Hot in Los Angeles

We spent our vacation this year in Los Angeles. Aunt Ruth sent for us, and let us stay at her place for a week! The kids are such good traveler's now that they're older. It's (almost) like traveling with adults! They had their i-Pods and Game Boys, and stayed entertained the whole flight.

Arrrrrrgh -- We were pirates for a night!

We were treated like celebrities at Universal Studios,

Cooled off at Raging Waters in San Dimas,

and played in the surf at Newport Beach. We walked Balboa Pier, and checked out the shops. I remember a lot of beach trips when I was little -- that was when the Penny Arcade actually used pennies (ok, maybe nickels). My parents always got a cup of chowder at The Crab Cooker.

Some of Daniel's and my highlights include In-N-Out Burger, El Pollo Loco, Don Jose's, D'Elias Grinders, and Wienerschnitzel!

Oh, the memories...(excuse the drool).

We saw lots of family, and generally relaxed in the sunshine!

Ahhh, The Golden State... you still seem like home.

July 2009 Boy Scout Camp

Boy Scout Camp was again held this year at Camp Hahobas.

It started out uneventful, then one of our Troop's scouts got lost. Yep, we were one of those news stories you hear about... Our scout found an abandoned campsite and was able to make it on his own through the night. A helicopter and Search and Rescue volunteers looked all night long. In the morning he hiked to someone's house and called his parents! Wow! We were so relieved. There were a lot of prayers being said that night.

After the drama, the boys continued on with the camp's scheduled activities.

I think Gabe could have won an award for dirtiest feet. Gross.

06/27/09: A Sunny Day in Westport, WA

When sunny weather comes our way, we need to take advantage of it and head to the beach! So, this time we tried somewhere we've never been-- Westport:

I was amazed at how many surfers there were at this beach (in their wetsuits, of course!). It was fun to watch them. There were hundreds of sand dollars, and Carly and I found a lot of very smooth little, beautiful rocks.

It was the weekend for Pirate Days, and they had a lot of cool outdoor booths and food stands. The snow cones were wonderful, Sam tried his first frozen banana on a stick, and I picked the homemade donuts. Yum!

Adam & Berni Jo - Married 06/05/09!

My brother Adam and his bride, Berni Jo!

I was so happy to have the opportunity to see my brother get married in Utah last month. The only disappointment was that I couldn't bring the whole family with me... It was such a quick weekend, that it would have been miserable to drive to Utah for just one day, then drive back.

It was a great party, complete with dinner, dancing, and a candy "bar" -- full of M&M's, cotton candy, mints, jelly bellies, rock candy!

Patrick & Marcia Vogt (parents of the groom), Micah & Jenny Vogt (my brother and his bride), Me and my sister, Rebecca. We were each other's dates since we both left our families at home.

My brother, Matt and his wife, Paula. My brother, Jared (with one of his daughters, Peyton)-- Adam's Best Man. My sister, Carrie, with one of her daughters, Alexi. Aren't they both beautiful?

I love this picture of my Mom and Dad because they both seem playful. I hardly ever see my Dad being playful... and no wedding can be complete without the Chicken Dance...

CONGRATULATIONS Adam & Berni!