ok one more round...

Our ward went camping for 3 days at the Carpenteria State Beach. It is such a great campout! Great dutch oven cooking by Elaine (the Si of this ward) and within steps of the water. I've decided that kids LOVE camping. Kate didn't know what to do with herself. Climbing trees, scooters, food, sleeping with mom and dad AND Rudy in the same bed is pretty cool. Sydney created a girls club and led the little ones in song for about an hour.  

Below, the girl on the right is my friend who sings with me and shares piano duties with me. She sounds like a Disney Princess. She really does. I don't so much :) But she is great! The one on the left just moved from Pasadena and is an avid biker. She's the one who helped me surprise Brett with a mountain bike for Valentine's Day. For once, I knew I gave a great gift!

 About half a mile down the beach from our tent were hundreds of seals having their babies. It was so cute! Big fat moms and little babies hopping all over the moms. We walked there and by the time we got there, Kate was out on dad's shoulder. (Yes I know she has a pink shirt and red bow. That's the way I DUUU IT!)

I am so grateful for family and friends. Still missing these girls below. (And Laurie. And Becky. And Micah. And my ward. ) I am so grateful that our family has come to visit so often! I don't feel so removed from them. 

Love this pic. I am so so grateful for Brett!

Hi everyone. We have had a bunch going on and I just thought I would post pictures. 

Sydney with class friends at their choir concert.

Brock and Kim came to visit and being the great aunt that I am, I took them to the coolest place! It's a Noah's Ark. It's interactive so kids can just wander, load the animals, sweep up their poop, cook food, climb around, move the animals, create rain, etc. Every animal is a masterpiece of recycled materials. It is so interesting to see what the artist used for every body part. Here is Kate unable to contain her amazement at what she is seeing.

 How cute is this picture. Jane is being pretty serious for sure. Nothing cuter than kids in their pajamas at a cousin's house :)

 This is Kate with Ali's friend Mitchell. She is always being carried by some teenager. She is very comfortable with teenagers and with boys. I am assuming it is because her baby mind remembers Spencer. Mitchell is 6'4? 6'5 so she is up really really high in this picture.

 Tyler. Really neat kid.

 These pics below were taken in Ventura where we got to meet my sis-in-law Katie and Leokadia. We missed Tom who stayed home in Philadelphia. It was a great day!

 Have I already posted this? Kate hugs them so so close it makes me laugh. Signs your 11 year old is jaded at Disneyland. Pinocchio and Gepetto came skipping by us. We said hi to Pinocchio and Sydney leaned over and said, "Ten bucks Pinocchio is a girl." I bet this Jake the pirate below is a girl too. He is pretty dang short. But really Kate, back it off a bit.