End of the summer....

A few more pictures from our summer. School starts tomorrow!!! So hard to believe! Our summer was great, really full and went by really fast. However, I think we are all ready to head to school for a few hours a day:)

Papa and Hudson and Daddy and Ethan golfed in a little scrambles tournament a few weeks ago. Papa and Hudson only lasted 5 holes but Ethan and daddy did all 9. They all had a great time!

Morgan got to have her first sleepover this summer. I bought the girls fake nails to put on. They all loved them when we were putting them on, but my girls took them off almost immediately after this picture. Haley however kept them on until the morning!

We took one more family trip out to the Marin Headlands.We did a 4 mile round trip hike. It was 2 miles down to the beach. The kids were troopers and the little ones only needed piggy back rides the last mile or so:) It was a great reprieve  from the valley heat and some quality family time.

Ethan's birthday morning. We had balloons and presents all before 7:30 AM on the 28th!

Ethan invited 11 boys to the middle school gym for indoor soccer and dodge ball. It happened to be 104 or so on his birthday, the gym doesn't have air conditioning, so it was HOT but the boys didn't seem to care and ran around like crazy for 2 hours. Kevin was a trooper and played everything with the boys. It was the easiest birthday party for me!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Happy 8th Birthday Ethan

Ethan, it is hard to believe that the boy who made me a mama turned 8 yesterday! It is also hard for me to believe that you are going to be in third grade, which is the grade I taught for 4 years. I am excited for you to go through 3rd grade, I know you will grow and learn so much.

Ethan you have grown so much this past year and faced so many of your former fears head on. You learned how to boogie board this summer in Pebble Beach and I can still remember you crying any time we tried to get you to touch the ocean. You love playing with our neighbor's dog now after several years of an immense fear of dogs. It is so exciting to see you grow out of these fears.

Ethan you and your brother are playing better and better together. It is fun for your dad and me to watch you interact nicely with each other. Hudson looks up to you and wants to do everything you do. Sometimes you like that and sometimes it annoys you....I am imagining that will be true for years to come:)

Ethan here you are with the instrument you created for school. You love going to school, both because it means you get to play with your friends and because you love to learn. You still ask why ALL THE TIME. Mostly I think that will continue to make you a very smart boy....and sometimes that gets you in trouble! I am so glad God has given you a curious mind because I know that means you will never stop learning and you will accomplish big things. You will move mountains my boy, just because you are that determined to do what you want to do!

It sure is fun watching you and all your siblings play. You four can have a lot of fun together. Most play is dictated by the creative mind of your sister Morgan, and you are usually more than willing to go along with what she wants to play. My prayer is that you will be a good role model for your siblings, that you will love them well so that Jesus love shines through you.

You loved our trip to San Francisco over spring break. It gave you a chance to learn something new on our cruise around Alcatraz, and you loved that. Mommy and daddy enjoy taking you to do new things and watch you soak up all your new surroundings. You love to go and do. Your first question when you wake up is, "Mom what are we doing today." 

You buddy love all things sports, whether it be running, soccer, hockey, baseball or golf. You love to play and to watch on TV with daddy. You have a stats mind just like daddy and can remember crazy facts about players. You are enjoying the sports now that allow you to play with your buddies. So while you are very good at golf, right now that is not your first love. You and I have started going on little runs together sometimes in the morning. I enjoy that time and I know you do to.

Finding crabs on the beach is still a favorite of yours, but climbing on the hard-to-get-to rocks may be a close second. 

Here is a good picture of some of your missing teeth. You have lost 8 teeth and they are finally all starting to grow back in. This is just another fun milestone of you growing up big guy. I have been enjoying your helpfulness around the house. You are more and more willing to help your siblings with things and will usually do what I ask you to do in order to help me.

Ethan your daddy and I love you so much and we are looking forward to watching you grow and learn more this year. I know you will love Third Grade. We are so proud of you both in your work in school and how you try to be the best boy God wants you to be.  I pray that God continues to soften your heart and show you what it means to be kind, patient and loving towards those around you. Love you buddy!

Vacation time

The end of June found us in Pebble Beach for a whole week. We had our usual fun and added a new trip to Santa Cruz.

Aquarium fun. The kids are able to stay longer and longer each time we go to the aquarium. They are really enjoying learning new things each time. This time we watched two of the feedings which were really cool to see.

Girls time at Cannery Row.

Riding the carousel at the Boardwalk.

We got all the kids to go on the log ride once, but the second time around Brooklyn wanted to sit out. I remember going on this ride when I was younger so it was really fun to relive it through my kids.

We had a great time on the Boardwalk and then spent some time on the beach with some of our friends from San Jose. We were glad we took the drive down to Santa Cruz to make some more memories. 

Kevin was able to golf with some of his former highschool players so the kids and I went on a walk and discovered this "secret" beach.

Some family friends were spending time at their house down the street from my parents house and invited us down to the beach for a fire and smores. It was such an amazing night and the kids loved playing with the big guys.

After the trip to the beach house I took the girls out to Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota to visit family. They were amazing travelers and we had a great time reconnecting with family and friends.

Thanks for the ride Uncle Brian!

We were totally spoiled our first night and day in Sioux Falls by my Uncle Brian and Aunt Gloria.

Once we were in Minnesota at my Grandma's house I took the girls on a walk up the big hill on the gravel road behind Grandma Greats house.

The girls were able to meet several cousins (second cousins really) and had a great time on the farm and running through sprinklers. I also really enjoyed catching up with my cousins.

Brooklyn and Shelby had a great time playing together.

One of the main reasons for the trip was to go to the family reunion on the Fourth of July. There were 75 out of 101 family members present. It was a super fun day filled with games, catching up and eating! Here is Grandma with all her great grand kids that were able to make the reunion.

Both girls loved meeting baby Caroline and baby Caleb. The fun fact about Caroline is that her mom is my cousin named Brooke and she has a sister named Morgan. Brooklyn loved meeting Brooke but Morgan was super bummed that Morgan couldn't be there:)

The other main reason for heading out to Minnesota was to spend time with my grandma. It had been 4 years since I saw her last. Brooklyn was a baby. It was really special to watch the girls play with her and help them make some memories that include her.

Morgan had her heart set on making a craft with Grandma Great. I was so glad that Grandma Great pulled together these little pillows to make with them. It was perfect!

More cousins and farm animals:) These girls are daughters of my cousin Shawna who was my penpal for many years as we were growing up. We are hoping Morgan and Nicole can become pen pals now!

My girls and my friend Tonja's daughter. It was a treat to spend time with her and meet Kirsten.

I also swung through the town a few of my mom's relatives live in. It meant a lot to them to see me again and meet my girls and it was good for me to see them again as well. Aunt Thelma  reminded me so much of my Grandma Bulthuis. Among the people in this picture are my grandma's 96 year-old sister and 93 year-old brother. My mom says Brooklyn will hate me for this picture someday...the Iowa humidity was a bit much for those curls;)

I took the girls to check out our Alma Mater. Things have certainly changed in the last few years. 

The last couple nights we stayed with my Uncle Ryan and Aunt Marcia. We loved being spoiled there too. The girls loved their dog Tucker and playing with cousin Trey.

Meanwhile the boys were at home with daddy, doing lots of boy things, playing with friends and eating out:)

Hudson is ready for the 4th! Apparently they had about a 45 min show and loved every minute of it.

They were also able to go to an A's game. The boys first major league baseball game. They loved it!

We only have 2 1/2 weeks left of summer....how can that be????