Let it Rain!!!

To some this may seem like nothing out of the ordinary, but to us Arizonan’s this was a BIG event! It only took about 4.5 seconds for us to get completely drenched while getting in the car after school.  Mother nature let loose with an amazing rain storm and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a little fun in the rain.  Since we were already wet from our walk to the car, once home  we decided to have a little fun in the yard and enjoy the reprieve from the heat.  It was coming down in buckets and the entire neighborhoods trash cans were having a roller derby war down the watery streets.  It is so fun to revisit your childhood memories and reenact them with your own children.  We came inside soaked, shivering, and shrieking with laughter.  Homemade cookies seemed the perfect thing to go with a rainy afternoon,  and so it was…… frosted heart shaped sugar cookies with sprinkles…..YUMMY!

Wolf Badge

AAAAHHHHHOOOOO! (That’s supposed to be a wolf howl!)  We officially have a wolf cub scout and boy is he excited!  Daimon was presented with his wolf badge and several belt loops at the last pack meeting.  Lucky mom got a pin too.  Movin’ on up……. Before we know it he’ll be flying like and eagle.

"Welcome back Wolf pack!"

Our favorite Cub Scout is quite the event coordinator.  Two weeks ago I picked Daimon up from scouts and he was completely enraptured in party plans.   According to his leaders he single handedly conceived, assigned and orchestrated a swim BBQ for his pack complete with a menu, food assignments, decorations and activities.  The theme he created for his party was "Welcome back wolf pack!"  He was so excited, he called Grandma Teri and Grandpa Jim to invite them to his big event.  The big day arrived and all the cubs including Daimon were aglow with excitement.  The boys cooked for their families and swam.  A wonderful time was had by all.  Grandma Teri and Grandpa Jim were gracious enough to drive out for the celebration and Daimon could not have been more proud as all the boys thanked him for a great party!    

Why didn't you set my Alarm.....!

Kelly is trying to teach the kids a little independence this school year.  Before school started we bought them both alarm clocks.  On the first day of school they were so excited they got up before the alarm even went off.  On the second morning Daimon's Alarm went off about 30 seconds before Ellie's did.  Being super competitive as Ellie is, she ran into his room and turned his alarm off before he was even awake, yelling at him all the while.  In the process she also turned her alarm switch to the off position before it had the chance to go off.  This started an hour long debate before school.  "Dad why didn't you turn my alarm on last night?"  "I did." "No you didn't."  "Yes I did."  This went back and forth for about 30 minutes.  Finally, I tried to reason with her "Your clocks are not set for the exact same time, his goes off 30 seconds before yours."  "No it doesn't!"  I think you are starting to get my drift.  Finally I said "Ellie, I have had an alarm for about 20 years, do you really think you know more about alarms that I do?"  Her reply...... "YES!!!"  I gave up, set here clock for one minute before Daimon's so it will always goes off before his.... and walked out of her room.

Ocean's Club

Gold dolphins...... what more can you ask for?  Well let me tell you what more you could ask for.......Maestro's Ocean Club!  This is our favorite place to go if we are planning on completely spoiling ourselves.  It has the best seafood I have ever had (remember I use to live near the ocean).  Their steaks are just as amazing and the service is impeccable, complete with bathroom attendants.  Since we just celebrated 11 blissful years in July and spent our anniversary driving home from San Diego with children in tow, we planned a special night out and enjoyed a wonderful evening with our great friends the Heuer's.  They appreciate wonderful food as much as Ben and I do and are always great company. 

Seafood tower...... it doesn't get better than this!

lobster bisque with chewy pretzel bread.... a must have!

steak and lobster mashed potatoes..... yes, I said LOBSTER mashed potatoes...... sinfully good!

flour less chocolate cake with mint creme sauce..... decadent!

blood orange sorbet.....sweet, tangy, refreshing, AMAZING!

First Day of School

We can hardly believe our "baby" is going into 1st grade!

Yes sir, our handsome boy is going to be a 3rd grader, where has the time gone?

Play hard or go home....... we played hard and are finally back home and back to school!

"Daddy's NOT going to like this!"

Much to our dismay Benny had to leave Newport early to get back to work.... yes, this was a tragedy to us all. Apparantley I am not that great because shortly after he left the kids wanted to know when he was coming back. They kept a running commentary about all the things that would have been better if dad had been with us. We love our Daddy!

Anyone who knows Ben knows it is difficult for him to leave his little family and not be there to keep them out of harms way..... well as mother nature would have it, the kids got to experience their first EARTHQUAKE while Daddy was away. All of a sudden the house started shaking and rumbling and car alarms were going off everywhere. At lightning speed Poppy snatched up Auntie Dana's sleeping baby Carston and ran to safety. Daimon and Ellie were playing on the beach with uncle Rick and couldn't figure out why they kept falling down. Grandma Robin and Grandpa Rich were at the grocery store and the isles were swaying so bad all the groceries were falling off the shelves and food was spilling everywhere...... glad we didn't have to clean up that mess! Needless to say poor Daddy was in a panick and immediately called to see if we were all ok. To his relief all was well and we survived with everyone intact.

Playing with Grandnana and Poppy

 

Jellyfish..... a wonder of the ocean, the kids loved seeing them in the inlet each morning in Newport Beach.

Checkers anyone..... Poppy's are so much fun

it this checkers or tug-o-war?

Aiden and Ellie joined in the fun too!

Nana and Ellie square off.......

Nana's are so much fun too!

Whooo Hoooo!

Good times!

Newport Beach, CA - Playing with your Cousin

Like birds of a feather, we stick together!

Sand, sand, and more sand.

AAAAHHHHH!

Catch me if you can......

Let the fun never end.

First Crush!

Lady's Man

Nothin' like a little snuggle time on the couch with your secret crush. Daimon is thoroughly enjoying his movie with the girls while the grown ups play dominoes.



First Crush!

This is Kaitlyn..... her family came on a trip to Rocky Point, Mexico with us a year or so ago and has been smitten ever since! He is always suggesting we should have her family over for dinner. "And they call it, puppy love...."