Monday, August 31, 2009

August Fun

The week of August 11th was packed with activities. We began the week by going to Breezy Farms. There were three water slides and a lake to swim in. Rachel discovered treasures in the lake! She used her snorkle and mask from her birthday to find rocks, a fish and a life guard whistle. Tobin, Sarai and Marita read on the grass much of the time. I was too worried to take the good camera, so I don't have any pictures to share.

The following day, I took the girls to Clay time. (Tobin was working at Synqor.) My previous post showed our work.

Wednesday was very rainy so we went bowling. This time I brought the camera, but left the card in my lap top from the previous night!

Now, Thurs was fun. I took the girls to Kimball Farms. Kimball farms is well known for its amazing home made ice cream. It seems that many people come here on their lunch hour to get food too! After eating more ice cream than we should have, I believe we almost had a pint each, we went on water bumper cars and mini golfing. It was a hot day. I do have good pictures from this day!



Sarai took Rachel with her. Rachel was worried about controling the cars before she got in. she learned quickly and didn't want to share the controls with Sarai!


The bumper cards were great! There were 20 cars out at a time. Eveyone had smiles the whole time.







Carmen had traveled under a bridge and I was able to get her attention to say "Hi!". She's always full of life!



We played a game of minigolf afterwards. This was hot but fun. Carmen had to adjust to putting a light ball. She had been playing field hockey and was use to hitting the heavy ball with all her might. Needless to say the first few "putts" were well off the green!



I also enjoyed taking pictures of the water falls!





I am learing how to change the shutter speed. I love seeing the water droplet effect with a low shutter speed. I really am enjoying my new camera.
I do believe that after all this fun we went to Jenna's apartment to swim a bit and cool off.
What a day!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

various beach pictures

I found a few more pictures takes the last day of the beach visit.

Hi Leibig's. They came later to play mini golf. I am amazed at how wonderfully the picture still look even if they are taken from afar and then cropped. The Leibigs were across the parking lot from us.


Now begins a series of pictures taken by Sarai and Marita. It is rare that photos are taken of me since I am the one with the camera.


Here's a bit of fun and artistic license by Sarai. Notice that you can see Sarai's reflection in Marita's iris.
OK Marita, it really isn't an apple!
I think Silly Sarai and Silly Marita sums it up!


Back to pool. Rachel loved eating at the tiki bar and just floating in the pool. She is a natural fish.



Aidan grew to like this necklace which I believe was called the "nursing necklace" by Monica. Isaac is man enough to wear it while feeding his son!


I will leave the beach blogging with this tranquil view. Enjoy!


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Minigolf and Water Bumper Car Fun

The last full day at the beach was spent at the Lost Treasure.

Rachel didn't want to play mini golf with the rest of us so she and Abram went in the water bumper cars. these pictures are taken from afar. I was up on a bridge playing/score keeping/ taking pictures of the day and caught these actions shots.

These were newer bumper cars than we had used two years ago. There were sprayers to shoot at other cars with. Abram is soaking wet getting out of his boat.


We split up into groups. Most of my photos are of Theresa, Marita, Carmen, Sarai, Faye, Collin, and Jason.

Teresa set up so nice for her shots.


Sarai had the camera for awhile. It is interesting to see what other people find interesting to photograph. She took a picture of the waterfall that we have come to love and except, even though it has peculiar blue water.


Tobin, Joey, Ryland, Dylan, Barb and Jennie went on a different golfing path than us. Sarai caught this picture of them across the way.


We did say that Joey was a ham, right? Great shot from afar.


I know that Colin and Jason had a great time together and with us.


Faye and Carmen.


I love that Sarai captured how Carmen was carrying her putter, with one finger nail.


I also love this picture of Carmen sitting on the rock. Pictured here are the favorite purple converse shoes. We had gone shopping for school clothes three days before we left for the beach. Journeys is a store that carries "cool" sneakers. They did not have her size in stock so we placed an order through their distributor. Luckily for her, the shoes were delivered Friday evening. Just in time to bring them to the beach. She was so excited.


After most of us played mini golf, we all tried to get into the water bumper cars. You can see the water spraying out of Tobin's boat. The trick was not to get too close so you could soak the other person.





Everyone enjoyed racing the cars around the track. I tried to pick the best pictures out of the lot (I had over 200 from this day to choose from!). I know that Jennie helped me take pictures while I was on the track, thanks.

Tobin's working hard in this turn.


Here you see Teresa, Faye and Tobin close together.


Go Theresa!


I love Ryland's joyful face.


Classic Sarai. Check out Rachel and her shades. She had a great time riding with daddy.


Mike and Julie got into the action too with Theresa right behind.


Marita's having fun.


Joey and I drove together. I know Jennie caught this picture. We did have fun together.


Hi Sarai.


Faye drove with us too.


Jason and Collin had a car together. I do believe that Collin drove himself once or twice which caused a few "bumps".


Go Carmen!


Rachel and Abram. Rachel was trying to take off her glasses for the camera. I love her look with them on though.


The week at the beach was amazing. I have miscellaneous pictures that were taken on this day that I will post in my next and last one of the beach.

Games and Other Activities at the Beach

It is incredible remembering all that goes on during a single week at the beach! Games are a huge part of the week. Mike spends months planning new games to bring and weeks enlisting the rest of us to bring past favorites that we have purchased. Mike has had a huge influence on the games that we have at our house.


Here is a new game Mike introduced to us. One of the Leibigs needs to let me know what it is called though! I see Snorta in the background. Thomas liked playing with the animals. The animals is one of my favorite parts about that game too.
Carmen, Sarai and Marita entertained each other with cards.
Zendo is one of Sarai's favorite games, even though we don't own it. Here you see Abram, Ryland, Marita and Sarai playing Zendo.
Joey with his Game Boy. I remember years past when Ryland and Tobin spent hours playing their Game Boys at the beach.


Cora always has one of these puzzle books. Since I met the Dancy family 20+ years ago, they have brought these books to a beach week.


Scrabble is huge with the siblings of Chip and some of their children. There was a scrabble tournament. Here's Tobin and Chris playing a tournament game.

I believe this picture was taken on the last night of the beach week. I cannot remember the details of the tournamen, so let me know who the winner was this year. I know better than to announce the wrong one!


I don't know what game was happening while Carmen and Thomas were sitting here. It may have been a time when everyone was gathering for Werewolf. This is a staple game at the beach.

The evening chill. I'm sure we were gathering for a group game.

I couldn't get everyone in one picture, so here we are in two.

I am sure I missed many other games that were played. One of my favorites is Quirkle. Cora introduced me to a train game which I began to like after awhile. If they can tell me the name, I'd be grateful.
But Jenna, Cora and I did capture these great games:
Peek-a-Boo between Aidan and Thomas

Pig Pile on Ryland:
more join on

At this point I believe it is cousin pile on!



Abram and I brought our tandem to the beach. We took several long bike rides during the week. Tobin was training for cross country while we were at the beach. He ran 8 to 10 miles each day. The humid heat was a challenge to run in. Ryland, Jenna and I went on a few runs ourselves. I believe Carmen and Theresa joined us for once of twice for short runs.

I cannot omit the trip to the nail salon that Aunt Cora took the girls on.
Marita, Sarai and Carmen received manicures.



Carmen wanted "smiley" faces on her fingers. Each finger was a different facial expression.


Faye, Theresa and Marita received pedicures.
If any of my facts or details are wrong, I apologize. I am good at editing in the correct information though.
I hope you are enjoying these posts as much as I am. The memories made here are rich. Rachel has used many of her experiences at the beach in her writings this year. Her teacher has had a strong influence on her writing this year.