~ The Healds ~

Sometimes I consider not blogging anymore....I rarely can find the time (or effort) to sit down at the computer and upload pictures & share stories...months have gone by since my last post, however every time I consider not blogging anymore I take the time to look back through past blog posts....the pictures and stories always bring back such fond memories...and that's what keeps me blogging. :)

JUNE ~ (Monterey to see Grandma and Papa ) picnic lunch at the beach; playing in the sand; an afternoon at the aquarium and of course a trip to the candy shop on Cannery Row

JUNE ~ (Camping at Ruth Lake with Humboldt Family and Friends) Overall we enjoyed Ruth Lake much better than Trinity. Although Ruth is a small lake, the water was awesome for water sports and it wasn't crowded. We had an amazing shoreline and beach for the kids to play on and the campsites were great! Hannah and Jordyn enjoyed their first camping trip with their cousin Lilly, along with many other friends. Although the drive is LONG, we definitely plan to take our boat there again in the future.

so much fun roasting marshmallows

loungin' with our girls

being silly with Dawson and Cooper

strikin' a pose for mom :)

JULY ~ It was great having my parents come down for the 4th this year...we BBQ'ed with friends, watched (& set off) fireworks...overall it was a wonderful, low-key day

JULY ~ 1st trip to the Exploratorium at Pier 15....Hannah LOVED it, there were so many awesome hands on science activities....we look forward to future visits

enjoying a walk on the Pier....beautiful SF day

JULY ~ We attended the beautiful wedding of one of my college best friends (Karina) and her wonderful husband (Mike)....Josh and I enjoyed a night out with my parents and some of our closest friends

Although we had many travels during the summer, we also enjoyed many days home relaxing, swimming, having play dates with friends and loving every minute of time off together as a family...

hanging out at home with her cousin Lilly

Hannah and Nonne enjoying a morning read outside on a gorgeous summer morning

In July Nicole and I surprised my parents and took them to see Fleetwood Mac in Sacramento...something that has been on our bucket list for 15 years...the concert was awesome!!! It was so great getting away just the 4 of us and staying overnight together, no husbands, no kids...it almost felt like a little family vacation from our childhood. So many fun memories were made....I'm so blessed to have such an amazing sister and parents.

visit from the Titus Family

Love her!

enjoying their little pool together

story time at the library

private swim lessons with Kelly (working on her backstroke)

water play and picnic with friends

Visit from Gavin and Resse

We enjoyed vegetables from our garden all summer long...Hannah was so proud of her garden!

our boat read for a day on the lake

playing with her fairies in her sandbox

first time roller skating

Had an incredibly relaxing day with the girls at Indian Springs Resort and Spa.

The girls had a fun afternoon with friends at Howarth Park (hands down one of the best parks!)

waiting to ride the train

enjoying the play area

Day on the water at Lake Sonoma

water girl

2nd summer trip to see Grandma and Papa in Monterey

enjoying Dennis the Menace Park a MUST if you are in Monterey

JULY ~ (Rodeo weekend) We have taken Hannah (& now Jordyn) up to Humboldt for Rodeo weekend ever since Hannah was a baby....the past 2 summers, Josh has been fortunate enough to have a 2nd job working a few weekends at the Bohemian Grove, however this has meant he couldn't travel with us...although we missed dad, the girls and I had a lot of fun partaking in the all the rodeo festivities

ready for the stick horse race

wasn't too excited to have the entire crowd watching her...I'm pretty sure Jordyn will be the complete opposite when it's her turn someday

enjoying a snack while watching the rest of the stick races

penny scramble

my littlest cowgirl

cousin dance party

so sweet

carnival rides

with her cousin Brody

watching the Quadiators with Ashley

enjoying games with Uncle Shawn

PURE LOVE

JULY ~ Josh and I had so much fun taking Hannah to her first Ringling Brothers Circus at the Oracle Arena. The circus was so incredible!! The 3 of us were in awe the entire time. We finished our date with Hannah by having dinner and dessert at The Elephant Bar...great restaurant! delicious food!

evening front yard sprinkler time...loved having warm weather as late as 7:00pm!

In HEAVEN during her first trip to Baskin Robbins ice cream parlor

thumbs up of approval

family hike

family swim time next door

ready for their first slip and slide

Park date with her buddy Chase

enjoying the Sonoma Co. Fair

Lake Sonoma

14 months old...our confident climber

group picture of the kids during our weekly "Game Night" at the park...every Tuesday night beginning the week after school gets out...ending the week before school starts back up....the same group of over 30 of us have been doing this for over 6 years now

JULY ~ (Union Valley) Our last big trip of the summer was our annual camping trip to Union Valley. Our favorite camping location (by far), we've been coming here since Josh and I first started dating over 10 years ago. We enjoyed beautiful weather, a great campsite (as per usual), fun times with friends...perfect way to end our summer vacation!!