July and August 2016

We tried out a hike at Mount Diablo to an area called Rock City. It had cool sandstone formations the kids enjoyed climbing on, and we did some geocaching while we were there.

We usually go to Half Moon Bay for the 4th of July parade every year, and recently, Todd and I had been talking about taking the kids to a hotel overnight to swim in the pool and make a fun memory. We decided to combine the two, and stayed a couple of nights in Half Moon Bay over the holiday weekend. We had lots of fun swimming in the pool multiple times over the visit, saw the great parade, and even discovered a great new beach to explore. We traumatized Hazel, though, by stepping out to get some cookies from the lobby when we thought they were all asleep. She got up and looked for us and totally freaked out that we weren't there. There was major drama falling asleep that night! I felt so bad.

Todd's been working a lot this summer, late evenings and a lot of Saturdays. I've had to man up and learn how to use the grill.

We went with our ward's primary group to visit the Oakland temple grounds and visitor's center. I scraped the car next to me as I pulled into my parking spot. It was a sad day for me, and for our van. 

We drove to Utah over Pioneer Day weekend (drove there Thursday and back Monday) to attend my family's first official reunion. We slept the first night at Todd's parents' house in Midway and had a short visit with them. Missy brought some of her girls over and Gramps was there. We stayed until late morning, then drove north.

 We had a couple of days with all my siblings and their spouses and the kids and my parents all together. It was the first time we've had the entire crew gathered since I was pregnant with Hazel.

We visited all my grandparents, made good food, did karaoke, played bocce ball and four-square and ping pong, went swimming, did a little family history, went to church together, and ate some great meals. And Todd put on an epic fireworks show for us/the neighborhood.

Todd and I canned peaches for the first time and they are so delicious! The only problem is we wish we had a ton more! We learned some things that worked well, and some things to try differently the next time. We will definitely continue doing it!

My kids are at a fun stage right now: 3, 5, and 7. They are little enough to cuddle and big enough to play on their own and get dressed and express their ideas. They make me happy.

Hazel and Jack started school on August 22nd. Gemma wants to get going too, but has to wait until after Labor Day for preschool. She still totally wore a backpack when we walked to school. Adorable. 

Jack has the same fabulous teacher Hazel had for kindergarten, Mrs. Allen. He is loving it! He hurries to be near the front of the line, and he sits front and center on the rug, and he has only happy things to report each day so far. I'm really excited for him to be at school. He just loves to learn so much and I know he is in good hands with Mrs. Allen.

Hazel had a solid first week of second grade. I am really excited that she's giving school another chance and has an open mind about her new teacher, Mrs. Bernal. She's already been making her teacher gifts and exchanging phone numbers with new friends. Last year was disappointing. I've been telling Hazel all summer that second grade is going to be better - and the first week of school was a hit! I'm excited and optimistic and think she's going to have a great experience with her teacher this year.

We had our traditional giant cookies after school the first day, and the kids told me all about their day. I wish I could get that much detail out of them on other days without the sugar bribe.