3 Guesses; the First 2 Don't Count

3 guesses as to how I style my bangs each morning... She is my shadow and copy-cat.Do your girls love to put your makeup on in the morning? She'll try anything to get me to let her use my brushes, or whatever...

We went to a small farm for a field trip with the Mom's Club out here in California. Who would have thought that there were bison living close by where we live? (in captivity)

Jace, realizing that he could spell his name with the blocks.

Friends

Continuing my pictures of Jace and his friends in the park...

This was so funny to me. I was trying to get things done around the house, when I noticed that Jace and Ella had, (on their own) created a "campfire." They used toys as sticks and managed to get the marshmallows out of the closet by themself. I love the moments when they find something fun to do on their own!

Wakeboarding

We left our house at 4:30 in the morning on Saturday to drive an hour and a half to Lake Buena Vista to hang out with some friends and do a little wakeboarding/ tubing. This is breakfast after arriving at 6 am. I'm NOT an early riser. So wow, this was a challenging wake up hour for me. But nevertheless the crystal clear and quiet lake was worth it to those who jumped on the boat for the first run. Nick went wakeboarding on that first run, but we didn't get a picture. Thanks Brother Gillhouse for inviting us to come out with your family and your boat!
While Dad went out on the first run, Jace and Ella played with the sand toys on the shore.

Jace taking his first ride on the boat.This was my first time wakeboarding. It was super fun! My body is feeling it today, though.

Nick, Jace, and our friends on the tubes. Fun day!

Just a couple of black and whites

Today was the first day that felt "cool" in California since the end of last winter- if you can say that Cali has a winter. When I got up it was only 59 degrees outside. I opened all the windows and took a breath of the crisp, fresh air! Some days I do miss the amazing "seasons" of Utah and Ohio. It did end up at 89 degrees by the afternoon, but in between the morning and the late afternoon, we snuck in some play time at our favorite park!

Summer Finale

These past few weeks have been filled with plenty of travel, football just getting going already, family and fun. It seems that we have missed the "down" time that we usually enjoy on the weekends for blogging. So here it is... a few pics to end our summer finale!

Jace and Ella swimming at Alyssa's parents house on Saturday morning, the morning of Steve and Jeff's combined open house.


Family picture at Alyssa's parents house. Evening of the open house. It was great to see all of our family. Thanks for coming! We need to get together more often!
Alyssa's parents took the kids overnight last week. Nick and I enjoyed some quiet time at Manhattan Beach. Arrived right on time for a beautiful sunset! A double click on this one will show the the crowded but beautiful residential coastline of Manhattan Beach.

Finally getting around to posting a few pics from Steve's wedding day! It was a beautiful day, very fun, and planned well! This is Steve's wife Wendy with all the little girls- mostly from her family. Ella and cousin Avery are in the picture below.
My two cute boys.
Alyssa's family at the afternoon of Steve's wedding day. This picture is way more fun than the formal photo.
We enjoyed Saturday soccer games all summer. Sadly, it's now come to an end. But Jace is really enjoying preschool now! Ella and Alyssa playing on the sidelines. The neighbors roses happened to make a great background! Jace stopping for a drink.

Entertaining ourselves at the park- HOT park. I'm anxious for the change of season and the cooler temperatures!

Nick-what a sport! Ella- the cosmotologist in training?