Cousin Surf Camp

Last years surf camp was such a success, it was decided to bring Tayson and Luke down to join the others this year.  As a bonus, Todd came down with the boys!
For the second time, I tried to check go grunion hunting off my bucket list, and for the second time, they didn't show up!! Oh well, I hope the third time is a charm!
Surf Camp--Monday--The first day and everyone successfully got up...Yay!
The boys even got to surf with dolphins!!

Emma enjoyed our new wind/sun tent, while Amy enjoyed being in the sun.  After lessons, we stayed a little to boogie board and play in the sand.  Luke made a great octopus!

That evening, we went back to the beach for dinner at Ruby's  Grandma even made it out to the end of the pier, thanks to the aide of a wheel chair.

Surf Camp--Tuesday--more success!!

  Tuesday afternoon, to celebrate Carson's birthday, we went to Sky Zone.

 Surf Camp--Wednesday--Some of my favorite photos of the day.

 Surf Camp--Thursday--a full day at the beach because we stayed all day and into the evening for a cookout.

The day started out quite chilly!

After the lessons, we stayed to play.

This year, there seemed to be a changing of the guard...or the people carrying the corn water back to the fire!

 Along with the corn, we had watermelon, hot dogs, chips, and of course, 'samores...all yummy!

Surf Camp-Friday--Last day.  This week has been wonderful.  Lots of sun, waves, laughter, and fun.  I decided to give out awards for the week.

The most expressive faces--Wyatt

The best use of "hang ten" signs--Luke

The most creative wipe outs--Tayson

The biggest wipe outs--Carson

Friday afternoon we went to the Reptile Zoo.

I love this picture.  Tayson had to be talked into sitting beside the snake. He wanted nothing to do with it!

 The other kids loved the snake!

They also enjoyed feeding the turtles.

Happy Birthday Carson

This young man turned 13 today!  A teenager!!  Oh my goodness!!!

Birthday pancakes

Every 13 year old needs a phone!

Caramel crunch was his request for his "cake".

Roller Skating

While we were out at Amy's for the tenting, we went roller skating.

Why is it that in our memory we are so much better that the present day reality?  I used to go skating all the time.  I owned my own skates with pink yarn pom poms on them.  I used to be good.  Now... well... let's just say, I didn't fall down!  By the end of the session, I was feeling pretty comfortable and I did manage to skate backwards a little.  But, Carson and Wyatt skated circles around me!

Tenting

If a termite company tells you that you need to tent your house, turn around and run!  It's quite a job to get everything ready.  All the food needs to be double bagged and sealed.

That includes all the food in the refrigerator and freezer as well. And don't forget the medicines and candy stashes around the house!

Then you have to arrange somewhere to go for the next three days, because you can't stay home! They come and completely cover your house and then inject the poison.

Thankfully, they were careful around my garden, but not so much on the side yard where it killed a bush and some of the grass.



















On a positive side-note, it also killed the rat in the garage that I had been trying to catch for a month!

Monday's Memory--Waikiki

I believe this might be Todd's first attempt at surfing.  We were in Hawaii, 1889, at Waikiki Beach.  The waves were gentle and the board was big. 

Fast forward almost 30 years, we were at the same beach.  More buildings, more people, but the same beautiful beach.  I wish I had thought to have him recreate the same pose, but nope.  A few years later, and the board doesn't look so big!

Splash Kingdom

Amy found a deal to go to Splash Kingdom.  It was perfect...not too hot, not too crowded, and not too much money.

Look at the glee on Carson's face!

That's because I got completely flipped over.  He thought it was pretty funny!