and Jake at the pier

Um.. hello chunky face!!! Graham is now pulling up on everything and is getting pretty good at it too. Very proud of himself.

Last night we went to Mormon night at Dodger Stadium. It was a blast! We had about 40 people from our ward all go and sit together. About 25 of us took the train over which was a hit with all the kids. Here they are waiting for the train.

The other angle

On the train

Lovin Dad

Brothers

I love the look of determination in Graham's face here

So there you go. My boys are growing up way too fast but are so much fun. And as usual around here, we are playing way too much. Got to soak it all in while we can!