Beach Reunion

We spent a couple days in Clovis and then headed to the beach for the Hurd family reunion.  Jason had to work part of the week and met up with us the last couple days.  I always love the beach, hanging out with my family and camping, but this trip was a little challenging.  Paige decided she hated to walk on sand on would scream if she was ever put down anywhere near the sand.  She was happy in the tent or being held.  

Luckily for me, Austin is a great brother and didn't mind helping out with her.

I didn't have as much time to visit with the family, but the kids were happy to be there and see everybody.

Granny and Jessica

The fog rolled in in the evening, making everything wet and cold.  If we didn't put the camp chairs away or keep someone planted in them, they would be too wet to sit in.   We hadn't planned on it being quite so cold at the beach in July and had to make a trip into town to buy a few more sweatshirts and cozy pants to keep everyone warm.

We loved the beach during the day.  There is something soothing about hearing the waves crash on the shore.  Paige enjoyed the sand from the comfort of a blanket.  She would sit on the edge of it and dig in the sand.

The other kids buried each other in the sand and built sand castles.

I tried to show Paige how much fun it can be to draw in the wet sand or run away from the waves, but she wanted nothing to do with it.  She wanted to see everything, but she wanted to be carried there.

I felt so relieved when she would finally fall asleep!

Jason flew in on our third day and somehow he convinced her to walk in the sand!!! I still don't understand, but that was it and then she was over it.

I guess sometimes a girl just needs her dad.

Typical for my life, things always get better when Jason arrives. :)

The boys braved the cold water for some boogie boarding.

Drew and Austin

Drew

Tyler and Drew

Garrett, Tyler, Austin, Drew

I'm pretty sure this is the best picture from the trip: Austin, Wes, and Drew, checking Tyler's armpit for hair!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Grandma taking Phoebe to play by the water and Ashlyn digging in the sand.

Jessica taking a nap under her hoodie and Brynne snuggling with Grandpa.

Jen reading a book.

Austin and Garrett

Ashlyn

Melissa, Sequoia, Jessica, Me, and Paige

Brynne showing off her treasures from the beach

Jeff, Wes and Jason

Phoebe, Kaite and Cedrick

Wes and Grandpa helping Granny across the sand.

Finally Summer!

(Yes, still catching up from last summer!)  

School had been out for a month and a half, but it wasn't until we went back to Clovis that it finally felt like summer!  It was July and we hadn't been swimming or boating! It felt good to be home.  

 If you have ever spent a summer in central California, you would laugh at the picture below.  It screams "Utah kids!".  Jessica in her long pants and t-shirt in and Austin sporting his Utah summer "tan".

  The heat was an adjustment for them, but it was so good to be back!

Paige was a little fish and loved being in the water!

 These two were thrilled to be together again! They were so excited when they realized that they had matching outfits!  Great moms think alike (and shop at Target.)!

So much personality packed into such little people! Haha!

One of the kids favorite things to do is snuggle up with Grandpa and watch a movie.  I hate that he is not part of their daily life anymore.  I know they are missing out.    I've decided that I am just a girl who wants it all.  I want to merge the best of both states and fill it up with my favorite people.  I wish it were possible...

 I loved sitting on the couch in the evening and looking around at my family that I love.  It was just a normal night, with everyone doing what they do.  It was perfect and I felt content.

 Carter came to visit and Kristin and Maryanne were in town, so we all went out on the boat.  Paige was happy to help pick up some snacks for the day before we went out.

  I can't tell you how much I missed these faces!!

  Sunshine and swimsuits, laughter and a full heart.

Peter Pan

Last summer, Lauren was in another play.  She got involved with Alpine Community Theater and was excited to be an animal dancer in Peter Pan.   She loved learning new dances, and the long practices with her friends.

 Here she is before her first performance

Lauren is always happy and smiling so it was not an easy task to get her to keep a straight face so I could take a picture of her makeup to remember how I was supposed to apply it each night while the play was running.

The girl who played Peter Pan was amazing!  The production was great and even had the little girls glued to their seats!

 Lauren was so cute as an animal dancer!

 She knew exactly what she was supposed to do and preformed with confidence.

It was a great experience for her.

McCauley's!

Maryn and Courtney (Brewster) had spent the week at Just for Girls in Logan, Utah, while Haley hung out with me and other family here in Utah.

 We took the kids to Discovery Park at Thanksgiving Point one afternoon.

 Paige

 I had never been there and loved all the things it offered for the kids to explore and play with.  Their favorite thing at the park with the little stream.  There are plastic boats in a bin near the recycling stream that the kids could race down the stream.

 Lauren and Clara

 

 Ashlyn

 Ashlyn, Lauren, Clara, Tyler, Peyton, Paige and Austin 

Lauren was excited when Maryn and Courtney came back from their camp to spend the rest of the weekend.

Aaron flew in for the weekend as well.  It felt like old times just hanging out. 

Aaron, Haley and Jason

Clara

Peyton and Paige

Clara, Austin and Tyler

Paige, Clara, Peyton and Ashlyn