Summer 2010

As I sit here listening to the rain fall outside and the wind blow, in my fuzzy socks, sweatpants and hoodie, I hate that summer comes and GOES way too fast. I was thinking that it was kind of a boring summer but as I posted pictures, I realize that we did alot. The best thing we did this summer was ditch Shawn and head to the coast. I tried all summer long to convince someone to take a roadtrip with me. Finally it was Jacki that gave into my begging. We loaded eight kids in the car and we were off to sunny california! On a budget we made our trip really cheap and came home spending less than we would have had we been at home.

Our first stop was St. George...Comfort Inn $60 for the night.

Here is a picture of the kids on the way to church before finishing the drive.



The drive from St. George to California was a nightmare. Stop and go traffic from Las Vegas into Barstow...yuck! Emma's face says it all.


A quick bite at In-n-out once we arrived.

Once we had checked into our hotel we went straight to the BEACH! Kendyll's face in this picture says it all! If I have learned one thing in the last ten years it is that a yearly trip to the beach does wonders for my mental health. I crave the ocean air, the smiles on the kid's faces, a day in a lawn chair with nothing to do but watch the kids enjoy...


oNewport Beach..

I found this little hotel online. Quality Suites. It was perfect for our little excursion. Only $74 per night and right off the I-10 into Newport. Just about ten minutes from the beach. It had plenty of space, a great pool, a cute courtyard and a cook to order breakfast that was fab!

Haddy and Kendyll..so excited for the day!

Newport Beach..
It was cold and cloudy until about ten, then the sun came out and it was a gorgeous day!
Jackson catching some waves.
Hadley and Kendyll in the sand.

Britta and Mckenna
Building the sand castle..
Jacki even caught some waves...

Beach Jackson...
Back seat buddies.
The second day we were there we rode the Balboa Ferry over to the Island to find that there wasn't really much to do there. It was however gorgeous with beautiful homes and fun to walk around and look. The ferry was fun for the kids to ride too.


After we rode the Ferris Wheel..


And the Carousel

After we headed over to Balboa Beach. I didn't get any pics here and I am bummed because it was a fun beach. Nice big surf and really fun to play at.
heading back to the hotel..
After a day at the beach we headed to Rain Forest Cafe to celebrate Jacki's Bday!



It was quite a party!
For our last day we went to Crystal Cove Beach.
This was a fun, fun beach! It was a little more for tourists. Not as crowded and fun waves.


Goodbye to the beach for now...See you next year (if not sooner!)

Craney's Summer Nikken party.
Ainsleigh Tueller
Jackson
Britta
Emma

24th Of July Celebration at Mom and Dads. We had dinner and then the amazing fireworks display.

Dad observing from afar.Jacki and her girls...
Who is that cute couple?
Casey and Jackson the fireworks maestros
Corey and Matix
Hollie is a pig
cute Grandma Red
summer crafts

jumping of the dock
Jackson in his new Aviator sunglasses
Ainsleigh, Cameron and Britta
Dad and Kendyll
Canoeing.. Jackson and Ahjamae
A couple shots from Draper Days...eating Kettle corn waiting for fireworks
Emma and
This is the Place...one of our favorite Summer Days..
Autumn
Getting an old fashioned shave...one of these years there is actually going to be something to shave.
The train.
Panning for gold..
Playing pioneer games
School time..

It is always SO hot!
Drew and Kendyll
Hey Bode
The playhouse yard.. Matix, Britta and Kate
The petting zoo.
The church, Natalie preached us quite the sermon.

The Kids..2010

The Zoo...

Cute new baby elephant
Jackson was too old for the carousel this year

And Mom was too old to ride the train.


The scary tunnel...