July 2017 Independence, camping, beach and a couple of Grandparents


Grandma and Grandpa Aurich were able to come visit for a couple days before Independence Day (they left early on the 4th for home). Hannah and Finn enjoyed having extra book readers around for a few days. 
Learning to stand and push the furniture around and to put straws through the holes in the chair.


Spending a couple hours at Recapture Reservoir is a great way to enjoy a summer afternoon in Blanding.


Plus it was a good chance to get the kids a little extra water time before this month's big trip.


Ready for church with our little patriots. Hannah carried this red gorilla around for months, it was her favorite toy for quiet a while. 


After the parade.  The kids seemed to enjoy watching all the floats and cars.



Enjoying some shade on the back patio.  Grandpa helped Dad install a shade sail to make the yard a little more enjoyable in the summer.




This is one happy dude!


Hannah and Mom, two beauties.  The 4th was a fun day, lots of time together and just a little bit of sun and community.


7/7/17, testing out more bathing suits and water.  We want these guys comfortable for the big July vacation.



We'll just pretend that all the wetness in that swim diaper is pool water running across my chest.


McDonald's might have awful food, but some of them (Kayenta, AZ) have a play place which makes for a good midday break. The vacation has begun!  7/15/17, we drove to Leeds (north of St George) to camp 1 night with Grandpa and Grandma Aurich, before finishing the drive to South Carlsbad State Beach in Southern California. 


Finley enjoyed camping in Leeds 


7/17/17 Hitting the beach with the cousins. 


The water is not warm.


But fish pee must provide some necessary nutrient, because Hannah really enjoyed tasting the sand.


We practiced Aunt Mary Clift's time honored "Strip, dunk, wrap and nap," several times. It actually worked pretty well, but our spoiled kids had to add a stroller ride down the beach to fall asleep.


Second day on the beach 7/18/17. Hannah hasn't learned Finn's secret to a good day at the beach, "Don't put sand in your mouth!"


Mya enjoyed helping the kids stay entertained at the campsite.


Day 3, new outfits, old problems.  Why does she keep eating sand?


Finn really loved cousin Eli.  


One of Uncle Fred's boy's celebrates his birthday at the beach most years.  They invited all the family over to their campsite for pancakes and ice cream.


Hannah wasn't much for adult extended family, most of the week.  But Finbar is going to grow up to be a professional genealogist like his Nana.  He loves getting to know his family. 


Uncle Jeremy learned a secret to make Hannah his friend.  Steal her and leave her parents.  She is smart enough to make friends with the only person around who is old enough to supply food and shelter.


7/20. Andy's mandatory "get off the beach" day. We headed to the San Diego Zoo while Trisha's family hit Lego Land. 



High Fiving the ape.


Wishing they could snuggle the big kitty.


Selfie with the giraffes. It was hot!  This was after I stopped at a restroom to wet my head.  We spent over 4 hours at the zoo.  The kids were exhausted and hot, but they had tons of fun.  Oh, and Finley lost a shoe.  A nice shoe too, Melissa went back up the trail to try to find it, but had no luck.  


I broke the trailer window with my head.  Why aren't these safety glass?  I was leaning against the window while trying to get something from behind the couch. Oh well, I like projects.  So when we get home, I'll learn about plexiglass.


7/22. Last full day at the beach.
And Grandma and Grandpa Aurich appeared!
 


Grandma and Grandpa Aurich drove down and camped one night (different campground) so we all went out to dinner at PF Chang's. 


We made a huge mess on the floor with the twins, but they enjoyed the food.


7/23/17, goodbye Aunt Mary


Goodbye beach!


Back home, but still in bathing suits! Showing our friend, Braylee, how much we love the water now. 



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