Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I love the Beach. I love letting the kids have fun getting wet, sandy and sun filled. I don't know if I can think of a more enjoyable activity. I can play, relax, explore, build, swim, jump, climb and I don't have to clean up after anyone!

My kids love it too. Sydney is my explorer, she loves to find caves and jumping places. Ethan is the first one in the water and the last one out. He boogie boards, skim boards, or surfs - as long as he is wet he is happy. Ember is everywhere, she will play in the waves, talk to Ethan, explore with Sydney, dig in the sand with Sophie or raid the lunch bag. Where ever she is, she is happy. Sophie loves to swim with mom, ride on a boogie board pulled on the sand and she likes to have Mom make her, her own pool in the sand which the waves generously fill up for her.

On our last beach trip we were standing out on some rocks when we saw a turtle. Sophie wanted to jump into the water, so I jumped in with her and then she said, "Turtle. Catch it!" She loves the ocean too!



So when life gets too busy, get on down to the beach and enjoy life!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Summer Part TWO

The only reason to go to Phoenix in July is if you have some really cool family to visit. Sydney and Ethan really enjoy playing with their cousins Libby and Liam. Troy and I think his sister Lisa and her husband Gregg are pretty neat too. Troy got to go on a ride-a-long one night with Gregg who is a Sargent for the Phoenix Police Department...pretty exciting stuff. It was sooo hot!

Then we headed up to nice cool Flagstaff to hang out with some of my favorite people. I had cousins from CA and NM and there were lots of Kids. We played at Lake Mary and Hiked the Kachina Trail with 14 kids 10 and under.

Ethan and Sydney learned to wake board! Thanks Jonathan!
Bow crew: Amy, Sophie, Miles, Ember, Kelli and Noah.Ember and her cousin Owen are so sweet together.
We had to go ice skating...which is a great summer activity.Ethan and his cousin Noah are a dynamic duo beating on each other at every opportunity.

After our fun few days in Flagstaff we went North to Colorado for a fun Anderson side Family reunion. Met lots of new people and had a blast floating down the river in little boats. We took a day and went to Durango and rode the train. Unfortunately we were robbed by some bandits. Luckily the Lone Ranger and his friend Tonto were in the area and Caught those naughty guys. It was a fun day!
We rented a neat Cabin with Lisa and Gregg's Family...here are the kids on the stairs:
Sydney, Libby, Liam, Ethan, Ember and Sophie
On the way back to Flagstaff we stopped at 4 corners...took the "picture", ate some fry bread and then got back in the air conditioning of the van...don't think I ever need to go back!


My sister in law Josie and I took 6 of the kids up to the Grand Canyon for the day. We hiked a little, Helped the kids become Junior Rangers, Watched the Imax Movie, and ate some pizza. It was a great day! There was even some lightning and thunder in the canyon which was so cool. Thanks for watching Sophie and Tanner-Mom!

Sophie and her buddie Tanner. She has been asking to go back to Tanner's house since we returned to Maui. He is a sweet kid under his facade of brutness.


This is Ember and her Great Grandma Nilah Elaine Allen. My kids are lucky enough to still have 3 Great Grandparents living...treasures!

So three weeks went quickly by. There are so many other events and pictures to share, but I must get to bed. We are so blessed to be able to travel, visit great family and have good health. So on that note, good night!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Summer Part ONE

I don't know where to start. Summer has been wonderful and it is ending too soon. Ethan starts 4th grade, Sydney is going to middle school and my little Ember is going to Kindergarten. My heart is twisted and I just want to keep them home all to myself. I am secretly hoping we will sell everything by Christmas and pull the kids out of school and just travel for awhile...but we will see...fingers crossed....
Back to summer:

Ethan loves bugs...here is one of his caterpillar friends.

After riding our bikes to the bakery we like to hang out in this great big tree.

Ember turned 5 and got a fancy pair of pink cowgirl boots from her Aunty Gerilee and Uncle Rick in Washington.
We had a paddle boat building day out of...cartons, bottles, duct tape, chop sticks and more tape. It was fun! Sydney, Ember, Ethan and friend Julian.

Then we endured windy ward camp...good friends, good food, good to go home and get clean! Next we headed for the airport. Destination Phoenix, AZ.