Camping - Santa Cruz

Back in early August we went on one last camping trip before school started.  We went with some friends of ours and their kids.  It was a great time ... the kids loved having other kids to play with.  They had all brought along their scooters and were able to scooter around the campground.

Even camping, the kids still wanted to play with their gaming devides.  Mason and Syndey sat in the same chair and watched each other play.

There was a nice area for a good ol' game of baseball.

While they played baseball, Kyla played in the dirt ... it's what she does.

Hangin' out at the beach.  We were worried that it was going to be cloudy and cold but it burned off just as we got there.

Cutie.

Mason can be so silly.  I think he was doing a silly dance here while playing soccer with Brian.

Wow, does he look grown up or what?

Man, that water was cold.  The girls didn't mind at all.

Mason and Nolan got in as well but didn't stay in long.

We saw this laying on the beach (turned over) and told Mason it was a piece of seaweed.  We had him touch it and everything.  A few minutes later, we took a good look at it and turned it over and realized it was some kind of a ray.  Mason was so mad at us that we had him touch it ... it was a good laugh for the rest of us.

Aaaaaaawww!

Like I said, Kyla loves to play in the dirt ... it's what she does.  She absolutely loves the beach.

A decent pictof all of us.

We took the kids on a little hike through the redwoods.

Buddies.

Down at the swimming hole we found while hiking.  We'll be sure to wear our suits and hang out down there next time.

Mason's favorite ... Bunny Ears!

Nolan and Mason.

Another group photo.

Camping - Lake Tahoe

Brian participated in a relay swim across Lake Tahoe so we spent a few days camping up there.  We stayed at Zephyr Cove which nice because it's right across from the beach.  Walkable.  The downside to camping there was that you feel a little bit like you're right in the middle of town.  And really, you are.  The nice part of camping so close to town is that we were able to go out for pizza one night and I was able to get away and gamble for a few hours.  I had a great afternoon and made $60.00.  (Thanks for letting me out, Brian)

The kids frolicked around in the water but it was too cold for me!  Brrrrr. 

Brian and Mason played football on the beach and Kyla enjoyed pretending she was a puppy doggy and fetching the ball from the water.  She still loves pretending she's a dog.  Look at his rockin' body.

The best picture I could get because Kyla wouldn't cooperate.  M.S. Dixie is in the background.

We went on a hike to Horsetail Falls.  We didn't make it all the way to the base of the waterfall but the kids hiked about a mile and a half each way.  It took us about 3 hours ... I was so impressed with the kids.  They hiked through some rocky terrain and didn't start complaining until we were almost done.  I love having outdoorsy and adventuresome kids.  They have been so much fun to be around.

Kyla spotted this unusual looking tree with an L shape.  Both kids posed for a picture.

Kyla's turn.

Hey cutie!

My turn to be in a picture.  We sat on a big slab of granite.

Mason gets the biggest kick out of bunny ears!

Relaxing during lunch time.  Mason loves to play with Brian's face.

Kyla thought it was the funniest thing ever.

See the falls in the background?

Luckily there was a dog beach nearby so Roscoe could get some exercise and cool off.  He loves fetching in the water.  Dry land, not a chance.

Wet dog!

While growing up, I went camping during the summers with a friend.  We used to make, "fuddpuckers".  I'm not sure why there were called that.  You take a nice green stick and wrap bisquits around it.  I made Mason one with 3 bisquits.  The Big Kahuna!

Everyone else likes them with butter and honey.  I prefer butter and jelly on min.  I love his crazy face.

While Brian was swimming the kids and I were beached out so we went to a local park.

Aaaah, camping is so relaxing.

Hanging out in the trailer.

Roller Skating

We invited Jack over for a sleep-over and I had bright idea to take them to a Roller Skating Rink.  I used to love going to those when I was a kid.  Well, let me tell you ... the kids were big chickens.  I think Mason went around once or twice while holding on to the side, Kyla went around once or twice with Brian (bravest one) and Jack barely stepped foot out there!!  Fail.  They were over it in about 10 minutes and wanted to have snacks and go home.  Ugh.  

They had more fun on the carpet. 

Happy 4th of July

We went to a bike parade the morning of the 4th of July.  They kids had so much fun and were very proud of themselves riding along.  Brian and I helped (OK did it) the kids decorate Mason's Razor 360 and Kyla's Razor Scooter.  Kyla isn't good enough at riding a bike without training wheels yet.  She does OK once she gets going but has a difficult time starting off.  Brian had to work the 4th of July ... we were all bummed.  If they don't change his shift, he'll have the next 4 or 5 off. 

I forced the kids Mason to take a picture together before we headed out.  Mason is usually pretty cooperative but for some reason, he didn't want her to touch him AT ALL.  I had to threaten him with going to bed early.  I wouldn't really have put him to bed early on the 4th but he didn't know that.  I love the way it turned out.

Kyla ... all decked out.

Mason with his 360.  That thing is so cool.  It reminds me of the ol' Green Machine from back in the day.

Eh.  Just a so-so one of the two of them.

Now, Kyla wouldn't cooperate.  She wanted to stand by Mason and he wouldn't let her (she was touching him).  She chased him round and round and finally stood still but REFUSED to smile.  She can be such a stinker!

We stopped by our friends' house so they could walk over to the parade with us.  Here's a cute picture of all of them.

Station 30 sent an Engine over the lead the parade and the kids were able to get in for a picture.  Kyla the Engineer.

Mason was the Captain.  He told one of the firefighters that his dad also has a red helmet.  It was cute.

Tons of people came out for this.  It was such a great time and I can't wait to do it again next year.  After the parade, they had snacks and a bouncy house.

Awwww.

They stopped for a brief moment during the parade but weren't happy about it.

Kyla couldn't wait to get her hands on these sugar cookies!  Yum-O.

Online Card Class

I'm taking an online summer card camp and each week we're given a color combination to work with.  You can then upload your card to a student gallery for a chance to win great prizes if your card is selected to be featured.  I decided to give it a try.  I'm definitely not getting my hopes up ... there were something like 800 cards uploaded for last weeks color combination.

Here it is.  Simple, but I love the way it turned out.  It's difficult to see in the photo but I put pop-dots underneath the butterfly to add depth and the small red butterfly has Glossy Accents on it.