Busy Days

So this summer the boys have been busy with activities that I got them signed up with through the Youth Center. M has been busy with Soccer (Challenger Posts), Golf and Equestrian. I was able to catch the kids brushing out horses one day, another day they were cleaning out stalls...

you can thank me for only taking pictures of the first activity and not cleaning of the stalls. Once a week we go to the stables and the boy learns how to be more of a farm kid.

This week the boys have started swimming lessons. J thankfully is not clinging to the walls and wailing like back 3 years ago when we attempted the same thing with the boys. I seriously think J thought it was a half hour of torture, and he still might, but he is trying this time around.

His little determined face, or maybe he is just happy that it isn't any longer then 30 minutes.

M on the other hand is thriving this time, maybe the difference between age 8 and 6. M is determined to swim and keep up with his buddy A that has a pool in his backyard. M is less stiff and more relaxed then ever...maybe being able to touch the bottom of the pool on tippy-toes helps with that.

Swimming out to the rope.

Cannonball!

Swimming back to the ledge.

Jumping in from the ledge.

All smiles about the fun time at lessons.

Thankful for warm fuzzy towels. The pool is as warm as bathwater, but outside it was only 75 and SUPER windy making it chilly when out. The boys will continue through the 21st with this session of lessons, my prediction is M will go onto to the next level and J will have fun repeating.

Filling a Weekend

So with the Sanders family on the road I thought I would recap the last nights we got to share together.  The kids had a great time spending time together and we kept on saying why didn't we do more of this the past two years!

On Friday I hosted, J and momma Katz went to a farewell for one of the Commanders here so I got to watch the kids and entertain the Sanders family without them for part of the night. The kids had a blast being outside running around in the cooling summer night.

I think most of the outside time included N chasing everyone with a light saber.

 But that's what makes him happy.

This kids also sat around watching C play on his laptop playing an online game, MineCraft.

 

On Saturday we headed over to join in the fun at Momma Katz's place...the kids were really excited....because they have a pool and all....and they always have fun with them.

One little mermaid all decked out.

A rare moment with N out of the water, he is a fish and wants to be in the water at all times, quite different from the other two boys at this age. He goes in and paddles around with a jacket on and doesn't mind going under either, he just comes up smiling and laughing.

The bigger kids put on a little show doing several jumps in together.

N thought it looked like fun and decided he wanted to jump in too...and I think we did jump in ten times together...no fear that boy!

 After drying off and eating some supper the kids had fun getting as much time in with the Sanders family as possible. They will be missed, but hopefully our paths will cross again someday and happy that we got to share so many memories together.

The kids were really worn out, so much that little L decided to lay down on the concrete and play ds...what a sight...I think all the kids probably slept great last night :)

Just Another Day and Night

So this is a post about a typical day with the boys, in this case the two younger ones. They really do like to play together outside doing what boys do...breaking out the swords and guns to pretend play Star Wars and/or Pirates. They were actually sitting still for few minutes, so I managed a few shots before they ran off.

I also have blogged about my star a few times in the past month, I finally took a picture of it at night...I love the way it glows in real life.

So at day...

And at night...this shot is with the overhead light on still, but I think you can see why I love it so much. I have gotten a ton of compliments on it, so I think its a keeper.

You see that glass container on the rack on the left, well it is the only table center piece left from our wedding...nine years ago...all the others have broken over all the moves. I think I would like to make a small terrarium and find some cool cacti and other succulents to put in it. If I find the time to do it you will definately see a post about it :)

Girls Day Out with the Kids

So with a good friend leaving we tried to fit in a couple of adventures in that her family hasn't gone and done yet. We ended up going back to Muir Woods and also in to San Francisco for the day.

What a beautiful and loving family, so glad you aren't leaving me yet!

Shannonigans and her kiddos, we are going to miss you!

M and J's best bud, he was taking in how tall the trees were.

Our mob of woman and children, we were quite the sight I think.

The kids were so good about all the walking, I think it helped that we mentioned that this was the location were parts of Star Wars was filmed...the forest moon of Endor...those cute teddy bear Ewoks...I think they were looking for them.

All the kids.

The REALLY tall trees.

The long line of kids...walking back to the vans.

A photo op in front of a big Red Wood.

At Pier 39...famous for the hundreds of Sea Lions that lounge on the floating pallets.

Although when we were there...I think we counted 5. I guess numbers have been really low lately, but at least there were still a couple that decided to make an appearance.

S'mores and More Kind of July

So on July 3rd we decided to host a get together with some of our good friends that are moving and some new friends/neighbors. In total I think we had 11 adults and 12 kiddos in attendance, can't believe there were that many kids because they were REALLY good all night!

They were excited to roast their hot dogs and marshmallows on our fire pit and also were entertained by the water slide and various video games.

 Some picture highlights.

Pretty Toes

I have started this post like ten times trying to come up with a way to express how grateful I am to have met so many wonderful people in these 9 years we have committed to the Air Force. There have been so many, and thank goodness for Facebook and being able to stay in contact with so many of them. Next weekend a wonderful family will be moving on to their next assignment. We have known them for 5 years, having been stationed at back to back bases. We have carpooled together, BBQed together, had girls days/nights together, celebrated New Years together and so many other found memories have come from our friendship over the years. I wish your family the best of luck on your new start, and hope to cross paths with you again. Because its never goodbye, but until we meet again!

But before they leave we had to get a few things taken care of...

like toes!

and we still have a week to cross off things on your Cali List...so buckle up and get ready for a week of adventures Sanders Family!