Huntington Beach with the Deckers

 We got to spend the day with the Deckers.  We feel so lucky to see them twice within one month! They came down for a quick trip to the beach for Labor day weekend.  The kids had a blast.  It was filled with beach waves, swimming at their hotel pool, and walking down the pier to eat at Ruby's!

 Gracy, Kenzi, Brynn, & Kennedy

 Emery & Kamryn

Luke & Camden digging for sand crabs

 

 Travis & Dave out for a boogie board run.  We had them first do a tough guy pose, and then a "best buddy" pose.

 Botchy Ball

 At one time we couldn't find Drew and we saw him in the distance doing these calf raises.  He told us he was exercising his legs for baseball season!

 Luke & Camden did this for hours!

 Enjoying are visit time......wish this could happen more often!  We have know each other for 22 years, nothing is better than having a friend who knew me before I was a mother, and before I was a wife, but when I was just Meredith Brown. 

Off to Ruby's Diner at Huntington Beach

 Kamryn wiped out.....from a fun day!

Decker & Salisbury Clan on the Huntington Beach Pier

 

 We all crammed in our car to drop the Deckers off at their hotel.  Six kids were in the back seat, six were in the middle seat with a stroller in our laps, and three up front.  We had the windows down and singing loud to "Cruisin for a Bruisin". Kristen and I couldn't stop laughing that this is what our Saturday nights have come too!  Love it! Great way to end the night!

Meredith's 37th Birthday

Birthday Get Away

Travis gave me the best gift for my birthday.  He booked us a night at the Mission Inn in Riverside, CA so I could escape all my responsibilities! 

This place was amazing.  It looked like we were right in the heart of Spain or Italy.  It wasn't anything I had expected.

Our room was in this court yard above.

 This was the walk to our room.  I loved the little chapel below.

 

 Hotel rooms, with the Mission Inn Restaurant below.

Duane's Restaurant

That night Travis made reservations at Duane's Restaurant that is in the Mission Inn.  It was so delicious, but very spendy.  A great place for special occasions.

Getting Cupcakes at Casey's Cupcakes.  They were Cup Cake War winners.....I told them my sis-n-law was also a Cup Cake War winner.  I am sure they don't hear that everyday.

Night shots at the Mission Inn

 Celebrating with Family......

 

 Liz had us over for Sunday dinner to celebrate mine and Payton's Birthday.  Her cupcake for me said 25yrs......that's as highest number she had. I'll take it!

 

 The night before we left we celebrated with the kids.  Travis got me some of my favorite makeup and the kids all made me cards.  Luke forgot to make one so he said it out loud to me right there.  It was really cute, he even started out saying "Dear Mom".  Brynn was so creative and made this compliment box that was filled with kind words for me.  She told me I could pull one out when I am having a bad day.

Celebrating with Friends......

 

 Amy, Carrie, Meredith, Tami, and Liana

Celebrating two of our birthdays while going out to breakfast at Martha Green's.  One of my favorite places.  Martha Green herself even came out and talked with us!

 Amy treating me to a pedicure......so fun & thoughtful!

 Jennie & Meredith

Enjoying a birthday lunch and shopping with one of my Yucaipa bestie! She is one of those friends you cant stop talking for 3 hours straight!

 Meredith & Liz

Got in some sister birthday time with Liz.  Another lunch!  Sissy time is the best!  I am so lucky to have so many people make me feel loved on my birthday.  It was a good one!

Angel's Game

 For Brock's 11th Birthday he took Luke to the Angels game where they were able to stand on the field during batting practice and be up close to the players.  Someone tossed Luke this ball from batting practice, he was excited! Brock ended getting one too!

 Getting a signature from pitcher Jerome Williams.

The boys played a ring toss and won all this Angel souvenirs!

They stayed and watched the game where in the 4th inning Brock's name came across the score board to wish him a Happy Birthday!

First Day of School 2013

Salisbury School Bunch

All 5 Monkeys are in school! I can't believe it.  We have a first time Kindergartner and a first time High Schooler, it was an exciting day.  I have told Travis I am semi-retired from 8am-2pm!  It has taken 14yrs to get here, I still can't believe it.  Luke asked "Mom, is this your summer now?" I said "Yes" then he goes "That's not fair, your summer is way longer than ours!" I said "Well it takes a mom that long to recover from kids summer." 

People ask me what I am gonna do with all my time, and I feel like I can actually help others now.  Volunteering at the school, going to the Temple, helping Travis at work, etc. I am excited to enter this new phase, but will surely miss having a little side kick by my side!

Brynn- 9th Grade

Yucaipa High School (3,000 students)

Kennedy-7th Grade

CECA Charter School

 

 Luke- 5th Grade

Mrs. Carlise at CECA

Drew- 2nd Grade

Mrs. Kishimoto at Chapman Heights (not in the Charter School yet)

Kamryn- Kindergarten

Mrs. Llaurado at CECA

Saying goodbye to my little peanut!

Waiting by her classroom

Opening Flag Ceremony

 Kamryn first in line to go into her Kindergarten class

 Kamryn on the rug for her first story time

 They read a story on how to say goodbye to their mom's.  Afterwards they all came and kissed us goodbye.  I was a little sad to see my last leave the house into school, but happy for her for all the adventures she will have..................

 

Kamryn has been so cute in her uniforms, I can't stop taking pictures of her!  She has been doing pretty good.  I can tell she is pretty drained after ALL day school.  Luke & Kennedy found her crying at lunch for "mommy".  Poor thing, it's hard after being the baby of the family to get thrown into the real world. Hang in there LOVE BUG!