Still Dreaming Of Summer

School started this week.  The boys are enjoying being back in it.  But we all still wish it was summer.
These pictures are of our last HooRah. We got back on Sat, and school started Monday.

This was our hotel. you can see our room, it was on the second from the top.

This was our view.

We played as much as we could in the ocean.

And in the sand.

Zachary found something that looked like coral, but we weren't for sure that it was.

Unbeknownst to us, he wrapped it in a towel and brought it to our room.

As he was showing us his 'prize' this guy fell out of it.

That'll teach him to take things from the sea.

We took it back to the water and put it back. Hopefully he's OK.

Check out this video on YouTube of Caleb.

The things kids do...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6AQ8-SJUYc

They had BBQ night there, and Zachary wanted a triple cheeseburger.

We took 3 burgers and cheeses and made it ourselves back in the room

He ate it all!

There is a beautiful golf course in Palm Beach that is right on the water.

Prices are pretty good after 2pm.

Even Zachary enjoyed hitting a few balls.

This is the course that Caleb hit his ball on a Par 3

and came within 2 1/2 FEET of a HOLE IN ONE!!

Somehow I missed getting a picture of it, but I got one of the next hole.

Look how close he is!

This was hit from the front tees. (not the ladies tees)

Someday this kid is going to be in the pro's.

I really need to get him on video.

Even tho we were on vacations all summer, I had the boys do workbooks.

They had to do anywhere from 5-10 pages every day.

There are 700+ pages, and they did most of them.

The weather here has been HOT. Warmer than normal.

Highs are like 95.

Usually its our rainy season, but this has been a quiet year, with not too much rain.

Until this week. Finally!! Its raining. And the thunderstorms are so intense.

It sounds like sticks of dynamite going off next to your ear.

They make the Monsoons in Phx sound like a firecracker.

But our family of ducks don't care.  

I took this in our backyard yesterday.

Caleb got a new NASCAR. The David Reutimann car.

He was sooo happy. But he wouldn't open it until I videoed him.

Its posted on You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cSWwQXkQ0k

He directed the video. I had to shoot it 3 times to get it just right for him.

For the first day he kept it in the box so it wouldn't get ruined.

He even took a nap with it.

Caleb drew these letters for his dad.

Its pretty obvious the things the boys are interested in.

Zachary loves anything to do with Video Games.

Last night I woke up at 3am, heard some noise

came out to the family room, and there was Zachary, playing his new Wii game.

As long as its not a school night... 

Christina and Ben are camping this weekend.

I hope it doesn't rain on them!

I'm sure she will have some pictures to post when they get home.

She starts school next Monday.

Her classes are 3 days a week, and from 7pm to 10:45pm.

That leaves lots of hours open for a job!

Keep your fingers crossed she gets one soon.

I have been making some new types of food for our family.

I am expanding their palates.

Check out some of the new recipes here:

http://myfamilysfavoriterecipes.blogspot.com/

Slow Down Summer Vacation!

Lets see, since the last post we have been down south 3 times.

By south, I mean Miami area. North Miami, mid Miami and South Miami.

This week we are in North Miami. Actually Pompano Beach.

That is the view from our balcony on the 9th floor.

 We spent yesterday evening at the beach, but today it is raining,

 so we will wait till the rain is done. (Hurry up and go away rain! We want to play!)

I would take them down, but lightening and water do not mix well.

Good thing we brought the Wii for the kids.

I have no problem with them playing it. Its not like its the only thing they do... They have to do 10 pages a day in their school work books, and they also have to have time where they are doing some(any) thing else. But there is only so much you can do stuck in a hotel room. They bring their cars and jets, toys, and books. (heck their TOY bags weigh more than our suitcases!)

Nearby is a park with a lighthouse and stingrays and other fun things.

So as soon as the rain stops we will walk to it and get some energies out.

Me? I have a book (Hannibal Rising), my Ipod Touch ,DSi, and the laptop.

 I am set.

The boys start school on Monday.

 Christina starts college in 2 weeks.

Mike and I are bummed that summer is almost over. We love the kids at home. I do not understand how so many parents can say things like "I cant wait for school to start." We love having the kids hanging around us. As two stay at home parents (yes Mike might as well be called that for as few hours as he works outside the house)  we recognize that in a few short years they wont want to be hanging out with us, and after that they will be off on their own.

 We treasure the time we spend with them,

and didn't have them to ship them off at the earliest convenience!

Well, the rain hasn't really stopped. It comes and goes,

 just as soon as I think we can head out, it starts raining again.

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny skies.

Then I will have some more pics to blog.

But I am not in a hurry.

Last week of summer S.L.O.W D.O.W.N!!!!!