Camping 2010 #1- Portola Redwoods

4th of July weekend we headed to the Portola Redwoods to camp with the Katzs and Laytons.

^Ed and I got there a little earlier so we started dinner in the dutch oven. Ed has mad cooking skills. We had Italian Chicken and roasted red potatoes. All food tastes extra good camping for some reason. For dessert we had boysenberry cobbler in the dutch oven. Yum!

^The little ladies

^The Laytons

^The Katzs

Our fam before the kids went down.

Camping always includes:

^Relaxing, sitting around the camp fire,

^Marshmallow roasting and s'more eating,

^A little bit of ugly, and some scary ghost stories,

^friends, happiness,

^and sleeping outdoors under the stars. (all the kids did great!)

^In the morning (The face Sarah makes when asked to smile- creepy! :) )

^ So cute all bundled up! Kai learning to point

^For breakfast we had delicious foil hash browns, eggs and sausage. Maren entertaining with bubbles.

^Our camp site was awesome! The kids loved climbing on these fallen redwoods.

^They also played in the dirt and found banana slugs.

^Happy Campers

^How camping makes us feel.

^ After a delicious breakfast we went for a short hike.

^So big!

^We climbed in hollow trees

^Gave the kids shoulder rides

^Camping was my typical family vacation growing up. I'm glad Ed and I have started the tradition early with our kids. I really love getting out in nature, and doing it with friends and family is the best! Hopefully we'll have some more trips this summer.

Capitola Beach- June 25

Introducing.....

^SAND!!! to Kai! I think this was one of Kai's first times on the sand. He loved it of course, didn't eat it, just wanted to crawl everywhere on it!

^Kai, Sarah, and Leah.

^Always glad to have a fine group of ladies to do these things with! We'll be visiting the beach much more hopefully!

No wonder Ed wonders why I say staying home is challenging. He sees pictures like this. :)

Berry picking #1, June 23

Lindsay Drummond shared one of her favorite family traditions of going berry picking in Watsonville. It's about 1 hour away from where I live. Although it's hard for me to stay awake on the drive :), I loved it, the kids seemed to like it and the lunch alone is worth driving there for. :)

^Picking crew included, Bergs, Drummonds, Geddes, & (not pictured) Shafers, Laytons and Baldwins.

^It started out pretty cool, but the clouds burned off so we were happy to have our hats.

^Sarah showing her boysenberries.

^She did great at only picking the dark (ripe) ones.

^And you can tell by the look on her face that she sampled a few. :)

^We picked 'til we were hungry and then went to Gizdich Ranch for lunch. Seriously worth talking about. Delicious sandwich, fresh strawberries, apple slush, chips and a cookie- well worth the 7$.

^And the Ranch has a picnic area complete with fences to climb (with Livia), tractors, play kitchens, grass to crawl on, tables and shade, and good memories! :) I think this has now become one of our traditions. I love CA! Next time we'll have to bring Ed.

My only regret was Sarah's tantrum at the end because she wouldn't go on the potty. So instead of going to pick strawberries with everyone else- we left and of course she peed in the car. :(

My Babies Daddy!

Father's Day was a delight! We got together with Katzs and Laytons and the mom's made a nice man-like dinner for the dads.

^They love their daddy!

^Daddy and Kai

^The kids lounging out.

^Daddy and Sarah

^We had chips and dip for appetizers, ribs, corn on the cob, fresh fruit salad, twice baked potatoes and homemade pizookies (thanks to Kristen) for dessert! Kristen also made really cute party favors for the dads.

^Our backyard dinner crew.

Ed, I love you and it makes me so happy to see you interact with the kids! You give them something I can't give them that is so special. You are a really great daddy! We are lucky to have you.

June UT trip

For June we headed to UT for two reasons. I had my 10 year high school reunion, and Ed was going to be gone for a boys camp for a week anyway. Ed graciously drove us to Ut. Unfortunately I was awful at taking pictures this trip!

Can't resist sleepy pictures.

^Saturday was my high school reunion. I missed the "wear black" memo! Oh and the blonde hair memo. ;) hahaha! The reunion was fun though. Wish more people would have come. I think Ed even had a good time.

^After we met up for some frozen yogurt.

^Ed flew home Sunday evening to get back for a week long camp he attended for Young Mens. He was a captain over this group. We missed him! Glad the kids and I could stay in UT while he was gone. ;) Good timing.

^ Sarah got sick a few days before we left so this is where I slept after she threw up all over us our bed.

^And this is where poor Sarah slept the rest of the night.

^ Grandma and Grandpa Harman

^Grandpa Johnson. (Whoops! Grandma Johnson not pictured :( )