Sweet sweet summer

The kids are officially both back to school and just like that summer is over.  We made some pretty great memories this summer and I was able to capture so much of it with my camera.  We went to San Diego for a 4 day weekend in early June and loved every minute of it!  We decided to spend some extra money on a beachfront hotel since we were going to forgo the other attractions and it was amazing.  We stayed in La Jolla, which turned out to be perfect because the beach was calm and the water wasn't too crazy so the kids actually got to go swimming!  The hotel also provided beach towels, chairs and umbrellas for us so all we had to do each day was put on our suits and walk out to the beach.  No lugging heavy bags or gear...it was awesome!  We spent most of our time at the beach and pool but did manage to bring our bikes for a coastal boardwalk ride down to Mission Beach and we also hit up the SD children's museum.  The kids were great on the car ride there and back so I think we might actually get to do some more family vacations together....YAY!  

Literally right next door to our hotel was a park with and awesome playground!

Enjoying a seafood dinner at our  hotel!

living his best life

He was so cute when he found this flower

Sand Crabs!

The beach looks good on him!

Bros

Dinner with a view

Mission Beach

Met up with Uncle Paul and the girls for a bit!

The ride home....

We spent the rest of June swimming, playing and finishing up the last bit of school.  Ally was here so much of June, which was awesome so we got to get some great time in before her departure to Australia.  We had talked about doing a staycation at the Marriott this summer with her and decided on doing it in the end of June.  Since Ally is a travel maniac she had a ton of reward points and was able to get us two rooms for free, which was a total score in itself.  When we got there we found out they had upgraded us to the Presidential Suite, which was pretty fun!  Griff could not believe that we were staying in a place that was literally bigger then our house.  It was a total blast!

My reaction to Presidential suite...clearly I have no chill.

Auntie Ally!

The view...

Again...living his best life

family time!

Cozy bed!

We celebrated Griff's 5th birthday with family and then friends.  He had a wonderful time and loved every second of it!

I love this boy!

Chuck E Cheese!

When we weren't living it up we mostly just rode our bikes, swam in the pool and spent lots of time with our family!

Trip to Madera Canyon

I love this picture, with his hand on his shoulder

Birdwatching and snacks!

Spent many wonderful afternoons at Grandpa's

Griff loves Gabe so much!

Lunch at La Cocina!

My Starbucks Date...

Ama's!

These kids!

Loves his Auntie!

This happened...

He's my little bear

Cool kid

Graham living his best life

LEGOS all day long...

Summer is June Bugs

Monsoon hair don't care

Wildlife finds on our way home from the park

Ama!

Drawing with Grandma Debbie

Nights at the Desert Museum

Fishing at SilverBell Lake

Sushi Date with his Dad

It was a wonderful summer and I am so thankful for all the the wonderful memories we made!  There's something about summer that makes my heart happy.  Maybe its the slowness of it, the heat or the rain or drinking a cold beer on the porch.  I don't know what it is..but it just makes me happy.

Waterfront property after a rainstorm!

This perfectly encompasses my feelings about summer

 In preparation for school we added yet another bike to our collection.  I call it the family wagon.  Graham calls it "Betsy".  Griffin calls it the "Tucson Express".  Sean just calls it awesome.  Its our new cargo bike!  Both kids and a commute to work!  We had reached the weight limit on our cheap bike trailer and needed to upgrade.  Its such an awesome bike, we all LOVE it!

The Tucson Express

I can ride them too!

Griffin started school last week, our big kindergartener.  The transition has been OK.  He was really nervous the first day and I almost ugly cried leaving the playground but we are all doing good!  His teacher is great and I love his school.  I think once he makes some buddies it will be even better. Graham has transitioned into his new room at preschool like a champ.  Morning drop offs are getting easier with him and he really is growing wings :)

His face says it all!