Olivier lost his first tooth! Rhys turns 5! And water play! What a day!

I will start with this, I think we will all sleep well tonight!  :-)  

This morning we took the kids to the library to return their summer reading program information and do some projects around the house.  After lunch and a short "rest" it was off to Rhys' birthday party.  It was roughly an hour away and about 50 minutes in, Olivier said from the back seat "my tooth just fell out!"  He has been wanting to loose a tooth for a very long time (Mason lost his first one more than a year ago).  Finally it was his turn.  I got this silly photo of him as we got out of the car.  Love the gap but it won't last long, the new one is already poking through.  

 We enjoyed the Lompoc Aquatic Center and the warm water and slides.  It was a great time!  I didn't take any photos of us enjoying it because I was enjoying it along with the kids.  I lost track of how many times I went down a slide but I would say at least a dozen.  The kids were good and hungry after so they were happy to get some food.  And a cupcake of course!  Hard to believe this spunky girl is 5!

 With all of us out of the Center, this gives you somewhat of an idea of what it is like (they turned the water circulation off to get the kids out of the water).  There is a play structure that has water canons and a large bucket that dumps water down below periodically.

 And they have two "larger" slide.  The did the blue one first and once they realized that wasn't a big deal they did the yellow one.  And we did lots of races.  In case you are wondering the yellow one is faster (but a bit bumpier).

 This give a view of the end of the two larger slides, there are four lap lanes, and then the play structure.  There were bleachers and a large pool for water polo or laps at the far side of the building.  And on the side of the building there was another pool (it looked like one that would be use for aqua aerobics or swim lessons).  So much fun!  Oh, and the water looks deceiving, it is showing the reflection of the roof.

 And one more photo of Olivier and his gap.  :-)

Now I think it is time for bed for us too!

Sunshine!

We took Anna to the park while the boys were at a birthday party. I continue to be amazed at how much she has grown. 

Being silly while we wait for the fireworks

Hike on a beautiful morning!

This morning we took the kids and Anna's best friend on a hike near our house. They had a great time and we loved being outside together!

(And the boys are still sporting the last of crazy colors in their hair from crazy hair day yesterday!)

Beach Day!

Today was a beach day!  I wasn't sure what to expect with the fog but it ended up working out well.  When we first arrived there were some patches of blue.  Just warm enough to be okay but not at all hot.  

 In case you were wondering, yes, our children are silly!

 They enjoyed adding to a hole that had already been started.

 But it didn't take long before they were off to the water.

Even this kid got in on the digging action.  :-)

  At this point I put my phone in a baggie to keep it clean so the rest of the photos are a bit "hazy".

 I am not sure what you call this pose...  Yup, silly!

 Mason showing me his "gloves"

 A great time was had by all!  And no, they didn't make it to the other side of the globe.  Not today anyway!

Climb that wall!

The kids have had a chance to climb the rock wall on campus and this year Anna was brave and climb the big one (with some help from the harness) all the way to the top.  She is the one in the neon green shirt and pink shorts.

 Olivier did as well, but they only got a photo on the "small wall".

Mason didn't do it but we will see if he does next time!

Happy 40th Big Brother!

Today was a day that I remember thinking of when I was fairly young, thinking that it was soooo far away....  And yet, here it is.  My brother is 40!  And then all of the rest of us will start hitting that age.  Nah, for now, it is just him!  :-)  I had fun looking at some of the old photos of us as kids.  

 And we started to grow up....

 And even more.  Sorry Mom, we both passed you up!

 And then we went on to have babies of our own.  The day sweet Natalie was born.

 And the day Rhys joined us.  Two amazing blessings!

 And now we are watching them grow!  Can you remember this crazy trip ice skating?  I think my back still does!

 But today is a day like no other, it will come only once.  A day to remember 40 years of adventure and to look ahead to what the future may hold.

 I hope the joy the kids had with sparklers and watching your fireworks is just a sign of the joy that awaits you!

Happy Birthday David!

Warm up for the 4th!

Tonight we enjoyed the fireworks show at our local baseball teams game. It is the third year we have gone and always well enjoyed. And the kids were thrilled Henry joined us again this year!

Summer fun!

The kids are enjoying the Poly Trekkers program again this summer.  It is fun to see them try new things.  One of the photos that we got that surprised me is this one!

Mason was giving volleyball a try.  He isn't saying that he likes volleyball but he did say that he want to play it again because he is getting better!  :-)