Carpinteria State Beach Camping Trip

We just returned from our Labor Day week of camping at Carpinteria State Beach with several other families. It is such a highlight of our year. I'm not sure if you've ever been to this campground, but it is pretty much the most amazing place. Your trailer is steps from the beach, steps from the fun, steps from watching the tide pools, and steps from gazing at the sunset while you eat your dinner. We had the most wonderful and relaxing time at the beach, and the boys played endless hours of foursquare and rode their bikes around the campground. Of course, we biked into the quaint little town for a visit to the old-fashioned candy store for some yummies. It was such a privilege to be alongside the most wonderful people I know, having great conversations and watching all our children play together and enjoy their time. I am so thankful for these sweet dear families and their sweet kids that my kids get to grow up with. The Lord is so good to allow us to enjoy these gifts from Him!



Some of the teens that were there. I love the reflection on the sand!

A group shot of most of the kids!

Vance found a little hermit crab in the tidepools!

Playin' around at the tide pools!

Austin exploring the anemones....

Luke looking for creatures!!!

Enjoying frozen chocolate bananas in the trailer! A group of happy kids!

They were having too much fun to act serious. Seriously!!!!

We miss Carpinteria already.....Lord willing we will get to do it again next year!

Summer Re-cap!

Wow, I'm sure my one reader has given up on me, I haven't blogged in so long! I have just been busy enjoying life, enjoying my kids, and enjoying our summer! What did we do this summer?

In June, we celebrated our oldest son's 13th birthday! Austin has grown so much in so many ways this past year, not to mention passed me up in height by several inches (which isn't hard). We rang in the teenage years with a sleepover with 9 boys. It was so much fun and so easy to please all those boys. Austin requested pizza, caesar salad, and a homemade pizookie for dessert with ice cream. They had a dart gun war of epic proportions at the park across the street, watched a movie, and then played video games all night. And by that, I mean they never slept. Not a wink. I slept all night, as they were out in the camping trailer in the driveway....works for me! It has been so much fun having a teenager and his teenage friends in our life. We have really transitioned into a new phase of life, and we are loving it so far! All the Junior High activities and events have really been a blessing to Austin, and he has jumped into everything with both feet!

We spent the rest of the days of summer at the pool, the beach, had a trip to Magic Mountain to use our free reading passes, a quick impromptu trip out to Mojave to ride dirt bikes, some trips to the shooting range, and a visit to Malibu Creek State Park for a refreshing swim in the water hole.

School has begun in full force this week! I am excited to embark on a new year, and have made some great curriculum changes that we are really enjoying so far. I look forward to what the year holds, and continue to give thanks to God for this precious freedom to school our boys at home, and for our homeschool group and all the activities we are blessed to participate in during the year.

Dave's new job is going well, and we praise God for both His provision and blessing! Dave is truly back in his element, using his gifts and talents, and really enjoying the work and the challenges. We are thankful to have both the provision and the enjoyment of work. The new company, Handmade, is thriving, adding employees, and gaining new projects in abundance. We will continue to trust in the Lord with how He chooses and sees fit to prosper the company.

With all that said, here's to a new school year! I hope to be more faithful to post the coming events as they happen. Starting with next week....our annual camping trip to Carpinteria State Beach! Woohoo!!!!