First Annual Carpenter/Knowlton Vacation

I could just call the it the First Ever Carpenter Vacation. Yes, we've travelled. Yes, we've called those travels vacations. But EVERY vacation we have ever taken together has involved visiting our family. But I digress...

This time around we planned a week long camping trip at South Carlsbad State Beach with our BFFs the Knowltons. Rachel and I have been best friends since we were 15. Our husbands, kids and dogs are all the best of friends. Rachel likes to say they have no choice :-) but they really do all love each other. Here's the proof...

What we did on our summer vacation...

We had lots of visitors! Some of us looked cute. Har surfed for the first time.We all played in the waves. We relaxed in the shade.We had an impromptu Pirate Day.Nobody liked this stuff, and there was LOTS of it. Everywhere.We enjoyed the view.We paid 50 cents for 3 minute showers. Well...some of us may have paid more for longer showers.We roasted marshmallows. Some of us ate s'mores.We enjoyed cool treats. Some of us were messier than others.And we exercised...lots.

Beach Dogs

We couldn't take a vacation without every member of our family, so the dogs came, too. Rachel's retriever mix beauties are Copper and Tucker. Lula loves her "dog cousins" as Dedan calls them. The two girls love to wrestle. Getting hogtied in her leash didn't even stop Lula from having a good time.

Story Telling

One night near the campfire Dedan started telling me this elaborate story. As I sat there watching my nearly 8-year old middle child I was struck by how truly beautiful he was. As I listened, I couldn't help but notice how the expression on his face and the light in his eyes showed his passion for not just story telling but for entertaining - he kept trying to involve me in the story by giving me choices as to what a character should do next. I was so overwhelmed that I grabbed my camera and started snapping away. He was so engrossed creating these pictures for me that it took him a while to notice I had my camera. It's times like this I wish I had more skill with a camera, but maybe the spirit of a child isn't easy to capture. You'll have to trust me: his soul is unmatched, alive, the essence of beauty.

Foil Dinner Night

Our last night at camp we made foil dinners. You know: season some meat & veggies, wrap it in foil and throw it on the campfire. If you've been a Scout or gone to Girls Camp you've probably done this. JP, our resident chef, had not. (I love to cook, but when JP is around I don't do very much - although, he says I make "the best peanut butter & honey sandwich"). Rach & I enjoyed educating him with our outdoor cooking skills, and these were delicious!

Vacation's over

My kids at 10 a.m. on the way home from our five night camping adventure

Exhaustion = Succesful Family Vacation

Class of '89

That's right. I'm old enough to have had my 20 year high school reunion. On one hand it is hard to believe it's been about 20 years since I was that naive, crush-having, insecure, goofy, young high school girl. On the other hand it seems like a lifetime ago since I've seen those friends who met up with me in the Roundtable parking lot, I had bonfires on the beach with, and got criticized with for having too many pictures of friends in OUR yearbook. A lifetime.



But you know the amazing thing about real friends is that it doesn't matter if it's been 2 days or 20 years since you've seen them. Given the right environment (like the fabulously planned and executed high school reunion last Saturday) and you are as comfortable as ever talking about new ventures, your kids, job, lack of job, meeting their spouse...you get the idea.


I honestly, had no idea that I was going to have such a great time at my reunion or that I would get reacquainted with so many people. My only complaint was that some of my friends left before I got pictures with them or exchanged information (not everyone is on facebook - heaven knows why)!

I left my reunion wanting more time with friends. Luckily, I got to see a little more of some of them, plus their kids, at the park the next day and even more of the few super fun ones who came to see us at the beach while we were camping. (If you didn't come...you missed out!)

I have amazing friends. Even the old ones.

Bang!

How long is it going to take me to get used to Emma's new 'do? She looks so grown up. Should I be scared?

Ma & Pa Carpenter

We were very excited when one of the airlines started direct flights from Grand Junction to LA and took advantage of the new lower prices to get Har's parents out here. We had lots of fun plans for their visit then Har & I took turns getting strep which put a little damper on things. We still managed to have a great time. I'm only adding my very favorite pictures from their visit...because there are lots (my new nickname is "the paparazzi").

Emma loves her grandmas.

My father-in-law and my step-dad shop at the same place.

We spent 2 days at Disneyland/California Adventures...on two of the busiest days of the year, I swear! Which ride scares the beegeezees out of you? For Nash it's the Jungle Cruise. He almost had a meltdown when we were in line and this is what he looked like almost the whole ride. When we passed the hippos he was literally shaking in his sandals.

We went to Tom Sawyer island this visit. It was the first time we had taken the kids over there, so beforehand they were complaining that I was making them go. Then we couldn't get them off the island. It's like a giant playground over there, even more fun than I remember.

One of their last days here it was finally warm enough to go swimming. Of course, Har tried to dunk his mom. I love this candid. You can see how much they really love and enjoy each other. Who wouldn't? I love my in-laws and we had a great visit!

Watch out junior high...

...here comes Emma.

A few weeks ago she graduated from elementary school. All the grandparents were here to witness the big day.

Har got to wear the shirt he made the day she was born. Notice her little tiny footprints on the shirt pocket. Oy. 11 years flys by when you're a parent.