Summer Vacation - Whirl Wind So. California!

062709-05 Kids at Oceanside Beach
Originally uploaded by momjeeps.

OK, try to follow me here...

On Friday, June 26, we left Ma & Pa's in the afternoon. Rob had been working on a plumbing project most of the day Thursday and some of the morning on Friday. It was quite a job, the family was very appreciative and we were glad Rob could help out since usually he is too far away to help when a situation as this arrises.

Since our Southern California time was cut short, we decided to try to fit it all in anyway... We drove as far as Tahachapi, California that night and stopped at the La Quinta. The room was fine and breakfast was OK. We got out right on schedule and arrived at my grandmother's home in Hesperia, California at 10:00 a.m. for a quick visit. She had small gifts for each of her great-grand children, as she always does. But can you believe I did not remember to take my camera out and get any pictures of any of us with my grandma!!! I'm not happy about this.

Anyway, we left there and drove south and met Charley and the twins (Amanda and Nick) for lunch at a McDonald's near Loma Linda. We wanted to meet Amanda and Nick for lunch just in case their jobs kept them from coming to grandma's house in Arizona later in our vacation.

After finishing lunch, we decided to drive on down to Charley's house in Murrieta and pick up Ceana to go with us to Oceanside to the beach.

We drove to Oceanside, where we met Melissa and Jasmine for some quick fun on the beach. We were at the beach for about an hour and a half. The kids loved it! We will have to spend more time at the beach next year.

We then drove to Vista and went to Dairy Queen with them. YUM. When we left DQ, we were just around the corner from some other friends, Jeff and Gina Fluck. We figured we stop in real quick and say hello. When we stopped they and their boys were out in the pool. So all the kids (still in their suits from the beach) decided to get in the pool with their boys. So we stayed there for another hour or so. Again, I didn't get the camera out. IDIOT!

By this time, the girls (Ashlee, Aimee and their Cousin Ceana) had convinced the parents to have Ceana continue on with our family to Arizona so that they could spend more time together. So back to Murrieta we went to get a suit case that her parents packed for her.

We then drove on to Arizona, arriving at mom and dad's house at 4:30 a.m. WHEW! TIRED! But lots of fun fun memories were made in that day or so!

Summer Vacation - Day Trip to San Francisco

Today our family took a day trip out to San Francisco area. We went across several bridges. We went a little ways up Highway 1, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. I remember the kids saying they were scared on the windy steep road. I commented that they should be happy that it was paved. I grew up riding in dad's jeep (or other four wheel vehicle) in some tight, steep, windy spots that were NOT paved and may even have some pretty hairy obstacles.

Back tracking a bit, when we were packing for vacation, my mother asked if we would be packing light jackets. I told her I didn't think they would be necessary, but Rob thought they would be a good idea too. So we put a light jacket in at least for each of the kids. This day would have been the perfect day for them. When we were on the cliffs at the coast the temperature was 52 degrees F. However, we had left said light jackets at Rob's parents' house where it was 100+ degrees F. Wise! And that would be the only time they were needed the entire three week vacation.

On our way up Highway 1, we stopped at a stand where a guy was selling produce and such and bought some cherries, apricots, pistachios and toffee almonds. YUM!

Summer Vacation Begins - Off to California

On Saturday, June 20th, we left to drive to visit the Welch family in Ione, California. We pretty much drove straight through stopping only for gas and potty and maybe the occassional drive thru. But mostly we ate snackies we brought from home.

On Sunday night we stopped in Merced, California and visited with Rob's high school shop teacher and his wife, Doug and Donna Bates. We and the kids were pretty wiped out, so we are looking forward to when they stop by our house on their way through in September. After visiting with them it was another several hours to Rob's parents house. We got in to there place around 1:30 a.m. Monday, morning. Including the stop in Merced and all other stops, it took us about 40 hours to get there.

On Monday, during the day, we set up tents in the yard at Ma & Pa's. All of Rob's brothers and his sister were in town, so the house was pretty full. We set up what we call our "Taj Ma Tent" and were quite comfortable. The kids slept in the living room with the other cousins and had a great time.

I will post some pictures once I retreive them from my mom and dad's computer somehow...

2009 Keep on the Watch District Convention

From June 12-14, 2009 the kids and I attended the Jehovah's Witnesses District Convention in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Unforetunately, I left these pictures on my dad's computer in Arizona when we were on vacation. So I will post more later...

Last day of school, continued...

060309-03 Aimee and Mrs Whitaker
Originally uploaded by momjeeps.

Aimee is done with first grade. Here she is with Mrs. Whitaker. Aimee made Principal's List this year (the good list). She also got a reading award and a National Physical Fitness award. Way to go Aimee!

Last Day of School, continued...

060309-02 Ashlee and Mrs Kristie
Originally uploaded by momjeeps.

Ashlee is done with third grade. But we will miss Mrs. Kristie Head! Ashlee did fantastic in her class. She made honor roll this year. Mommy made cheesecakes for all the teachers' gifts this year. I had the kids decorate their boxes. Each of them wrote nice notes on the boxes.

Thank you Greene County Tech!

Last Day of School!

060309-01 Robbie and Mrs Shelton
Originally uploaded by momjeeps.

Robbie is done with 4th Grade. Passed with flying colors! He even got a math award for being one of the top scorers in his class!