California Tide Pools

Crystal Cove Tide Pools

 We all visited the Tide pools to see what fun creatures we could find with the tide out. 

 Roman was having a ball with Grandma Mindy 

 Wish Nate could have been here to have a great family shot, but he was holding down the fort for us back home working hard.  I feel really bad when we get to leave and go on a vacation and it is not possible for Nate to take any time off.  Not bad enough not to go mind you, since I rarely get to see my family, but I really hate missing special moments without my one and only!  July happens to be the busiest month for his work with a big quarter end, yearly projection time, and meetings with banks domestic and foreign about the different covenants and contracts Stepan co has with them.  I love that he still makes it possible for me and the boys to get out west, even if he can't join in the fun.  Thanks babe!

Two boys sitting on a log

Justin helping his cousin Boston to navigate the rocks!  They were so cute together!  They both ended up a bit sandy and wet by the end though.  Its a boy thing!

 Look how big my three oldest boys are!! Mini men right there! 

 I can't get enough of these munchkins!

Newport Beach 2013

Newport Beach in July, do I even need to say anymore??  Just glimpsing at these pictures you will see the fun we had!  Our Grandpa Delwyn and Grandma Barbara rented beachfront condos for the families to enjoy as a Pre-Christmas gift, which was well recieved by everyone!!  We had a blast! Thank you Thank you!!

 The first touch of the ocean!  The kids couldn't wait to go in.  Forget swimming suits or towels, we are at the beach people!  

We found little sand crabs all over the place.  My mom also taught a watercolor painting class on the beach.  Her painting and Sophie's were awesome.

 Justin and his buddy Ryder

 Newport Beach Boardwalk!

 My Dad is a great Grandpa.  My kids call him Grandpa Ron!

 The view of the ocean from our condo!!  Yeah Baby!

Lifeguard Roman from station 36 here... making sure everyone is having fun!

Festival of Arts and the Pageant of the Masters Show

Festival of Arts

While in California a bunch of us got the chance to attend the Festival of Arts show and the Pageant of the Masters Show!  IT  WAS AWESOME!  I highly recommend it!  The art was extraordinary and the outdoor show was unreal!  

Festival of ArtsCalifornia’s Premier Fine Art Show

As one of the nation’s oldest and most highly acclaimed juried fine art shows, the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts has offered a breathtaking showcase for artists and art lovers for over 80 years. The Festival’s prestigious juried art show includes a wide variety of media such as paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, handcrafted wood and furniture, ceramics, glass and more – all by 140 of Orange County’s finest artists.  This is the place to find that perfect art treasure for your home or business.From early July through the end of August, the Festival of Arts opens its doors daily for visitors to not only enjoy the award-winning work of exhibited artists, but also demonstrations and art workshops, daily art tours, live music, special events, on-site restaurants and much more.

 Pageant of the Masters

What is it?  Ninety minutes of “living pictures” – incredibly faithful art re-creations of classical and contemporary works with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces.

Jessa striking her own pose next to the man of gold statue 

 Check out this short clip of what the Pageant of the Masters is all about!  2013 the Pageant celebrated its 80th birthday of living picture and their theme for the year was  THE BIG PICTURE presenting classic masterpieces that inspired legendary filmmakers.

Video Clip of the making of Pageant of the Masters 2013

California Wedding Bliss July 2013

One of the main reasons we took our long road trip to Idaho was that after enjoying some time there we could get back into a minivan and drive to California for a Ellis Family Reunion at Newport Beach, and my cousin Lindsay's Wedding!!  Driving from Chicago to Idaho is just shy of a 24 hour drive, and driving from Idaho to California  was another 15 hours.  I will be honest though, I don't mind it.  Yes, its long and I have four boys traveling with me, but they are really good travelers.  We have books, movies, snacks, games, and they are just as excited as I am to be on our way to a vacation to see family.  Being on a road trip with family makes for a fun adventure.  Each gas station stop promises new fattening treats and carbonated beverages to indulge on while we tackle the miles ahead.  Treat of choice usually is some kind of chocolate, salt and vinegar chips, and either a Dr. Pepper or  Vanilla Coke yummmmm. We did have some healthy snack too of course.  You can only take so much sweets, then an apple or banana can just hit the spot! Before we left Chicago I drove down towards Nauvoo to pick up my mom who had rode along with my sister Emily's family to visit her in-laws there enjoy the sites of Nauvoo.  I loved having my mom as a co captain, chatting, telling stories, and catching up.  I don't get much one on one time with her since I live away, so again I didn't mind the long drive we took on together at all.  Once we had some fun in Idaho, we packed up the minivans again and headed out toward the coast.  Road trips are a blast when there is more than one car in your group.  Making for destination bets and our license plate game challenge!!  It's fun to get a "hardy hardy ha ha" text that someone found Alaska and  they say "Beat that" at you and you start acting like you have hawk eyes every time we pass moving vehicles!!  Some serious stuff I tell ya!

Here is a a great picture of my Aunt Gail and Uncle Joe Ham's family for their daughter Lindsay's wedding.  Lindsay looked gorgeous, as well as the rest of the family group, but she takes the cake for this event for sure!  She was after all the lovely BRIDE!!

My Aunt Gail knows how to throw a classy party!  The reception was fabulous and the food there was to die for!  She worked so hard making custom slip covers and benches, boxed flower beds with lighting, a dance floor,  and the beautiful arrangements everywhere.  I know there were a lot of people who put in loads of help making sure the night was going to be a  memorable one! I think we might have been the only people who came with all our kiddos atached but we were welcomed and we all had a good time! 

 "This is so good!" Landon and Clayton were saying to each other!

 Oh the joy I get from this picture!!  Our mangy group to a T! Such energy, character, attitude, spunk, and cuteness all rolled into one shot!  Pure Happiness for Life! 

 Just a row of handsome, white shirt and tie studs!!

 I loved this picture, but am sad we didn't get Sophie in on it!!  She no doubt was helping one of us with our own children when we were all posing! Maybe little Lincoln since he is MIA from Lacie's arms!  HA HA  Sophie is such a great Aunt, and all my parents grandkids absolutely love her!  Also  do you notice the views from my Aunt's house?  Stunning!  It was a perfect night for the reception!

 Pictured here is Jessa's hubby Trent, My Grandma Barbara, Mom with little Lincoln, Aunt Joni, Aunt Becky and Lacie!  They are all laughing and checking out the twirls Joni's girl Annie is doing on the dance floor.

Fishing on the Snake River

Fishing Trip with Grandpa Ron 7-2013

 It was a beautiful morning the day Clay and I got to go fishing with my dad and one of his fishing buds.  We went fishing on the Snake River, which wound around to some the of river bottoms and land that is owned by Thompson Farms.  I liked seeing the places that we have had bonfires at and get togethers from a boat view!  I started pointing out wildlife to Clay as we buzzed by.  We saw beavers, cranes, an eagles nest, and much more but we were here for the fish!

My dad set us up with some nice copper lures and we perfected our casts.  The two fishing buds knew some good blue holes to go fish at and you could see the fish in the water.  Pretty rainbow trout, with a few suckers around, but isn't that how it always is!  They all were in a biting mood though!

 The fish sure took to Clay and my Dad.  Clay caught four fish total.  Two throw backs and two nice big keepers, one which was the biggest of the day weighing over 4 pounds!!  My day  pulled out six fish and his friend got two nice ones as well.  Me....I skunked out for the day!  Had lots of bites but nothing big enough to snag the fish with.  I think everyone felt bad for me and kept switching me poles with one that just caught a fish, but then they would take that bad pole and BAM another fish caught!  I didn't mind that much since I have caught my share of fish before, but I was extremely happy Clay had done so well!  He had a blast!  He loved being on the boat and having his Grandpa Ron show him the ways of fishing.  We taught Clay how to gut a fish properly too, cause you can't catch a fish and not know how to clean it.

 These were some mighty good tasting fish that we had that night!  Clay was super proud that he brought the meat to the table!!  Clay the mighty fisherman!

IDAHO 2013

 I love this place!  Its always so great to come and visit home and all the people I love there! It is gorgeous here staring with morning sunrises and ending with beautiful sunsets that make you exhale while you are enjoying the moment!  The stars at night are to die for too!

Aunt Sophie taking Justin out for a spin on the YAMAHA!

We never visit Idaho without taking a ride on the horses!  Just being on top of a horse is thrilling, but with Grandpa Ron having a handful of horse to pick from we get to ride as long as we want, or at least till our thighs get sore!  And it doesn't hurt to have your boys think your a stud when you can saddle and unsaddle a horse all by yourself!  Power Mom moment!  HA HA 

 Justin was a bit timid on big Ernie here, but pair him with his cousin Quincy and they make a nice riding pair.

 Oh the fun my boys had with their cousins playing in this huge sandbox!  They went about making their own tepees out of sticks they found, some homemade mud, and one of Grandma Mindy's table cloths.    I had some fun scavenging for my mom's fresh peas and tomatoes in her garden!   Her garden is always fabulous! Yum!

 "More dirt!  Clay you place the wet mud on the top of the x in the sticks and we'll throw dry dirt on it!  It's gonna hold good that way!"  said Eli during their tepee construction time.

We had lots of bonfires and barbecues!  My mom needs a medal for knowing how to cook for large crowds for sure!  She pulls dish after great yummy dish at every meal!  It doesn't even seem to phase her with the amount of big mouths, little mouths, and the I want seconds mouths....the more the merrier.  I hope I have that great attitude when I am the one everyone is looking at when lots of food is required!  Whoa!  You know your a  part of this family if you arrive at any get together and the first thing you do is grab a knife and see what needs help getting cut up!  My Grandma Barbara is a hard working lady who has always been a great example to me and she always taught her grand-kids to give a helping hand whenever it is needed.  These two great ladies know how to whip up some good eats!


 I love this picture of My Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Delwyn!  They are always so great to us, making us feel special all the time, showing us their love they have for us.  And the stories we can go around telling would tickle anyone's belly!

This boy was in Heaven!!!  A Go Cart he could go driving around the yard?!? BOY HEAVEN!!  That and the huge bonfires we had were Hayden's favorite!  I need to start calling him Pyro since he would dig through the garbages looking form things to throw into the fire and burn!  He once gave me a look like I crushed his soul when I said he couldn't throw plastic into the fire.  He was so sad looking when he turned around to go put the laundry soap bottle and 2 liter pop bottles back into the garbage!  I am lucky we came out of there with no burns to speak of, especially when I had to yell at the boy not to walk on top of the round brick fire pit attempting to do a silly dance at the same time!!  Sheesh Pyro!!

Grandpa Ron and Hayden did some mean wheelies in this bad boy.  I wouldn't doubt if they had a game of hitting every mud puddle they could find!  Some good use of mud flaps right there!