The Pumpkin Patch

We have such a busy October planned we decided this was the only Saturday to head to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins. We have Sara's wedding coming up next weekend and then Sean and I head out of town.

We had a great time today picking out the perfect pumpkin. I suppose we will have to carve them on the 31st of Oct when Sean and I get back into town. Sean and the girls love to get really detailed with their pumpkin faces. I prefer the good old smilie face! I can't wait to see what faces appear this year. We found some huge pumpkins. We bought a ton of them because we will have some visitors in town. My parents will still be here and Shannelle is coming for Halloween. So we had to get everyone a pumpkin to design.

After THE PUMPKIN PATCH we dropped Mack off to hang with some friends at the Haunted Trail in San Diego. Then we took Brisa and Kayla for some yummy pizza.

The Fourth of July Party at Uncle Rick's House

After the E.K. Macdonald Reunion some of us headed up to Eagle, Idaho for a week to continue visiting with Rick and Lisa at their homes. Sean flew in for a few days and met us for the 4th of July. We had a big party over at Rick's house for the 4th. We bought a ton of fireworks. That is something we don't get to do in California. It was great that Idaho still allows fireworks. Some of Rick's neighbors down the street purchased some huge rocket fireworks, which aren't so legal, they are fun to watch though. We had a great view of those, plus all of the ones the kids got to set off. It was a fun night. We missed having Laurie's family and Mom and Dad with us, but the rest of us had a great time together.

Uncle Eric, Payton and Andrew

The cart was full when we started. The kids would take turns lighting the fireworks. They loved it and had a blast playing with FIRE. You never mess with fire in California so it was all new to my girls.

Kayla and Lexie

Uncle Ricky

Taylor and Haley

Our First Adventure in the Summer of 2009

Sailing to Catalina:

The Neuendorf Family and The Parry Family

Johannas was great to show us a wonderful time in the adventures of sailing. We have never done anything like this before. I was a little nervous at first. I was afraid Sean and Kayla would get sea sick. But no one got sick and everyone absolutely loved the trip and experience. It was so much fun. We will definitely be up for another sailing trip.

We chartered a Catamaran and it was big enough that all 12 of us fit comfortably. There were four cabins and two bathroom, along with plenty of kitchen space. We made a run to costco for the food and it all went so smoothly.

Occasionally, we opted to go out on the town for dinner or breakfast. We spent two nights at Two Habors and two nights at Avalon Habor. After 9 years of living in California it was about time we headed over to Catalina. We couldn't believe how pretty and fun it was. I guess it is the best kept secret in California.

One day we rented some boards and tried the surf board paddling. We sat on the beach and messed around for a few hours. I decided to go snorkeling with Weston and Jaden. They were really fun to go with. They would dive down and Weston would pick up anything on the bottom of the ocean that wasn't tied down. We saw a huge starfish and sea slug. Of course that means we also got to touch them. It was really wonderful.

We went hiking around the areas. This picture was at Two Harbors. The day was gorgeous with blue sky and clear blue water.

One of the cabins ended up being under construction so Mack opted to sleep under the stars on the trampoline. Good thing they all had heavy sleeping bags that could keep them dry from the moisture. She had a fun time hang with some fun younger boys. It was fun to see her laughing and having a good time. One night Sean and I stayed up late with the teenagers playing BS. It turns out that Jaden was the worst at telling lies. Johannas was glad to hear that, but on the other hand we found that Weston was the best at it.

Kayla hopped in the dingy thinking it was still connected to the sail boat. However she started flowing away. Brother Neuendorf went and saved her from forever drifting away in the ocean.

Kayla and Brisa enjoying the open sea! It was so fun to just relax and hang out after a busy school year.

We climbed to the top of the Wrigley Monument. It was a beautiful view and the kids enjoyed climbing all over the monument. They found some cool spots.

Jaden and Weston were great about being our taxi service to and from the boat in the dingy. It was great to stay on the boat and then have access to the land anytime. We had just finished watching the movie UP at the big Casino Theater on the island. It was a really grand, old theater and everyone enjoyed going.

Of course we had to get some snorkeling in. I love snorkeling and I could spend hours just looking for fascinating things found underwater. Since we went in June the water was still very cold. We put on our wetsuits and headed in to see some fish. The girls didn't last very long because it was so cold, but there was some cool things we had not seen before. I had never swam through kelp before, it was interesting.

On the way home from Catalina we came across about 75 dolphins. They swam right to our boat and the sea gulls were flying down to try and catch some fish. It was an awesome sight! I am not sure anyone in our group had seen that many before. It was a perfect way to end a fabulous trip.

We had a wonderful time with great friends and family. Jenny and Johannas were so kind and fun. Their kids really know the ropes of life on the sea. It was fun to hang and play with them. Thanks guys for the great MEMORY!!!!

Memorial Weekend

Sean and I were able to go and have a picnic lunch at the grave site.  We enjoyed the nice Arizona weather.  The ants came out and decided to join us.  They must have been some fire ants.  Their bite really hurt.  Small price to pay to have a lovely picnic!  It was nice to have Sean join me.  I am not sure the last time he came with me to Mesa.  I try to go to Amy's grave every time I come to Mesa.  It is a pretty cemetery and I like to take flowers to the site.  

LOVE YA AMY!!!

Weekend in Mesa

It is always fun to head down to Mesa, Arizona to get my fill of family.  We went down for Katie Macdonald's graduation from Mountain View High School.  It was so exciting.  I have to get pictures of that evening from Liz.  It rained on us the entire ceremony.  It wasn't a big deal, it kind of made it a little more exciting.  It was so great to see Katie graduating from the same school I did.  I loved Mountain View.  Mesa is a wonderful place to grow up.  

One night while we were there, we were able to have Luke and Sheri's family over for a big dinner with many of the cousins.  It is always so fun to have them come over and play with their darling kids!!  We love visiting with them. 

Aunt Laurie and the some other people who love to squeeze into any picture!

Sheri and Luke

Eric and Liz

Copying the scene in the movie: THE NIGHT IN THE MUSEUM

Ellie - What a cutie pie!

The Denton Family

Little Zachary Macdonald Denton

Some special kids...

Zach give us the thumbs up!

Grandkids piled high on Papa.  It is fine when the are little like Raegan, but Mack and Matthew are getting kind of heavy.  POOR PAPA!

Papa and his grandkids 

Eric and Zach

I love these guys!

Lisa and Kendal make quite a pair.

 Both are so friendly and both love to talk.

Making funny faces....the turkey would never look at the camera!

I enjoyed playing with the kids and visiting with everyone.  It is so fun to get to be around my family.  It is hard that we don't live very close.  But I have to say that we make the effort to get together as often as possible and have a great time together.