Life in our mighty taxi-cab-mini-van has resumed. I still haven't caught up to date on all our fun things but to keep in order, I thought I'd post first day of school pictures since I haven't done that yet.
Ellie started Kindergarten and LOVES it. The school stuff is easy for her so far and she thinks it is a party everyday with friends. My little social girl can't remember people's names but she calls them things like, "Tickle girl" and "Boy on the swings" and "My best buddy at the triangle table". She was proposed to on the second day of school by a boy who either IS a hunter or is named Hunter. The details are a little fuzzy.
Tyler is a cool 3rd grader (the oldest in the school 4th moves up to Middle School). He's right back into the swing of things and keeps an eye out for Ellie (which makes his mom SO proud). He's liking school but not really liking the early mornings or the homework routine. However, he did join the Cross Country team and is excited about that. He grew a ton over the summer and eats like he may never have another meal.
Now this picture of McKenna takes my breath away. It was one of those moments where I saw it and realized just how much she's grown! Since McKenna was 5 my friend Debbie has said "She was an adult in a little girls body." It's true she has always been responsible and mature for her age (eldest child syndrome) but suddenly she is LOOKING the part. My baby is growing up too fast!
All of our extra-curricular activities are in full swing too. Soccer started for the girls (Ty is baseball through and through). Ellie is on the Mighty Monkeys and loves it. She is fast and has scored 3 goals so far which is always followed by a dance around the field. Dee is coaching her team this time which is funny because she always calls him coach instead of Papa.
McKenna is in the oldest and toughest division she has ever been in so far. It is awesome to watch her play because she not only gets it but is great at it. She loves to play and has an awesome coach who has helped her skills develop a lot this year. She is also in a drama group at school who will be putting on a play in February.
With soccer, drama, cross country, scouts and all the other things we have going on I am thankful for active kids, an awesome husband, a dependable car (with air conditioning!) and most of all the chance to watch it all and enjoy it.
It's hot here. Stupid hot as we like to say. 107 last week and is supposed to be 110+ this week. Hot enough that when somebody says, "Well, at least it's a dry heat" you want to punch them in the nose but are too hot to lift your arms. All you can do is give them a grumpy hateful look and even that needs a Popsicle to go with it. Having said that, when we were planning our vacation time this past January we had a couple extra days to use up. We decided to throw in a quick trip to the coast to cool off which happened last week. We packed the kids, the dog and the munchies and headed out for a trek to cool off. You have to understand we live in the middle of the North State. We are (as the crow flies) only about 60 miles to the coast. However, the road is more "over the river and through the woods" and takes us 3 hours because of the twists and turns. It usually takes us a lot longer because we have to stop multiple times for Ty who gets carsick at the word car. Also you have to understand at the coast in the North State it is ALWAYS cold. It's much like an Oregon beach since Oregon is just up the road. Back to our trip, we made it over with no puking (it was close but he made it). We grabbed lunch and headed to the beach. Since it was a Monday we had it all to ourselves and spent at least 5 hours there. My favorite beach is Trinidad with sand, tide pools, an arch, caves, SO beautiful. Carter loved the sand! 
The next day we didn't have our hotel to wash off in so we went to Patrick's Point which is a small hike and lookout off a bluff. It was incredible! We saw a whale (first time for me!), seals and pups lots of birds and tide pool creatures. The waves would crash against the rock and Ellie would clap, cheer and jump up and down. 
How about that outfit? After we went to the city park and hiked to a tree-slide we discovered a while ago. 
When we were sufficiently tuckered out we hopped in the car and headed home again. 
(That is red licorish on his face) We watched the thermostat on the car go from 62 to 105 and stopped a lot - especially when Tyler puked. Ah well. Each story - or vacation - must eventually come to an end.
