Playing Catch Up

 Since I’m so behind in blog posts this one will be mainly photos for June & July & August. 

It includes photos of our annual Abalone Dive Camp Trip in Fort Bragg in June, Fourth of July camping with friends and the Amador County Fair in July, and our annual back-to-school party in August.

Each of those events and the preparation it took for each of them filled up most of our “free time “during those months.  In between these events (and in addition to “regular life”) Scott squeezed in some more home renovations, the kids and I squeezed in preparing to pack up our temporary home in El Dorado Hills and pack for our upcoming trip in September, and I planned for my annual 1^st heart transplant visit to Stanford and new school year preparations.  

Never a dull moment! 

This post should catch you up to what our summer has been like and my next post should lead us in to September where we began school, adventures in Chicago and Michigan and a “gulp” 10 year old’s birthday celebration(s).

Fort Bragg Camp Trip

Leah's 1st Dive

Leaving camp all geared up

That little diver-that's my Leah!

Leah & Emma brave the sea for their 1st dive experience

Proud Dad

The abalone gang

Not too shabby

Nolan even found an empty shell on shore!

Dad's catch of the day

Yes-even mom is here in Fort Bragg


And our 4th of July Camp trip:

 

Entrance to our 4th of July camp

Dinner Time

Lake Day

Even Dad finds time to relax





A brief visit from my Aunt & Uncle who are teaching in India now gave us a small break in our July activities

Amador County Fair Time

Nolan's 1st entry year

Leah does it again!

The following pictures are of the "mostly" annual back to school party our family has been hosting with my "moms" group since Leah began Kindergarten (or maybe it was 1st grade-these years blend together).  We had to cancel last year's party due to the arrival of my "Call" coming much earlier than I had anticipated.  Our party in 2015 was Luau themed and to carry on the theme idea, the kids and I prepared for an "old western town" theme.  We had "Olde Tyme" wanted posters of all attendees (young and old) posted around the yard  and many other fun pictures and activities that related to the mid-late 1800's.  This year's back-to-school celebration occurred on August 12-just in time to celebrate my first year "2nd" heart transplant anniversary!

Leah and Nolan designed and painted our "photo prop" area this year!

Even our BBQ from the Pig Roast was "rustic" enough to fit with our theme!

Picture board of our most "hardened" criminals

The rattlesnake found earlier that day only added to our authenticity.

The Chuck Wagon and Saloon-don't worry the kids had a "Watering-Hole" with lemonade.

There's always plenty of yummy food at these Shin-Digs!

Leah enjoying time with some of the friends who "started this whole thing"

Enjoying good food and friends

Can't have a special anniversary without one of Chris's cake creations!

Special gift from Scott & kids-and all the friends who signed it

Having fun in the photo booth area

We have some courageous friends

More fun times

Some of our original "gang" of moms-and the best friends a gal can have


And then a week later I finished off the celebration with a long over due Tahoe weekend with the gals.  Our annual trip to Tahoe was put on hold until I could attend-so it had been 3 years!  Far toolong.

The Fab Five

And there you have it folks.  I hope to get another blog out sooner than this one.
The kids and are "adventuring" in Michigan & Chicago right now, but once we're back home and settled , I'll catch you all up again!

The Heart of Life

John Mayer

I hate to see you cry
Laying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears and listen

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No, it won't all go the way, it should
But I know the heart of life is good

You know it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
But then the circle of your friends
Will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No, it won't all go the way, it should
But I know the heart of life is good

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Fear is a friend who's misunderstood
But I know the heart of life is good

I know it's good