Random summer pictures



I am behind on blogging and I have a bunch of snapshots from the summer that I haven't posted yet, so I am doing it all at once.  So, here is a glimpse of our summer.  Claire and Grant spent a lot of time together this spring and half of the summer because Andrew was at baseball - so much baseball!  They play really well together most of the time or at least until Grant won't do what Claire wants.  This day they were playing princess castle which Claire hasn't played with for a while.

 

 

Dress up is still a favorite, please note that Claire is wearing two different shoes and Grant has on her rain boots. I am hoping his outfit still fits at Halloween.

 

 

My mom watched Andrew and Claire one day and they wanted to go to lunch with me, so they took the light rail from one side of San Jose to the other.  It took about an hour with all of the stops but the kids loved it.  We went to Chic-Fil-A which is one of our new favorites. 

 

There was a hula hoop contest at the ward party.  Who knew Andrew was so good?

 

Andrew had a busy summer of camps. He went to a science camp, multiple sports camp, cub scout camp with Landon, basketball, baseball camp, and golf camp.  Here he is on the first day of golf camp...

...and the last day.  They have a nice lunch for the kids on the last day and give out awards. 

 



 

Claire and Grant got to do the annual washing of the rocks routine.  These are rocks from my parent's fountain that get a bit slimy throughout the year and need to be washed.  They thought this was great fun and I was thankful that no one lost a toe.



 

Grant was upset after not getting to go to something with Danny (probably baseball) and was crying in the entry way and ended up falling asleep there.

 

This is Grant's new way to play - laying down on his side.  He plays with his trains and cars this way.

 

 

Whenever I can convince Grant to go exercise with me (a stroller ride with snacks) he always insists on seeing the chickens.  We also have to visit the turtles and rabbits at the same park.

 

A Saturday morning exercise ride.

 

I don't know if you know about my mini obsession with American Girl dolls, but I may have one.  I love them and all of their darling clothes.  Being able to travel for work has some perks - I've been to many of the stores.  I was able to go to the one in Chicago (second time) and Boston this year.  The best news is that they are building a store at Stanford shopping center.  I can't wait.  What doll doesn't need their own hot air balloon?

 

Also while in Chicago at a business dinner we ordered chocolate cake to share.  None of us knew it would be that huge.  I was so good though.

 

Another Saturday morning trip to see the turtles.  I pushed Grant in the stroller and Claire and Andrew rode their bikes.  It definitely makes me run faster.

 

 

Not only do I love artichokes, but I love the colors when they are cut.

 

Birthday cake for Grandpa.  The only thing the kids care about is blowing out the candles. Sometimes we get to do it multiple times.

 

Hanging out at the pool eating Oreos after swimming.  That is what summer is all about.

 

Andrew did a pie eating contest at the pool. 

 

Fourth of July breakfast at the church.  This was a table decoration before Grant put it on.

 

Hanging out at the pool eating a snack before it was time to swim.

 

Lots of Facetime going on.  We usually Facetime cousins on Sunday nights at my parents house.  This was the week that Landon was in town, so he got to join in the fun as well.

 

Red velvet cake and Grant don't mix so well.  Do you like the half church outfit, half play outfit?  A Danny special!

 

Grant has gotten really good at riding his balance bike.  He wants to ride it every night.  The first few times he was really slow, but now he keeps up with Claire.

 

Grant bonding with Hannah.  Surprisingly, she doesn't hate this as much as she used to.

 

Shoe helpers at the Rack.  Andrew could not figure out (and neither could I) why someone would want orange spikey shoes.  Claire went straight for trying things on.  She loves to try on really high heels.

 

Free Jamba juice Saturday for the kids.  Plus a reusable cup!

 

Claire did two sessions of swim lessons.  I felt like she got a lot better.

 

Baseball camp for Andrew at Santa Clara University.  They actually did the camp in the stadium where they play which he thought was really cool.  He got an SC hat and shirt as well.

 

Grant trying to put on goggles while waiting for Claire at swim lessons.

 

 

Andrew and Grant hanging out at swim lessons.  It is kind of nostalgic because this is where I spent many, many hours at swim meets and practice.  

 

Huddled around the laptop playing games.  Taking turns is hard!

 

 

Claire finally got the courage and swimming skills to jump off the diving board by herself.  In the past, Danny or I has been in the water waiting for her.

 

Making brownies with Claire.  She loves to help in the kitchen.

 

I'm sure there were more things that I didn't get pictures of, but it seems like the summer went by so fast!