We're still here. After taking a two month posting vacation, I'll get you up to speed by giving you the quick and dirty low down on the past couple of months.
* June - Philip spent a lot of it gone. He got invited to go to Snowflake, AZ with a friend and his family. He took no pictures worth showing, so imagine Petrified Forest rocks. Actually, I take that back. Imagine *a* Petrified Forest rock. Don't know what one looks like. Google it. There you have it. The sum total of his pictures. He also spent a week at Scout Camp at which he took zero pictures but managed to spend the $10 I sent him with for badges on soda... (but Mom, ALL they had to drink there was *water*!). *sigh* We also chicken sat for a friend of mine. I even kept them alive. I felt obligated since they were named Easter and Bunny. The kids and I also went with my parents up to the Verde Valley and took a train ride through it. It was a little warm, but quite worth it. There were stunning views - and we even saw some bald eagles flying!
 |
| My boogie boarding kids! |
* July - Philip is gone again. This time with Rik's parents to the White Mountains for the 4th of July. I'm sure some pictures have been taken, but I have yet to see any. Also, I found out that I don't like my kids being gone on major holidays. It just wasn't right. When Philip returned, he turned 13 the day we left for our CA adventure vacation. We celebrated his birthday the day before with a small family party in which I accidentally added cheese powder to the angel food cake mix. Don't ask. We'll just say that party prep and camping prep shouldn't go on together. We ate it and still lived to tell about it! Beautiful trip to Santa Cruz Island which is part of the Channel Islands National Park. If you ever have a chance to go, do it! Secluded beaches, island foxes, beautiful views... priceless! We also took a couple of days to explore Ventura since we were there and really needed a shower after spending four days on the island without one. We kayaked, boogie boarded, ate, and went to the Farmer's Market. I'm sold on the fruit there. I am convinced obesity in America would not be a problem if all fruit tasted like the fruit I bought there did. My only regret is I couldn't bring it all home. Back from CA just in time for me to go to church Girl's Camp. Lovely because it was out of town and not a billion degrees. The girls were great and we had fun. Back from camp long enough to sleep in our own bed and then we went to see my parents again because my sister and her family we visiting... who we hadn't seen in three years... including the newest addition to her family... Weston - totally cute guy! And, finishing July with a trip, just me, to Las Vegas for a girls weekend. Saw a Cirque show and and Blue Man show. Totally enjoyed sleeping in a comfy bed at the Bellagio and enjoying great company. My only complaint was that it was way too hot. I had no idea there was someplace hotter than here. There is.
 |
| Pristine beaches on Santa Cruz Island |
August: School started August 5th. Caitlin is a sophmore and Philip an 8th grader. Can you believe we've already been in school for a month now? Insane I know. Rik also celebrated his 40th birthday (I'm sure I'm not anywhere close to his age!).
Are you all caught up yet? :)
