Angels and Camping Weekend

We went camping this last weekend!

This was the deal for finishing Mosiah, which we finished that night in the tent:)

Ben's favorite camping meal is tinfoil dinners

-and it really helped to partially cook everything beforehand. 

 These guys built the fire while I put up the tent

and she slept in the car...

 Least comfortable night of sleeping for Ben and me. Ever. But worth it.
The kids slept great. Apparently they don't go numb every ten minutes on the ground.

 The next morning

 I got ready to go on a run.

 But first we stopped at a little nature center at the camp. 

these guys held a constrictor

 Later that day we went to our stake yearly party. They have the Best hamburgers and tons of activities for the kids. Plus, these awesome balloons. 

Cody and Macey got swords and Mackayla got a dog.

 After the stake party, we went to an Angel's game.

Is it mean that every time I hear his name I snicker, or just really immature?

They announce it so confidently, but all I hear is poo-holes.

He is one of the best players.

 Fun night, good seats

 good company:)

Strands and Calafia

Beach day with dad on Saturday at Strands

and Beach day with the ward on Wednesday at Calafia

 Wednesday is a noteworthy day even though I took no pictures, because I swam in the ocean.

The water was warm for this ocean, in the mid-70's, and I knew if it was going to happen it would have to be warm. It just took me a year to do it!

Don't judge, I have an aversion to cold water.

It was SOOOOO fun, I may do it again and bring a sweatshirt:)

 Still learning to focus on the things I want to focus on (and failing mostly)

  Wednesday was the most crowded I have ever seen the beach. We parked about a mile away.

[moral of this story: always get to the beach before noon]

 Macey is getting a head start on planning her birthday party.

She has invited 5 or 6 friends already, started her list and picked out one present.

Her birthday is in December.

Celebrate This Country

Some fourths have been low key for us.

This year it was fun to be settled and established and have Ben around! 

I know I say that all the time.

It started early for me; I went on an early morning 15 mile run (=tired) with a little group to Doheny Beach.

I could not believe how crowded the beach was already...the little dots are tons of people and off to my right are gobs of people setting up for the day.

 We went to the parade after that, missed half because we left late and the stroller got a flat, but the kids got candy and they were pretty excited about that. Then we went swimming.

  We had a BBQ with our friends the Bleaks

(donut and fruit kabobs=health and deep fried patriotism all in one)

 Then we hit the pre firework party at the park.

we love these cute friends

Kayla and Grace hold hands everywhere

 the girls have both declared they are going to marry Cody

it is so funny

but he is either unaffected or oblivious so it works out well

 They really put on an incredible fireworks show.

Last year there was strangely no patriotic music

But this year, that's all there was, (but it was good music:))

mixed in with a few band marches

and famous speeches

coordinated perfect with the firework explosions.

I love this country!

 I just finished this book recommended by my mom

I really, really think every American should read this book.

I thought it would be a perfect book to celebrate the fourth-

It is!

Every miracle is an incredible part of our country's history and each one an amazing story.

The next day we went to visit our friends Rob and Tasha up in Long Beach. 

They live in an amazing beach front home along the coast.

We swam at the beach, swam at the pool and relaxed and had dinner.

It is so fun to catch up with old friends

and we Love these friends. 

It's kinda fun to be somewhat close.

 Let's pretend this is a new post.

Wednesday is ward beach day

Macey is so cute, Always wanting to wear her safety gear:)

 On this Wednesday, Cody pretty much boogie boarded the entire day.

 Mackayla really loves the beach. She will build sand castles, she loves getting in the water, and she will pretty much do whatever is around.

I don't say this often enough, but I am so grateful to have such a chill two year old. Two is a rough age, but this go around has been simple (should I hold my breath?:))

Notice Macey in the background, still wearing her safety gear. ha!

 It gets so crowded these days

He finally took a break for lunch!