"Wire It Up" It's Summer Camp Time

Yesterday was the first day of summer camp for the boys. They were going to a near by red woods state park to wire it up with "electronic week" at science camp. They were all super excited to go. Just think, Miles and Liam were going to finally have some "big boy" times, doing things Aidan was doing, and no more preschool.On the drive there, Aidan being the big brother that he is (slightly bossy) was giving them the low down about the rules. Seeing how this was going to be big kid activity, it was all taken so very seriously. It brought a smile to my face just listening to them. The good thing was, Miles and Liam had some friends there too, this would certainly help with the transition. Picked them up that afternoon, and they were all smiles, It was a good day!

More Summer Fun

The summer fun continues here.



Miles and Liam finished up their summer soccer. Miles was really into it from the beginning while Liam took some time to warm up to it and seemed to finally start playing as the summer soccer season ended. I'm going to have to look into the Fall soccer season now.

We took another trip to Tahoe,



Auntie Sandra joined us on this trip. It was nice having another adult with us to help manage the mob. We stayed in Squaw Valley Village and took several day trips from there. We went to Sand Harbor Beach, about an hour from where we were staying, well worth the drive, Water was amazingly clear and not exactly warm however, tolerable (by my standards that's pretty good). We were lucky that it was a gorgeous day too, low 80's. I most loved the fact that there was a snack bar nearby that was serving yummy soft freeze and shakes equivalent to Dairy Queen, Yummmm! Aidan was fascinated that we had to cross a state line to Nevada to go to this beach. He's now very ecstatic that he can say he's been to Nevada like his friend Parker.

We also enjoyed a little excursion to Truckee where we attended an art street festival and got to enjoy homemade chocolate stuffed marshmallows (yes there was lots of eating on this trip). As well as, spent some time at Tahoe City's beach and playground followed by another delicious meal at Evergreen, one of my favorite restaurants in Tahoe. I'm just glad Max didn't order the quail this time. I just have a hard time seeing that little bird on his plate without thinking "barbaric", just not my thing I guess.

We of course enjoyed lots of swimming at the lodge pool, miniature golf in the village and a scooter excursion on the nearby bike/walk trails adjacent to the Truckee river. Tahoe's definitely a fun place to take your kids with lots of outdoor activities. I'm sure we'll be doing it again in the future.

Since we've been back, we've spent time re-couping at home for a couple of days. Still unpacking and doing laundry, seeming never ending. The amount of laundry a family of 5 creates still is unfathomable to me. In between those chores, we've manage to play some games. Our new favorite right now is


Left Center Right card game. So easy that we can all enjoy, amazing as lately I've found it difficult to find games that my 4 yr olds can play/enjoy while keeping my soon to be 7 yr old entertained as well (no grumbling"this is for babies").



After some re energizing , we finally made it out and spent the day playing miniature golf at Golfland. Aidan's pal Parker joined us. You might be thinking, OMG 4 young kids in tow....however, what I've realized, it's actually much more pleasant to have a friend Aidan's age join us, it keeps him entertained and reduces the bickering amongst brothers. We ended the day with some play time in the arcade. It's amazing to see the effects those flashing lights have on the boys, they're mesmerized by it all. And although there were many failed attempts to win a plush angry bird with the claw ( I'm convinced it's impossible, the plush toy probably weighs more than the claw is able to hold) we still ended the day with lots of hoots and hollers "That was a fun day, Mom" what I'd like to call a success.

Still a bit of summer to go, I'm hoping we have more summertime adventures to update you on. Hoping you're all enjoying your summer too!

(more summer photos to come, been technically challenged with the mac and photos still all these photos are from my iphone, I know, don't roll your eyes)

Baby Chick Happiness

We spent some time visiting our new neighbors, 1 week old baby chicks at Robin's house (across the street). The boys had lots of fun watching the chicks, exploring our neighbors vast backyard that includes a large grassy patch, 2 chicken coops, 2 bee hives, several fruit trees and a huge vegetable garden. Liam especially had lots of questions for Robin regarding the chicks and where they live and what they eat. They got to feed the chickens, I enjoyed watching them explore while soaking in the sun on this gorgeous Sunday morning.

Dear Blog...let's catch up

Dear blog, it's been nearly a month since I've visited and posted about the going ons here in martian land and I've missed you. So, I thought now would be a good time to update you on all that's happened, it's been a busy time, mostly fun. So I thought I would give you a quick cliff note version with lots of photos to catch up:

Mid September, we went to Miranda and Elizabeth's fun birthday party.



For this party I made these cupcake shaped gift tags



When we returned from the birthday party, that evening we had a be-lated birthday celebration with grandma. Grandma stayed with us for a bit in Sept while grandpa was out of town. The boys really enjoyed having Grandma over.



We instituted a new reward system in the house in order to curb some not so fun behavior. I think it actually might be working. The kids are working hard to earn their prize, each wants a pillow pet. (yeah don't ask.)




We survived a heat wave with the help of many Popsicles.




We had friends over for dinner and I made my first attempt this Fall at some candy apples. They weren't the prettiest, but they sure were yummy.



We've made lots of Halloween crafts, including these fun bats.








We watched the Blue Angles perform while fishing and crabbing with friends on the pier.







We enjoyed a fun pumpkin patch picnic with friends that included pony rides, panning for gems and a train ride.





And we continue to enjoy Lego time as much as possible.

So, dear blog, your up to speed now on the most news worthy going ons here. I'll do my best to keep you posted. xoxo.

Yosemite Time

More summer good times to be enjoyed with the family... We enjoyed a weekend in Yosemite with Grandma and Grandpa.



Thanks to Grandpa and his travel expertise, we stayed at the Yosemite View Lodge right outside of Yosemite National Park. A really great place that we truly enjoyed. So if you miss making your year in advance booking for the Yosemite Lodge you might just want to give this place a try. This place had 3 outdoor swimming pools, 1 indoor pool, 2 restaurants, one of which was a delicious pizza place (we had a fabulous seafood pizza that had shrimp and crab with a white sauce that Liam just couldn't get enough of) but best of all was, that it was right outside of the park entrance...maybe a 10 minute drive if that.





It's been about 13 yrs since I last visited Yosemite so I'd forgotten the awesomeness of it all. It was Daddy and the boys first time there so it was like we were all experiencing it together for the first time with our skilled tour guides Grandpa and Grandma. Grandpa did a great job establishing a daily itinerary for us. I was initially a bit sceptical about a schedule but soon realized that Grandpa was definitely in the know. So thanks to Grandpa we had a great time enjoying the sights.




A short jaunt to Glacier Point to take in the spectacular views of Half Dome and the surrounding landscape,



a trip to Bridal Veil Falls which the boys were thoroughly amazed at water crashing down as well as the flowing river, a short walk through the valley, lots of swimming at our hotel,



fun picnics,





and a final swim at beachy area in the valley.



This was truly a fun trip, the makings of wonderful family memories. It sure is turning out to be a really nice summer.

Good Times

Summer has been full of good times here. I'm not sure why I had fantasized summer being full of lazy days, sipping cool drinks and being crafty with the kids. Although we have had a few of those days, summer with 3 young kids really has been busy busy busy, be it with good times but still busy. It takes time for Mommy (me)to prepare for those good times which really doesn't translate to lazy days.

I thought I'd share some of our good times...


Daddy and I out for a date night, enjoying a spectacular dinner at Pican celebrating our wedding anniversary.



A trip to Masse's Pastries for a sweet stroll down memory lane, a bite of their yummy tiramisu that we served as our wedding cake.




Enjoying family hiking trips, this one was at Redwood Trail.




A fabulous weekend camping with friends, enjoying spectacular views of wine country,


bike riding and



mini golf for the older boys,



a camp fire in preparation for.....



...yummy smores and



fun meals for all,



let's not forget the long awaited and all deserved hot tub time for the mommies. (I borrowed this photo from my friend Rachel's blog but I'm sure she won't mind)


Fun park outing and strolls with good friends.



Dreams of pure contentment..a sure sign that there's been lots of summertime fun to be had.

Needless to say I'm giving myself a break til the end of summer, with What We like Wednesdays, Artful Thursdays, and Friday Food. I'll post those when I can but if I miss it, it's because I'm off enjoying another summer day with the family. I do hope you are enjoying your summer as much as we are.