Justin's 12!

Justin turned 12 on Monday.  I can't believe it.  He is now in Young Men's at church and will be getting the priesthood!  So crazy and so exciting!  Because he was leaving for Scout Camp for the week at 4am on his birthday, we did a mini celebration the night before.  He doesn't like cake, so he requested cupcakes.  I know, I don't get it either.  :)  This year was the year he was to have a friends party, but he opted for the money it would have cost for that party and asked...ok, begged and begged and begged, for a cell phone.  We finally caved and he now has a cell phone, but we insisted that he not be locked into a 2 year plan, so we lucked out and a friend gave us her old phone and his present is we will pay each month through Christmas and then he has to pay for it himself (watch out...he'll be asking everyone for money for Christmas so he will be able to afford it).  Not being locked into a contract gives us the freedom to shut it off at anytime for any reason.  Makes me feel better.  :)  Anyway, he's a happy camper (literally...gone the entire week!).  Happy birthday, our wonderful, sweet son!  We love you so, so much!!!!!

Construction

While we were gone on our fun week away construction got under way.  Thought I'd post some pics of the beginnings and how it currently looks.

Funny story about this outhouse.  While the kids and I were in HB at my parents, Kirk came home from Dana Point to no plumbing or water.  He had to actually use this thing that is there for the works.  Ugh!

 All the green grass you see below is gone.  It's now all dead.  :(

 And this is our lovely ruined front yard.  Nothing as really bothered me so far, but this is a little sad.

A week of fun

On July 9th we had the opportunity to get away for a few days to Dana Point.  Kirk's brother and sister-in-law gave us a wonderful gift as a thank you to a very nice hotel right across the street from the beach!

This is our view.  Very pretty!  So, while everyone was sweltering at home in 105 degree heat, we were enjoying beautiful 73 degrees!

Our first night there the kids went to their house and had pizza, went swimming and went out to frozen yogurt while Kirk and I had a date night to Cheesecake Factory.  All courtesy of them!  THANK YOU SO MUCH, Mark and Sylvia!!!! So thoughtful and generous!  So nice for the cousins to get together!

The next day we went to the beach, but the waves were breaking right along the shoreline, so we opted for the pool instead.  It was a beautiful day to just sit poolside while the kids swam!

After dinner we headed over to Mission Viejo Mall and met up with our friends from home that were also staying in Dana Point for the week.  We went to Farrell's!  Who remembers Farrell's!

The kids all got fun balloon hats.

 And we told them it was Justin's birthday (close enough - 2 weeks away), so they made a big deal as only Farrell's can!

 We then rolled ourselves back to the hotel to watch TV, relax and go to bed.  The next morning we took the kids down to the pool again for about 90 minutes to swim before check out.  Kirk went home because he had to work and the kids and I headed to Huntington Beach to stay with my parents for a few more days.

We hung out and relaxed and did a few fun things.  First thing was the Aqua Link.  It goes from one harbor in Long Beach to another one.  Fun little ride. Thanks Mom for treating us.  It's so much fun!  We had lunch at Chili's when we got to the second harbor.  We then walked around and then caught the next water taxi back.

 Love the view of the Queen Mary.

Another day we went to the Reptile Zoo in Fountain Valley. Below are lots of turtles.

 Those of us that wanted to got to hold an iguana, Corn snake and gecko.

 This lizard is the real Mr. Kipling from the Disney show Jessie.  Kids LOVED him and were excited to meet him since they watch the show!

 Ahh.  Grandma and Avery

 We actually ended up getting a really good summer rain for a couple of days, so it made it hard to get to the beach like we had planned, but we were able to get there on our last day.  Kids had a ball!

Grandma and Grandpa got Justin a cake for his birthday and gave him his present.  What a nice ending to a great week!

4th fun!

It was another fun 4th on Rosebay Ct.!  We started the day with swimming in  our friends pool.

Ella, Avery and Carly - BFF's!

Then it was time for a water balloon fight

All those coolers are filled with water balloons!

Justin beaming his best friend, Hunter

Then, of course, baseball!

Love our neighbors/friends!

Time for yummy BBQ.  Everyone made their own food and then just ate together.

Letting the kids play and just relaxing before fireworks.

 Sparklers and fireworks!

 It was a smaller group this year, as a couple neighbors have moved.  But we still had a great time.  I am so grateful for our country.  We are so blessed and I hope to instill patriotism in our children and pray they will come to understand what it means to live in our blessed land!

Happy Birthday, America!