Annual Baking for School Lunches FHE

Every year before school starts we take a family night and bake goodies for lunches for the school year.  (We never seem to make enough and I should really think about doing another one in the middle of the year.)  We all love it and it gets us excited to start school.  This year though, the dad had to go out of town and so we were stuck with just the 5 of us.  For some not having the dad in the kitchen wouldn't be big deal (in my own house growing up I don't think my dad knew what a measuring cup was.) but this dad is awesome in the kitchen.  He's so fast and can accomplish some major cookie making with us.  But this night we did our best and did a pretty good job. 

This picture is not from baking cookies but from craft class I think but I found it with these pictures and couldn't pass up posting it.  Is she cute or what?!

Last Summer Visitors

We had one last set of visitors before school started.  Tim's brother, Stew and his family, Kristine, Kirra, Malia, Julia, and Liam.  They had done a summer trip driving across the country and stopped by here for their last stop. It's always fun with cousins.  And would you believe I only got one picture.  And it happens to be this one of Tim and Stew looking pretty dorky "posing" in front of the fireplace.  It was a nice way to end the summer.

Last call for summer

In between all of our visits somehow we fit in a craft class twice a week.  Alexa and her friend, Maggie hosted a craft class for kids ages 3-10 to earn some money.  They did a great job and the kids seemed to have a great time.  They had 3 classes with between 3 to 6 kids each class.  It was a lot of work but they stuck it out the whole summer.  It helped pay for Alexa's trip to EFY.  The last week they had all the kids together for one last hurrah.  What also made it fun was that there cousins had come for a visit and happened to be there for the last class. 

Summer Marathon cont'd. JULY

A few days after Heather and her family left we packed up and headed to CA to visit the cousins and the grandparents.

In the car again.

 When we visit we like to make sure and earn our keep at Abuela and Grumps. 

Alexa is loving helping with the dishes. 

 Weeding in the back yard.  We just wish we had more time to help out.

After we did a little yard work, we got cleaned up to go to the temple.  We went with Abuela and Grumps, and Tara and Scott.  It was a nice evening.

 Sunday we went to church, of course.  It's always nice to go and see friends that Tim has known his whole life. 

 Sometimes trying to get a serious picture takes a while with these girls.

 

 

 Look at these cute couins.  I love that Caleb was willing to play barbies with McKenna. 

I love seeing a boy his age being so sweet like that. 

 Noah and Alexa. 

I know you want to point out the obvious but they don't like to hear it.  Yes, they look a like and not only do they look alike but they move, talk and act alike.  It's pretty crazy.  Yes, they are cousins but they have never lived near each other.

 Olivia and Aunt Tara. 

 Caleb and Maya

One of the best things at Abuela's house is all the dress up clothes she has saved over the years.

Check out Caleb's bling and  Maya's lookin' good.

 Can't get together without a little Just Dance.

 Heading home.

 Before we headed home we stopped at Guasti's for breakfast.  They have GIANT pancakes.  No, they didn't get all eaten.

I went for the omelet and it was STILL huge.  But delicious.

 

 

After we got back from CA we had another set of visitors.  The Bell's came from NC.  We have missed them so much and were thrilled when we heard they were coming out for a family reunion.  They came to stay at Hotel Van Buskirk.  The day after they got here (July 18th) we headed to The Ostrich farm.  We had never been and thought they might enjoy coming as well.  We had a fun time feeding the animals and riding the monster truck (more like a bus).  The kids and the dad's especially loved that part.