My Little Hiker

Saige and I went on a short hike with some friends recently and here are a few of the pictures I took of her. We didn't get to the shoreline; which is where the hike ends, but she was quite happy to be independent. She stopped to touch every burr she saw and to pick up every rock that caught her attention.

Some Pool Time Fun

Scott and I broke down and bought one of those large blow up pools for the kids to play with this summer. They've outgrown their little plastic pool and we figured that despite the work involved in filling it, emptying it and storing it, that it might be easier than trying to pack 3 kids up for some time at the beach this summer. We also thought it might be fun for Abby while she was visiting. We managed to have one fun morning in the pool before all 3 kids came down with fever and spent the next couple of days on the "sick" sofa watching TV. I suppose I should have taken a picture of the pool itself...next time.
Saige in her little lobster bikini. Daddy says she isn't allowed to wear this one anymore. =( Personally, I thought she looked cute.
Dayton grinning from ear to ear on the slide in the pool.
Dayton checking out how bouncy the sides are.
Abby excited by the slide as well.

There Is Nothing Better Than A Friend

My sweet husband surprised me recently by flying an old friend out here to visit me. I haven't seen her since my wedding and since then I've had 2 kids, she's had 1 and she's gotten married. Somehow we've managed to keep in touch since we were 10 years old despite living apart most of those years. I was able to spend some wonderful quality time with her, meet and play with her beautiful little girl Abigail and meet her loving husband. Throughout the 2 week visit, all of the kids were sick as well as us moms, but we managed to have a great visit and do some wonderful things. One of the first things we did was have a girls day beach trip.
Shannon & Abby admiring the view.
Shannon & Abby taking a walk together.
Saige playing in the sand.
Saige finds a seashell.
My beautiful friend Shannon.
Saige & Abby playing at the beach.

An Attempt To Catch Up

In an effort to catch up on old news and pictures I have to go all the way back to my visit with family. Our day visiting the Byodo-In Temple in the Valley of Temples. The Temple was established in 1968 and was built entirely without nails. Very cool if you look at all the details close up. It contains a very large carved figure of a Buddah and is an active Temple. Visit if you ever have a chance because it is a neat place. A Buddhist kitty?
The Byodo-In Temple
Brandon feeding the birds and fish.
The Bell House containing the bon-sho (sacred bell). It is customary to ring it before entering the Temple to spread the eternal teachings of Buddah.
A beautiful plant/flower. I have no idea what it is.
Another view of the Temple.