The Pacific Ocean

Okay, these posts are going to be out of order chronologically but as much as that bugs me, I will be fine. :)  It's mostly the order in which I get the pictures off of my cameras and since I used both of them for different reasons, that's what it will be.  Just know that the next few posts will be about our trip to the northwest this last week. :)

First up is our trip to the ocean.  While it was a 2 1/2 hour drive the wrong direction we wanted the girls to be able to see the Pacific Ocean.  Little One has seen the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean but Ira has never been to either.  It was COLD and WINDY but we had a blast anyway.  Mom and Dad only lasted a few minutes before heading back to the car but I let the girls stay a little longer.  This first picture is right when we got to the water.  If you look closely, Little One got in the freezing water and was already headed back.  Ira, on the other hand, kept going. LOL

All three of us ended up wet but at least my wet was only a couple inches up my capris.  The girls were both pretty soaked.  We had tried to stay dry as you can see from how high up they hiked their capris but a couple of times a wave would be higher than the ones before it and we'd get wet.

I had to get one of our feet in the water.  I didn't notice it was out of focus until later.  Ah well.

She tried to make a butterfly but decided it was more like a bow. :)

She's almost to a full split!

Little One is actually only an inch or two away from a full straddle but she didn't want to get her pants all sandy.

My First Day at Karate

Well, I'm finally breaking down and putting up a couple of the pictures that Little One took of my first day of karate. It sure has been a fun adventure so far!

Summer Bike Ride

My good friend, Kierstin rides down to the library with her kids on Wednesdays and last week we were invited to join her.  Since Ira hasn't yet learned to ride (and I don't have a bike to teach help her on) she opted to stay home with Mom and Dad.  I offered to have her come and we'd drive and wait for the others at the library but that didn't sound "cool' to her so she stayed. LOL

Since that was the case, I borrowed Kierstin's husband's bike and rode with the others.  It was so much fun!  I miss having a bike.  We were a bit late getting going so we had to ride straight to my karate class first.  She was such a good sport and sat with the kids while I "eye-ya'd."  After class we went to the library and the kids had fun picking out some books.  Then it was lunch time and she wanted to stop at DQ before we rode back, so we did.  What a fun morning!

I've decided we need a couple of bikes so the girls and I can ride all over together. :)

Joey and Daniel all strapped in and ready to be pulled.

Allie and Little One ready to head out.

Kierstin and me

My Ballerina

Ira's last ballet class for the summer was on the 6th and I finally snuck in and took some pictures.  I had one that was a bit clearer but her arm was over her face so that's why I picked this one.  The second one was with her adorable teacher, Natalie.  She was such a sweetheart and so very good with the kids.  She'll get to continue on with Natalie for the school year which will be really nice.  I'm looking forward to the performance at the end of the year. :)

Golden Spike

We went up to the Golden Spike monument.  You know, you never visit those things that you live by so this was the first thing I've done when I've actually lived somewhat close by. LOL  Talk about in the middle of nowhere though.  Man....

We got there right as the 119 was going in for the night so I didn't get a shot with them together.

Boondocks

The girls and I have been wanting to play some miniature golf so toward the end of the month we went to Boondocks.  It was quite hot and the first few holes were by the go carts so we had to yell at each other, but we had a blast.  We even got a deal where we had $5 to spend in the arcade too so we had fun with some of that stuff too.

I got a hole in one on this one and it had fire come out of the top.  Pretty cool. :)

Random Pictures

Here are a couple of random pictures from July.  First, Little One had a couple of friends over and then one of their sisters and a friend showed up.  The next thing I knew they were doing a pyramid in the basement.  Of course, I had to take some pictures. :)

Next was the end of yet another round of swimming lessons.  She was a bit nervous about having a boy teacher this time.  She has a hard time trusting males, especially in the water.  He was my favorite of her teachers though.  Her first one was great with the kids and a good teacher, her second one was good with the kids and a great teacher.  Justin though, was great with the kids AND a great teacher.  We're taking some time off and practicing some things before we start up again.  Perhaps we'll pick it up during the school year or even wait until next summer.

And last, Little One and her friends like to do little picnics out in the lawn.  So fun. :)