Monterey Scottish Festival

We took a road trip out to Monterey to meet up with my parents at the Monterey Scottish Festival where my dad was competing in a bagpipe competition. The chance to see everyone this summer, plus enjoy 65 degree highs was too tempting to pass up. Me and the kids set off on the journey, without Matt. I had never driven so far with the kids alone before and I was quite nervous. Pit stops were what I was most scared about - I wish I could convince Miles to go into the women's restroom with us but he has refused to do that for years. So, we split up and I am convinced he is kidnapped until I see him again. Other than stopping in new places and feeling nervous, the drive went great! Amazing what four DVD players will do to help with entertaining kids.

We got to Paso Robles the first night, stayed at my friend Janel's house and then drove up the last 2 hours to Monterey in the morning.

Becky and her kids had been in Placerville for a few days and decided to come too! The kids had fun at the festival - their favorite thing was hammering nails til they were flat and looked like swords. Miles seriously hit that nail for 45 minutes and was super sweaty when he was done. 

Dad's band got first place on both days of the competition - as usual :) 

Kid Quotes

I yelled down the hallway, "Penelope you better not be on the Kindle!" With a sassy voice she said, "Come see for yourself!" I went into her room and she was laying on her stomach, coloring. Good girl.

Penelope has said several times that she wishes she were a boy... her reason? So she won't have to wipe when she goes pee. 

Miles: Tomorrow is Mom's bday

Penelope: Yep, and tomorrow is my baby doll's birthday too. She is turning 3. 

Miles: How do you know? 

Penelope: Because she is 2... (duh!)

Concert Date Night: Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons is one of Matt's favorite bands, and I have grown to really like them too - they are a British band that plays an indie folk rock style. Lots of talent in this band - they have members who play multiple instruments - violin, banjo, cello, trumpet, trombone and of course guitar, piano and drums. I guess in England, country and bluegrass music is really popular - this group is more a mix of bluegrass and rock, I'd say.

Anyway, I have been watching for years to see if they would come to Las Vegas and finally, they came when we could go too - it was a bit of a splurge but I had even thought about traveling to see them, so we saved money staying in town, right? Cross this one off the bucket list!

Shopping Trip - Bubba and Babies

Henry loves babies! He sees a little baby at church or at the store and he uses this cutest little squeaky  voice to say "baaaabby!!!" This love of babies applies to anything small - small tomatoes at Sam's Club are his favorite. He was hardly able to eat this little one, it was so dang cute. But, he got over it somehow and swallowed it down! :)

Date Night with Claire

Claire and I had our monthly date - we went to Jason's Deli for lunch and then shopping at the mall for some summer clothes. She was a fan of the free ice cream cones :) We had dropped off Miles at a birthday party and made good use of the time we had, then joined Miles at a new pizza/games place, kind of like an amped up Chuck E Cheese.

This and That

Watching Matt play volleyball is like a flashback to when we first met - I talk him into playing even though his shoulder bothers him after he plays.

Miles had a fun birthday party  - he misses his friends, I think. 

A much-needed haircut at our favorite neighborhood barber shop - most of the barbers don't speak much English but they are very thorough and do a great job! Thank goodness for photos to communicate what style I want. Miles looked a bit nervous - this was a new barber for him, our favorite was out of town.

RECORD HEAT! Earliest in the summer to hit 118 in Las Vegas, EVER! It's amazing how much hotter 118 feels than just a measly ole 100 degrees.

Backyard Update

Our backyard has been transformed from dirt and rock pit to a really nice lawn, paver trail and retaining wall with new plants and vines. It is a night and day difference.  Add in our trampoline and tetherball pole and it's actually fun to go in the backyard now.

Jonelle did a lot of work to get it installed. We also redid the tortoise habitat, moving it behind the workshop and digging a larger and deeper area for Oogway to roam. But we do let him out to enjoy the grass too. Henry follows him around and picks Oogway up when he thinks we aren't looking.