Beach time!

After a busy spring, we needed some easy beach time for some rest and relaxation... And the random beach spot was... Cocoa Beach!

White and pasty Idaho kids prior to a hot, hot, HOT week in the sun!

We really had no idea what to expect, but I have to say, we were incredibly surprised by the fun beaches, the super warm water and the views!

Hours and hours were logged looking at this view....

And at this view, which was my favorite one.

I don't know this Idaho girl is such a natural at surfing, but she is!

When the Florida sun got to be too much for this Irish guy, pool time it was....

And evening strolls on the beach...

The weather forecast predicted thunder and lightening every day, so we were a bit nervous about what we had signed up for. But luckily any storms happened at night and led to some great storm watching!

I wonder if the Tiki Bar/Restaurant is wondering where we are? (Since we may have eaten there practically every night....

She swears these hats are cool and while I think she's adorable in it, I don't know....

My babes.

While Morgan was having a photo shoot....

Aidan was being as 11 years old as can be....

And this is how I knew my baby girl is growing up. Making her brother take pictures of her  and trying to get the "perfect" shot.

And this is how I knew Aidan was growing up... Not watching cartoons on the plane home but watching World Cup soccer. 

Another great Kearney trip in the books!!!

Visit from the Fosters!

The kids got to celebrate school being out for the summer in the best possible way! Foster time!

Lots of pool side lounging for this crew....

And challenging the dads to lawn games...

And episodes of playing "chubby bunny" despite my protesting that they were going to choke. I stand corrected, thankfully.

Meanwhile, the boys were in heaven talking all things xbox, legos, star wars, etc. etc. etc.

The primary purpose of the visit was so that Grandma Dolly could hold a memorial service for my mom who passed away 35 years ago.  She wanted to be sure the next generations (and us oldies too) knew the funny stories, could read my mom's poetry and writing and learn more about her. It was a truly beautiful tribute....

As all celebrations of life should end, it ended in celebration! So more pool time, followed by a night out for the adults....

Dolly and her ladies....

No words for this one.

If Max somehow gets eaten up mysteriously, please check me first. I likely did it, I can't get enough of that kid!

I hope that there are lots of things that Jon and I have done that make our mom proud. But I can without a doubt say that these five little human beings are what makes her shine the most! 

Viva Las Vegas....

Believe it or not, I have no other pictures from our annual trip. Actually, given the level of shenanigans, I bet you can believe it. There is one picture I'm not posting and that's when someone thought they could do a wicked Christina Aguilara impersonation. Oy.

There was lots of this though....

And the ladies cleaned up realllll nice after a hot day by the pool....

Molly was very thrilled with this photo shoot, so it was hard to get a shot without this look. Sorry Molly! But this was pre-probably the funniest dinner I have ever had.... What did we eat? I don't know, too busy laughing.

This view just never gets old....

See ya Spring 2019!

To say our spring was bonkers might be a bit of an understatement. Travel soccer tourneys, some work travel, end of school shenanigans, it was a blur. But a really fun blur and is it odd that I'm looking forward to the chaos that awaits us in the fall?

Ryan was lucky enough to experience teen-girl-soccer-team chaos at a travel tournament with Morgan in San Jose. So Aidan and I checked out some of his artwork at Guru donuts. We were so inspired by Mrs. Bommarito's class artwork that we ate our bodyweight in donuts...

And then we hit Fanci Freeze for the world's biggest milkshake.

Meanwhile Morgan was staking her claim at the tournament. Her picture made the National Rush instagram. Excited about that? Understatement. She may be small, but she is fierce.

And then it was my turn to travel with AJ. This time to Sacramento for Davis Cup. Picture three teams, yes three, of tween boys on one airplane? And then picture the flight attendant giving free drinks to the parents since they were so well behaved. Proud mamas.

Yes, I did participate in doping. Imagine hot weather and endless soccer. Give the kid some caffeine!

And waiting, there is always waiting.

Super proud of my boy!

And a 1 p.m. start time on Sunday means fun in the pool Saturday night.

Best part about travel tournaments? One on one time with your kid. Worth the cost in so many ways!

Did I mention there is lots of waiting in tournaments?

I think I'm still exhausted by watching those games, they played so well and made it to the championships. Sadly for our boys, the rookie/should have known better parents completely jinxed the game by buying the expensive video of the game. We knew better, but yet we bought it. Despite previously beating this team earlier in the tournament, the boys ended up with 2nd.

Champions in my mind! Such great effort....

Poor Aidan's allergies do not appreciate Davis, CA. The kid could hardly see, so a trip to In N' Out was in order to make him feel better...

Oh this group of boys! They make travel fun and interesting....

Apparently I have behaved and was allowed to sit at a row other than the last in the auditorium so I actually got to see him at the end of the year concert!

A farewell selfie prior to leaving to yep, another travel tournament!

And a tournament with this knucklehead. If you need entertainment, I'm telling you, this kid is it.

The girls took their post game ice bath to the freezing waters of Lake Coeur d Alene. Did I spell that right? I swear, I can't ever get that name spelled right.

Such a cute group!

Again with the tournament waiting. Waiting with this kid isn't too bad, she's full of stories and stories and stories....

We had a cheering section! Papa Jeff and Grandma Debi made the drive over!

See what I mean about entertaining. I don't know what she's doing here, but her expression and wearing her coach's sunglasses says it all...

And that's a wrap on Spring 2018. Yes, we are all tired after that!