Summer = Visiting Old Friends

After my amazing trip to Georgia to see my sweet friend Julie, it was a great treat to connect with two other special women in my life (whom I don't get to see very often). First I was able to spend a few hours with Jennifer (Peters) Spohr and her wonderful family. The boys and I met them down on Balboa Island on Sunday. We walked and then stopped in for a famous Frozen Banana treat-YUM!! 

**A little history: Jen and I met over 16 years ago when we were both single. We went to church together and were in a Bible Study together too. I was in her wedding and she came to ours- We were pregnant at the same time with our oldest kids. I hadn't seen her in over 7 years!!**

Since the Spohr family didn't have plans for dinner and I didn't want our time to end yet, we invited them over for dinner. I must work well under pressure because we threw together a tasty BBQ dinner that everyone enjoyed. The kids got along marvelously and the adults enjoyed sweet time outside in the lovely evening weather.

Oh yeah, it was their youngest's 4th birthday. I had some cupcakes leftover from Jason's birthday so we sang Piper Happy Birthday and made a party of it!!

 The cute Spohr girls and their yummies

 Yep, that's mine!

 Jennifer and Melissa

 Busy little bees

 Nathan & Makena- they were babies together!

Today the boys and went over to visit the Blyth family who are on holiday from England. The Blyths lived in California for several years- even had all four of their children here- before returning back home to England. Sharon is a dear friend whom I was in a Bible Study with. Any time they visit Cali I have to make sure we get a visit in.

It's been about a year and a half since our last visit, but we picked up like it was yesterday. Although it was a cloudy day, that didn't stop the kids from having a great time in the pool!

 Rosie, Nathan, Hermione, Jason, Zachary & Amelia

 Sharon & Melissa

Zachary is glad to have boys to play with 

(the joys of being the brother to three sisters)

Happy 8th Birthday Jason

Wow, I can hardly believe that Jason Daniel Crout is 8 years old. Seriously? It feels like yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital and now he is this big boy (67 pounds and 53 1/2 inches). We spent part of his birthday at the Angels game. We joined a tailgate party put on by Mary's office staff and then joined them for the game (the Angels won too)!

 Birthday boy playing Lego Minecraft in the back of the car

 

 Mary & Jason- July Birthday Buddies!

Nice Seats!!

 The boys NOT watching the baseball game!

 Gangs all here!!

Uncle Steve and the boys!!

Reunited (and it feels so good)

The Crout family has been all over the place (and not together). It was great to finally come together as a family and celebrate. How? Why, dinner at Benihana's of course!! We picked up Nathan from the camp bus drop off at 2:45 and then picked up Jason from my mom at 5pm. Since tomorrow is Jason's 8th birthday we asked him where he wanted to have dinner.

You got it- Benihana's. We were seriously under dressed for this place, but that didn't stop us. We squeezed in without a reservation and before the place filled up. The service was awesome- great place to celebrate special events- & the food was amazing!! I love my family!!

Summer in Savannah

While Nathan was away at camp I took the opportunity to fly out to Georgia to visit the Conatser/Gibson family. As you may recall I took this trip last summer! The weather cooperated for the most part and we were able to do many fun things outdoors. I felt a lot better this trip than last year (just a month after my surgery) and was able to really play with the kiddos. Its amazing how much more playful I am with other people's kids. Don't get me wrong, I play with my kids. BUT, not having to discipline the kids and just be their "auntie" is so much more fun!! 

Another reason this trip is so special is that I get to spend my birthday with Beverly "Shug" Gibson who shares the same birthday as I do. Her daughter, my best bud-Julie, treats us both right and we feel very loved on our special day!!

 Sunday morning brunch at J. Christopher's- delicious!!

 Monday we headed to Hilton Head, South Carolina!

 

I love swimming in the warm Atlantic Ocean!

For our birthdays, Julie took us to Moe's (their version of Chipotle) for lunch. Here are a few fun shots of me and the kiddos before we left!

 Ethan dressed up for us!

 I love sweet Maddie

 Emma is growing up right before my eyes!!

 Birthday girls in downtown Savannah

 Melly and Julie

 "Do we HAVE to take another picture?"

 My feet on the cobblestone streets of Savannah

 Julie made us a yummy white cake with coconut on top-

So good I had two slices!!

 We spent a lot of time playing at the clubhouse pool. It's the only way

to beat the humidity and heat!!

I can't wait to go back again. Although I missed my family, five days just wasn't long enough with this awesome family!! Love you guys!!

Beach Day Fun with Wade Girls

It's that time of year again- when we hit the beach with Janice and Alexa Wade. For some reason, Nathan isn't usually with us when we go in July. We met the Wade girls back in 2006 when Nathan and Alexa started preschool together and now they are turning 10. Janice is my dear friend who I get to walk with each week (when kids are in school). We started the day with rain on us, but it stopped and was just overcast- that's okay, we made lemonade out of lemons!!

 Dig a hole and they will play!!

Jason is "surfing" the waves

 hang loose dude!

 These kids are two years apart and Jason is taller than Alexa- so funny!

 Janice and Melissa

Jason wanted to be buried alive- 

he is a head above the crabs!