Gram & Papa's

On July 7th we headed to Gram and Papa's house for our annual summer trip. While we don't love the hot summer temps in Brentwood (we're super spoiled here in Camarillo), it's always such a treat to spend time with Gram and Papa. I love what wonderful memories my kids will always have of spending time at their house. My parents make everything so fun, entertaining, and special. We had an especially busy week this visit - trips to the park  . . . 

Two movies (with popcorn and treats of course) - "Finding Dory" and "The BFG"

Saturday morning street fair and balloon lady:

Special race track designed by Papa:

Popsicles after dinner . . . 

And lots of snuggle story time! Most mornings and nights I'd find Gram on the swing with the kids reading (which sadly I didn't get any pictures of this trip). 

I also loved seeing my kids read to each other . . .

And to themselves (notice Cal reading at the counter) . . .

Gram made sure everyone got special one-on-one attention!

Saturday night mom organized a special early birthday celebration just for Elle. 

Elle requested Hawaiian haystacks for her birthday dinner . . . 

Gram ordered a special ice cream cake just for Elle

along with balloons . . . 

and presents  . . .  it was such a fun celebration for our sweet 7 year old!

Papa ordered Elle the one gift that she's been asking for all year - a new scooter! She couldn't have been more excited!

On Sunday Madi sang "Gethsemane" in Gram and Papa's ward. She got super nervous (which she never does) but delivered a flawless performance. 

We got to FaceTime with Grandpapa and Grandmother after church!

Then we had an early birthday celebration for Papa - with butterscotch dessert!

It was fun to have our trip start on the weekend so that we could fit some Papa time in before another busy week of work. While he was working, Gram planned all sorts of fun activities. 

A highlight for the kids was going to Rock -n- Jump! 

Mom and I took turns jumping with the 3 oldest while the other snuggled with James. 

We had SO much fun!

After jumping for 2 hours, Gram treated everyone to McDonalds!

Then almost every afternoon mom would stay home with James while he napped and the kids and I would go to Gram Rox's for swimming! I wish I would have gotten a picture of one of our afternoons at the pool. Rox brought Zacky with her a couple times and we played by ourselves a couple times, It was just so nice and refreshing in be in the water on those hot afternoons! Madi worked on diving this trip and got pretty good. Made me realize how wonderful it would be to have a pool in our own backyard!

A trip to Gram/Papa's isn't complete with a trip to the Dainty Center to see the animals. I ran with James, Cal & Elle out there one morning for their exercise. 

Elle loves the bunnies!

On our last day in Brentwood the kids and I decided to take a day trip to Concord to visit Erin Allen and her kids. It was so wonderful to reconnect with her. We haven't seen each other in such a long time and it was so nice to have a day to play and visit and watch our kids become friends!

We went on a beautiful nature walk . . .

gathered rocks to paint . . . 

had some lunch, played for a bit . . . 

Then we packed up and went swimming before heading home. It will be fun to get to see them again at our friends reunion in Kansas next month. 

Thursday morning, July 14th, we packed up, said our goodbyes and headed home. 

Loved getting to come play and Gram/Papa's for the week! Thanks mom and dad for all the fun and for always making my kids feel so loved!

Mali's 9th Birthday!

Happy HAPPY 9th Birthday to our first born! 

Madi started a blog less than a year ago and she's become such an awesome record keeper. Oh how I love it! She records all the little details that I just don't have time to write about anymore. So of course Madi has already blogged all about her birthday and the party that we threw for her on her birthday. Click here to check out her blog and here to read all about her special day!

I loved having Madi's party on her actual birthday - it was nice to have all the celebrating on one day! It was just one big day all about Madi. Waffles for breakfast . . .

Followed by family present opening (Madi recorded all her gifts on her blog). . .

Then to the park with her new basketball . . .

Then time to get ready for the party. At 6pm friends arrived. We had pizza for dinner . . .

Games at the park. . .

Smores for dessert . . . 

And stories around the campfire . . . 

. . .  until some of the girls got too scared and everyone came in for a movie and nail painting. It was such an easy party - first birthday party that I actually really had a good time! So grateful for our sweet Madi who knows who she is, what she stands for, and is working hard to become the person she knows our Heavenly Father wants her to be.

4th of July Celebration!

We had another fabulous Jenkins family 4th of July celebration this weekend! 

It was fun having Aunt Fay and Uncle Bob in town. Jeremy, Tanna, and their family were also in town for the weekend but left Sunday night for a Hales' reunion. It's always so much fun having lots of cousins around.

The girls were trying to take a cute pic here and Cal kept jumping in and saying, "Happy 4th of July!" 

Smiles for cousin Tyler

The younger cousins (minus sleeping Allison):

There's always SO much good food on the 4th - homemade rootbeer, lemonade, onion rings, hamburgers, hotdogs, steaks, veggie squares, all kinds of salads... it was a feast. Madi and Elle sang the National Anthem before the prayer. Didn't get a picture, but did get a video. They were adorable! 

I was most excited about the patriotic cake I made that morning . . . 

It turned out perfect! I was quite pleased . . . and grateful to Spencer for helping me decorate it!

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but the red and blue layers were beautiful! 

And it was delicious!!! Definitely making it again!

The kids were SUPER excited for fireworks that night but sadly the high school was having "technical difficulties" and the fireworks show never happened. Such a bummer! Good thing they had so much fun playing with cousins, friends and glow sticks for over an hour before that they weren't completely crushed.

I am truly grateful for this beautiful land that we live in and for the freedoms we enjoy! How blessed we are!!

Ventura Harbor and Sailing

Anytime Jeremy is in town for vacation, sailing is usually involved. While the guys were getting the boats ready, I headed down to the harbor with my kids - plus Sydney and Bailey. 

We had SO much fun playing around and taking picture by the harbor, that we didn't make it in time to meet up with the guys when the boats first went out. Calvin was hysterical and crushed thinking he wasn't going to get to sail with his dad. I was watching the time, also stressing because it was already 6:30 and I really wanted Cal to get a turn on the boat. 

Tanna was super helpful getting Cal to calm down . . . waving to everyone on Grandpa Al's boat:

Jeremy and Keegan's boat came in first. 

Thankfully Grandpa Al's boat came in soon after. All 3 of my kids jumped in with Spencer and Gpa Al. Elle was super hesitant at first, but had such a great time!