Mountain School Family Camp!

We have been wanting to go to Family Camp for a few years, and we finally got a spot! (Thanks to me being on the school board at Mtn School:)

We headed over to Lake Sequoia on Friday around noon, and we were all so excited. It was about a 5hr drive, so the boys slept most of the way. Once we got there, it was like the camps you see in a movie! Incredible campus with the most gorgeous lake. Not to mention a billion activities from family camp. Boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, rock wall climbing, lake swims, the dye house, and a craft house! Seriously, a full weekend of fun. 

Our cabin was right next to our good friends the Hayden's, Horton's, and Williams. It was a short walk to the cafeteria where EVERY MEAL WAS COOKED AND SERVED! I feel like I need to say that a billion times. I didn't cook a THING! It was pretty good food, always lots of fresh veggies and fruit, and everything in between. When we heard the bell, it was time to eat!

They had activities all day and evening, and you could join in if you wanted! Daddy even did the lake swim! He was first in swimming across the entire lake and back, incredible! 

Gavin and Austin were out and about all day long. The first day it was breakfast in your jammies, and they proceeded to stay in them all day long. We would eat a meal, and they would finish, ask to be excused and clear their plates, and run off! We pretty much never really knew where Gavin was because he was off with his pals, but we needed to keep an eye on Austie....as he would just wanter off with all the older girls! They thought he was so cute, and were holding and taking care of him all weekend. Both boys made many new friends, and got to hang out with old friends. It was so neat. 

They did the rock climbing wall a few times and it was incredible how high Gavin got! He's such a monkey! They made popsicle stick boats for a race and silly hats for a parade. All complete with some of their favorite Mtn School teachers!!! Teacher Marie, Stevie, Angie, and Sarah were all there!

No phones, no iPads, no media at all. We never knew the time, just ate when the bell was rung and went to bed when it was dark. Such a neat thing to do. The boys woke up each day once it was light out, but everyone else was up too!

The last night we had a really fun luau and wore our Hawaiian clothes. 

We are all so thankful that we got to go to Family Camp, and now we are guaranteed a spot every year to come!

Happy Birthday Ma!

I don't even know where to begin. Ma is so incredibly special to all of us. The boys adore her and can't wait to spend time with her....ALL the time. Their relationship is SO incredible....and I am so glad they get to have this. We spent the evening celebrating Ma and how much she means to us all!

Austin's First Day of Preschool!

Its official! My baby has started school! He will be at Mulberry on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with me!  His first day was pretty amazing...he played for a solid three hours. Never looking up, just playing. LOVED to play with all the toys, and visited each and every station they had set up!

He checked to find me about 4 different times, and I was always at the snack station, as that was my job this day. He was OK with that, and made sure I was there. 

He played with a few girls, and then ran away to find something else. He LOVES Teacher Bonnie, and she is so great with the kids. We are SO excited for the year ahead! 

Gavin's First Day of JK!

Today is the day, you are now in JK! We are so so proud of you! You woke up saying "Well, I am thinking that I am a little nervous that I am going to be scared of today, so we will see." We talked about how it is only for three hours, and you would have a ton of fun. You went along the morning, and packed up your backpack. You were on your way, all smiles. Once we got to school you let me take a billion pictures, and you were off! You walked straight into your classroom and started playing. Austin and I stayed with you a minute, and then it was time for us all to go...you kissed me and hugged Austin. Just like that!

Austin had a REALLY hard time leaving you, and cried and cried. They had muffins and fruit for all the parents in the courtyard, and Austin didn't even want that! He wanted YOU! I explained to him that we would be back soon to see you. 

When we came to pick you up we got to sit with you and your class for a drumming session....you were learning to drum from a professional drummer! You loved it!!! Then after school was out, there was an ice cream social for us all! How fun! Your new school is AWESOME!

Teacher Jennifer came up to me and let me know that you did wonderful today. She mentioned that you told her "You know, I was a little scared that I would be scared today, but I wasn't! Today was so fun!" She was so happy you told her this, and so was I! So happy for what is ahead Gavin!

Special day with Ma & Papa!

Today Ma & Papa came over and took us to the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos! We have been wanting to try this museum for a while, and finally got the chance. I am certain that the boys were in absolute heaven with all the planes. Gavin's favorite part for sure was sitting in the pilot's seat of the 747. Incredible. He pretended that he was flying the plane for so long. After we toured the museum, he wanted to go back to that seat! Austin loved all of it. I would say that his favorite part was pressing all the buttons in the 747. A million buttons and none of the word "NO!" It was awesome. Before we left, Ma took the boys to the gift shop, and they each picked out a helicopter to bring home. Gavin picked a Coastguard helicopter and Austin picked a Police helicopter. They were SO excited! Last stop was burgers for lunch, what could be better?! Thank you Ma & Papa for the super fun day. 

Underwater

As you can see, Gavin turned into an absolute fish over the summer! He now can go all the way to the bottom of the deep end. Its pretty incredible to watch. Austin is getting used to the water too...and loves to float around with his floatie. 

Horseback riding with Teacher Jane!

Teacher Jane was Gavin's very first teacher, and she is very special to us. Gavin loves her so much. This year at the Mountain School Auction, Cristina (Evangelina's mom) and I decided to go for the 'Pony ride with Teacher Jane' experience. We got it, and I am so glad we did! Both Gav and Evangelina got to go for a beautiful ride today up in Woodside. It was a very pretty walk, and the kids did great! (Cristina and I both agreed that it was a nice workout for us to hike up the hill!) The best quote was from Gavin on the way up. "You know I was a little nervous that I was going to be scared, but its not scary at all. Its so easy! I love to ride the horse!" 

We stopped at the top, under the shade of the trees and Jane had packed a picnic. The kids sat and talked to Jane for a bit and then climbed the trees. Not to mention there was a gorgeous view too. 

Once we got back, Chris (Jane's cousin, the owner of the horses) invited the kids to walk around to see her property. It has a little pond that they were so fascinated with. Both Gavin and Evangelina loved to help scoop out the algae....go figure, such Mountain School kids!