Reef Point - Crystal Cove

Mormor and Pa were in town so we took them to Reef Point. This is one of my very favorite beaches. It is so gorgeous!! It is located south of Corona Del Mar along Newport Coast.

I love how relaxed mormor and pa look and I love how Summer is a little clinger monkey to Pa's leg.

It was fun to relax and watch the kids play.

The water is so clear and it isn't usually too crowded because you have to walk down a steep hill to get to the beach....and back up to go home. I'm thinking that rules out some of the crowds who don't want to carry stuff down and up the steep hill.

Nothing like getting buried up to the neck in sand!!

Happy Birthday Brian!!

We had a low key birthday for Brian. We went out to dinner and had cake after. Of course you can't have a birthday without balloons so we bought a couple of those too! Happy Birthday DAD - We love you!!

Los Angeles Science Center

We headed up to LA to spend the day at the Science Center. It was so much fun. We loved the small aquarium and checking out all the different exhibits.

The kids loved this little play area. Now they decide they like mopping the floor....I need to put the to work at home!

There was a living room and backyard too but they liked the kitchen the best.

They had so much fun pulling on this rope. The rope was connected to a car and so if you pulled hard enough you could "lift the car."

Team Work!! We had fun. We ended up driving over to West LA and having lunch at one of our old favorite restaurants when we loved in the area.

Pirate Party

Pirate Party! We had a party at work with a pirate theme so I brought home lots of pirate gear for the kids - they loved it!

Ben is really big into pirates right now so he was in heaven. And Summer gets excited about anything new so she was as happy as can be.

They are so cute at this age!

We had face painting at the party and the kids thought it was so cool that I picked them up from Summer camp w/my face painted.

Beach Days - Summer 2010

We love the beach! We live so close and take full advantage of going as much as possible.

The kids love playing in the sand, in the waves, eating snacks, etc.

Or in the above picture; just "chill'in" is fun too.

Playing in the waves in Huntington Beach, off Magnolia.

Rainbow - July 2010

I woke up and saw the coolest rainbow. It felt so tropical outside; warm, humid, fresh from a small little rain. Ben and I couldn't resist and had to go out and take a picture. My camera didn't do it justice - it is hard to capture the smells, weather, etc. in a single photo.

Meanwhile, this is what Summer was busy doing:

4th of July

We headed to the parade in Huntington Beach on the 4th of July. It is super hectic so we rode our bikes and pulled the kids in the bike trailer. I'm so glad because the traffic was crazy!! We had fun watching all the different floats, bands, etc. The people watching was the BEST! Some very interesting characters go to the parade!

This made us think of Pa so we had to take a picture!

After the parade my three kids got in the kiddie pool to cool off.

they sure had fun and all barely squeezed in.

We had a BBQ and later in the evening watched the fireworks in the area from our park. It was a f un way to spend the 4th of July!

Hiking - June 2010

We headed for a little family hike. The plan was for Ben to ride his bike while we pushed Summer in the jogger. Unfortunately once we arrived we realized the jogger tires were flat and we didn't have a pump. So Brian and I took turns giving Summer shoulder rides, piggy back rides and letting her jog alonge. Needless to say; we all got a great workout!

Summer loved looking for bugs and playing around with sticks.

Off we go to find the caves.

We found them and they look like lots of fun!

Hiking Continued - June 2010

The loved the cave - it is small and clean and perfect for small kids.

There goes Summer - exploring the different areas.

And her unique way of sliding down to the next cave...

Time to head back - they look a little hot and grumpy....

Nothing a nice snack, water and a seat in the shade can't fix.

Summer's Preschool Class had a little Halloween Party and Program. I wasn't able to get the best shot of Summer singing but - WOW - she is a little peformer. She was moving and a grooving and singing all the songs. It was adorable.

Class photo of all of the cute little kids in their Halloween costumes. They were having a good time.

Fall Festival

We headed to the Fall Festival at Summer's Preschool. It was fun with lots of yummy food, face painting, and a rock climbing wall.

Madelyn's Birthday Party

Madelyn's birthday party was at Color Me Mine.

Summer painted a ceramic box that is in the shape of a cupcake. Lots of concentration going on around the table.

Time for cake!

Summer and Peytie patiently waiting for their piece of cake. This was a really fun party - great idea!

My Boy

Goofing Around With Ben:Ben was cracking me up with all of his funny faces so I had to capture it on the camera.

Awesome Nose shot.