La Brea Tar Pits

We went to the La Brea Tar Pits. It was interesting and educational. It was also stinky!! The kids enjoyed the trip. We can now mark it off the list.

The Best summer day, yet!!!

This is the best summer day yet!!! We were invited by the Congellieres to spend a day at Carpinteria near Santa Barbara. They were there for the whole week. We try to go to Carpinteria every year with them. It has become a tradition. This day the sun was bright. Abby Simmons said that water was the best that she has ever felt. We went on a long walk collecting shells and trying to avoid the tar spots. Joel taught Adam and Jared Simmons how to fly a two handed kite. They had the best time. Adam has been looking for a kite ever since then.

After everyone got cleaned up. We had dinner and the kids played jump rope. I love the picture of all the girls jumping. We finished up the evening with s-mores and a campfire. It was a great day. Thanks Congellieres

Aren't I cool with my walking stick - I made it myself at Cub Scout Camp

Jake and TJ Eschenberg went to their first Cub Scout camp. I always love cub scout camp. The scouts accomplish a lot in a week, then I don't have to do it. I did work one day, which wasn't so bad. Adam went as a Den Chief for the second year. As a Den Chief, he works with the other adults to make sure the cub scouts in the den get everything accomplished and they get to the right place. It was funny because he said "mom, they won't always listen to me". I thought welcome to my world. It was glad that Adam was there for Jake. Jake did get a bullseye in Archery. It was fun week with them making their own walking sticks. Jake was covered in blue paint that day, while TJ didn't have a drop of paint on him.

20 mile bike ride? Are you crazy?

One of Adam's Deacon requirements for his Duty to God was a 20 mile bike. I was so happy when Jens step up to the plate and said that he would do this with Adam. They rode from our house to Malibu on Pacific Coast Hwy. Boy, were they tired.

It is field day for Jake and Anna. Adam is too big now that he is in the middle school. Poor guy!!

The last week of school is party week. Jake is surrounded by his best "girl friends" in 2nd grade. Anna is jumping her heart out so she will not let the team down. Also, Anna is pictured with Miss Amelia Cundiff, her 4th grade teacher. It was lots of fun for everyone!!

Hiking to the beach!!

I have always wanted to hike through Sycamore Canyon to the beach. Well, we finally did on June 6. It is 8 miles down. We brought candy for Jake. Every 20 minutes we would give Jake a piece of candy. About 15 minutes until the end, Jake was lagging behind. I turned around and looked. He told me that his legs would not work anymore. Daddy put him on his shoulders for the last 15 minutes. I was so tired after that. But, it is check off the list.

Gold Dust or Bust - Anna's 4th Grade Play

Anna learned all about the history California this year in school. Her 4th grade play was all about the gold rush. She loved learning about the history of California. She was Luezeuna in her play. One of her many lines - "You know like a lot of women during the gold rush, I made a good living of offering room and lodging to the miners. Men would pay a good price for a good home cooked meals and sewing and washing." She did a good job acting out the part. I think that Anna was a pairie girl in another life. She loves Little House on the Praire, etc. Madison Merrill came to the play too. Afterward we went to have frozen yogurt at Golden Spoon. I love the picture of Anna in her bonnet.