The Endless Summer

I remember going to see this movie when I was in high school. It's a documentary like film of these guys that travel around the world in search of the perfect wave, or something like that. As I watch Cameron and his love for the ocean grow, I was reminded of this movie. And this picture. All we need is the sunset...and a buddy. Eli? What do you think?

Uncle Gate's Surf Camp

Uncle Gate's Surf Camp had it's first session this last weekend. Cameron has had his mind set on surfing for some time. Last year one of the girls brought home a flier for surf camp, but he's too young. So it was time to pay a visit to Uncle Gate's Surf Camp. My uncle lives about 45 minutes north and we spend time with him every couple of months. Surfing was on the agenda for this visit. Cam is a natural athlete and succeeds at most of his ventures. Andy and my uncle pulled Cam out on the board into the break and then pushed him into the wave so he could catch it. And the little guy did it!









































The other kids also had a great time. Briley has developed amazing confidence in the water since she has taken swim lessons. She was out on the boogie board for hours. She ate it once or twice, but kept going back for more. It is so unlike her to continue to go after something like she did
today. We are so proud of her!

Summer is Fun

Summer is fun. We love summer! These pictures were taken last night as we were just spending time together in the backyard. The weather was perfect, the sun was going down so it was not hot, but just right. Eating popcicles and just being together. It was a beautiful night!

Our Little Swimmers

Today we went swimming at a friend's house. The kids have been begging to go since they finished their lessons. They got to show off and practice their skills. We are so proud of our little water bugs! Briley is just amazing! After only 2 weeks of lessons she is jumping off the side in the deep end and swimming to the edge! We are so proud of her!








Emma cannot be outdone by her sister. So she decided that she would trust me that she could do it too. It took awhile of watching Briley and getting up her
courage...










Cameron is getting really good at swimming as well, though we don't quite trust him in the deep end yet. His confidence level does not match his skill level! Though they are quickly catching up! He wouldn't stop swimming long enough for my picture!









Logan is getting really comfortable in the water and just loves it. He puts his face in the water to show us how brave he is! Though he makes me really nervous because his skills really don't match his confidence!

Swim Lessons

Early in the summer, Emma went to a friend's house for a swim party. She comes home saying, "Mommy, it was lots of fun, but I don't want to wear a life jacket anymore. Can I please take swim lessons?" Ok, check. I will see what I can do. So we signed the kids up for swim lessons. The girls were in the same class. Briley did extremely well, learning to float and the basics of some of the common strokes. She has not mastered any of those yet, but what I will say for her is that her confidence in the water has multiplied greatly. My dad always has told me that water is a great equalizer (he has to be one of the most uncoordinated people I know-sorry Dad!- but he is amazing in the water). Briley is tall and awkward much of the time and does not have the same athletic grace Emma has on land. But wow, my dad was right all those years. Water really is a great equalizer and Briley finally found something that she is more natural at than Emma. Part of Emma's problem in the water is that she can't float. At all. Oh, Briley is in purple goggles and Em is in pink.










The boys were in the same class (all 4 kids' lessons were at the same time in different parts of the pool). The first day Logan screamed and cried and would not let go of his teacher's neck for anything in the world (except the side of the pool at the end of the 30 minutes). Then Cam, my fearless little Cam, jumps right in, getting his face wet and everything. But Logan persevered (ok I did too-I brought him back again and again) until he finally was comfortable. His teacher only had to peel him from my arms two more times and then he was good- a little nervous still-but no longer screaming or clinging. Whew! That was hard on us both! Cam went from not swimming at all to looking like a little bug as he kicks and paddles. It's great to see them all getting so confident! Great work my little swimmers!

4th of July

Independence Day is absolutely my favorite holiday, and has been since I was a little girl. The air takes on a patriotic feel wherever we are. I love that pride. And I am filled with gratitude when I think of the many blessings we experience from living in this great land. I think of the thousands and thousands of men and women who have fought and continue to do so today so that we can live in freedom. My favorite saying came from a magnet we got from the air show at the nearby Marine base-"Freedom isn't free". And I love to see these young men pay respect to the symbol of our nation.
Every year our morning begins with a flag raising ceremony performed by the Boy Scouts Andy works with, followed by singing of our national anthem. This is my favorite part of our day. After the ceremony, we have a pancake breakfast at our church building. It is so much fun!
This year we decided not to have our usual bbq with lots of people over. We scaled it down to just one of our favorite families.

It was great to spend my favorite holiday with some of my favorite people!

Later, since the city lights off fireworks nearly in our backyard, we invited lots of friends to come for the best place in the city (our own backyard!) to enjoy the show with us. Andy's cousin even came, which was so fun because we usually see him once a year when his family comes down from Utah for beach camp even though he lives only a couple of miles from us.
Happy Independence Day!

Haircuts

Briley has a really hard time caring for her hair, and yet she wants to be independent. She really wanted to grow her hair out long enough to donate, and she was only about 3 inches away, but she had quit brushing her hair. I had painful flashbacks of my childhood, sitting at my mom's feet having what we called a rat's nest (one massive tangle that was several inches tall and across) brushed out. I decided intervention was necessary for both of us. I wanted to save her the pain of having her hair seemingly ripped from her head with each brush stroke, as well as my own pain from those less than happy childhood memories! I encouraged her to cut her hair and she agreed. The bangs were her idea (I wanted so badly to tell her no) but htey look cute and a month later she still likes them. Emma really liked her long hair, but decided to cut hers as well, though not as short as Briley's because she still likes me to put her hair up. I can't believe how much older both of them look with short hair!