Mom, Cousins, and Disneyland.

On Tuesday we met up with our Arizona cousins, Kym and her two kids, and Jessi, Kym's sister. Mom is in town, so we grabbed her and went to Disneyland. Chris and Kim joined us around lunch time, and we stayed all day. It was really fun. It wasn't busy and we did everything we wanted.

Here's Samantha, and half of James, in line for the matterhorn.Cousin Kym.

Kym was scared of the elephant on the Jungle Book Cruise.

James, Ty, Sam and Zach. Toon Town.

Chris picked a flower to put in Kim's hair. Pretty!

Tyler, Small World.

Me. We got bored on It's a Small World.

Chris is a heckler. Did you know that? We can't take him anywhere.

Mommy.

Zach and Matt, they could be brothers.

Yep.

Lunch and map plotting.

Kym and Jessi. This was Matt's first time on the matterhorn, he loved it.

Compass Bible Church Family Camp

I did it. I camped in a tent for three nights and four days. And I survived. Memorial Day weekend we went with almost three hundred of our church family to Point Mugu, in Malibu, CA. It was a whoooooole lotta fun. The kids had a blast, Brett and I met lots of new friends, and got to know our church family quite a bit better. That was the whole focus of the camp outing.

Here are the pictures in no particular order:

This was our family "living room" for the weekend, where we ate (church provided breakfast, dinner, snacks, beverages, hot coffee and hot chocolate). We also listened to a few messages about what it means to be a church family.

Matt, do you like camping?

This was probably around breakfast time.

Possibly dinner.

We brought the ghillie suits, the kids all took turns wearing them. They hid in bushes and trees, jumping out to scare people.

Matt playing checkers with some neighbors.

Brett, working on a ghillie suit.

The path to the beach, under Pacific Coast Highway.

Tyler

Matt

James flying a tiny kite.

We saw dolphins, a sea otter and a sea lion.

Matt and Tyler all cuddled up for bed in the tent.

Matt outside our tent and kitchen tent area.

We brought six hundred glow sticks to camp and passed them out to all one hundred kids every night. Those things kept them busy for a while.

We had a sand competition one morning. Our group took seventh place.

We had to do a bible theme, we did Noah's Ark landing on Mount Ararat.

Our neighbors did the fish that swallowed Jonah.

Family camp was so much fun, we plan on going back next year. Hopefully with a trailer. Brett didn't sleep well in the tent. Ironically, I did!

Awana Closing Night

Last Thursday was our final night for Awana. Closing ceremonies, where the kids get all their awards and recognition for their achievements. Chris and Kim joined us to watch, and also drive, since our truck was in the shop with a big injury (manufacturer's fault) and Brett's car suffered a flat. All in the same day, but that's another story. This was my second year doing Awana at our church, and it was a great experience. I am already excited to get going in September again.

Here is Chris, taking pictures and driving, which is always safe.Tyler with his group. He got a perfect attendance award.

Matt getting his ribbons. Matt finished two books this year, plus two review books. He memorized over sixty bible verses. Insane.

All the Sparkies, up on stage singing.

I am not sure what's going on here.

I don't like my picture taken. Here's me with all my kids, I had six, sometimes seven this year.

James was a leader in training, they want him back next year cause he does so good with the kids. It looks like he forgot to put his contacts, with all the squinting he's got going on.

Lori's Birthday

Two weeks ago my very good friend from Reno, Lori, came down to attend a wedding. I offered to watch her kids overnight so she could attend, it was an adults only deal. We met halfway between Calabasas and my house so I could get her kids. That night we took her kids to a bonfire at Huntington Beach, it was really fun. Lori had planned to come get the kids the next day and spend some time with us. She did not mention that her birthday was that same day, but it didn't matter, I already knew! I had the kids plan a surprise dinner for her, and we had some friends over. I hope she had a good time!

Desiree and Lori.Chris and Kim.

Nick and Kendall.

Cherry blossom cake, soooo yummy. And pretty!

Lori's son Jacob, and Matt at Huntington.

Brandon and Jacob.

My kids and hers.

It's Not Dead!

The garden is growing! Only one casualty, the honeydew doesn't look like it's going to make it. I may replace it with some cilantro. Four weeks makes a big difference.

BeforeAfter

Before

After

My Mother's Day Gift

Teacups