Coen's 5th Birthday

To celebrate the week and a half after Coen's Half birthday we will post pictures from his birthday this summer. We had a party here with cousins and one in Tulare. He and Lukey's birthdays are only a few day apart from one another so we had a big party for all the family in Tulare. We were down there for a week to hang out at Susie's new vacation home. In case you didn't know Susie has bought a home around the block from Becky. She is guessing that the central valley is the next up and coming vacation destination for the hip and is trying to get ahead of the market. Now it is no Nevada City (top 10 destination in the US) but there is some charm in the dairies and soy bean fields and deathly heat. It was a 107 while we were there. Let me say that again 107. And we were staying with my cheap sister who wouldn't lower the thermostat below 85- which means it was 95 in my upstairs bed room. I even offered to write her a check for the rights to control the thermostat. No go from miss cheapy-cheap. Anyways we drove towards the lemon groves for some GREAT antiquing. Great selection, great prices- I so wanted to buy buy buy but I controlled myself.

Anyways Becky has gotten a pool within walking distance- so I think Susie needs to buy a vacation home here in Nevada City with a pool. And then she will have a house in a real vacation destination.

Back to the birthday- the best part was seeing all our cousins and their kids and our aunts and uncles. As usual I love to see all the kids running around having a blast together. And now for 1054 pictures.

So a funny story about this little guy. One reason we went down to visit was to work on the boys swimming skills. Well- Beckett swam once in his new floaty and then took it off and walked into the deep end and sunk to the bottom. Thank goodness Kirtee noticed! He then did it later that day but he was so scared that time (he got much deeper) that it didn't happen again. I think I was at Becky's house putting kitchen cabinets together when this happened.

This is Susie's new house- it is charming.

Luke

Charlie

This strange guy hangs around a lot.

Birthday boy one

Birthday boy two

Glowing swords and water guns- best party favors ever.

Ice cream sunday bar

(I am not pregnant)

When we got home we had a joint party with Aunt Laura.

This was their cake. Laura picked the flavor- Coen picked the decorations.

More Catch Up From the Summer

One of the highlights of the summer is Camp Lazy Dog. A week where all the grandkids get together with my dad and Holly for a week of cousin fun.

Here are some of the highlights.

The boys dug in the sand. Joseph may have spent 90% of the time buried in the sand.

There were new barn cats to cuddle.

A day was spent at the beach.

Isn't she cute?

This other girl hides from the camera.

These people hang around with us too.

This is what the teenagers do while the little ones run in the waves- they eat chips and check out guys.

Cousins

Grandpa with all the cousins

The whole gang

This guy is always ready for a party.

Coen and Beckett spent a lot of time up in the tree house.

And we had an early 90th birthday party for Grandma Conley

We practiced our lasso skills

We also spent late night playing cards, Marshall and Charlie laid in their tent reading (so did I), and I woke up periodically to refill the air mattress that had an annoying leak several times a night. Thanks to Susie and Troy for hosting our camp out at their house. I left a day early so I missed the day at the cabin in the Carmel Mountains. We also hiked at this great state park with great rock formations and caves. It was a really great week.

Landon's Wedding

Accckkkk!!!!!!!! It is 2012. It can't be I am not even done blogging the pictures from summer of 2011. So my first new years resolution- finish blogging about this summer and my trip to Europe. So here goes.

This summer Alma and I drove to one of my favorite spots on the planet- the central coast and we met Becky and Nick at the beach house and even better we went to my cousin Landon't wedding. And I can't say how much I enjoyed the wedding. They are a stunningly gorgeous couple, and the setting was divine, and the flowers gorgeous. Maybe it was only because it reminded me of a relaxed version of our wedding. Prepare yourself for picture overload.

My family gathered for the ceremony.

The ceremony was so wonderful. It was personal, religious, and tender. I loved it. I think I have told a million people about it.

My cousins Leslie and Lauren (who just got into Texas A&M- whoot whoot)

Yeah we are a fun family.

My favorite little touch- my Aunt Diane wore here father's watch and my Grandma Friends hanky- so sweet.

And cotton touches!

My sisters- but Becky isn't in focus. She must not be as special as Susie and I.

All the great little touches.