The White's came to visit!

The Shear Resort is now open for business :)  

The day after we got home from Idaho, we realized how much our house is actually going to accommodate visitors, so we ordered a trundle bed for Alison's room.  I didn't think anyone would really be excited about sleeping on cots and trundle beds, but then again, we do live in paradise...and people have slept on our futon for years, so I'm going to take that as people just really love us.

Laurel asked if they could come visit, to which we will always say YES.

And she brought us Chili Peppers!  

The most giant tortillas I have ever seen:

We stocked our freezer with bean and cheese borritos and tamales.  I don't think they'll last us that long, but we have a trip planned for October, so we just have to make it until then.

Back to the White's...they came to escape the heat and requested a day at the beach.  It was overcast and chilly, but we still had fun.

We bought a couple of boogie boards on the way and it was the first time the kids really ventured out into the COLD water.  The smile on Eli's face was worth everything.  I'm hoping to get some wetsuits soon so we can all get out in the water.

This is currently my favorite beach to go to because they have Junior Lifeguard camp going on and there's a lot of instructors out in the water.

The next day, we went to Underwood Family Farm to pick blackberries and raspberries.

Eli was very excited about picking raspberries, but refused to pick berries when he discovered tons of bees around the bushes. It wasn't long before all of the kids abandoned picking, except for Tolson.

 The second the boys were reunited, they hugged and then instantly started running around playing.  I couldn't get them stop for 2 seconds to get a decent picture.  The girls were much calmer.  They played with Smokey (I don't think I've mentioned that we have a new hamster) a lot...

and crafted out in the garage.  Hot glue + paint= creations for Barbies.

Oh look, I did get all the boys in one picture!  They stopped just long enough to watch some Star Wars and to look up how to build things in Legos on an iPad.

 The following day we went on a little girls shopping date.

That night, Ben grilled us burgers and made mojitos with mint from our garden.  We were sitting out on the patio and Laurel said that she felt like she was at a resort.  It was a refreshing time for all of us...if only they could just move here.

I don't feel like we've lived here all that long still, but talking with Laurel brought back all the memories of Yuma and it surprised me how quickly I forgot.  I can't believe we lived that life; it's not just a place, it's a very unique way of living.  The never able to forget a sunshade in your car-never step outside without sunglasses-ALWAYS be drinking water-can't be outside-can't cook unless it's in an insta pot- life.  It's no wonder why we're feeling so spoiled here.  I went on a whole run this morning without sunglasses! 

Catching up

Poppy came to visit!

The boys all went to pick berries and then we had them over ice cream for dessert.  Fresh berries and cream is always a good decision.

 I'm laughing now, as I notice all the swords in these pictures. Real life right here.

If you ever need a good laugh, just play Twister with Colin.

Rick wanted to go to the beach one afternoon.  This was about the time I said to Ben, "Man, I brought a change of clothes for everyone...except for Poppy."

I definitely did not expect him to get in the water!  But this is pretty true to what Rick does; he just jumps into the kids world.

Once everyone was somewhat dry, we went to Mr. Softee's for ice cream.

 It was a great visit and I am REALLY hoping that some day I start getting good pictures of my Eli.

 Eli continues to be a lego master.  The floor of their room is now covered with all the "destroyers" he's built.

I'm missing some clips, but I thought this was so cool.  Ben set up his phone to capture the process Eli goes through to build.  First he sorts out the pieces he's going to need and then sets to work...he has a vision in his head and it's so cool to see him make it come to life.

Another vision Eli had, was for this video:


The boys took swim lessons and Eli jumped off the diving board for the first time!





We went swimming with some friends at the non-base military housing.  About once a week it hits me that we get to live in California and this day was one of them.  It was beautiful day and we got to spend it at the pool, under palm trees and the smell of ocean air.  I dreamed of days outside like this and now we get to live it.




"New Laurel" has a new photography business and asked if Ben and I would help her with engagement pictures for her portfolio. She had everything set, down to the outfits, so it was an easy yes for us.  It was so fun to get dressed up and pretend to be newly engaged...16 years later.

 
We met some friends at the park one day and Tristen taught Colin how to hit a baseball.  He was so impressed that Colin was able to hit it so quickly.  He said he was a pro and Colin took that very seriously. 

Stanley, Part 3

Friday, we went to Redfish lake.  Again, could have stayed all day...

Seriously, how do people not know how beautiful Idaho is?  We got a lot of weird looks when we told people where we were going for vacation and I bet their not laughing now!

The boys instantly started grabbing sticks and branches and began playing "survivor".  I have a feeling this is one event they won't forget about the trip and I loved watching them just pretend and play.

Back at the cabin, there was lots of coloring and playing going on.

I also loved hearing all about Nonny and Papa's adventures and seeing them love on Ben.  There's a certain look that only a grandparent can give a grandkid; a certain twinkle in their eye that is so precious.

It was also special that our kids got time with their great grandparents.  I would often hear Nonny  tell Colin that he just lights up a room. 

Well, that little light hasn't been wanting his picture taken lately, so THANK YOU uncle Jordan for snapping this for us!

We played Yatzee again that evening (Eli did not like it that he never actually got a Yatzee).

And when the kids were in bed, Ben and I finally got our turn in the hot tub.

Then we stayed us WAY too late to look at the milky way.  It was worth it, but boy are we tired from this trip!

*Pictures credited to Kent and Ben*

*I promise to work on my picture taking game next trip*

Saturday morning, we packed up the house and then drove up the "hill" one last time for some pictures.

It was super hard to leave.  We had an amazing week and were so thankful for the time we had.  Our flight didn't leave until the evening, so we went to Nampa and hung out at Nonny and Papa's house for awhile.

I am in love with the Boise airport.  It was so calm and easy to get through AND they have Smashburger...it definitely made for a rude awakening when we landed in LA.

Stanley part 2

Wednesday, the kids stayed with Nonny and Papa and we hiked Sawtooth Lake Trail.

I think this is my favorite picture: Elizabeth finished radiation treatment just DAYS before this trip and here she is, hiking up a mountain.  Plus I love the smile on Ben's face.  He had looked forward to this particular hike for weeks.

I think the theme of the trip was "Could sit in this place all day and soak up the beauty".  Every where we went was just breathtaking.

Had to document being in snow!

When we got back from the hike, we found that Nonny and Papa had taken the kids out for a hike as well!  I loved how they made them get outside too.  Then we all went to get some ice cream and walk around the little town.

When Ben was a kid, Nonny and Papa took him to several hot springs.  We couldn't get to the exact ones they went to, but found there was one just a short walk from our cabin.

Hot springs and sun burned shins do not go together, but it was basically a pool for Colin.

Thursday, we went to Custer, an old mining town.  The kids enjoyed this WAY more than we anticipated and still talk about some of the things they read while there.

Colin wanted to recreate the photo on the sign in front of the house.

We let the kids pick out some rocks and tried huckleberry soda at the little gift shop.

We had a big barbecue for the 4th of July that evening and celebrated Amy's 50th birthday and Elizabeth's completion of radiation.

Eli is a man set in his ways and put himself to bed at 8:30, but the rest of us stayed up late for the firework show.  I think we had the best seats in town...we just sat on our porch, under the heat lamps and had the best views.