First Day of School

Tyler and Abby both are in 1St Grade this year! We are excited for both of them to learn, progress and develop their unique qualities this year. We love their school. The school has helped them both excel even though they are different learners. I forgot to take a picture of them before school but I took one after. They woke up early and were both excited to start their day!

They are both great kids with so much personality. Ben and I love them and are proud of them! Benji was very sad they left him in the car this morning. He cried all the way home!:( He will get used to the schedule. This year the kids are in all day school which is nice but sad. I can get more done around the house and errands now, but the house is missing their energy. Well, 230 ish they are back again--:)

Happy Birthday Mom Johnson

Saturday we had the whole Johnson family here. Grandma and Grandpa Johnson and all of Ben's brothers and their families.

We usually always have a good time! We have a fun pool in the back so the kids and even adults got in on a hot day. We enjoyed the chit chat and celebrated Mom Johnson's special day with her! All her grand kids kept asking her how old she was turning! To them birthdays are all about that! hee..
Thanks everyone for coming over and enjoying the day with us!

Beachy Time!

We spent most of our time at the beach! It is cheap
entertainment--the best kind! If you don't mind getting sandy! We usually bike, walk down the park, collect sea shells, swim in the pool in the mornings then head to the beach around noon for the whole afternoon building sand mountains, playing games, reading, boogie boarding, surfing, taking naps and wave jumping(favorite of the kids). The water was cold this year but everyday it did get a little warmer. I love the sea air and the sound of crashing waves! After the beach we hit the jacuzzi and played games after the kiddos were down. Ben and I wanted to be fun this year so we stayed up late and chatted, laughed with family we don't see very often (well worth the sleep deprivation). Another year at the Beach--success in our book!

Sea World

We actually had a fun day at Sea World! This was our big splurge and it was well worth it! It was busy, but not crazy! The Manwarings, Corbins, Hill's and Aunt Jo came! I loved all the shows and mammals! Benji still is talking about the sharks. Abby is talking about the Polar Bear and the Killer Whales. Tyler loved the dolphin show!
Ben took the kids on the boat ride and they got soaking wet. Abby was not happy about it and cried! Then we both went on the Roller Coaster. I haven't been on a Roller Coaster in ages.. It was a blast. Ben went with Tyler and he loved it! A wonderful Day!

Abby Turned 6 in California!

Abby is six now and a big 1st grader! She had a good birthday! She woke up to a Happy Birthday balloon and a 'hot pink' boogie board(she is still not too comfortable boogie boarding--maybe next year) then she was treated to a morning with all her aunts, nana and her mom to get her nails done. She loved it! She always wants her nails painted at home so this was a nice gift suited for her! Then, later we played some games on the beach--after dinner we had strawberry cupcakes, birthday song and presents with her cousins and family~! She is a smart little girl who has a heart of gold! She loves life and takes everything in at once! Nothing ever gets by her and she loves her brothers and family to pieces. She always wants to know what is going on. She just recently informed me that 'Dora' is for babies! She is a girly girl too! Pink is still her favorite color-who knows if she will grow out of it, but she is who she is and we love her!

Solana Beach, California

The whole HiLl FamiLy came this year to the beach so the trip turned into a family reunion. Shirts were made and memories too! Ben, I and the kids had a great time this year enjoying family and the beach! We did our shrimp boil, smores and the kids swam in the bay.

4th of July

Picture to the right is 2 years ago on the 4th! Change --Change! (didn't have our camera this year:( )
We had a fun filled weekend! Started off on Friday night seeing 'Eclipse' with my favorite girls--Mom and Jessica! Then Saturday day, we spent it on the lake! It was a fabulous! The kids played and played. They love jumping off the boat with their 'life jackets' of course. We had a nice little barby with hamburgers! Then later in the afternoon from the lake, we took off to Prescott. We met Grandma and Grandpa Johnson downtown for some 4th of July fun! Then we headed back to their place for some r&r with dinner on the patio! There was a great breeze and good company. Grandma had an early b-day for Abby--pink/strawberry cake, pink 'kick-ball', hot pink outfits and fun new backpack for school! Thank Grandma! :) The kids love their garden and hang'n with Grandpa with his 'tractor' aka 'sitting lawn mower' but they love it. They got to drive it all over! We enjoyed fireworks at a park with a picnic! The next morning Abby and Tyler helped Grandma/Grandpa make yummy pancakes! That afternoon we drove up to the mountains and played at the lake. Grandpa made homemade fishing poles and the kids went fishing. Loved it! Thanks for the great memories!
**Forgot to mention our late night adventure after 'fireworks' -- Some exciting chicken foot with Kathy and Sam aka grandma/pa! We had some fun laughs and I am glad we pushed through to the end! We made it fun!