Summer Slow Down

After such a busy spring we were ready to slow it down! Besides VBS, swim lessons for the girls, and their annual camping trip with my parents we scheduled nothing. It has been a glorious summer-baseball games, the beach, friends, and endless hours at home. I promise the endless hours at home have been some of the best moments this summer--the girls play legos, jump, swim, repeat. Our large backyard has been the greatest blessing, the girls spend 5+ hours a day, playing, playing, playing, while Joe and I do school work, catch up on all the back log, and read (for leisure!).  There is three weeks of summer left (a visit from Uncle Daniel, a trip to see Portland friends, and one more BBQ/Bonfire with friends), and we are relaxed and ready for another busy school year.

 Joe and Hannah heading out to the Padres v. A's game. Hannah LOVES baseball, and Joe 

LOVES finally having someone to share his most favorite sport. This kid watches an ENTIRE game, eyes glued, commentating about players and plays, Joe is in heaven.

Can't seem to get this picture upright.

 For father's day the girls planned a picnic at Balboa Park for Joe (his favorite place). We got him

the explorer pass so he and the girls (me too, occasionally) can visit all the museums any time they want (this summer it as been at least once a week). Here is a couple pictures of the girls playing in the NAT's new exhibit. 

 On this special Father's Day visit the girls finally rode the historic Balboa Park Merry-Go-Round.  

 It went surprisingly fast, Hannah likes arms up.

Not boxes, but spaceships.  

Last year we quit using the Bob on outings, this year we graduated to the kids packing their 

own snacks, extra clothes and drinks. They love it, be it Disneyland, Legoland, a hike, or the Zoo 

they carry all their own stuff.  

 We love living so close to the bay and on the evenings I am not jogging we do family "walks." 

L was off riding her bike with Joe jogging behind. 

 A hipster on a skateboard thought Hannah zipping along with her unicorn helmet was the coolest thing, I caught him taking a photo of her. He sheepishly asked if it was alright, and exclaimed she was one cool kid. 

 We had an excellent fourth of July, it started with going to Old Town San Diego for their old time celebration--highly recommend. Then in the evening we had a marshmallow roasting, firework watching party at our house (yeah, for being able to see the fireworks from our street) with 5 other families--so much fun.

 They were both very touched by the flag.

 Trying to decide what old fashion candy to get. 

 Joe decided to be a balloon making expert.

 Another fun thing about this age--going to the movies with friends! We saw Inside Out (very good), and the Minions (only good if you are under the age of nine.)

 Much to Hannah's extreme joy she finally got to start ballet this summer. She LOVES it as much as L- I cannot believe I am a dance mom, did not see that happening, but after four years I am accepting it.

 Lucky L got to go to San Diego Comic Con with her best friend Zoey's family.

 Being Leia has some perks, including be asked to sit on this thing when no one else was allowed to even touch it. 

 Best friends since preschool, L's first good friend after we moved here. 

 Zoey and L--the tallest and the shortest. Zoey's nine year old sister Zarah in the middle. 

We drove the girls up to my parents house in the Sierras, or as the kids call it "Marmar's Tree House",  so they can go on their annual week long grandparent camping trip. I will need to get pictures from my mom, but from what I heard it was AWESOME, L even learned how to paddle board!

 The girls LOVE "the tree house deck" they tell us constantly that we need a house in the trees too.

 Before Joe and I left we joined everyone on a nearby hike. Can't tell from the pictures but we barely missed a thunder and lighting storm. 

 L took finding the perfect hiking stick very seriously. 

 Hannah believes running is the best mode of transportation. 

 L forged her first stream via fallen tree stump--sort of a parenting fail that this is her first. 

 Joe and I decided to come home going over Sonora Pass and visit Mono Lake and Mt. Whitney. 

 I love the beach life, but gosh I miss the mountains. 

 Thunder clouds rolled in by the time we hit Mono lake, and by the time we got to Mt. Whitney the clouds completely covered the mountain--we had to pretend we were looking at it. 

 We did a quick kid free stop at Disneyland too. Tower of Terror in the front row is absolutely terrifying--couldn't open my eyes (we are far left). 

 We have had a weekly beach day with some of our favorite friends, at our "secret" beach spot. 

And because the 4th was so much fun we did another BBQ night at our house--this time 7 families! Our friend Shiloh's birthday party was rained out when the remnants of hurricane Dolores hit San Diego so her parents brought her giant piñata. The dads thought holding it over the trampoline would be brilliant, they were right. 

 A portion of the kids waiting their turn to bat at the thing.

 Pandemonium, the candy is out!!

But most days have been gloriously relaxing, the kids jump.

 And jump...

 A Hannah favorite, fall, catch yourself, and land on your feet. 

 Then they swim in our little 3ft x 10ft Intext pool.

 Four hours on end. 

 A day doesn't go by where Joe and I don't feel blessed by these two sisters' relationship.

They are truly the best of friends, they rarely squabble and if they do it is short lived. Their love for each other is deep, and their selflessness towards each other is heart warming. My prayer is their relationship only grows stronger, and for nothing to ever shake it. 

Many, many days this summer have ended like this.