August 2016

In August we said goodbye to summer and hello to the new school year.  After a truly amazing summer full of memories and wonderfully happy days, it was hard to pack away the bathing suits for the backpacks.  I think our entire family will always look back on summer 2016 as one of our best.  We finished out the summer with a beach camping trip that we plan on repeating next year, James started Painted Rock and both boys started soccer.

The Last of Our Summer Days

We had so much fun exploring San Diego this summer and doing activities out of the ordinary.  We also got to spend a lot of time with Haley and Tess which was a treat.

Bayfront Water Park

Haley and tess joined in on the action.

Even dad stopped by for a bit.

One last matinee.  The movie was pretty lame but the company was good.

Petersen's run.

Beach Camping

We had this trip planned for months and truth is, I almost forgot about it since it was the week before school began.  It ended up being one of the best things we did all summer.  We joined a handful of families from our ward at the Carlsbad State Beach campsite and camped for three nights.  Our campsite faced the ocean so we heard the waves as we slept each night and we spent our days playing in the waves with friends. I haven't spent so much time in the ocean since before I had kids, it was so much fun to boogie board and play in the waves with the other moms and some of the teenagers.  It was a reminder of the beautiful place where we live and the wonderful friends we have in our lives.  I consider myself so lucky.  We hope to do this tradition every year.

Foster, James and Hudson McEwan

Foster and Arden Tilley

Scott set up an outdoor movie each night we were there and it was a hit with all the little campers.

The Crew

Foster and Tess

Our Campsite

Our View

All the Kiddos

I spent my downtown crocheting while listening to the waves, not too shabby!

All the excitement wore this one out!

Nap times with Mom

James Starts Painted Rock

Starting kindergarten and leaving Preschool behind was a big step for James.  His teacher's name is Mrs. Greenan and she is so sweet and aware of James and what a special little soul he is.  James was fortunate to be in the same class as Hudson McEwan and Jacob Whitehead, two of his friends from church.  He is learning his new routine and even though he feels anxious about school and some of the social interaction there, he is doing his best to be brave and go everyday.  We are very proud of him.

The day before school started, James and I went to In N Out for a special mother and son lunch.  While we were there he lost his first tooth.  Talk about feeling like my baby is growing up too fast!  Since then he lost another tooth, also in an In N  Out Burger.  Who said biting an apple helps you lose a tooth?  Around here, we bite cheeseburgers!