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!

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!

Life Is A Beach

Today the boys and I met my mom and niece in Laguna Beach for a fun filled day of sun and sand. We went to our favorite beach, Emerald Bay, and had the best time ever. The weather was nice, the water was cold, but bearable and the wave weren't too big (most of the time). I was impressed by both boy's bravery. They were in and out of the water and having so much fun. Nathan especially really became the "wave king" as he dove under the big waves. I even went out in the water to play with the boys and it was worth the frozen toes!!

The following pictures don't even begin to tell the story of how great our day was, but you get the idea!!

Fun With Friends

Today we visited our dear friends, the Hammonds, in Vista. We both have two sons and our eldest boys spent a lot of their formative years together. Carrie, their mom, and I have known each other since we were preteens. This journey of motherhood has been so much fun to do together.

Unfortunately it has been a whole year since we saw each other face to face- we both have such busy lives and there were some missed opportunities due to poor health or full and differing schedules.

I could see Carrie every day or once a year and it feels like no time has passed. She is one of the easiest, carefree people to be around and she is balm for my soul. The kids play well together and she and I chat non-stop till we part again. We have vowed that it won't be another year till we are hugging and laughing together.

Forever Friends

Melissa & Carrie

The boys-
Jason, Derek, Burke, Nathan

A visit to the chicken house

Summer has arrived

Today really felt like summer. The kids went to VBS in the morning and after I picked them up we went to a local pool with some of our dear friends. The kids are at such a great age where they can be off swimming and us moms can catch up. It helps that there are 2 lifeguards at the pool and lots of friends to play with (oh and a high dive too). I love feeling the warm sun on my skin, dipping my feet in the cool water, watching my boys have fun and hanging out with my gal pals!!

Ready to jump off the high dive!

So much fun!!

Jason, Zach, Josh & Reed

Claire & Jason

Holiday, Elise & Claire

Claire & Tricia (30 weeks pregnant!)

Lazy Days of Summer

Summer is coming to an end. It has been one of the best so far!! My memories of summer as a kid were going to the beach- ALOT! This past week we have gone to the beach twice and the Lagoon once. Whether the weather has been hot or over cast- it is always fun to put my feet in the sand, swim in the water (although FREEZING at the beach) and watch my boys have fun! There isn't much on this earth better than that!

Monday 8/23- Emerald Bay with Janice and Alexa Wade:

Alexa and Nathan boogey boarding

Nathan, Alexa & Jason

Melissa and Nathan- freezing in the water

Nathan making "sand" angels

Friday 8/27- Emerald Bay with Slevcove kids, Brestel kids, Grammy & Krusiewicz gang:

Cousins- Gracie and Kalika

Cousins- Nathan, Mike and Kalika

Best Buds- Christina and Melissa

Jason and Samuel running towards the water

Jason and Samuel- digging in the sand