Jacob's 3rd Birthday

This smile says it all. It was the best day ever. He shares his birthday with Papa so the two of them celebrated at Filiberto's Mexican Restaurant in Mesa. We kind of took over the whole restaurant, brought in our own cakes, sang our songs, let the kids run wild. It was a great party. 

 After dinner we went to a skate/trampoline place and had a wonderful time. Of course Jacob was in heaven trying to keep up with the big boys. It was kind of amazing, we practically had that whole place to ourselves as well. Perfect night.

Arizona in the Summertime

The Harolsens have moved to Arizona and now the majority of the family lives there in Mesa. So a visit to AZ in July meant lots of time in April's pool, jumping on Justin's trampoline, drawing with sidewalk chalk at Nanny's house, and having ice cream at Brandon's.

 We enjoyed another "favorite things" lunch with the girls. Lighted tweezers was my personal favorite from this one. Thank you Michelle.

 Spent lots of time at the Rec center climbing away with the Young cousins. 

 Garretts first time being old enough to climb. He did great. 

 Aaron and Eleanor chillin at the table. 

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

After the camping trip the boys and I drove from SoCal to Arizona. Chris took the bus back to San Jose (sad) so he could go back to work.  We stopped at Bob's Big Boy along the way. 

 The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was amazing! We got in a pod and accended 6000 ft in 10 minutes. The Tramway was thought up in the the 30's, planned out in the 50's, and finished in 1963. They built new rotating tram cars in 2000 which were really cool because we could see the ascent from all points of view.

SoCal Camping with the Youngs

We went camping with the Youngs in San Clemente, CA this week. The weather was perfect. Days weren't too hot. Nights weren't too cold. We had happy time around the campfire each night (minus my mom stress of imagining the worst case scenario every minute. ((A kid is going to trip on a rock and fall into the fire and/or poke their eye out with a flaming marshmallow)))

 We had the chance to visit the San Diego temple. It was beautiful and the boys tried their best to smile for these pictures. Look at that effort.

 We found the best possible beach for our family at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. It was perfect for learning how to surf, it had an accessible walk for me, bathrooms, and close free parking because we were camping at a state park campground.

 Alex and Aaron learned how to surf and both stood up on the surf boards a couple times. It was pretty amazing how easily it came for them.

 Jacob ran up and down this path a hundred times. Sometimes by himself, sometimes with Garrett, sometimes with Austin. He would run to the end of the walk and run right back. Then one time when he ran to the end of the walk with Austin they just kept running. Austin in the lead, Jacob following. They just kept running.

 Then Jacob crashed and fell asleep on the beach. After short nights and no naps, it was time.

 We went to the harbor at Dana Point and saw some cool old ships.

I bought art... yay!

One of the most exciting things I have ever purchased - This Ed Lucey painting. I saw an image of it online 3 weeks before I visited Ed's studio for the anual Silicon Valley Open Studio that takes place in May. It was love at first sight and I certainly did not expect to see it available for purchase at his studio. So lucky me, I got to take it home. I had chills all day. 

The quote displayed to the side is the last phrase of the song "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" by Isaac Watts. I have many connections to this song and this final phrase has always stayed with me. I sang it with my youth choir in high school, it was the last song at Gordon B. Hinkley's funeral by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and it was sung by the Cathedral Singers boys choir at the National Cathedral after 9/11.

My "24 Hours of Art" Camp

A while back I had a crazy idea. Why not fit in 24 hours of art into a two day art camp. So thats what I did. Friday and Saturday 9 am - 9 pm. Chris took the boys camping and I turned the house into a huge studio. The dining room was dedicated to painting, watercolor and acrylic. The middle room was dedicated to drawing. The family room was research and sketching. And the girls had a blast doing a fine art collage session at the patio table, cutting out inspiring pictures of fine art through through the ages. I have two of my college art history text, so I let the kids cut up one. 

Loosened up and spazzed out with a Jackson Pollock inspired piece.

 After binding a sketchbook from scratch, the girls sketched up a storm at a local childrens art gallery. It gave me chills to see them step in the gallery, and with almost no guidance, sketched for literally 30 minutes straight. They filled their sketchbooks in 2 days.

 At the San Jose Art Museum filling those sketchbooks.

 They were seriously hard workers as they took all they drawing skills and inspiration they recieved and applied it to their own original work. Sweat and tears went in to each piece.

These sweet girls made me gifts out of clay based on all my favorite things. It was a very thoughtful surprise.

Haroldsens Visit

April, Dave and Parker came to visit us on their way to AZ for their big move. We loved seeing them! 

First we took them to Vasona Park and rode the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad. The boys loved having Parker all to themselves. 

 After a trip to Nickel City and a rockin pizza dinner, we came back to the house for some trifle. (and a quick load of laundry)

Aaron was so interested in everything Parker did or said. They had the boxing gloves on for at least 30 minutes because Aaron wanted Parker to use him as the punching bag.  Alex was busy sewing a costume for a stuffed animal and Dave was a good sport to all our craziness. I love those guys!

Berry Picking at Gizdich Farms

Over the last month we have been to Gizdich farms 3 times. It has yeilded over 60 jars of jam and tons of smoothies and strawberry ice cream. The best thing of all is when Jacob tells me out of the blue "I love strawberry picking!"

First Time picking, Mid June: Ollalieberries

 Second Time Picking, Late June: Strawberries

 Third Time Picking, Early July: Raspberry, Strawberry, Boysenberry, Ollalieberrry