Here’s the caravan of cars, bike racks and all, as we headed to Seaside, OR.
Our beach house was only steps from the water.
Adam and Papa Penning broke out the kites within an hour of arriving.
I think there was a total of 10 kites up at one time, all from our band of littles.
A great beginning to a great week at the beach.
FAMILY VACATION 2010
Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Harvey
Terrace Heights Cemetary (July 2010)
I know how much Grandma Harvey would have adored the ninos (and does from afar now). She would have called them her precious little angels. She passed away in 2003, nine months before Adam and I got married. Grandpa Harvey passed away Christmas 2007, just eight months before we traveled to Bogota. He was the gruff, WWII type. You know, the guy who was tough on the outside, but a teddy bear on the inside. The guy who would give you the shirt off his back and the shoes off his feet. He and Nikki would have been best buddies. I can see her sneaking her way onto his lap and into his heart.
Can’t wait for the ninos to meet them in person one day. For now, pictures and stories will have to suffice.
My favorite memory from Nana and Papa’s this summer was catching imaginations at play in the back yard. It so reminded me of my own childhood in that very same yard.
All of the cousins were whining one day that it was too hot, and that there was nothing to do. Excuse me…bounce house, pool, gigantic lawn, awesome sand pit, 11 children, and I could go on. Anyway, all the moms chimed in at once, “go use your imaginations and don’t come in until lunch.”
When we went out to check on the crew, they were taking old building supplies from around the property and making forts. They had divided into two teams and were having a contest to see which fort would be the best built. It was hilarious to see what they came up with for building materials.
(notice Nikki sitting on a chair with her legs crossed letting everyone else do the work…)
Well, they never finished their projects because Brooklynn stepped on a nail, which quickly put the kibosh on using papa’s old building materials. But they had a great time trying.
JULY 2010
Meet great-grandparents Penning!
The whole Penning tribe made a very special day trip to Point Defiance Park in Tacoma to spend some time with them. I am so glad we got pictures. Let’s face it grams and grandps…you’re no spring chickens anymore. :)
We also celebrated Danny’s birthday…the Nerf bow-n-arrow is something Danny’s has been asking for for 18 months. he LOVES it.
We all had a great time. Hopefully, the kids will remember the experience for a long time to come.
JULY 2010
Daniel, age 10
Esmeralda, age 9
Nikki, age 8
Juan, age 7
Welcome to the beach!
The Penning tribe:
This is Adam and I in 20 years:
The Girlie Cousins:
My siblings:
And more of us:
June 26th saw Dad and the kids heading to Mount Charleston for the Cathedral Rock Hike. This hike is located in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to the northwest of Las Vegas. Even though we climbed to over 8,500 feet, it was still in the 90’s here in lovely Southern Nevada. After the hike, we visited the Nature Center near the campground. Everyone survived the day, even Juan, who told me in the first 300 feet of walking that he wanted to be at home with mom. Too bad, kiddo! :)
Utah and Montana Road Trip…June 2010
most improved, reading… ezzy, nikki
most improved, math… danny
citizenship award… juan p.
They worked really hard all year. And I dare say it is starting to pay off.
