Beat the Heat

We found a natural jacuzzi at our favorite little beach the other day... the kids loved sitting around it, splashing, and jumping in.

Cameron getting after it.  I love her little suit.

Its been a string of continuous beach days... trying to cool off from this little heat wave.  Here we are at crystal cove, love this beautiful place.

The boys walking back from the water.

A visit to the Gaslamp

We have a new obsession... trains.  Boats are taking a back seat these days to trains and trucks.  It was inevitable, at some point Owen would discover Thomas.  Mark had a work trip this week, so Owen and I tagged along.  We stayed in the gaslamp district in San Diego for three days  and our hotel overlooked the trolley.  Owen could not take his eyes off of it.        

We purchased day passes and rode the train whenever possible.

We found this local coffee shop with an outdoor patio right next to the tracks.  We ate breakfast there every morning... Owen LOVED it.  He gave the train a shout out every time it passed.

Mark had one afternoon off, and the three of us went to the zoo.  We loved the turtle tank...

... and the elephant exhibit.  I think most of all, Owen just loved running around the zoo.  This boy is busy these days.

All tuckered out on the sky buckets.

My dad took the train down one day to take Owen and I to the Midway (aircraft carrier museum).  Owen loved the planes... all of those buttons.

I loved visiting downtown San Diego... we really enjoyed walking and taking the train everywhere instead of driving.  We loved the charm of the little neighborhoods mixed with the big city atmosphere.  At the end of the trip, both Owen and I were exhausted and excited to get back to our simpler life at home... I started to miss our beach and our quiet little neighborhood.

Endless Summer

Camping at El Capitan

My dad treated our family to a vacation in the El Capitan Canyon Camp in Santa Barbara this year.  We had the BEST weekend.  Owen stepped out of the car and thought he landed in paradise... Gramps, Emmy, Jess and Kevin, plus tents and endless grass and trees.  Heaven.

Our little camper

Bocci ball was definitely the game of choice this weekend, as our tents backed up to this amazing grass area.   Mark was undefeated in bocci; that's right, he's my man.  Owen thought he could hang with the big boys, so he tried his hand at bocci...

Look at this follow through!  Mark has been working on his shooting technique.

Gramps and O taking a sunset stroll through the campsite.

Here is the whole gang.  I really love just being with my family... it is so fun to wake up in the same place and get to be together all day.  

Mark and O heading to the deli for some coffee and breakfast.  I loved those cool, foggy mornings.

When we weren't playing bocci, we were waring at cards.  We initiated Kevin into our favorite card game "Nertz".  I think he is already preparing to save face next year.

The Saukkolas.  Why can't we ever manage to get a good family pic?

The gang, walking to dinner at the deli.  Mmm, sweet potato fries.

My dad feel asleep by the fire every time we sat down together.  Mid conversation... "Dad?" Classic.

Until next year... we love you dad.  Thank you for our amazing weekend together.