Happenings

I just realized that I haven't posted anything in almost a month. That's unusal for me. Life has been hectic. It's almond harvest time and that is to be expected. The days are long and hectic. Homework every night is a struggle(Ashlee even has it on the weekends). Dinner is later than usual and sometime it's whatever we can grab. Bed time isn't always on time. Things still operate, just not as smoothly and efficiently as I would like, but that's harvest time life.
Ashlee and Mikayla are both during well in school. I have received compliments from both of their teachers on how much they enjoy having the girls in their classes and wish that all their student's were like them. I guess this is a sign that we must be doing something right.
John is busy with work and his new business venture. He works all day and then spends another 3-4 hours a night working on his other project. It seems as though Sunday afternoons are the only time we are all ever together, which is sad. I just hope we're doing what we should be doing and that the benefits will come someday to out weigh all that we are sacraficing now.
I returned to work 3 weeks ago. 3 weeks earlier than the doctor wanted me to, but it had to be done. I am still in the healing process. Hopefully I will get the A-Ok from the doctor this week when I return for yet another check-up.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

John and the girls have never been to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and the one and only time I went there was about 20 years ago. Saturday we decided to go the Boardwalk. We didn't really get to do anything all summer and with summer coming to an end, and the girls back in school, we decided to take a little day trip to the boardwalk. We all enjoyed it. Too bad, I couldn't ride anything though (still recovering from surgery), but John and the girls rode just about all the rides. I think their favorite ride was the bumper cars. They got off of them and got right back in line to ride them again. After riding the rides and exploring all the boardwalk had to offer, we took a little stroll out on the beach (now that we know what it's like, we will come better prepared next time). After the boardwalk, we decided to go check out some campgrounds in the area. Glad we did. Ones we had considered staying at and even had reservations at (but later canceled) looked nothing like they did on-line. We did find one that we liked in Capitola. Plans are already in the works to go camping in Capitola and return to Santa Cruz, sometime next year!

Temple Blocks

My Sister-in-Law Pam came up with this wonderful idea for visiting teaching this month. With Pam's help I decided to make some for the ladies I visit teach. Here is a link to Pam's blog if you want to make some too.

http://creatinglineuponline.blogspot.com/2010/08/made-one.html

First Day of School

It's hard to believe that summer vacation is already over. I would like to know where the summer went? Ashlee and Mikayla went back to school today. Today is Mikayla's first day of Second Grade and Ashlee's first day of Fourth Grade.


Mikayla by her class. Her teacher is Ms. Reyes.

Ashlee by her class. Her teacher is Mrs. Terrones

Mikayla and Allison

Ashlee and Alyssa

Mikayla getting tired of holding a heavy bag of classroom supplies (I felt like a bad mom. I couldn't hold the bag for her).

A snapshot of Ashlee's class trying to find their desks.

Mikayla's class lining up to go into their classroom.

Family Reunion

My Mom's family hasn't been together for a really long time. I think the last time everyone was together was in 2001 when my grandma passed away. Yesterday we had a family reunion. The plan was to have my mom and her siblings, her siblings kids and their kids all together. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, everyone wasn't able to make it. But all her siblings did make it. My mom rented a waterslide to keep the kids entertained. I have to say it was a success. They played on it the entire day. The only time they got off of it was to eat.

Aunt Cheryl, Uncle Danny, Mom, Uncle Ronny

The day turned out great. The weather was perfect. Maybe next time everyone will be able to make it. Ashlee and Mikayla were looking forward to seeing and meeting some of their cousins for the first time. Unfortunately, only one cousin was able to come.