San Diego...day 1

We had such a fun summer vacation staying in a beach house in La Jolla with three other families!

The first night we got there we needed to do some grocery shopping so we'd be set with food for the week.  We had about 30 min. before Costco closed, so us ladies made our way through Costco like crazy women.  I literally felt like I was on that game show, supermarket sweep.  I also wish I would have taken a camera and got a shot of our 3 overloaded carts.  It was quite the scene =)

Our first full day there was Sunday, so after church we went by the San Diego Temple and then to the Mormon Battalion.  {the kids were all hesitant to go, but ended up loving it!}

Love.

There were so many snails around the temple.  The boys were in heaven!

10 out of 13 of the kiddos

I had to get a couple shots of everyone prepping food in the kitchen.  It's so fun to have lots of help!  Especially when you have Mike who always offers to do dishes!  Seriously?!  No complaints on my end.

Caden had a birthday...

It's true!  Somehow it happens, though I try to stop it.  My sweet Caden turned 6!  Just saying that makes me sad.  I seriously want this boy to stop growing.  

This year Caden really really wanted a DS and so we had told him that he'd either get a party or the game system; not both.  He was fine with that and pretty much didn't care about anything else =)
{other than he insisted on a plain chocolate cake with chocolate frosting}

Because I couldn't let the day go by with no sort of party, we invited the cousins over to Grandma & Grandpa Jensen's house for swimming and dessert.

Grandma Jensen took him out to lunch and shopping for his birthday.  He wanted to go and pick out his own gift.  After driving around to Target, Walmart and Toys R Us he finally came home with pokemon cards and a new scooter that can make sparks.  He just kept telling Grandma, "I'm not really into that!"
 funny kid.

Grandma Westphal

My wonderful Grandma passed away the end of June.  It was unexpected, which meant we took a last minute trip up to Utah for the funeral.  I will miss my grandma dearly!  I love her!  Some my most favorite memories:

*having a "2nd" Christmas at her house every year; yes! She spoiled us!

*playing scrabble with her

*always being excited to have thanksgiving dinner at her house where I knew she'd make my favorite shrimp salad!

*Visiting her with my children {her only great grand children} and her loving every minute of it!

*Her love for her family!  It is unfailing...she'd do anything for them!

Nothing like a little dance party in the car to make it through the 10 1/2 hr. drive....

My dad, my brother Justin, and my brother Joel-pall bearers

This is 4 generations: my grandpa, mom, me and Lexi

We stayed for a few extra days in Utah to enjoy the cooler weather.  While there, we took the kids on a hike up to Bridal Veil Falls.

We also couldn't leave without making a trip to Brick Oven and going bowling at the Y.

freestone recreation center

A few Sat. ago we were looking for something fun to do and Clint had a friend invite him to play racquetball.  I decided to tag along with the kids to give us something to do.  The recreation center has a rock climbing wall, racquetball, basketball & volleyball courts, ping pong, and pool tables.  The kids ended up having such a great time and keep asking when we're going back.

Lexi making her way up...

Caden was much more hesitant than Lexi, but I'm glad he tried it out at least!

That's Lexi way up on the top left.  She made it to the very top and rang the bell!  

trouble...

...is {or should be} Archer's middle name!  This kid loves to climb and get into anything and everything he can!  He's lucky he's so darn cute!

eating a chocolate ice cream cone

loving his smoothie

stealing soda

Those are bread crumbs all over the pantry! The best part is I had just made a quick Basha's run at 5:30 to pick up the bread crumbs for dinner because I had forgotten to get them at the grocery store the day before! =)

Here's Mr. Trouble helping vacuum up his mess

We went to get ice cream for family night...who's the crazy one?!

This picture was taken 3 months ago, but I had to include it because it shows what a daredevil he is!  Oh, and in case you're wondering...he no longer has a binky!  

buddies

This summer has been full of fun with these two boys running around together.  They have so much fun together!  They keep their Mom on her toes with what they're going to do or come up with next!

Lunch at Joe's Farm Grill

Keeping cool at the play place inside the mall!

A daily routine! {remind me when I buy a new couch to be sure the cushions are attached =) }

annual spud derby

We recently went to our friends annual spud derby.  We all bring a potato and carve it how we like, put wheels on it, and race it down a pinewood derby track.  It is so fun!  This year was slightly different in that they had the guys and girls race separately.  "So what" your saying?  Well, for me this was a big deal because Clint has always been the one to carve the potato, put the wheels and axles on, and grease the thing to make sure it makes it down the track.  So this time I was on my own!  

I ended up winning 2nd place in the woman's bracket!  Woohoo!  Looking forward to next year!