Carpinteria Visit Again

Walt was able to get a couple extra days off after the July 4th holiday. We took the opportunity to make another quick trip to Carpinteria to visit his mom and sister. This time we invited Kiele, our niece, along too. Why hadn't we thought of that earlier!? All in all it was a quick but fun and family filled trip. 

Grandma and Aunt Emma taught Carley and Kiele how to knit while we were visiting. 

Kiele, Carley and I went to the Montecito Fourth of July parade.

About ready to hit up "fourth beach" on the Fourth.

Seems that everyone decided to go to the beach on the holiday. I haven't seen it that crowded in a long time!

Someone always has to get buried. I think that is an unofficial beach rule. 

Check out the starts of a giant fortress behind the kids. It was pretty amazing by the time they were done. 

I think my mermaid Carley is pretty amazing though. 

Kiele and Josh managed to swim all the way out to the floating dock. It's much harder to fight the current than expected, which leads to a much longer swim than anticipated. 

The kids had it to themselves for just a little bit but soon were swarmed by lots of fellow swimmers. 

We went back to fourth beach the next day and rented boogie boards.

The beach was back to the weekday norm. Far fewer people. 

The sun wasn't out but it didn't stop the kids from hitting the waves.

I couldn't resist the fun and joined them. 

Seeing the big smiles and great laughs was the best.

Okay, I know I'm a little biased but I think the Thiels make some good looking kids.

Family photo op after we're packed up and ready to head out has become a tradition. 

Gee, I wonder where Josh gets it.  Like father, like son?

Silly face picture is the best! Good times. 

On the way home we stopped at Fort Tejon on top of the Grapevine. 

It was the perfect place for a picnic lunch before more hours and hours of being locked in a car. 

The dogs were happy about it. 

Another great family trip. I love summer.

Finally Another Post

Here is a quick update of the past six weeks. I have been horrible about posting to the blog, which seems to be fizzling out. I don't want the blog to go away. I have loved updating everyone who reads about what we do as a family. After the Great Hiatus, it seems not too many come back to read. That coupled with me photographing less then the blog started to fizzle. So if you're out there and you read this let me know. Be like the Whos in Who-ville in Horton Hears a Who and make yourselves heard so this very small blog will not have to die.

On to this post.

We went to the county fair in May. Mainly we went to see the Demolition Derby but we enjoyed a few other things while there, like cotton candy.

 

The kids rode one ride. This sort of trap-your-kid-in-a-hamster-ball-and-let-them-run-on-water type of ride.

They loved it.

The Demolition Derby was fun. There were three rounds in the Derby and after each one Carley excitedly asked "is there another one!?"

The only woman driver won the Derby. You go, girl!

Father's Day was simple and quiet. It was during Walt's work week so we had our barbeque "dinner" at noon so he could get to sleep. 

Carley loves all holidays. She helped me make the Super Dad sign in the photo above this one. She also modeled three outfits to see which one her dad wanted her to wear on his day. Man, I love her. 

Josh and Carley walked in a parade with their Tae Kwon Do school. 

They handed out fliers with coupons for free classes. 

The kids and I made an overnight trip to Red Bluff to visit family. Leyton, my nephew, had a sleep over at my dad's house with us. 

Leyton showed the kids how to do flips off the diving board into the pool. 

Josh was so nervous that he'd do a back flop. Sure enough, his second attempt ended in a back flop and it stung! That was enough for him for now. 

We planted a garden this year but it isn't as productive as the first garden we grew. Carley and I started these flowers from seed. I can now cross another item off my Life List: #45 grow flowers from seed to bloom.