Summer Fun Jar: Week 4

 Make pop tarts/ hand pies

Enjoy homemade ice cream at It's Fate Creamery

VBS

 While I was in California, the girls served in VBS at church.  They led a crew together and had 20 kids in their group!  They led them through the different activity stations throughout the morning in 45 Experience (VBS for the 4th and 5th grader age group).  Their day was from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, and they told me they took a nap every afternoon after they ate lunch.  It always is a truly exhausting week, but so much fun!  I'm proud of them!

California

 After 3 years, I visited Kara in California.  I can't believe it had been that long!  I was able to meet Hui Hui for the first time and fell in love instantly!

 We wasted no time engaging in activities when I got there.  We played outside in the yard and played Candy Land.

The next day we boarded the Roaring Camp railroad train to take us to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk on the beach!

We traveled through the mighty and majestic redwood forest!

I had me a little snuggle buddy!

We arrived at the Boardwalk and Santa Cruz beach.  The boys rode the cutest kiddie rides and we had lunch overlooking the water!

We stopped to visit with these sea lions.  They were very vocal!

Beautiful day on the Pacific coast!

 I could not get enough of the towering redwoods.  We were on our way back on the train and more sun was coming through than in the morning.

I love these boys!

With endless energy, after our fun filled day, the boys wanted to play dress up before dinner.  They really are fun to play with -- so smart and creative!

Alas, my trip came to an end, but it was filled with great fun, beautiful scenery, delicious food and loving and meaningful conversation.  It was one of the best visits to date!  

Happy Father's Day

 Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers and grandfathers within our family and friends.  It is one of the hardest jobs and one of the most important in the life of a child.

Today we celebrate and pour our love on daddy!  He works so hard to provide for our family.  He is devoted to his daughters and wife and loves us unconditionally.  He lives through example, his actions speak louder than words, he is always available to listen to the girls when they need him (even if it is from the fire station).  He is proud of his daughters and will spend everyday helping to guide them into becoming the women God has made them to be.  He is also super corny with dad jokes, sarcasm and wit!

Lydia drew this image.  They like to fish together and this is a beautiful representation.

All our love to Daddy!  Hugs and kisses!!!

Retirement Party

 Tim's Battalion Chief and the Chief's driver both retired this month and tonight we attended a party at the original Campisi's in their honor.

Tim presented the customary axe given upon retirement.

Chief's driver Greg Wright

Battalion Chief Trixie Lohrke

Tim will miss them as they taught him a lot and he had much respect for them.  We hope they enjoy their retirement.  They deserve it!

Summer Fun Jar: Week 3

 Play Mancala

Picnic in the park

Ice cream from Main Street Emporium

Try Burger King for the first time

Roast hot dogs and make campfire cones

Play Chopped Jr.

They made a fruit mousse with toasted wheat crumble out of very random ingredients and it was quite delicious!

Lake Day

 Happy Sunday!  Happy Lake Day!

We spent the day cooling off in the lake and enjoyed spending time with David and Elliott.

All hail Queen Maisy on her raft throne!

There's no better place to be when the heat index is over 100 degrees!  

Summer Fun Jar: Week 2

 Donate to the animal shelter

Make homemade magnets

Painting craft

Movie night with snacks

Waco & Austin

 Our fourth annual trip to Waco took place today!

We arrived for a midmorning breakfast and tried a new place I read about.  Mamaka Bowls serve fresh fruit smoothie bowls and I am in love!  I only wish they had a location here!

Our next stop was Spice Village for some shopping.  Finally, we walked all the Magnolia shops including the new furniture shop, wiffleball field and restored church.

The dual purpose of our trip was to take Lydia to spend the night with Ava in Leander where she lives now.  After dropping her off, Lana, Maisy and I checked into a nearby hotel.

Then we drove into Austin for dinner.

After dinner, we found an outdoor coffee shop on Lake Austin.  Even though it was hot, the view made it worth it.

While Lana and I had our special time together, Lydia and Ava made the most of their time together swimming and staying up super late!  

It was a win win for everyone!  We all had the best time!