Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

After spending the day on the beach we all ventured over to the Boardwalk for more fun. We divided into groups and went on rides together. It was fun to see everyone having so much fun! I was surprised at how busy the Boardwalk still was at 9:00 p.m.!!

Memorial Day Weekend

Mommy has been dying to go relax on the beach for a long time. We finally had the opportunity to go on Saturday. The week prior it had been chilly and rainy and I was concerned we'd be rained out. No such luck!!!

Michelle had the idea of our families going to Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz. We'd never been there so were open to the suggestion. What a great place to relax for the day! I've found a new favorite beach!!!! The beach is rather small and not well visited with the bathrooms being clean (every time we had to use the facilities they were being cleaned!!) and close to the beach.

It was fun to be on the beach, enjoy such great company (Matt, Paul's brother, included!), watch the kids play in the ocean and lagoon, and see the dolphins swimming by.

An awesome day!!!

4th Grade Play

Mrs. Blackman and Mrs. Villanueva's 4th Grade Class always does their end of the year play on the California Gold Rush. I'm sure you'll agree that Paige was the cutest-dressed girl in her class!!

5th Grade Play

I didn't realize until I went to Parker's 5th Grade Play that he had a lead role as Paul Revere. Parker does a fantastic job at acting and really enjoys it. I was so proud of him!!

Pouring Cement

We're Ready for Cement!

Parker holding the cement as it comes off the shoot!

The cement is all poured - YEA!!

Pa telling me what to do

We're almost done!!!!

Derrick and I got a wild hair to get rid of some dirt in our backyard by pouring cement!

We worked hard as a family to prep the dirt by leveling it and putting in the forms. Ok, I admit it -Derrick did most of the hard labor (thank goodness for a man that can do manual labor and isn't afraid to sweat!!!) but I was sore myself!

The day of the pour was a big event for our family! The big cement truck arrived at Noon as scheduled and backed up part of the way into our backyard (not enough for my liking though!). We were lucky enough to have a few people from church and Derrick's Grandpa there to assist. I don't know what we'd have done without Pa!!! He's one hard workin' man and can sure get the job done. Everyone, even the kids, were a big help. I enjoyed being in the middle of the mud working every single muscle of my body. I was only in the middle of the mud because I dumped a wheel barrow full of cement and fell and hurt my little knees (poor me!).

We're proud of our most recent home improvement project!