Summer

After we got home from our Pacific Coast trip, Evan did a private promotion for his white stripe belt (he missed the group promotion while we were gone.)  He was so happy to finally have a belt with his name on it!
  

On July 4th, we walked in the annual kid parade down at Glenwood Oaks.  In the evening, we watched fireworks at the church parking lot, complete with rootbeer floats.
   

Most of July was spent working on our Summer Fun List, trying to get caught up in math, and goofing off.
  

Swim Party with the Kennys

This black bear has become a regular visitor at our house.

Cookie Decorating with the Walches

When we returned from vacation, we had to move all our furniture back into the main parts of the house.  Elise's room was hiding a surprise.  She had left a giant Disneyland lollipop behind her bed sometime in May, and the ants had chewed tiny holes all through it.
   

  
The remodel was basically complete by mid-July.  We had a master bathroom with fancy shower and toilet, and an awesome new kitchen.  It was so great to have plumbing  and counters again!
   

Ryan went on a four-day backpacking trip in the High Sierras over Pioneer Day weekend.  He even managed to catch a fish!  While he was gone, the Sand Fire started near Santa Clarita, and dumped ash all over our yard.
  

  

   
Analytic Investors had its Summer Event towards the end of July.  The food was awesome.  The magician was kind of weird.  I don't even know how many ice cream cones my kids took without asking.
   

As a last farewell to summer, our beach-day friends had another get-together at the beginning of August.  One more reason I feel spoiled by homeschooling.  At least our co-op doesn't start until September!
  

Corinne Paige Brown turned four!  Her biggest wishes were to go to Chuck E Cheese (again), and eat cotton candy.  Her daddy got her a cheesecake from Porto's, which she loved.  Her gifts included a 3DS with games, and beautiful clothes from Nana and Al.
  

Elise's Card for her Sister

We had a visit from Aunt Helena, who was very patient with the kids trying to show her every video game they've ever played.  She gave us boxes of keepsake baby clothes from when she was little - it was so cool and thoughtful!