Summer is in Session

 This Summer I set about our plans very intentionally.  After the epic summer move of 2016, I craved fun and activity to fill our days.  I felt like we missed so many parts of the previous summer, I was making up for lost time!

 We started exploring the neighboring city of Riverside. There are orange groves and a small museum and fruit stand. The fresh fruit was delicious and we had no idea this much land existed so close to us.

 Grandma Donda moved down the street so Anthony paid her a visit. Grandma Ray has been visiting her on a regular basis.  Unfortunately, her facility is deemed scary for the other kids. It's not how Ernie wants his kids to know his mom, so they haven't gone. She does get excited to see the boys and it is what it is. Mental health issues are real and scary and life changing.

 We started Nessa back in swim just to freshen her skills. We felt like there had been too few swim days the summer before, so just in case. . 

 She excelled, and even started learning how to dive.

 Mikah's baseball team made it far in the playoffs so we traveled a bit to watch him.

 And then they played, because that's what kids do in the summer!!

 Our first smores at the newly built fire pit. They did not disappoint!

 And of course in June we celebrate Dads. Ours is pretty fantastic so he deserved to be celebrated and served on Father's Day hosted by us in our newly landscaped yard. The yard has been such a blessing to us. My dream of hosting and entertaining has come true!

Alan, Dad, John, and Ernie

 My Dad and his kids. We are the best parts of him, he says. We are blessed to have him and on this day, it was nice to serve and celebrate his role in our lives.

 A visit to the Bowers Museum was in order to check out the Freida Khalo exhibit. Wow!  What a woman she was. It drove us to read a biography and watch the movie about her very interesting life.

 This guy turned 16. Crazy to think 4 years ago we barely knew him--and now he truly is like one of our own. CUB-cousin, uncle, brother. He fills each role with ease. He is such a good kid, I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for him!

Party time with the family and his friends celebrating the teenager who could be on his way to getting his license.  That is just crazy! Time is going so fast!  Here we are mid year--and I am barely documenting it eight months later. Time stops for no one. The kids are getting older. So are we!