End-of-Summer

A few more pictures from the end of July and beginning of August, and school starts in 2 weeks.  Alas - good-bye to the best summer we've ever had, except I say that every summer!

We watched our share of videos...

We did science experiments

Anna finished her 6 weeks as a counselor at Camp Woodsy

We baked and cooked with ingredients from our first garden!!!!!!!  Huge accomplishment for me who kills everything (besides children) that enter my care.  zucchini bread and cheese and tomato sandwiches with our own zucchini and tomatoes.  We also grew strawberries, green peppers and an orange watermelon - still waiting to see what that will be like since we grabbed the wrong plant at Home Depot....still trying to figure out this gardening thing but reading labels would help.

We had a garage sale with the neighbors on our street.  We got rid of a lot of old furniture and baby toys, but somehow managed to pick up a few things, including this antique doll house and a bunch of new baby clothes!  Well, one of our neighbors didn't sell some of her little boys' clothes and gave them to us, and in her collection were just some darling church outfits!  Have to post the little jacket and romper, sorry!

Colton is now old enough to go to nursery, and church is becoming a lot more relaxing!  I am still in love with my primary class above.

Our new thing is after church on Sundays, to go for a drive a reunite with nature.

We're also trying to do one artistic thing on Sundays.  We are trying to depict scenes from the scriptures.  We are learning about the wars and violent missionary efforts of the sons of Alma.

Olivia loves to pick flowers and stick them on contact paper on Sundays.

Even though Olivia has yet to go fully under the water!!!! she still loves her swim lessons, especially when she wears her leotard from her last dance class.

The girls have had some nice play-dates...minature golfing with the Acremans was hilarious..when did these girls grow up?  We loved going to the beach with the Fletchers and seeing seals, fish, pelicans and a snake during his meal...yikes!  

And of course we had to hit Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for dollar Tuesdays.

And the most exciting thing about July, was that our darling Anna turned 11!  Can you believe it?  She is the most sought-after member of the family, and her cousins, little and big!  She is a sweet, caring friend, got all A's this last semester at school, proving herself as a sports girl and has recently been cracking me up with her grown-up remarks on life.  I'm getting to be kind of drag for her, but you'd never have known it if you saw how tight she was holding me last night on the Ferris Wheel.  Buddies for life, right Anna?

I love you!!!!!  Happy B-day Anna!!!!!!  You're the greatest girl ever!!!!