Right of passage?

Must all big brothers bury him? Basti took a turn and all was good until Masons mouth filled up. 

San Diego

The kids have found sand in cracks that they didn't know that they had the last two days. Yesterday at Coronado Island was about as perfect a day as we could ask for. Today we drove to Rosarito and the weather was equally perfect. Too bad I can't show too many pictures from today. "Somebody" Forgot the card reader that would let me download pictures. 

This is Kenzie...

And Mason:

And both beach bums...

These are all San Diego pictures. Perhaps I can guilt her into getting resourceful about helping me download the other pictures. I have a few from my phone...like this one of us all at lunch...

Mexico--Rosarito Beach Hotel

Closer cousins

We are all happy that Sarah and Kyle are closer to the west coast!

Driving through the desert

This summarizes most of today:

We left Sarah, Kyle and Greer at 10, then drove the very boring drive to San Diego. Kids were great--it was actually an easy trip. But we were happy to reach civilization, and, after dropping our stuff at our friends' house, we headed toward the beach. The gray skies didn't stop the kids from jumping in the water. 

The Strip

Mason was so confused yesterday at the notion of us going to the strip. It turned out to be super fun, but very very hot! We spent the entire day visiting attractions at casinos. We went to the Shark Reef aquarium, rode tram to stay out of the scorching heat, and hit the New York New York roller coaster. Unfortunately, Mason is 53-1/2" and the minimum height is 54". He got to do an indoor rollercoaster  and play some games instead. 

Sarah also showed the kids some of the "features" of the Strip.

Fireworks on the strip

It's record setting temperatures in Vegas. It cooled down to 113 today, from 118 a couple of days ago. The wind is so hot it burns your eyeballs. 

We went swimming and waited til the sun had set and temps dipped to the low 100s. Then we drove to the top of a parking garage with a view of Caesars Palace. 

Fire by Mason

Mason asked for the camera, went outside and snapped this picture of the sun behind a wildfire in the hills of Nevada. 

Love the love notes

Chirpie is going to Vegas and has a view

Empty room

Until Basti arrived today!!! We are excited that Basti (Felix's brother) decided to spend part of the summer with us. He arrived today so we took a whirlwind tour of Alki, Pike Place Market, my office, downtown Seattle, Mercer Island, and then Issaquah before he crashed for the night. Our only challenge is convincing Mason to give Basti some space--he is so excited to have another teenage boy in the house. That was a long six days of living with just Cindy, Kenzie, AJ, Lane, Cheyenne, June, Bob, Kris and me!!

We leave tomorrow morning for a quick vacation! Hello summer!!

Caregiver

Grampy had another scare with his heart this week. Kenzie doesn't like to see him in the hospital, but she does everything she can to care for him and Grammy...even if it is just snuggling. 

Still loves frogs

Even this one who peed...