End of July

We had a really busy first half of July filled with lots of family and lots of little outings. It was so much fun. The last half of this month has been much quieter and we have been home a lot more. Summer is quickly passing by, much too fast for my liking. I just want time to slow down and for summer to last forever. I love having Paige home and I have really enjoyed our laid back schedule.

I wanted to post about some of the little moments and the little outings we have done the last half of the month.

One afternoon we went to the Mary Olsen Farm. The last time we were here Paige was little and I knew the girls would like to walk around there and see the farm animals.

While we were walking down to the farm, these four bi-planes flew over us which was pretty cool to see.

We made sure to go on a day that the house was open so we could walk through and see a little bit of history. It was a much simpler but hard way of life that at times during the busyness of our lives seems like it would be really nice.

The girls fed the chickens some grass and got to see their eggs, pet the donkey, and Paige got to feed the cow a carrot.

More exploring around the farm

Then one Saturday was Covington Days and we were joined by Nona, Brett, and Eliza to watch the parade. It was a fun way to spend the morning and McCall slept through the whole thing and the other kids loved picking up all the candy though Baylor wasn't too sure about it and stayed pretty close to me the entire time.

McCall is just the sweetest little thing- snoozing on the floor. She is pure perfection!

McCall had her first trip to the library. I know it is the first of many.

If you know these two they love having chili for lunch. They both love chili with a torn up tortilla with cheese and Taco Bell Mild Sauce. It is a favorite and they probably could have it every day. We found this big can at Walmart and had to get a picture.

The City of Covington has been putting on fun kid events every Wednesday at the park. One of them was a magician and we went and enjoyed it while eating some lunch and Nate even got to join us. Another time was a princess and superhero meet and greet. Baylor was so excited about it and talked non stop about it the day before and the morning of and then when we got there she completely froze up. She clung to my leg the entire time and walking to and from had a death grip on my hand. She wouldn't say a word and it was pretty hot so we didn't last long. It was a fun event for kids but I guess just not for my shy girls.

Paige has been doing face painting on Baylor's face with markers and Baylor loves it.

Another weekend we went mini golfing. Paige has had some anxiety with going to class in church so we made a deal that if she went that we would all go mini golfing. We also got a big answer to our prayers and a new family moved into our ward and they had two girls and one is Paige's age. We have gotten together with them a couple of times and it is a great fit for Paige and they have been a major blessing. This new friend has helped Paige go to class and the first time after about a month or so of not going she finally went and since then has been great. We kept our deal and all had so much fun mini golfing. Baylor was so funny to watch and it was a little hard golfing with a baby connected to me. We did all end up getting a hole in one at one point and it was a really fun family outing.

Both my girls are pretty shy at church and on Mother's day they both refused to go up and sing. On Pioneer day the primary was singing again in sacrament meeting and I didn't think they would go up. I have been watching from home with McCall and much to my surprise as I was watching I got to see my two brave girls get up and take part. We have made a lot of progress with both of them the past month with going to class and participating. It made me so happy seeing them conquer their fears and I guess a promise of a Slurpee was all it took for Baylor to want to go up and since Baylor was going up, it helped Paige go up too.

July was such a great month filled with lots of family and fun!

Moclips

I have felt that this summer is going by WAY too fast and we haven't gone on as many outdoor adventures. I can't believe that it is already the end of July and the past few years I have been wanting to go to the ocean. The last couple of days I have looked to see if there was a good place to stay but there weren't very many options and they were all expensive. We have never gone out to the ocean and back in one day but I decided it was worth the drive to save the money and also wanting to go to the ocean so bad this year. The drive actually went way faster than I thought it would and it truly was the perfect day. We escaped the 90 degree heat that we have been dealing with for the past week and it was such a nice day and we all loved every minute of it.

Our first stop was in Aberdeen to have quick break to explore some places there, feed the baby, and get some lunch. We first went to a park on the river.

Then we made a quick stop at the Kurt Cobain Memorial Park. 

The last time we made it this way was 10 years ago- McCall on the left and Paige on the right in the same spot.

This sign made me laugh that was right by the park and I love the picture of Paige playing Kurt Cobain's "air guitar".

Then when we were searching parks in Aberdeen, Paige spotted this park and really wanted to go mostly for the big slide. It is called Sam Benn Memorial Park. It is a really nice park and there was no one there.

The big slide- of course Nate had an audience and he had me laughing the entire time he was going down the slide.

We got some lunch at McDonald's on our way out and then we made it to our destination- Moclips.

We first drove by this house- Nate and his family along with a family friend and their family stayed at this house a couple times a year. It was fun hearing all of Nate's memories from his many stays here and it would be a dream of mine to have a tiny little house to go and enjoy the ocean whenever we want.

Then it was beach time! I love the ocean- the sound and the sight are just so awe-inspiring and bring me such peace and happiness. The girls were in absolute heaven for hours on end and I loved seeing such joy in their faces. It was such a wonderful afternoon!

We got to park near the water which was nice. It allowed me to feed McCall there with some privacy. We just left our shoes in the car and spent the entire time barefoot. We loved the sand on our feet and loved this amazing time with my family.

The girls spent most of the time running away or jumping over the waves. They were in beach heaven!

After I got McCall fed we made our way down the beach line towards the river that flows along the edge of Moclips. We found some shells and some washed up creatures.

We found the head of a sting ray.

More jumping over waves as we made our way down to the river.

Next to the river has all sorts of things to climb on and explore.

I LOVE these two pictures and these two sweet girls!

Heading back to the car- the fog layer makes it seem like it was cold but it truly was really nice. There was a lot of moisture in the air but it was so nice especially being so hot at home the last week.

In my happy place- being out in nature at the ocean with my family- doesn't get much better than this!

Nate took McCall so I could have some fun with Paige and Baylor in the water.

Baylor slowing took more and more clothes off- at first she had a jacket and pants on, soon she was too hot for the jacket and the pants got wet, she then she changed into her shorts and they also got wet and would roll them up and eventually she was just in her undies. She would have been happy in a swimsuit. She loved the water and was running and so busy the entire time we were there.

Not quite as strong with a 10 year old compared to a 4 year old. :)

Jumping over the waves together!

Nate was in his element too! We are a beach loving family.

McCall's first trip to the ocean at 5 weeks- I didn't see the ocean for the first time until I was a teenager.

We ate a picnic dinner in our car before getting as much sand off of us as we could and heading home. It was such an amazing day!