The results of video game free evenings

Now that the kids are back in school, they aren't allowed to play video games Monday thru Thursday. The main reason we have this rule is so that the boys will actually go outside like we used to do in the good ol' days.

The last few evenings Parker could be found riding Erin's wave board and discovering new tricks on it. Parker is our dare devil and we worry that one of these days we'll will hear the aweful screams from a broken bone or severe cut. At least he wears his helmet when he's riding.

Back to school - three different ones!

I'm confident that I can speak for my entire family when I say that the dreaded day has arrived. I still can't believe that I have a 10th grader - that's just crazy! Anyway, my day went something like this: up at 6:00, get Erin off to school (her ride came by at 6:30), get Bryant up and off to school (he leaves at 7:30), get Parker up and off to school (we left at 8:30), deliver Parker to his teacher, feel sorry for myself, go to breakfast with Rick for what most would consider a "celebration" breakfast tradition for the 1st day of school, came home to rest from my busy morning, made cookies for the kids (also a 1st day of school tradition), sent Rick to pick up Erin at 2:30, left to pick up Bryant at 2:55, left to pick up Parker and 2 other neighborhood boys at 3:25, came home and ate some much deserved cookies! and listened to all the 1st day of school stories. From the sounds of things, this will be a great year for all of them! Of course, I couldn't let the day go by without capturing it with pictures.

Erin looking pretty studious - she's ready to take on the world! She has a great group of teachers which should help with her crazy work load. She also has lots of friends in most of her classes. That should make it easy for study groups.

This is what Erin got to do right after getting home (well, after eating her cookies). She has an AP European History project due tomorrow. Luckily she's almost done!

Bryant is an ambassador at BVMS this year. That means he will be helping out the incoming students and those that move in throughout the year. All ambassadors had to wear their shirts to identify them for those who needed help. Bryant has the absolute best schedule possible this year! He has great teachers and friends in all his classes. He also has 2nd lunch with the 8th graders, so he'll be able to eat with some of his church friends.

I tried to get a good picture of all 3 kids, but this is as good as it gets.

Parker with his hand on his handprint from 4 years ago. It's sad to see him grow up so fast.

Our carpool kids (and friends). Gabby and Jeremy Brito, Alec Beck and Parker.

Outside the classroom door.


Parker's teacher, Mrs. Saunders. I have heard she will be great and really challenge Parker. That's exactly what he needs!

This is what Mrs. Saunders has to look forward to..........

Oceanside revisted

I am getting seriously depressed at the thought of school starting next Monday. Summer has flown by and there's still a long wish list of things to do. It's been hard to find any time to have fun this week with school registrations and plane cancelations, but yesterday we were able to squeeze in a few hours at the beach. Like usual, it was fabulous! Perfect weather and waves, good food and friends.

Emmett, Nathan, Bryant and Parker spent almost all of their time in the water.

Parker and Emmett dug a respectable hole before heading back out to the waves. While they were boogie boarding some teenagers decided to bury one of the girls in the hole, much to Emmett's dismay.

Emmett shows off a sand crab. They give me the chills - ew!

A couple of weeks ago we discovered that there is a cart that sells hot dogs for $1. Now we don't pack sandwiches anymore and the boys can eat as many as they would like. I held out for a McDonald's hot fudge sundae on the way home.

Parker and Emmett spent some time searching for sand dollars. I didn't know they were dark until drying out.

Camping with the Rocks

Rick felt the need for us to get a new tent this year. While he was showing it to Ron, we decided to take a last minute camping trip the next day. So we loaded up the van and headed up the mountain to Idyllwild for the night. I have to say that it was the easiest camping trip yet. Maybe that's because Erin and Rachel were both out of town so it was easier to "rough it".

The boy scouts, Nathan and Bryant, set up their own tent (and decided that no younger brothers would be sleeping in it).

The Rocks tent and our new tent that seems more like a suite (I love having the 2 rooms - especially when Rick and I were the only ones sleeping in it).

This is roughing it, Chase style.

Linda would rather sleep on the ground than a cot - WHY??

So Bryant blew up his sleeping mad for Linda to use. See, chivalry is not dead.

Parker and Emmet got out of doing most of the work. Sometimes it pays to be the youngest!

The tin foil dinners were actually really good this time. It's the gourmet camping meal.

The front room in our tent was the game room. After dinner Emmett, Bryant, and Parker spent the rest of the evening playing games.


The next day we decided to go on a hike. Nathan was feeling sick, so Bryant decided to stay back at the campground with him. Parker and Emmett had a great time and didn't want to quit when we said it was time to head back.

Rick, me, Parker, Ron, Emmett and Linda. Look how beautiful it is........I didn't know we could find nice places to hike so close to home. We can't wait to go back!!

Nathan, Emmett, Bryant and Parker in one of the many trees they climbed in during our stay.

We had such a great time camping and have decided to stay longer next time. Thank you Rock family for being wonderful camping buddies!

A rat in the OC

About a year ago a process was started. At that time we would never have guessed what it would lead to - a rodent of a new kind. Yesterday Rick was called a new name, "Rat". That is what many of OC's finest will be calling him for the next who knows how long. Yes, it's official, Rick has been promoted to investigator and will be working in the professional standards division in internal affairs where he will be investigating fellow department emloyees. His sergeant says that he was "hand picked" for the assignment, but we're not sure what that means.........

Anyway, congrats go to Rick after waiting for sooooooooo long to finally get this promotion!! Whoot Whoot!!

Just another day in paradise.....

My goal during the summer is to take the kids to the beach at least once a week. With that in mind, last week I loaded up the van with my family and Linda and her boys. It was a near perfect day! I find that time goes by way too fast when I'm relaxing at the beach - it seems that 4 hours is never enough. I can't wait to go one last time this week before school starts next Monday. This summer has flown by!

Parker, Erin and Bryant indulge my over-obsessive need to get group pictures of them.

Erin has a LOT of reading to do for her AP European History class. She wanted to stay home to read in peace, but I thought reading at the beach would be much better. I'm not sure if she agreed with me.

Parker didn't waste any time getting his sand toys out. The boys started digging their holes right away but were soon distracted since the waves were so good.

Bryant and Emmett dug their holes next to each other. I think the plan was to tunnel between them, but that never happened. Maybe next time.