Cousins weekend

This is one of the reasons why we moved here. It was so nice to host my sister and her darling kids for the weekend. Fun was had all around and we can't wait to do it again.

My three daughters

Since the plan of taking some portraits of my girls at the beach last week was foiled by the dead battery, I adapted the mantra of 'think globally, act locally' and walked the girls a couple of blocks to the Iron Horse trail by the house for the photo shoot. Still trying to decide which ones I like the best.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

So you know how sometimes really lame people say things on their blogs like we did this really fun thing and/or went to this really fun place, but I forgot my camera/my batteries were dead or some other such nonsense. I really am irritated when lame people do that. But now for the first time in "thelifeofbrittcallaway" I went to/and did fun stuff and my camera battery was dead. The girls and I went down to Santa Cruz with a bunch of Edgren's and Porter's for a beach day. I even remembered to bring clean semi-coordinating clothing for my kids to try and take some beachy portraits of them. I also remembered the snacks, towels, sand toys and sunscreen AND camera. Just forgot to check the battery. So instead of darling shots of the day and night, you just get this shot of me at the same Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk circa 1993 with my sister and baby brother.



First we went to Live Oak, the Porter's favorite beach down that way. It was a beautiful secluded spot and the kids had classic beach fun and the adults chatted the afternoon away. Later we met up with the dad's and the Blatters for 75 cent night at the Santa Cruz Beach boardwalk. That place has such fond memories for me. We went there at least once every summer grown up with the family, and sometimes Kir and I would go there on our own (shoot did I just let the secret out? hi mom). It was a little scummy back then and Kir and I always got hit on by shirtless young men with scumstaches. Oh who am I kidding, it is a little scummy now, but I was not hit on once by and shirtless young hooligans this trip. hmmmm.

The boardwalk is such a beachy amusement park summer cliche. There are the trashy folk, the smell of all things fried (although, they've not NOTHING on the classic fair food of the South, pork butt on a stick anyone?), ocean views from the heights of the twirly ferris wheel and the big old wooded roller coaster "The Giant Dipper", big crowds for the cheap tickets, cool sea night air and wet sandy muck on the floor of the bathroom stalls. And I love it all.



This was our kid's third trip to the boardwalk and they love it too. Actually, Maren and Kiera really loved it this trip. Neve is too old and wise for the kiddie rides and too short for the big ones. She was such a good sport about it, but if anyone knows some way to boost her height about 4 inches between now and the next trip, please contact me asap.

Not all involved are as hard core, or thrifty as the case may truly be, as the Callaway's and Blatter's. I guess we just wanted to get all the fun we could get for our 75 cents per ticket. We closed the place down. The kids were all still kickin' it at 11:15 when we headed out to the cars for the hour and fifteen minute drive home. Sure am glad it's summer.



Yes, I borrowed that last shot from the nice folks at the internet.

wild ride

Black Rock Ranch. It is just like camping in a really big house. Oh, actually it IS camping in a really big house. An amazing house and property.



We were so stoked to be able to go up to again with some old and new friends. It was a weekend of riding...



in the mule. with all the girls (except annie! love ya babe)







the boys were on the motorcycles.



Then down to the lake for some fun on...


the jet ski...




and some tubing action...








We had to come back upto the house during the heat of the afternoon, and then headed out after dinner for a ride on the quads.





Another super fun weekend. How can you beat good friends, good time, good conversation and good riding?

Southern Utah Desert 8

oh my gosh. i finally finished. i don't know what took me so long. oh wait, i guess it is because i took almost 300 photos, oh i mean after deleting all the ones i really didn't like, i had 300 left to go through. i think maybe i took too many? i tend to have a problem with that. i am just glad it is done and i can walk away from my desk so i don't have to listen to "teenage mutant ninja turtles" anymore. cowabunga, dude.

Southern Utah Desert 7

Daddy mojo

Southern Utah Desert 6

Southern Utah Desert 6

Conversations

K: I ready to wipe.
B: Comin' babe.
K: There's no roilet paper
B: You mean T-t-toilet paper
K: No, Mom, there's no ROLL paper

I guess when you add roll+toilet= roilet paper.

I just thought she couldn't say it properly. Ain't she clever.

'lil birthday party for America

I heart fourth of july. Even more in California. It is a breezy 76 degrees and sunny. Can it get any better than that? My kids cheeks aren't even rosy. We are used to the red faced, sweaty haired fourth of july shots from Memphis. Not this year.

We started our day off with a flag raising ceremony and patriotic speaker at church. It was a wee bit chilly (read: we froze our booties off for almost an hour outside wearing shorts and hoodies in 55 degrees and overcast skies!)



The was followed by a hearty WARM breakfast.



After breakfast headed over to the Danville Parade. You would not believe all the free snacks, waters, drinks, candy, fruit snacks, papers, and flags we ended up with. The kids loved it. The Safeway truck comes by and we end up with popsicles and treats. The Longs Drug truck comes by and I end up with, among other things, a Sinus Nasal Rinse. Whonu? I was especially needing that...



The parade was super fun. Annie and I were so festively coordinated, don'tcha think?







And don't you Memphis folks worry, we had a little taste. What more can you ask for than to be serenaded by an Elvis impersonator?



The Blatter's throw the best parties. They have an amazing yard and generous hospitality. We all made a few things to share. This was my favorite of the things I brought. It took all my willpower not to lick it. I have a little problem with fine dark chocolate.



Kind of like Thanksgiving. so yummy.



So great food, water fun and a bike parade made the party complete.








We ended with fireworks and sprinklers (and sparklers!). Go Go Go! About 5 minutes before start time we were snuggled up and ready to watch the show when the sprinklers came on. We all retreated (quickly) to the safety of the black truck and enjoyed the show. Great end to a great day. Isn't it fantastic to be free?