It's tradition....

We've been counting down the days for many months now... waiting to go to Santa Cruz. We were very excited to renew the tradition that I had growing up which was camping at New Brighton Beach. We were able to go with some friends who came from Utah and of course we had a great time (was there any question?) =) We spent many days on the beach soaking up the sun. Ellie and Scot LOVED playing in the water and thought they were real surfers when our friends brother let them play on his skin board. Macie enjoyed digging in the sand and eating an endless amount of licorice (hey, its tradition) =)
On Wednesday night, we ventured off to the boardwalk which really was a blast. Ellie made me so proud when she very bravely went on the Giant Dipper and LOVED it (she went 3 times). She also loved the other roller coaster- The Hurricane, and the pirate ship. Scot and Macie found a new favorite ride which was a car ride that spun you real quickly around the curve.. They went on it at least 15 times and each time their smile got bigger and bigger. Of course the night included ice-cream cones, Slurpee's (x3), cotton candy, shrimp and fish, garlic fries, 2 happy adults and 3 ecstatic children.

We didn't forget the other traditions too- pizza my heart (x2), shopping in Capitola at the rainbow shop and many other shops, and Maryann's for ice-cream (10-20 baby) =) Also, campfires were great thanks to Elliots duraflames.

We were blessed with fabulous weather and were excited to have full hook-ups for our trailer which was the best. It was a GREAT vacation and now- we are counting down the time for next year. Hurry up 2010 and get here =)

Summer Swim Lessons....

Scotty and Ellie have enjoyed swim lessons from our friend Laurie for the last 2 weeks and sadly- today was the last day. They both started out with a fear of getting their faces submerged into the water but have improved greatly when it comes to downright dunking their faces in. =o) Ellie has said "adios" to her crutch (a.k.a floaty) and Scot loves to dunk his face in and see how long he can blow bubbles. (Although- he was quite the sneaky boy). It seems that when Laurie would ask him to blow bubbles- he mysteriously would forget how. But when he was all alone in the spa- he miraculously remembered. =) So, we owe a huge THANX to Laurie who made swim lessons fun for the kids this year. And don't worry..... Macie is all geared up and ready for next years lessons! Oh yeah- and a big THANX to Papa and Graggy for letting the kids invade their pool each day!

Let the summer begin....

We started off our summer right with a visit from Elliot's sister Emily and her children Sarah, Andrew and their latest addition- baby James. They were in town for a whole week and we were able to spend a lot of quality time together, along with Yamma, Yampa and Aunt Liz. Ellie and Sarah are so much alike that its pretty hard to separate them. Scot and Andrew are good playing buddies and seem to enjoy all the same things too! Macie loved baby James (along with the rest of us). She loved holding him and touching his head. It was real sweet to see how gentle she actually can be =) Today we were able to visit the sites at Coloma (the weather was perfect this time). The kids were great and loved throwing rocks in the river, walking over the bridge and having a picnic by the giant rock. The past week we've been able to play at the park together, fly kites, play in the sprinklers, have a birthday party for Sarah and lots of other fun things... It's been a great first week of summer. Thanks Durhams for a fun visit.

Macie holding "baby James"

Elliot and his new buddy "baby James" (or is that Jimmy)... j/k Em =)

Sweet girls.... Macie, Sarah and Ellie

Silly Boys.... Andrew and Scot (playing with their tools)

Our family in Coloma by the American River

Checking out the view from the bridge....

All the kids (minus Macie)..... after a fun day at Coloma!

The kids found the cannon and thought it was pretty cool!

We'll miss you Durhams! Come back again soon!