two hundred twelve:365

The difference between boys' and girls' camping..boys can just lay in the dirt and sleep, girls on the other hand, prefer at least a little shelter from the elements! These are some seriously tired campers!

two hundred eleven:365

From Yosemite to the white water rafting down the American River..(which was a very tiresome 4 hour drive north from Yosemite, considering we had hiked 12 hours on 3 hours of sleep.) Seriously..the group on this trip was the funnest ever! This trip truly was non-stop adventures. River rafting was a perfect conclusion to an awesome, but fast trip!

two hundred ten:365 (happy birthday to me!}

Wowzers!! What a day! I can now add climbing to the top of Half Dome on my list of accomplishments and boy was it an accomplishment! With about 3 hours of sleep, we hiked 18 miles roundtrip, uphills both ways..or at least it felt that way! My body was aching and tired, but I did it! In fact, every one of the young women on the trip summited!! It was an amazing view from on top. Once we got to the top, I had to wrap my brain around the idea that we had to get back down!! It was HARD but it wouldn't feel nearly as great if it were easy!

**as you can see from the middle picture, to get to the top, you had to climb, with the aid of cables, the last 400 feet. We looked like ants climbing a hill. {click on the picture to enlarge}

two hundred nine:365

Kids are at grandmas's: check! Food for 48 people for 4 days bought and packed: check! Car packed for an 8 hour drive: check! Backpack full of the essentials..sprees, licorice, propel packets: check! We are on our way for an adventure! First stop: a KOA campground about an hour outside of Yosemite (it was the closest we could get with only 2 days notice). How surprised I was when they pulled out this cake they brought up for me for an early birthday party! It's going to be a great week!!

two hundred eight:365

CRAZY, busy day! I just finished unpacking from our camping trip only to turn around and start packing for the next one! We were suppose to go to Havasupai on Wednesday, but we got a call on Monday morning saying it was closed due to flash floods. So my friend Brandy and I were in charge of putting together a new "High Adventure" trip for 48 people by Wednesday..no pressure, right? With some very tender mercies, we were able to put together a new trip in a matter of hours. So all day today I was shopping for all the food! Being a church activity, I tried to keep on a strict budget, hence, I went to fast food restaurants looking for condiments for our meals! I scored!

two hundred seven:365

When we got home Sunday night, Jim had the house decorated for Jayden's birthday! I had to have my annual birthday balloon photo! It's great to be 8!

two hundred six:365

This was my new TOY! I picked it up from Costco right before we left thinking I needed a way to be able to cook cupcakes for Jayden's birthday! It worked amazingly! I baked while I cooked. Camping just got a whole lot better! (It runs on propane and will make a great addition to our emergency preparedness supply..that's how I justified buying it!)

two hundred five:365

We headed down to El Capitan for a fun day at the beach. Luckily the clouds broke just as we drove up. It was nice just chillin' with the girls while the boys played (even if Ryder was in time out the entire day..oh, that naughty boy!)

two hundred four:365 {happy birthday jayden}

Happy 8th Birthday Jayden! I had to keep up Jim's tradition of decorating the house for birthdays, only this time it was a tent and campground that got laced in streamers and balloons. The group of us headed into Solvang for a great breakfast where Jayden received his own "extra" birthday plate of bacon with a song! We walked the streets of this darling town then headed back to the campground for swimming. That night I put my new camp oven to work making cupcakes! What's a birthday without blowing out the candles? It was a great day to be 8!

two hundred three:365

About 8 families in our ward decided to take a little camping trip up the coast, north of Santa Barbara, about 10 miles from Solvang to Lake Cachuma. I took the boys by myself because Jim couldn't take anymore time off work. It really wasn't that bad doing it stag..afterall, I'm always looking for adventures plus, there were plenty of kids to keep them busy and stand-by dads to take them fishing.

two hundred two:365

As I was selfishly taking a few minutes of "me" time to update the blog, this happened! I heard a blood curdling scream and ran to see what in the world was going on. It appears Ryder was playing with a hair clip and got it wedged between his teeth and couldn't get it out. He refused to let me come within 3 feet of him, so it remains! I guess it will come out eventually. Jim is much more patient so we will have to wait for him. That or Ryder will have a hair clip in his teeth until he looses said tooth! Who said there isn't DRAMA with boys?

two hundred one:365

Jim had late meetings, Skyler was on a boy scout hike, so I took Jayden and Ryder to see Despicable Me. Funny show..we all laughed! I think me, more so, because Jayden kept passing gas, loudly, and didn't realize just how loud till the people in front of us looked back. That's my life with BOYS!

two hundred:365

My friend Alisha took some photos of Jayden today for his upcoming baptism (I probably could have done it but I just didn't want to be bothered with 1 more thing!) I had never been to the Fallbrook reserve before but it was an incredible photo location. Can't wait to get them back!

one hundred ninety-nine:365

Jim and I took a nice Sunday stroll through the neighborhood (preparing ourselves for our hike into Havasupai) and I was smitten with the vivid colors of all the roses that lined the street.

one hundred ninety-eight:365

One lucky little mouse!!

one hundred ninety-seven:365

Tonight was Bobette's birthday party at the Keeler's! When ever any event is hosted by Kristi, you know there will be incredible food. I was not disappointed... these homemade (that's a no brainer in the Keeler home) coconut cupcakes with real frosting (as opposed to the frosting I use out of the can!) were to DIE FOR!!

one hundred ninety-five:365

Jim is a bit fanatically about watering! We do have a sprinkler system, but Jim feels a connection with the plants, roses, and tomatoes, and finds it soothing, to wind down after a day at work, by giving each individual plant personal attention! He is convinced that this extra attention and acknowledgement has made the plants receptive, only to him!

one hundred ninety-four:365

Finally..a sunny beach day! Really, the first one of summer. There had to be a good 20 families from church there which makes it so much fun for the kids (and for moms)! The only negative of the day..it took 2 1/2 hours to get home (usually takes 45 minutes) because of an accident!

one hundred ninety-three:365

Today we celebrated my Grandma O's life! A beautiful memorial service filled with friends and family. It was comforting hearing all the great stories about her life and what an amazing woman she was...even if she did get me nude pantyhose as my high school graduation gift!!

It was a little strange going into her little home and sorting through her belongings and deciding what things we wanted to keep to remember her by. She had no real valuables, but she led a life full of great value!

one hundred ninety-two:365

Jayden tries to make the most out of "boring" Sundays! I first must comment on the outfit..camo thermals with soccer shorts and a shirt. Only Jayden! Next, I was wondering why he kept asking for more paper/plastic cups. Mystery solved. He was creating towers. (this tower was only the beginning..they just got better and better as the night progressed). How I'd love to see inside his brain sometimes. He is definitely my most creative and imaginative boys'.

one hundred ninety-one:365

After 3 long months, we finally got around to moving the pool towel rack from the ground onto the wall. It works a lot better when hung! (jim wanted to paint it..I wanted to keep the green patina. I wonder who won!)

one hundred ninety:365

Are we not all a little "under construction"? (the san diego temple getting a good cleaning!)

one hundred eighty-nine:365

What a glorious reunion that is taking place in Heaven today...

Goodbye my beloved Grandma "O"..

until we meet again!! I love you!

one hundred eighty-eight:365

Jenniffer came into town today so of course we had to hit her favorite nail salon for a pedicure! Tried a new eatery in Temecula: Spicy Pickle. Delicious paninis and salad and wonderful customer service! Then off to a funny movie: The Back-Up Plan, perfect chick flick. Topped off the night with a frozen yogurt. I love girls nights!

one hundred eighty-seven:365

Our neighbors just finished putting in a pizza oven in their backyard! We were more than happy to help them christen it! YUM, YUM, and more YUM! It only took about 1 1/2 minutes to cook and it was beyond delicious. We look forward to many more pizza nights!

one hundred eighty-six:365

Enough was enough! The clouds just weren't budging so we decided to head home a day early. This is so untypical for Catalina..the clouds always seem to escape the island but it is not to be this time around.

one hundred eighty-five:365 {happy 4th}

First time in my life it has rained in Catalina on the 4th. Luckily it was more of a sprinkle, but still the beach is no fun when it's cold. We carried on with our traditions..,parade, bbq with the neighbors, and fireworks! Despite the cold, it was still festive and fun! We even attended church at the little "group" they have there..it's so small they can't even call it a branch. Felt a little weird showing up in our shorts (we weren't the only ones), but we didn't think to pack any church clothes. Still, they welcomed us with open arms!

one hundred eighty-four:365

Skyler and Grandma...off on their daily bike ride together!

one hundred eighty-three:365

Catalina is great for many things, but our 2 favorites:

lounging & eating!!

one hundred eighty-two:365

ahhh..such gratification from doing nothing but lounging!

(playing around in photoshop..does this pictures look "sunkissed" and "vintage"? that's the actions I used)