The Final Days

For most, Summer is over.

School has started and although the heat is kickin' up in Southern California,

the lazy days of Summer are fading into routine, schedules and work.

We're holding on as long as we can here!

The Little Dude started Pre-K last week and in one more week

my life will radically change as my girls start school.

Here are some final shots of our Summer

 

A beautiful hike

 

 

To see this view!

 

 

Swimming in the lake

 

 

Stone Skipping class!

 

 

Or large rock launching!

 

 

Our surprise evening adventure

 

 

Happy End of Summer everyone!

It's Labor Day weekend, you may now officially put away your white pants and shoes!

The Lake

My fondest childhood memories center around being on a lake in the summer.

I grew up water skiing and each summer we went on a houseboat with 2 other families.

We slept on the roof of the boat, watching falling stars most of the night.

We woke early to ski while the water was still like glass.

We were victims to our fathers' thinking that we were invincible

as they pushed us to death's door on the inner tubes behind the boat!

We played hard, slept hard and ate more frozen snickers bars than one kid should!

It was a dream.

That is why last weekend was bitter sweet -

Bitter because my daughters were 7 and this was their first time on a lake!

And sweet because it finally happened!

Some friends invited us to join them on their vacation to Bass Lake.

I was a water ski instructor on that lake after I graduated from college many years ago, so it is a special place to me.

 

I love everything about being on a lake in the summertime:

the sweet smell of pine trees

mixed with the sharp smell of boat exhaust

mixed with the earthy smell of lake water

along with the warm breeze

roar of boat engines

buzzing of jet skies

the spray of water on your sunburned skin

ahhhh, I just love being on a boat on a lake!

We rented a patio boat which could pull some toys!

But luckily it didn't go fast enough to bring on the flashbacks of my eyelids being peeled back from hitting the water so hard as a child!!

So I decided to get on with the kids

For the 2 minute ride, little dude kept saying, "I want to get off now.

So we let him get off and the girls and I got back at it!

 

I felt like a kid again!

 

It was a magical day.

It was the first time as a parent that I got to share my most favorite childhood experience with my children, and it may have become my most favorite parenthood memory!

 

I sure hope the kids caught the fever!

 

So long for now Bass Lake,

hope to see you again next Summer!



First Day of Pre-K

Oh gracious!

How does this happen so fast?

I know everyone says it, I'm no different!

Time is flying by and I don't like to see these little people grow up!!

 

And he got the magical Ms. Thorson for his teacher!

We love her :)

 

Happy First Day of Pre-K!



Explore & Discover

Summer is winding down around here.

The little dude starts Pre-K in 2 days!

And the little ladies start in a few weeks.

We hit the LA Natural History Museum to do some exploring and discovering!

 

 

First stop: Butterfly Pavilion

 

 

 

Then some dinosaurs!

 

 

And then the Lab

 

 

 

The only way to discover new things is to go on a new adventure and explore!

We are about to start a whole new adventure as a family (more on this soon) and I'm praying that we discover some amazing, new things as we venture out in uncharted territory!

Happy Monday!



Kicked Up S'mores

Here's a little fun recipe for your weekend!

Kicked Up S'mores

 

 

What you Need:

Belgian Waffle Cookies (or something similar) from Trader Joe's

Marshmallows

Chocolate

Sea Salt Caramel - also from Trader's

 

I consider myself to be a Professional S'mores Creator. 

Yep, that's right!  A Professional!

Marshmallows have been my favorite food for as long as I can remember

as they must be treated with care and respect.

A perfect S'more must have 2 marshmallows to surround the chocolate to ensure prefect meltage (yep, that's official S'mores terminology - "meltage")

Toast the marshmallows to a nutty golden brown, preferably over an open camp fire.

When the marshmallows are just about to fall off your roasting stick because they are lava hot and gooey, it's time to assemble!

Belgian Waffle Cookie

Marshmallow

Chocolate

Marshmallow

Caramel drizzle

Belgian Waffle Cookie

 

There really isn't anything better than a Kicked Up S'more to end your day!

How do you kick up your s'mores?





Camp Verse

This year at Camp Grammie and Papa there was a camp verse.

 

Matthew 5:16

"Let your light so shine before men

so that they may see your good works

and glorify your Father in heaven."

 

 

All three monkeys memorized the verse and said it at camp closing ceremonies where they were given a flashlight to "let their light shine"!

 

 

What an important verse to learn as a child and live throughout life.

It's easy to live our lives in a way that draws attention to ourselves.

It's easy to shine so that we look more shiny!

But to have a heart that is set on making God shine and glorify Him - that's not as easy.

Go out and let your light shine today -

so that when people see you, they see Jesus!

 



The Bounty

There is a market in Seattle that is rather famous

 

It can be a tourist attraction, but many locals also frequent the market.
When I lived in Seattle, I would go at least once a week!
The flowers are incredible

 

And the peaches...
Oh My Goodness!

They really are the best I've ever had!
There is incredible seafood

And brilliant colors, sweet smells, and visual pleasures everywhere!

Walking through Pike Place Market never gets old to me.
I'm overwhelmed by the creativity of our Creator.
The colors - how did He come up with so many?
The textures, shapes, sizes, flavors...
everyone is so different and unique and I'm just talking about food!
I feel blessed to know the Creator of this bounty!