More Labor Day Weekend - Family & Fun

Sunday evening we drove down to Camp Pendleton, the USMC base about 40 minutes south of where we live.  My cousin, Kim's, oldest son, KC, is stationed there and awaiting his next deployment.  My cousins, Carrie and Joanna, had driven from Missouri and Arizona to spend some time with KC and his wife and enjoy the beach.  We had just a few hours, but we made the quick trip.  Jenna and Brooke (Carrie's daughter), and Heather and Kasey (Joanna's daughter) had fun hanging out, and I had a great time visiting with Carrie and Jo and my Aunt Marge.  My Aunt Marge is my mom's older sister, and along with their younger sister, my Aunt Kathy, they kept their kids in contact growing up.  We cousins appreciated this a lot, and we have tried to do the same with our kids, so chances to visit like this one are really cherished moments.

Kelly was supposed to be gone on his hike until Monday afternoon, so I was surprised to hear that he was headed home Sunday night and would be driving in around 1:00AM.  This meant that he and Heather could spend the day at Disneyland, which they did.  They opened the park at 8:00AM and stayed until dinner time.  Their passes expire next week, so they are getting in every last moment they can.  When you look at Heather's face, you kind of wonder if she's really going to be okay without a pass...

While Dad and sis were at the Magic Kingdom, Jenna and I went to early soccer practice at 9:00AM.  It was good to beat the heat, and it left the rest of the day open for shopping.  Jenna was even game to model some items for Heather to get Heather's approval before purchase.  The girl loves to shop.  Where did she get that from???

After The War...

So did I mention it was really hot today?  I had one water bottle at the Civil War reenactment which didn't cut the mustard.  We left the park and drove over to get frozen yogurt.  It was heavenly coolness in a cup! The store was air conditioned which is always a bonus.  We drove from yogurt to the movie theater where we sat in another air conditioned room and watched Despicable Me 2.  It was very funny, and cool (did I mention the air?).

At home that evening, I sat in the pool in my clothes and then sat on the patio watching Jenna swim.  It had cooled off outside, but our house was still so warm.  We love these inflatible pools we've had over the years.  Not the same as in-ground, but cool nonetheless.  Along with the cool factor, I was really savoring the time with my girls.  Jenna hasn't started school yet, and Heather has not had a full homework load yet.  Kelly was gone on his outing with the guys, and it was just a great time to do whatever we wanted to on our own schedule.  I absolutely loved it.

Civil War Reenactment

We took Heather to see the Civil War Reenactment a few years ago just before she started fifth grade, and it was so spectacular that I've been looking for the opportunity to take Jenna.  We didn't make it before Jenna's 5th grade year, so we made sure to block out time for it this summer.  Jenna was not super thrilled to go especially in the heat, but Heather was excited to go back as she just finished more Civil War studies in 8th grade.  It was SO hot that we literally became dehydrated watching the battle.  Heather told us a few interesting things about the battle field and even answered an Asian-American woman's question about who was in which uniform (the Union could afford the Blue uniforms while the Confederates were less organized and had less money which is why they kind of wore whatever they could).  I was especially impressed when Heather noted both the Union and Confederate medical personnel who administered to anyone on the battle field regardless of which side they were fighting for because of the compassion they had for all men.

We didn't stay for the whole battle because of the heat, and on the way out we bumped into President Lincoln who was getting ready to deliver the Gettysburg address.  I don't know how much of an impression the experience made on Jenna (I think she was too hot to really care which is understandable), but I am still very happy we went.

It has been so hot!  We've been spoiled by unseasonably cool weather such that when the real summer weather hit, we were not ready for it.  I took some photos off my weather app today which showed the weather at 9:00AM, noon and 2:00PM.  It's like we moved to Hades.  The dog even knows when to go lay prone in front of the oscillating fan!  The only plus is that the heavens present a fabulous show every night around sunset.

Middle School Orientation

After we dropped Heather off at high school, Jenna had her middle school orientation.  She was introduced to her homeroom teacher, and the kids had a lot of activities they did to help orient them to life as a sixth grader on a middle school campus.  Jenna likes her homeroom teacher who will be her Advanced Math teacher, and she is excited to be back with friends after a year of being separated from so many of them.

HIGH SCHOOL!!!

I'm not ready! I'm not ready!  Somebody slow down time already!  Ready or not, here it comes...from her first day in Kindergarten to her first day of High School...

Those first pictures, I swear, were just taken a couple of years ago.  But here we are, the first day of High School and a new adventure.  Heather is a strong and confident young woman, and although school is not her favorite, she is ready for the challenge.  We are excited for her and can't wait to watch what she accomplishes these next few years (which I hear will go by way too fast also).

We met Heather's good friend, Penelope, and her parents at the street adjacent to the school so the girls could walk over together (and the parents didn't have to deal with the parking).  Penelope's dad had a nice camera and actually followed them all the way down the street documenting their walk to school.  I love that because I was too chicken to do it.

These girls are off to conquer the world!

Saying Hello and Good-bye to Our College Friends

Where does the time go?  We have two dear friends who are all grown up and going off into the world.  We celebrated on Monday evening with a taco dinner at our house.  Jordan, who just returned home from an LDS mission, is off to BYU-Provo.  This was a bit of a hello-after-two-years and a good-bye.  He is an outstanding young man, and we are so proud to know him.  He is an accomplished musician with a stellar voice, and he treated us to a mini concert of a few of the pieces he's written.  

Jordan with his sister, Rachel, and wee Heather

The backyard concert

Our dear friends, the Holbrooks, also joined us for taco dinner and visiting with Jordan.  Their daughter, Hannah, is off to BYU-Idaho.  Hannah is simply an awesome human being, and she has been a both a fun playmate over the years and a great role model.  We're going to miss these grown up kids around here!

 Hannah, Sarah and Heather in 2004

Saying so-long with the gift of Cocoa Puffs, Hannah's favorite cereal