Alison's Birthday!

She's 12!!!

Donuts for breakfast and a historic day: Eli let Alison kiss him!  I'm glad I got that documented.

Ben set up her first present the night before and we waited to see how long it would take her to notice.  It wasn't long after donuts that she saw a tree swing in the backyard :)

This was the first year in a LONG time that we waited to open presents.  Instead, we headed to the beach!

 It was another cold day on the beach, but that didn't stop the kids.  Ben and I had sweatshirts on, but they were boogie boarding.  It's crazy how much the weather changes by the water.  At our house it was sunny and 80, but by the water was 70 and cloudy.

When we got back home, we had a luau.  We played beach ball volleyball, had a hulu hoop contest and sipped fruit punch out of fancy cups.

The boys surprisingly really got into the luau.  I wasn't able to capture them hulu dancing, but they did :)

Even Maya joined the fun.

Before dinner, we finally opened presents.

My favorite part of the day was right here, when Eli said excitedly, "I want to sit next to the Birthday Girl!" and then both boys showered her with hugs.  Alison always tries to love on them, but it's rare that they initiate affection.

We planned kabobs for dinner, but Alison changed her mind last minute and wanted hotdogs...actually she wanted Indian rice, pork belly, hot dogs and grilled pineapple.

Her cake request this year was a layered white cake that was decorated.  Ben made the cake and frosting and Rayna helped me with the decorations.  I think the team effort made it all the more special.

One tradition that has carried on is her need for a birthday shirt.  Thank you Target for making that an easy button this year.

 

Alison had the great idea for this swing shortly after we moved in and I think it was a brilliant idea...the boys think so too.

Here we go 12! I think it's going to be a great year!

Rayna came to visit!

Alison and Rayna had such a great time hanging out together in Idaho, that Greg and Amy decided to fly her to California for a few days before school started. 

We made a list of things to do; options for Rayna to get the full California experience.  The first day, the girls came to me and said they wanted to go the library and then to the outlet mall.  I love that they picked getting books first.

When we pulled up the library and Rayna said, "This is your library?!?!"  It is definitely the nicest library I have ever been to and the children's wing is out of this world.

They checked out a few books and then stopped in the used bookstore next door.  I knew Alison and Rayna were two peas in a pod, but it was confirmed when they were shopping for books. 

Next stop was In-N-Out for lunch.  

Rayna declared it delicious and bought a T-shirt so she'll always remember it.

Then we went to the outlets and I let the girls wonder through whatever store they wanted.  Last stop was in the Disney Store.

The rest of the day, the girls spent in the garage making crafts and walked to the park for a little bit.  

The next day the girls picked to go to downtown Ventura.  They have some fun thrift stores and that sounded fun to them.

Our first stop was to a soda shop.  When we walked in, the owner told us that everyone could pick one free piece of candy.  I think that was their favorite part of the day!

Rayna found huckleberry soda, like they had at the ghost town in Idaho and they wanted to try pop rocks.

The girls didn't find anything at the thrift store, but the boys found a steal on some Legos...because we need more...

Rayna was anxious to see the ocean, so we walked down to say hello. 

The kids climbed on the rocks and we watched a bunch of surfers by the pier.  That evening, Rayna helped me get ready for Alison's birthday and man, is she a good wrapper.  I need to bring her back at Christmas!

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.