Back to California!!

We weren't quite ready for summer to be over so after the first 2 days of school we hopped back on a plane and took off back to California for 4 days. 

It was my grandma's 98th birthday party and my Aunt Sandee wanted all of her grandkids and great grandkids there to celebrate with her so she generously flew our whole family out for her party. It was so fun to be there with everyone and the surprise to my grandma was absolutely priceless!!!

Airplane photos. The kids were great on both flights. 

All 21 great grandkids!!!

 Here comes the cake!

 Blowing out the candles!!

 It was so fun to see all our California cousins again and so soon!

 Back to Orlando!

School is Back in Session!

School started on Thursday, August 10th. We attended the kids Meet-the-Teacher open house the evening before, on Wednesday August 9th. The kids wouldn't admit to being excited but they were! Jackson is starting 3rd grade and has Mrs. Douglas and Mrs. Moon. Ivy is starting 1st grade and has Mrs. Vaughn. 

 First day back to school pictures!!

And the report after the first 2 weeks of school.....

Ivy has already passed off all of her 1st grade sight words and is doing great!!! Her teacher texted me this picture in the middle of the day... it was such a treat to get!!

 And Jackson.... Getting sad notes home already! (usually we get those around the end of the school year). Sigh.... Nothing that a little grounding from fishing couldn't fix!!

The rest of our summer...

We took one last weekend trip back to Crystal River before school started. It was a little less sunny, the water a little cooler, a few less scallops, and I ripped my bathing suit to shreds sliding off the side of the boat but it was all just as fun! My mom tagged along with us and we just had a really nice time!

After Crystal River we spend our last few days of summer around the neighborhood... fishing off the dock and hanging with friends and cousins. We will miss you summer!!

While the Cat's Away....

Apparently it has become tradition for Daniel and his brothers to go to the Keys for a week the end of July for mini lobster season and to do some fishing. Well I have decided that while he is vacationing, we are going to vacation too! So we booked a couple nights with the Haughts at a wonderful little resort in Cape Canaveral right on the beach. Kara brought her surf board and so the kids tried surfing!! (so fun for them!) They body boarded and caught sand fleas. The resort had a fantastic pool, lazy river, splash pad, and waterslide so we really enjoyed ourselves. The favorite of the trip? Crab hunting! Once it was dark we took to the beach with flashlights, cups and buckets and caught those crabs scurrying along the sand. It was so fun to watch the kids!! This will definitely be a tradition!!