Mt. Charleston

We love going to the mountains. It's always been a relaxing get-away for us. We took the kids up the week before school started. We went by ourselves (just our little family.) I thought it would be a great opportunity to bond. We had foil dinners the first night cooked to perfection. We drank hot cocoa and played PHASE 10. We were alone in the woods, only two other families in the entire campground. We brought our bikes and took a white-knuckled ride through the camp-site. It was a welcomed bit of relief from the summer heat. Amber brought the boys up for a picnic lunch on our last day (that was a nice surprise.)
But I'd feel bad if I made it sound like it was a glorious, fun-filled trip entirely and if I didn't mention that:

• My kids bickered quite a bit.
• I got two splinters.
• I made chicken noodle soup that was disgusting.
• They raised the prices at Mt.Charleston and the bathrooms are still as nasty as ever.
• We missed our normal crew that we camp with.
• It was hot during the day and cold at night.
• Dustin had to leave us and go to class.
• I bought a book at Target to read, The Time Traveler's Wife, and hated it. It's stupid and confusing.
• Madison plowed into Scott with her bike and I'm convinced he had a concussion. All is forgiven... we just love our kids!

Other than that it was pretty nice. Nice enough that we're going again...soon!!!

San Clemente Ocean Festival

2 years ago we were camping at the beach in San Clemente during the city's ocean festival. Dustin and Kris ran the 5K, we walked from our campsite down towards the pier for all the fun, the kids got their faces painted. It was good times.
We tried to make it back last year and couldn't make it work.
This year we did it!

The gang posing with King Neptune.
The mermaid parade.

The mermaids posing with King Neptune. Anyone who wants to can dress up in their finest mermaid gear and parade down the pier. This year Dustin's cousin led the mermaids around.

Dustin and Mad played a little smash ball before the races.

Grandma running her 5K.

What's a trip to the beach without a couple splashes in the waves?!

The girls look on as Dustin finishes his 5K.

Scott munches on something delicious.

Cotton candy for all.

Paige shows off her beautiful 3D butterfly.

Karley and Scott both got tatted up.

We listened to a cute TWEEN girl band. Scott loved it!

Karley and Madison showing off their medals. All three girls ran in the 1st annual Dolphin Dash.

Paige's 1st run ever. We were a little worried but the girl can definitely hang.

She got a medal to prove it!

Happy Trails to you...

It was Paige's class flag ceremony. The classes take turns making a little presentation, usually a song or a poem. I love this Friday tradition. I love hearing the whole school recite the Pledge of Allegiance. They all looked so adorable in their western gear. Theirs was one of the last flag ceremonies for the year and they sang Happy Trails. It made me happy.

She's said her piece.

She is just the cutest da-gum cowgirl in these parts...darn tootin'!