Grandma Camp 2012

I really love spending quality time in my hometown for a few weeks in the summer.

My kids love it too.

Grandma Bev really goes all out in the fun department.  Here are some highlights...

On our way....

{thanks to Mike for driving us all the way to California and flying home to work while we play.  It's pretty nice of him to prioritize for us to have this time with my side of the family.}

Checking out all Grandma's toys.

Grandma has the best toys.

A pool was a fun edition to the new backyard fun.

Maddie and Grandma enjoying the new backyard.

Caleb found a squirt gun!

These were a gigantic hit.

Like hours of fun.

Awe!

Grandma's bed is very cozy!

Crib...not so much but a good place to start out at night.

Bria at 8am having a smoothie in Grandma's backyard.

Caleb and his little pal Ginger.

Snuggies by the pool.

How many kids can You fit in a sandbox??

Taking in some tappers at the Farmer's Market.

A whole store devoted to cheerleading!

Lazy summer nights!

Fun times on Grandma's lap.

Disney Store dolls.

Busted.

Caught red-handed playing play dough in the wrong place...

Skyping with my brother to meet brand new adorable nephew Isaak!

Yogurtland and another amazing hot summer night at Riverpark.

People-watching and trend-spotting at it's best:)

Night time playground fun.

  The lights, the palm trees...it's so great.

Seriously, what is it about palm trees?  They are the best.

Big sisters are so fun!

{and extremely helpful when Mommy wants to sit}

One stroller, two babies...

Hula hooping for HOURS.

Posing baby!

More snuggies.

How sweet is this??

Trip to the movies; one of our traditions.

{the extra blonde is Devon, Mikayla's life-long friend}

Okay.

There are no words for these two pancakes.

How can I describe the YUM?

The one on the left is apple/cinnamon granola...in a pancake.

On the right? Triple chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

Crazy.

Batter Up..two thumbs up!

Touring all Grandma's "pretties".

The girls love hearing the stories about all her collectibles.

Many of them were my Grandma's or Great Grandma's!

Opossum.

With 7 babies.

Crazy.

Incredible.

Mom is nervous about the dog door + opossum.

And the now large population of creepy marsupials in the neighborhood!

Making wraps for days.

Food to go.

Gotta be prepared or In-n-Out starts calling our names!

Sometimes a little girl has so much fun she gets plain tuckerd out!

Thanks for the tuckering out fun Grandma Bev!!

Swimming In Fresno

One of the best things about Fresno is all the pools!

My kids love to swim, I have to drag them out when it's time to go.

Caity's first time swimming with just floaties.

She was so proud of her freedom!!

Cambi wasn't into swimming and had no clue about the danger so she was well, a handful!

Keeping the crazy toddle-off-the-edge-girl entertained.

Awesome jump bud!

Mailee. 

 goggles.

Snacks to keep going.

Keeping a watchful eye.

This pool had a fantastic waterfall with a tiny pool at the top.

Crackers.

Baby.

Sun sparkles.

Cambi's little "pose".  So cute!!

Color Me Mine

I love love love what we did today.

I mean like best day ever type of love.

So fun.

We spent the morning at Color Me Mine.

{pottery painting store in Fresno}

Looking back, it was actually kind of silly to think we could take this place on with 6 kids and 2 adults{1 craft nazi mommy, 3 big girls who were very serious about their projects, 2 babies, 1 very active boy and 1 "just-had-hip-replaced-can't-walk-without-walker-yet" Grandma} but it actually went really well and I give us an A+ for making it happen!

Oh and did I mention I was in heaven?

I loved every minute of it.

When I grow up I want to live there and paint all day long.

ok ok enough about me, here's the pictures...

Mailee splatter painting her jar with the sweetest employee ever.

Grandma occupying small busy little people.

With Grandma's help, Caleb's tiger mug turned out great!!

{he wanted to paint the ceramic motorcyle bank, considered the Woody dish, then changed to the ceramic quad figurine but I am into useful items... I *might* have persuaded his decision just a little bit...}

We have made a plate with newborn feet for every child.  Today was Cambri's turn.  She's not exactly a newborn but her feet are still tiny and cute.

She actually really liked the whole process.

The very beautiful Annie assisted us in getting the footprints just right.

*smoosh*

Then Annie offered us $5 off if we let her use Cambri's foot to finish a plate she was working on for the store's display.

I was just fine with that:)

Painted up baby feets!

Thank you Grandma for a special day of fun!!

Can't wait to see how Mailee's splatter paint turns out!

We let Caity paint her plaque on her own for most of the time.

{this is the part where I leave out the multiple tantrums she had over various tragedies and offenses including "I want da pink one", "Me yike da cup better", "Not dat one Mommy", "I want more pink paint, no me yike da blue paint", "I hung-ee", "you not touch me brothee", etc, etc.}

Moving on...

I stepped in at the end and added a few details and we finished it off with her handprint.

She was all over the handprint idea after watching Cambria get her feet painted!

So proud!

Pretty cute:)

Mikayla is usually the first one done when it comes to crafts.  

She finishes the task and moves on.

I noticed that with this she was really enjoying herself and taking her time.

{I love her concentrating feet in this picture}

Here's Maddie with her goblet.  She has a cool plan for this goblet when she gets it home.

We all had a blast, the kids kept bringing it up the rest of the day.  They can't wait to see their finished pieces!!