Saturday, July 31, 2021

road trip

 I have two more days until I go back to work. I'm extra sad because my working from home is officially over for good. I know that once I get into the routine of things again it will feel normal...but it is a tad harder mentally knowing I'll never get to work from home again. 

We had a fun last trip of the summer up to visit some good friends in Idaho. While the time on the road was long, it was so worth it. We first stopped in Vegas and it didn't disappoint. The kids just loved it. We walked around some of the big hotels and the vastness that is that city really hit them.



We next drove all the way to Boise and spent the next few days visiting with our friends, Matt and Jana. I'll admit, despite doing some fun things like taking the kids to a recreation area (roller coaster, chair lift, etc.), some of my most favorite times were sitting and talking (such great conversations!) out on their back porch, which to me was like sitting outside in a resort. So green and relaxing. Our kids got along so well and the time really couldn't have gone much better.





On the way home, we decided to break up our long travel day and spent the night in Provo, UT. We all commented on how fun it was to see different cities along the way and just be together as a foursome. We ate dinner at a pizza place which had the best, most unique breadsticks we have ever had! Last night I tried to recreate them and it did not go so well... :)


Kendall just returned from summer camp. She simply glowed as she described her week to us. She absolutely adored it. Tomorrow they will head up to Debbie and Wayne's for, "cousins week" (Hannah and Lauren will join them). We do this every year and it really helps us out since I typically have to go to work a week earlier than them. Then when they return, we will tackle what will be quite the year of juggling. With Cam at a different school AND in cross country, our weekly drop offs and pick-ups have become a lot more complicated! 

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

mountains

In looking at our pictures over the last month, I've realized we have spent a lot of time in the mountains. But first, I'll start with our boy's graduation from 8th grade!

*Here Cam is at an awards' ceremony the day of his promotion ceremony. He'll be attending Yucaipa High School next year and has already started practicing with the cross country team. I can confidently say he has found his niche with running. :)


*Another hike with my sister. We've been able to do several over this past year.


*Whether it is watching at home, or in a theater, I almost always get ancy during movies and rarely want to finish them in one sitting. This changed, however, when I took the kids to see Cruella. I LOVED it!


*Every summer we head out to visit my friend, Jen and her family for the afternoon. We always have such a great time and so far, the kids seem to pick up right where they left off. :)


*Hiking Mt. Baldy has, by far, been our biggest hike of the summer. This was Kendall's first time and she was a champ! What a feeling to be so, "on top of the world" once reaching the summit!





*Chris' friend let us use his timeshare property this past week up in Big Bear. We had such a fun time together. My parents joined us for a night and were able to see a great 4th of July fireworks show.



We took the kids kayaking one morning. I rented a paddleboard. I have only been paddleboarding a small handful of times in my life and I honestly can't think of many activities I love more!


One of the highlights for me was my early morning walk around the beautiful homes that surrounded the resort, followed by coffee and reading on our patio.


*The kids (Kendall especially) took a renewed liking to Solitaire!