August fun

In August, we had one last blast of fun before school started, and then it was back to school. Declan started Kindergarten, which meant all my kids were in school! 

 Fun visit to the Aquarium!

 Lately my kids have wanted to spend their relaxation time on my bed with my pillows and get all cuddled up. I like it and I don't. :)

 FHE: 11th article of faith and make a cookie White House from a Trader Joe's kit. It was fun.

 First day of school! Declan: K, Audrey: 4th, Ian: 2nd.

 Declan at the school.

 Ian at the school.

 Pacific Grove community days--fun afternoon!

 Ward campout at the end of the month--super fun!

112 Roommate Reunion

The first weekend of August, some of my Ricks College roommates came to Monterey for a reunion. We had a blast--every second was perfect and fun. We stayed in a VRBO and did all the tourist stuff: tour at Lula's chocolate factory, sitting on the (cold) beach, Cannery Row, 17  mile drive, hiking Jack's Peak, Pizza My Heart (free shirts!) followed by Ghostbusters movie, eating at Red House on their 20th anniversary (free dessert!), eating at Lalla Grill, and just having so much fun being together.

 Kristin, Ashley, Janice, Michelle, Bonnie

 After a seagull attacked Janice and me and stole my sandwich out of my hand!

 Brave enough to get in the freezing water.

Photo booth at Red House--we lucked out to come on the right night!

July fun

July we tried to cram in as much fun as possible while also going to the hated summer camp (read: daycare) while I worked. I took on two classes this semester which was way too much.

Rare beach day. Mr. B went to the temple, and the kids and I took advantage of the nice weather.

 We found these red pelagic crabs and collected a bucketful. They are whale food that sometimes wash ashore here en masse.

  Screen time, of course. This situation made me laugh.

 Ian's beloved stuffed otter lost an eye, so we made a patch. Didn't last long and he got over the loss.

 Family night walk along a coastal trail.

 While I was at the temple, Mr. B took the kids to the daytime festivities of the Feast of Lanterns.

 Making a rainbow cake. It wasn't very good, but we had fun making it!

 A day at MY museum.

 One more strawberry picking trip at Gizdich Farms.

 Declan really likes drinking my Shakeology, and he always wants a picture of his mustache.

Kelley comes to visit!

We were so blessed to have a fun week with Kelley! She and I played and relaxed. We went whale watching, to a spa, out to eat, to the beach, exercised, played a Jane Austen trivia board game and talked a lot. It was absolutely wonderful! Come back Kelley!

Family camping trip

We had a fun, relaxing and beautiful camping trip to Big Sur! Hoping to make this an annual tradition.

Just a 5 minute drive to this beautiful beach. It even had areas of purple sand.

 Me too Audrey!

Whale watching and swimming lessons

Swim lessons at the Monterey Sports Center again this year. The kids each did two sessions and made great progress. I wish we had regular access to a pool so they could practice more, but I haven't found an affordable option. These three LOVE the water!

  We went whale watching as a family--successful Groupon this time! We were very cold, and I got a bit queasy on the way back, but we saw some humpbacks and a TON of dolphins. It was fun! 

Tide Pools with the Bernards

I have been so happy about Beth and her family moving here. We live about 25 minutes apart and try to get together as much as possible. Today we went to the tide pools near the Pacific Grove lighthouse. We found hermit crabs, regular crabs, starfish, barnacles and tiny fish.

Children's Discovery Museum

Nothing like a Groupon gone wrong: I bought a Groupon for the San Jose Children's Discovery Museum planning to use it on a school holiday. Welp, my calendar got so full that I couldn't fit it in before the expiration. So we went anyway and paid the difference. Sigh. It was fun, but totally not worth the drive. Or the full rate.