This was the summer of keeping it simple. Lots of pool days, playdates and trips to the library. The boys were so sweet and patient with their very pregnant mama and we made the most of our time together. Every Monday the boys and I would hit the library first thing and they would check out their books for the week. The boys read around 40 books this summer.
Even though it was a slower summer, we still managed to keep some of our summer traditions like going to the Del Mar Fair, beach days and heading up to Santa Barbara for a summer trip. The best thing about summer is being with my boys. They are growing up so fast and I cherish every moment with them. As we prepare for the baby to arrive, I just feed so grateful for these years I have with my boys. It has been such a sweet time of life and I know with the addition of another little guy it will only get sweeter.
We started a tradition last summer where we take the boys on individual dates. They love having mom or dad one on one time. Spending time with the boys one on one is such a special treat.
Del Mar Fair
The Del Mar Fair is how we spent our first weekend of the summer. The boys spent their tickets with rapid speed, going on rides and winning stuffed animals.
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| We left the fair with stuffed dragons. |
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| The boys chose Extreme Milkshakes for their treat. Foster went for a birthday cake milkshake and James chose chocolate because he is our chocolate boy. |
Beach Days
We only made it to the beach a handful of times this summer but it's always good when we go. I even got a few big belly shots so I can remember just how very pregnant I was this summer. Beached whale has a whole new meaning.
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| La Jolla Shores with the Warrens |
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| Tide Pools with the Thompsons |
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| Until next summer....... |
Pool Days and lots and lots of freckles.....
We spent many days and even some nights swimming with friends at the pool and eating lots of pizza. Foster enjoyed the Slip n Slide on Sunday afternoons and we spent many Saturday nights in our backyard, making S'mores and watching movies on our projector.
4th of July
We are a family fond of tradition. We started our fourth at the Pancake House with chocolate chip pancakes and then headed to Old Poway Park for train rides, ice cream and carnival games. The boys always have a blast watching the shoot-out on the train and collecting flags.
This year, I hosted the family for a fourth of July barbecue. It was a relaxed and fun evening with steak, veggie skewers and blueberry ice cream. Then we were off to watch fireworks at the Stake Center.
Baby Mooning in Idyllwild
Scott and I snuck away to Idyllwild for one last trip sans baby. We love Idyllwild and always have such a wonderful time there. We stayed at our favorite place, The Grand Idyllwild Lodge, hiked in the San Jacinto mountains and ate at our favorite restaurants. It was the perfect weekend together. I love my baby daddy.
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| Intensely beautiful scenery brings out dramatic poses |
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| Lounging on the deck at The Lodge |
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| While hiking in the mountains we ran into Rollin and Meranda Rocket. It was so crazy and such a fun surprise. After the hike we had a great time at our favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch. It made the trip even sweeter! |
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| Our last dinner watching the sun go down on the summer solstice. |
Berry Picking with the Warrens
Every summer we join forces with the Warren crew for strawberry picking. This year we piled in Julia's van and headed for Rainbow for our annual strawberry picking, only to find out at they were closed due to an early crop. Everyone was so disappointed but Julia was quick to find us an alternative...BLUEBERRIES. The kids loved blueberry picking and we loved eating the blueberry ice cream.
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| The cutest berry picking crew |
Summer Trip to Santa Barbara
We got to check out Grandma Olson and Pop Pop's new digs in Santa Barbara. They are renovating their new house inside and out which meant the boys had lots of weeding to do. They were up with the sun everyday and earned a king's ransom. We're excited to see the end result of all the planning and hard work of the renovation.
Their new neighborhood has a community beach which was so amazing. We spent a couple of days hanging out at the beach, playing beach games and chilling under our cabana. Which it turns out, a cabana is the perfect place for a pregnant lady to relax!
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Scott celebrated his 37th birthday while we were there. We went out to dinner and then came back to the house for presents and an ice cream cake made by LeeAnn and I. And we should go into business because that cake was GOOOOOOOD!!!!!! We love our Scootie Pie so much and always love celebrating him.
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Our morning walks in Hope Ranch were dreamy. Beautiful homes and donkeys along the way. Really that is a recipe for heaven for me. We brought carrots on the second walk to feed the donkeys we met the day before. They were very appreciative.
It's not a trip to Santa Barbara without a day on a sailboat with Pop Pop. We saw dolphins jumping out of the water so close to the boat, it was awesome. And Pop pop gave the boys their first sailing lesson. Meanwhile, I did my upmost not to sink the boat!
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| Some serious thoughts on the water |
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| Helping Pop Pop steer. |
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| The boys ran in a open track meet at Carpinteria High and the big boys competed in the high jump. James was so excited about racing, I think track really will be his thing. He signed up for two races and held his own against kids older than him. Foster ran just for fun and both boys went home with ribbons. The big boys did okay on the high jump. The glory days are not over yet! |
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| We can't wait to get back to Santa Barbara! |
Grandma Turns 80!
We went all out for Grandma's 80th Birthday. As a family, we took grandma and grandpa to Night Zoo and our favorite restaurant in the tree tops, Alberts. It was such a lovely evening, everyone had a great time. The food was good and grandma and grandpa loved seeing all the new projects the zoo has completed. It was a great way to kick off her birthday.
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| Literally, this picture is so terrible it has to be documented. We all laughed when we saw it and I was tempted to delete it but the night was so fun that I wanted to keep it. |
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| This picture, on the other hand, is adorable. |
The following weekend, family came into town from Arizona and Utah, dad rented a party bus and we all went down to the harbor aboard the Hornblower Cruise Ship. It was such a fun night. We took over the entire dance floor and that's pretty much where we remained. Except for Scott, he was conveniently missing during the dancing. James shocked all of us and was on the dance floor the entire night, having the time of his life. We presented mom with a leather bound book of letters from her family which she loved.
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| James even kicked off his dancing shoes! |
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| No one can keep their hands off the baby bump! |
The next night we headed to the Cordiano Winery for wood fired pizzas. It was such a beautiful setting and a great way to end the fun-filled family weekend.
Getting Ready for Baby
All sorts of nesting and preparations have been going on to get ready for our third baby boy. I even put the boys to work making and freezer pancakes for school mornings and juicing and freezing orange juice. They have been so eager to help and it's been really nice to have four extra hands.
At this point blankets are washed and folded, the bedrooms are ready and freezer meals have been made....30 of them to be specific! We are ready for that baby boy to arrive!
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| My boys hard at work! |
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Baby's Nursery....also known as the corner of Foster's room.
Baby's Nursery....also known as mom and dad's room. This baby is really starting to take over! |
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| Last photo as a family of four. |
