Crafting

During the summer, the kids always get bored so occasionally we like to do crafts. I always forget to take pictures but during one I found on Pinterest (my latest obsession). We were making papertowel butterflies while Jaxon napped.

Cruise Presents

We got the kids some fun little presents from Mexico. The girls have been wanting bathing suit covers

 and the boys love super heroes.

 

Jaxon runs around growling with his mask on. Its awesome!

Mexican Rivera Cruise

Sometimes its nice to get away, its even nicer to be able to do it alone. This summer, Paul and I escaped with his brother Larry and SIL Jessica on a 7 day Cruise to Mexico. It was a ton of fun.

Fun on the boat...

Our first port in Cabo San Lucas. We were supposed to go kayaking but due to wind our excursion was canceled. It was actually a lot more fun to play at the beach then eat out. It was so hot in Cabo, it was perfect (the ship was pretty chilly).

 

Our second stop was Puerta Villarta. Paul and I did an excursion by ourselves called the extreme adventure. I was very nervous about it after reading the brochure but it was probably the most fun thing we've ever done. We rode a speed boat, saw piranhas in the water (there were supposedly crocodiles too!), rode donkeys, went off roading, zip-lining (coolest/scariest thing ever), repelled down waterfalls. It was seriously A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

We had a blast with Larry and Jess and can't wait for the next vacation!

 We always miss the kids but are so lucky we have great family to take care of them. While we were gone, Nana and Poppy took them to San Diego for a few days at the beach. Kade's favorite thing in the world to do is stay at a hotel so he loved it (so did the rest). They swam in the pool all day and had the most fun.

 My mom had a hysterectomy a few weeks before and was still recovering. The girls were big helpers to Nana and Poppy. Kade loved helping Poppy with the yardwork (he dressed himself this morning lol).

They had a blast with their Nana and Poppy.

California Vacation

Our vacation this year was a good one. We spent two weeks in California. Paul had to work so I drove the kids a little early to California. These kids are finally old enough that it wasn't too awful (even though it was almost 12 hours). The kids ate snacks, played with their toys, watched movies. They were very entertained. Did I mention Moose was with us :) ? We ended up driving to my grandparents home and stayed two nights. Great Grandma and Grandpa always provide  a good time. There was lots of spa time (the kids love love love the spa) and even Great Grandmas famous Mickey Mouse Pancakes with M&Ms.

Then we went to the San Diego Zoo with Nana and Poppy. This Zoo is our very most favorite and Great Grandma and Grandpa always get us free tickets which makes it affordable :) We ❤ it! My mom was still recovering from surgery but you would never know it. 

All the kids in the African Exhibit. It was super hot on this lion but they were such good sports.

Momma & Kids in front of the Zebras.

 All the zoo fun! Kylie's favorite was the flamingos, Bailey's were the bears and Kades were the Koalas. Jaxon loved being by Poppy. They are best buds.

 Then we went to Oceanside beach with Poppy, Nana, Great Aunt Robin and Uncle Jim (Poppy's Sister/Brother in law). It was freezing most of the day but you'd never guess it from how much Kylie and Bailey played in the water. They're pretty brave, we kept having to make sure they didn't go out too far. They loved the waves. Jaxon had no fear of the water this year either. It was a little nerve racking. Kade was much more interested in the sand. He built all kinds of sand creations. Beach day is usually my favorite. There's nothing I love more than sun, sand, and relaxation.

 

The last two days were spent relaxing and getting ready for the Cruise. It was a great week!

Summer

I love summer. I love being at home with my kids. I love the day to day (most of the time lol). I'm so lucky I have a job that gives me time with my kids while they are little.

I ♥ spending mornings lounging...

 ♥ playing with my children (bailey made me a "cake")

♥ their creativity (Kade made himself elf ears, he makes me all kinds of fun things)

 

most of all i love these 4...

Happy 4th of July

In the Chalmers house, we ♥ the 4th of July. Paul and I met on the 4th and we've always done something fun. This year, we went to 7 peaks, then BBQed at our place and lit off a bunch of fireworks with Paul's brother Scott's family. 

I was entertaining the boys while waiting for everyone to come back. They love the iphone's flipped camera :)

 

Happy Independence Day!

Last Day of School

Its been a great year. Kylie and Bailey have really loved their teachers and classes. It's been wonderful having them in separate classes and they've really done well. Kylie loved all the creativity especially all the journals they did in class. Bailey loved all the attention her teacher gave. She was always coming home talking about what her teacher did for her. Both girls are at the top of their classes and are reading at a 3rd grade level. We are so glad they had such great teachers and are so proud of them.

Kylie & Ms. Kilmer

 Bailey & Mrs. Lance