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!

Pre-Birthday Fun

While Nathan is away at camp, Jason and I have been having a lot of fun together. One of the highlights was having his two buddies for a sleep over and lagoon day. Jayden and Kai came over for dinner, play time, movies and sleep over. The next day they played and then we headed to the Woodbridge Lagoon. Although his birthday isn't for 10 days, Jason wanted to have a cake at the lagoon so everyone could sing to him. What a great day and a great boy!!

Silly Boys

Jason and Kai making a fort

 Jayden making mountains

 Yeah- presents!!

 Black & Red- Jason's choice 

(marble cake with whipped frosting)

 Look at the crowd we had singing to my boy

These boys had a blast!!

Nathan:: YSSC Bound

Breaking News: Nathan has left the OC!! Yes folks, that's right!! Nathan departed this morning at 9am for the wild's of Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp in Bass Lake, CA. If you want to write him while he is there, he can be reached at the following address: YSSC, Nathan Crout, PO Box 449, Bass Lake, CA 93604

 Nathan is pulling his weight (literally)

 Checking in with "Vente"

 

Goodbye little brother!!

 A last squeeze from mom

 Getting on the bus

Goodbye campers- have fun!

Happy 4th of July

What a great Independence Day we had!! After a mellow morning we hopped on our bikes and rode to The Irvine Marketplace (2 miles from home). Our original plan was to see Despicable Me 2, but it was sold out (the lines were long). We instead saw Monsters University!! The movie was awesome!! We rode home, had a light lunch and hung out till dinner. My friend Bob, from the gym, and his wife Jeanne came over and we spent three hours enjoying food, conversation and the amazing weather. At 8:30 the kids and I headed over to our friend's house and watched the fireworks with them (and did a few ourselves). A truly amazing day!! I feel so blessed to live where we do!! God Bless America!!

Cousin Fun

Today the boys were picked up by my mom and my niece, Gidget, and headed to the Discovery Science Center. They came home, had a bite to eat and then we headed to the pool. They swam, played and enjoyed yummy Root beer floats!! A great day with their cousin!!

 The matching green shirts were NOT planned- too funny!!

 Cure for a hot day? Root beer Floats!!

Nathan & Gidget- 

cousins and friends!!

Water Play down Memory Lane

What do you do on a hot day? Jump in the pool!! Well, maybe just step into the pool.  The boys cooled off with some water balloons and a splash in the baby pool. It brought back memories of a time when they were little!! Check out the comparisons from 2013 to 2007- boy what a difference 6 years makes!!