Crout Family Day

Today we tried a new thing- Crout Family Day. Now granted, we do a lot of things together as a family, but never so intentional as this.

I have noticed lately that we can go through our day and touch base with each other, but not spend quality time together. I have more opportunities to do this being home with the kids all day, but Dan being away at work and then coming home to more freelance work rarely gets to hang with the kids.

The message at church today was about getting connected. We first need to be connected to God and then we need to be connected with others. In this age of technology- we are less connected then ever. People will sit in a room and text each other without saying a word. My stepson would much rather text us then pick up the phone and have a conversation. I myself prefer a face to face conversation, but a phone call will do for those far away friends. I am afraid though that our kids are being encouraged to interact less with each other and more with a machine.
So at lunch we sat down and each of us chose an activity to do as a family. Jason picked Wii- Just Dance, Nathan chose a movie, I chose pool and Dan chose Dog Park. Dan added a time line and we stayed pretty close. We didn't get to the dog park till after 6pm, but that ended up being a blessing since it had cooled off by then. We also went to Yogurtland after the Dog Park which was the perfect way to the end of our family day.

Watching "Time Bandits"

Irvine Dog Park

We love Yogurtland!

All in all it was a wonderful day. The best part was that we spent time together as a family. These sweet boys are growing and changing so fast and I want to enjoy every moment I can get. I love my family!!

Summer:: Beach Days (part 2)

Alexa & Nathan

Again we had the privilege of going to Emerald Bay. Today we went with the Wade girls- Janice and Alexa. If Tuesday was great, today was spectacular. The weather was gorgeous (a bit windy), the waves perfect and the company outstanding. The kids all got along well and I enjoyed some serious girl time with my buddy.

Everyone had success in the water and tried new things! I would say that Alexa and Jason perfected boogie boarding today- it was so neat to see them get it and have fun doing it!!

Jason taking the board out for another run

Nathan met up with the family that helped him skim board on Wednesday. They also let the boys borrow some wetsuits which helped take the chill off the very cold water!! We also found out they will be there next week and plan on joining them one more time before summer vacation ends- what a treat!!

Nathan checking out the surf!

Summer:: Beach Days (part 1)

Today we went to Emerald Bay for a few hours with Grammy and Gracie (my niece). It started overcast, but turned into a beautiful day. There were maybe 50 people on the beach total- a paradise in Orange County!!

This is the 3rd time we have been to the beach this summer and each time the boys get more and more adventurous in the water and with their boogie boards and just plain body surfing. It was so fun to see them having the time of their life!!

Nathan even got to try skim boarding. A very nice 10 year old girl showed him the ropes and was VERY patient while teaching him!

Shell Art

We went to the beach and I happened upon these beautiful shells on a walk. I found the first three right away and then looked for a few more to complete my set. I know I want to print and frame some of them, but I thought I would share them with you too! Enjoy!!

Paradise in Irvine

Woodbridge South Lagoon

After the boys had camps this morning, we joined some friends at the lagoon. This place is a little bit of paradise in the middle of Irvine. This is a man-made, fresh water lagoon (with Chlorine of course). There is dry sand and wet sand and also water slides to enjoy. I remember coming to the lagoons as a child- such great memories

Jason (partially) buried alive!

Nathan loves his boogie board!

A Funny Thing I Heard

So, this morning Nathan is out playing with the dog in his PJs. I hear him going back and forth between loving the dog and frustrated that she is nipping at his hands. Then I hear, "NO, not my penis." Apparently she got him good in his privates and he was almost brought to tears. Jason on hearing this says, "One boy down, me to go." I guess he figures the last one standing (or with his penis in tact) wins!!

Oh, the joy of parenting boys!!

A Night Out

Heading onto Balboa Island

Tonight I went to my mom's for dinner and games. I was joined by my two sisters, my mom and my two nieces- a real ladies night. My nieces are now young women and it is so much fun to hang out with them.

My beautiful nieces- Gracie and Kalika

Sisters- Desiree, Melissa, Christine

We all live in Orange County, but unfortunately we don't see each other that much- I always love when we can share time together, laugh and catch up on each others lives. Oh, and Apples to Apples is such a FUN game!!

Some Ben & Jerry's and cupcakes for dessert- YUM!!

Guilty Pleasure:: Books

Okay, I will admit it. I LOVE to read. I read whenever I get the chance. I know there are many times I should be doing something else- reading my Bible, praying, playing with my kids, cleaning something, cooking something- anything but reading!!

My home away from home is the public library- more specifically, the main branch of the Newport Beach Library. Any chance I can stop by and grab some books- I am there!! I also appreciate friends who lend me books, or book swaps- as long as I don't have to buy them.
Tonight before heading to my mom's for dinner, I swung by and picked up 7 new books (all in the S section of fiction authors). I tend to do this- I find one author I like and start looking at all the books in their area. I am usually not disappointed.
I even keep a book journal of the books I have read (starting fall of 2002). This has come in handy since I have picked up the same book several times and am glad I have a record of what I have read already. The most books I have read is about 130 in one year, but I am trying to not read so many and focus more on the quality of book instead of the quantity!!

Happy Reading!!

Girl's Getaway

Melissa, Tracy, Tricia (and baby) Jen and Janice

I had the great privilege of going away with some of my dear friends to Palm Springs. In honor of Tricia's 4th baby (which is due in a few weeks) we took her on a little getaway in lieu of a baby shower.

We headed out early Saturday morning (with Starbucks in our bellies) and headed to the desert. First we stopped by the Desert Hills Outlet stores. Lots of great deals were found and unexpected treasures.
After shopping we headed to our oasis- The Viceroy. This is a place that screams Hollywood in the 50's. We had a grand time and felt really special to be there together and in such a unique environment. Check out the pictures below to get a taste of The Viceroy:

After we checked in and enjoyed the coolness of our room (and each other's company) we got ready and walked to the strip (a block away) to find a place to eat. The original joint was packed and had a 2 hour wait- NOT. So we ended up at a Mediterranean Cafe that was good, but our desserts at the hotel that night were even better.

Melissa and Sonny Bono

On Sunday we woke up and set up our stuff on the chase lounges by the pool. We then proceeded to have an amazing breakfast poolside. Below is the special omelet (spinach, asparagus, red onions, cheese) that a few of us had. We were stuffed, but knew it would be our main meal of the day.

Pool fun!
Look at this hot mama- 37 weeks!!

We Love CAMP!!

The boys have attended various camps throughout the summer and have loved EVERY minute of it (and selfishly, so have I).

Don't get me wrong, I love my children!!! They are active kids who love being around other people- I on the other hand am a homebody and love to be curled up reading (when I am not doing all the other things that I have to do to keep our home and family going).

The first week of summer the boys joined several of their friends at Voyagers Bible Church for VBS. Then for the next two weeks they did Adventure Camp through the city of Irvine. Adventure camp goes from 1 to 6pm. They wouldn't go every day, but two to three days a week. They have also attended morning camp through the city (which goes from 8-1). One week was Science camp and this week they are in Sports and Games Camp. Last week they did a day camp through Voyagers Church again where they got to go on different excursions plus some really fun stuff at the church site (plus, every morning there would be a Bible lesson and worship time).

Needless to say, we have had our share of camps this summer and we aren't done yet. Why camp for the Crouts? Jason is a super social child who needs to be around lots of people. Nathan would choose to be home like me, but by sending him out into the world he gets to flex his "social skill" muscles and have fun too. They both love interacting with the other kids, but especially the
adult staff.

The best thing for me (besides time to get stuff done and relax) is when I go pick them up and they don't know I am there yet. I watch them run around with the biggest smiles on their faces and then the tell me "I had the best day EVER". What parent doesn't want their child to get to experience such happiness!!

35 more days of Summer Vacation left. . . . . . .