August 2011-Kid fun with friends..

Carter and McKinley have a lot of fun playing together at the beach, but when he's not around....she loves her little 'twin' Maysen! They play for hours in the wet sand near the waves but not too far in them and have tons of fun. Kennidy had fun trying to skim board this summer. (I will try a put a video on if I can get my blogpress to work!) And Madison invented a new past-time with our twins and triplet friends--roasting smores over the oven!

August 2011-Last Beach Days of Summer...

One of our favorite things to do in the summer (usually with my crazy neighbor Heather and her four kids) is to explore new beaches! This summer was no exception as we found the Victoria Beach we had heard so much about in Laguna with its miniature light house and fun tide pools. The only 'not fun' part is cleaning the shorts the kids (usually Madi or Carter) wear to slide down mossy rocks or sandy steps! I spend many hours at my washing machine using the tricks mom taught me (like dissolve it) to remove such stains! I also had to put on a picture of the sunset over San Clemente pier that our friend took this summer while we were having a corn roast! GORGEOUS and the corn was delicious too with the salt water seasoning it!

August 21, 2011-Madison turns 9!

We celebrated Madi's birthday at the American Girl Cafe in LA this year with two of her closest friends! I love that on her birthday wish list, Madi is still hoping for little girl things--dolls and toys. She always plays so well with McKinley now at dolls and barbies! She was thrilled to have her Kit doll's ears pierced and hair done, and to have extra money to spend on accessories at the store. We did the same for her friends and they loved it! Then we had a yummy lunch together, just us girls. Thanks to Gracyn and Kelsey for making Madison feel so special! I thought it was so cute that Madi picked out a swim suit and beach gear for her doll...just like she wears!
Madi also worked hard this summer at not biting her nails anymore. Grandma Johnson had a great chat with her when she came down in July and we have noticed an improvement in Madison, but still more to go!
I also have to add that the morning of her birthday, she specifically asked for Eblescivers! Our family's Danish Christmas tradition! It's her favorite adn she was in heaven!

August 2011-End of Summer Hoorahs..

McKinley decided that she would start using goggles when she swam just like her older 'swim team' siblings. At 3 years old, she can swim but prefers to wear her little floatie vest and swim all over the pool, all day long with the older kids. She is also the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning as she has usually crawled out of her lowered crib and into my bed to get warm!
Two of my Laurels got married this summer in the temple and it was fun to see them and the young men they grew up with at the receptions. What great years I spent with these youth! I only hope I can have these same experiences with my own daughters one day! Chris also had the unique opportunity of baptizing our neighbor's son at the end of summer. It was a special little ceremony for both our families to share. And we spent our last nights in our neighborhood pool after fun days at the beach!

August 2011-Annual OC Fair day with Friends!

Every summer April and Garrick hook us up with great deals to the OC Fair in Newport! Our kids love this tradition and added new experiences to the list this year like riding an ELEPHANT, winning a hula hoop contest and watching chain saw Ice carvers! They love it when Chris wins them prizes at the carnival games and when we pool our tickets so they can ride the 'big kid rides'. It reminds me of my childhood summers at the fair in Oregon-the smells, the sites and sounds with the family, great memories!