Hangin' at Grandma's

The kids love switching it up and staying at Grandma Leann's and Grammie Terrie's when we're visiting CA. We're so fortunate that they live in the same area so we can see them both when we go down for a visit.

A bit about what we've been doing in CA.... We've been playing games, reading Fablehaven, watching movies, doing puzzles, trading Pokemon, playing with Eva and Alex, eating yummy food, celebrating birthday's (Amber and Jason's), SWIMMING (sometimes twice a day), and just having a great time. My kids LOVE to go to CA. Amber is getting some birthday loves from her brothers in the photo above.

Knott's Berry Farm

I used to go to clogging competitions every year at Knott's Berry Farm, so I really wanted to take the kids there this summer. We got to go on the log ride three times. We had delicious funnel cakes. We didn't lose any of the kids. Plus- my mom helped out with James the whole day so I could go on rides with the older kids. All in all it was a very fun, and tiring, day. I do have to say that the Knott's in my memories seemed a bit more fun than the trip we just did, but I'm alot older now, maybe that's why. I think next time we do a theme park in CA we'll try Disneyland because I think they have more ride options for kids.

Pools a plenty, pools galore

We swim nearly every day (minus Sunday's) we're in CA. The kids love the water. James couldn't be in it too much because of his excema issues, but the rest of the kids had a blast swimming at Grammie Terrie's, Grandma Leann's, G.Grandpa Don's, and Jeff & Ruthie's. I slather them in sunblock each time before they swim- sometimes twice a day. Those sunblock companies are making quite a bit off us, but I'm relieved to say no one got sun burned.

Those aren't people...

Well a little blurb for any of my WA friends who might be missing me since I've been on vaca for quite a while now... I AM eventually coming home, and YES there is such a thing as too much "vacation". Anyways, Madison and I were strollering James along a path around a park while Carter and Grant were playing (actually they were trying to knock a butterfly out of the air by throwing a stick at it- my little angels). Suddenly a stick comes hurtling towards us, and we're forced to dodge it. I'm a good dodger because Carter has inadvertently thrown so many things in my direction throughout his life. Some older folks sitting on a bench saw the stick attack and said "Be careful with that stick because you almost hit those people walking over there". Carter promptly responded "Those aren't people... that's my mom and sister." The bench crowd started snickering while Carter remained oblivious that he said anything funny. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make antenna motions with my hands atop my head while saying we were aliens.

Squeaky Clean

I like to put things 1 2 and 3 to work. It's good for them. I did offer the incentive of pool time after they washed Grandma's van and our van. Plus a couple of dollars each. Remember we just had a long car trip.... and we had the bug guts to prove it.

James has been getting increasingly messy during meal times and has been getting mini-baths in the sink. His baby body is soooo cute. I love when his tummy is big from eating and is bigger than his booty. It makes me smile. He loves water, as long as it's not too cold. He's a bit of a lightweight and doesn't have much chub-a-bub to keep him warm. When he's done getting clean I wrap him up in a big towel and give him warm snuggles.

Hair- Here, There, and Everywhere

Lots of hair maintenance projects going on during vaca. We must look our best! Madison got her hair cut especially short. She keeps shaking her head and saying how much lighter it feels without her long locks. We also said goodbye to G.Grandpa's beard, and said hello to Grandma Leann's curls.

On to CA and mooching all the way

We made it to CA and Jeremy flew back up to WA to work a few weeks before flying back down for more vacation time on the 24th. He doesn't get to do five straight weeks of vacation like the kids and I do, poor Jeremy. Here we are visiting great Grandpa Don at the care facility he was temporarily at due to a broken hip. He graciously shared his supper with my moochy boys, while Madison kept reminding them not to eat all of Grandpa's food. Aunt Amber, Grandma Leann, and I had a good time watching all those boys eat supper. I think we visited Grandpa at dinner time pretty much every time we went there, and the mooching continued. The evenings we didn't make it to see him he took to saving food for the kids. We love you and hope you get better quick Grandpa Don!

Quality James time

James likes spending time with his newly adoring fans-cousins, uncles, aunts, and especially Grandma Leann. He loves to go exploring on his hands and knees and pretty much has to have a chaperone wherever he goes now. It's a hard knock life to be adored by all.

The Brother's Three

Here's Jeremy with his older brother Jason and younger brother Andrew (in shorts). Quite the handsome bunch hamming it up for the camera. We usually get pictures done of the five Largey siblings, but with baby Amelia serving a mission in Latvia we just took pics of the boys. We missed having Amelia there this summer and will be glad when she's at the next family reunion.

Sparkling on the Fourth

We didn't go down to St. George for fireworks this year, we just sparkled at the cabin instead. James was asleep so he missed the pyrotechnics. Good news is- no trees caught on fire this year.

Pine Valley adventures

Some of the things my family enjoys doing at the cabin in Pine Valley, where we spent the week of our Independence Day, include: finding critters, hiking, playing outdoor AND indoor games, visiting with family (and horses), launching water balloons, and having tons of yummy food. We have been getting together there for a Schmutz/Largey reunion almost every other year since Jeremy and I have been married. I don't want to brag... but we have a fabulous family. We have too much fun being with them and harbor secret hopes that some of them will move up here to Washington!

Poomba

Grant earned the nickname Poomba (the warthog from Disney's Lion King) as a baby because of his absurdly smelly diapers. I couldn't resist taking this photo opp to remember my little Poomba.