Our Ventura ohana

It feels like its been way too long since we've been able to go to Ventura and just hang out with my family. Recently, we were lucky enough to get to visit with my fam in Ventura for the day. Unfortunatly, Ian had to work and couldn't go with. The only thing I wanted to do besides see my family was to play in the ocean(as usual). So we made a short drive to the beach and made it happen. The kids had a great time but Brandon especially loved it. The older he gets the more I realize how much he is like me. I could see that he feared the ocean but at the same time he was so drawn to it. He kept wanting to go further and further out. What a water baby he is! I absolutly loved it!

This is the picture I took right when we got to the beach and I was busy getting Lily comfy and before I knew it Bubba took off with Uncle Joshy down to the water :) I'm telling ya, this kid's got my soul.

Cuddle huddle after swimming.

We went back home, cleaned the keiki up and hung out for a little bit longer before we had to head back to our home.

This is our nephew Dylan AKA "Pickles". He is too cute.

We had piled into our van to go to the beach together in one vehicle, so we still had to get the boys' carseats out before we left. Well, as I was getting the babies strapped into their seats I realized Issac was getting himself ready to go with us too :) Needless to say he had a total meltdown when he was told differntly. I love those boys.

Bend it like Brandon

Our keiki Brandon is a soccer star now! His team is Cotton Candy and I couldn't be happier with who we got for his coach. Coach Scott used to play professionally and he's informative and super duper patient. And Bubba already thinks he's the man and loves to let him know when he's back from his water break and says "I'm here Coach Scott!" I love his enthusiasm to get outside and run around but I also love that he is so open to learning how to get better and how to work as a team with his team mates. Gosh he makes me proud! He's had 3 games now and the last game he scored his first goal! Most importantly he looks forward to playing and always has fun doing it. All these are from his first game. Bubba was especially excited because Mimi got to come.

Lovin' our Lilybug

Some of these photos are from awhile back around Buggie's bday. One of her gifts was a mama and Lily girly girl day to get our nails done. Boy did she love it!! She sat oh so still to have her nails perfected. Everyone there got a kick out of her because she walked in with her sunglasses on and kept them on while we were there. What a diva! I think she gets the girly girl influence from my mom but one things for sure, she definetly didn't get it from me! But being the tomboy that I am, I still love seeing her excitement.

I took her a second time to get her nails done when she decided to be a big girl and be consistent with potty training. GO LILY!!

And the following pictures are her just being her cute self. I don't think we could've gotten a more beautiful little girl. We sure love our Lilybug!

As a side note and a warning, you don't wanna make Bubba angry. Bubba said this picture's for Uncle Pat.

Mammoth campout

I live for camping. If it was up to me and I didn't have a family to care for and look after, I would live out of a tent and be my outdoor hippie gypsy tree loving self. But I have a beautiful family that needs to be provided for, so it helps to have the things that we are blessed to have. Even before I had children, I knew that I wanted to pass on my love for the outdoors and especially for camping. Well, we recently had an opportunity for 2 out of 3 of our kids to do so. And let me tell you, that love is in their bones. Bubba was so connected to camping and just enjoying every bit of it. My dreams seriously came true that day. To see that love and admiration for nature pouring out of him. Lily enjoyed it too. But I did keep threatening to roll her in the dirt. We got to have Drew Drew and Moey with us. That was such a treat.

Here's the kiddos expressing their enthusiasim yelling "COWABUNGA!!!"

And you know it, funny face time!!!

Twin falls.

Right after we set up camp, we took a walk/hike with the beautiful surrounding views.

Our Lilybug is too cute!

When we got back to camp, we got the fire going and got the smores going as well. Between Moey and I, we probably ate 20 smores. We are the smore champs!

The kids slept really well. We did wake up a few times to a girl screaming and pots banging. The bears were cruising around that night for sure. In the morning we woke up and had breakfast and hot chocolate (ummmm hot chocolate). We hung out for a little bit, then packed up and headed for one of my favorite hikes to McCleod Lake. On the way, we stopped by Lake Mary, Lake Mamie and the top of Twin Falls.

Lake McCleod. It's too bad we didn't get video or a picture of it but I skipped my first stone!!! So exciting! I finally got the proper instruction with a combination of Moey and Ian's skills.

Lily did not want to leave.

Our famous family rock:)

After our hike we headed to June Lake for loads of what we do best; swimming, relaxing and playing in the sun.

The kids got out all their energy and they were pooped!

After the lake, we stopped by a few of my favorite spots in town. We stopped at Giovanni's to get some heavenly lunch and it was perfect! As usual, Ian had to drag me out of Mammoth. I fought him tooth and nail but he succeeded and got me back to my home away from home. So glad that we got to go camping as a family! Can't wait to do it again and again.