Carlsbad (again)

Ahhhh! Another amazing week camping at Carlsbad!  The setting and weather were perfect!  We were joined by another couple who just joined the emptynesting club, Jack & Henriette.  Here you can see them perched on the famouse Carlsbad chairs that overlook the ocean.

It was the perfect place for morning coffee and an afternoon margarita!

The water was really warm and the afternoon tide was way out.  I walked quite a ways out before getting deep in the water to get this picture of our site on the bluff.

My husband has a new hobby, thanks to Jack!  Who knew he was such a fisherman!

Tom & Jack hunting for sand crabs...

One of many beautiful sunset dinners...

until next time...

Week Nine

I guess I didn't journal on week eight, but it was another successful week. I lost another pound and another this week. I'm half way there! My plan this week is to have a day with my own food. I could have done more days but we are going camping (I know, again) and I didn't want to worry about fixing food for me, so I'm bringing my JC food, which I love! This week was full of activity for me. I did alot of walking and even hiked 2 miles straight up a mountain! This Sat. I'm walking a 5K for Beautiful Africa! I feel good and I'm happy to wear clothes that...fit me better!

Labor Day Weekend at Laurel Pines

Summer is officially over when we leave Laurel Pines.  We've been coming up here on Labor Day weekend since we've been married and this November it will be our 25 years!  We haven't made it every year but have many fond memories with our kids and other families here at Laurel Pines. This year was different because since our kids are in college and have a life...they weren't here!  But there were plenty of other kids to make up for them!

Tom's hammock was a hit...   

Hanging out by our trailer...

Ron & Tuggers...

The Koning's Christmas portrait...

The three chefs...

Heart attack in a skillet...

Does anybody want any peach rings?

Getting ready for church...

the worship team...

the congregation...

After church, we went on this hike literally straight up the mountain to see a 2000 year old tree.  The view was pretty amazing, we saw Palm Springs.  I'm proud to say I made it up this big mountain and didn't complain one bit!

Tom & Hope (& Roxy) talking to the other group of hikers on the walkie talkies who weren't back yet...

Maddie & Grace swingin on the hammock...

Wesley with that crazy pacifier that kept falling in the dirt!

Such a cutie...

Laurel Pines wouln't be Laurel Pines without a game of Stratego...

It was another great weekend at Laurel Pines.  Until next year...

Pool Time, Well, Sort Of!

Last Wednesday, I had out of town relatives over to do some swim time and BBQ.  My Uncle & Aunt, Rog & Glenda, their son, Isaac and their daughter, Rachel, husband, Bobby and their two boys, Caleb & Micah came over in the afternoon to spend some time in the pool and then later a BBQ.  We've been having very hot, humid weather with the fires, mix with the smoke, it had been pretty gross.  But last Wednesday was warm but not so smoky so I thought the day would be perfect for swimming.  They arrived around 2 in the afternoon, we put on our suites, sunscreen and we were in the pool.  About a half a hour later, dark clouds were over head and we heard thunder in the distance, it started to sprinkle, then bigger drops and then it began to pour!

Now THAT'S how you drink a Triple V!

We headed to the covered patio to get out of the rain!

Counting between the lighting and the thunder!



After the rain, we went back in water, it was still hot and muggy!
Grandpa Rog & Caleb going in for a dunk!

Who knew it was going to rain?  It hasn't rained here since April or May and the one day I plan on having people over to swim and BBQ it rains!  My other Uncle & Aunt Jim & Carol came over and my cousin, Joel.  We did have a great time  and it was so much fun being with family, especially the little ones!!!