Laraway Family

Well, here we are- finally summertime! We are already having so much fun, and it's only been a week that we've been out of school. Wow.... it really didn't take us much time at all to get into sleeping-in a little, getting dressed later, taking our time each morning, and soaking in the sunshine. I have a new found appreciation for the unscheduled summer.

The day after school ended, we headed to Henry Coe state park to camp- with 11 other families.
It was so much fun. Starks was in heaven sleeping outside, waking up to the dirt, and never being inside a house! Anthony loved exploring, playing with friends, and being one of the older kids. Chas loved the sticks, fishing with a strawberry as bait, climbing trees, and playing with friends. We celebrated Starks' 2nd birthday the first night with all of his friends there to sing. Unfortunately, he was too sleepy to eat cake (WHAT THE?), but he did make up for it the rest of the weekend. After being sick with a cold, I'll let that little guy eat anything he wants to pack on weight! We had such a good time that we're looking forward to camping alone later this summer.

We have already been twice to Paramount's Great America to play in the wave pool - exclusively. The older boys have such confidence in the water now, and Starks, of course, loves it, too. He's most fond of the waves- as are the A & C. They put on life vests and bob around in the deep end. It's amazing how brave they got in one year.

This weekend, we went to The Garden of Eden in Felton, CA in Henry Cowell state park. The stream/river cascades into a little pool and again into another. We threw rocks, explored down the stream and rapids, and watched the pond skippers. Anthony loved it all, Chas was freaked out after a spider was on his leg, and Starks enjoyed throwing rocks. Russ managed to keep his cast dry the entire time! He even was maneuvering over the rocky bottom barefoot while fireman carrying Chas and lugging a backpack and three pairs of shoes! :) He really is a superhero.

I can't think of anything to catch you up on prior to school's end. I AM including a picture of us in front of our hot air balloon before getting in it. Russ posted a picture of the ground before. I think this one is a better reflection of our happiness that weekend alone! ;) I also love this picture of the boys one day after school pretending to be bugs! They are so much fun. Let's pray their being together 24/7 in the summer remains just as much fun.

We hope to update you more frequently now that school has come to an end.
Have a great summer!!!!