Red Tide, Beach Vespers and Cirque to Soleil!

July and August had some really fun events that took us to and fro.

First off, we had a lovely beach vespers with our church - our very own Jennifer B is the Family Ministries Director, and she keeps that group really engaged - it is awesome!  This was the first time that the church has had a beach vespers - we went over to Cape Canaveral - it was fun, but it was definitely hot and crowded.  We like our Ponce Inlet area a little better, but the parking there is limited so we had to expand our options!

Kaleb and Evan making a sand castle

While Addison was transformed into a mermaid!

The whole group - lots of tents there!

Right before the jelly fish encounter...

As the day ended, Addison and some friends were playing in the wave surf near the shore.  They were having a great time...and we were about to leave when all of a sudden two of the friends came crying out of the water and ran to their parents.  We found out that they had encountered large jelly fish in the water - it was horrible!  It was a huge lesson for us - we've been here for 20 years and never encountered jelly fish before.  Always take white vinegar to the beach as it will neutralize the sting and make it bearable!  We are so sorry for our friends!

Right after that, we headed over to Longboat Key for a physician retreat (and yes, there is no confusion, Amy isn't a physician but she is an executive that is over the medical group so she got to go!).  It is always a really informative and inspiring meetings, and the family of course enjoys the vacation!  But, we were shocked to find out that there was red tide - another thing that we have lived here for 20 years and never experienced.... a red tide!

Lots of face painting and temporary tattoos!

Addison was covered in temp tattoos by the time she was done!

Lawn checkers

A beautiful flower and by the time she was done she also was covered in tattoos!

The Catalyst sand sculpture - pretty amazing!

It was a bit windy and a LOT humid - so our hair was crazy!

Because of the red tide and the fact that we couldn't get into the water, there ended up being a lot of lawn games - the kids had fun and the parents were thankful!

Remember Connect 4?

Spike Ball became a favorite!

Zachary and Cristian

Kaleb made a new friend Nate Cochran, nephew of William and Heather!

Addison with her friends

While the Z parents enjoyed a seat and quiet time to ourselves!

The next day we were split into groups and had a sand building contest - we were part of the Sharks, so of course we built a shark!

No shortage of fun stuff to do!

It is a tradition....the selfie for Amy and Kaleb

On Sunday morning we headed home, but stopped at a local restaurant (can't remember the name!?  400 Main or something like that).  It was DELICIOUS!  We'd go back again for sure!

the kids table

While the adults enjoyed some nice adult conversation!

Beautiful sunset, beloved family!

When we headed back in the car, we raced back to Orlando but the fun wasn't finished - we had tickets that night to Cirque du Soleil, Crystal.  It was done on ice, so was an interesting twist. It was really fun - all of us were mesmerized - it was more of a story than acrobatic feats, and it was really well done!!

Now she thinks that she will be an acrobat!

Our group that went that night..

With summer vacation, Grandma took the kids to Aquatica several times (getting good use of those annual passes!).  They always had fun, and she was good about sharing pictures!  Amy has yet to be to Aquatica but it is fun to live through their pictures!

And while we have been busy with outings, the local fun of having a boat hasn't quit yet.  We try and go out every week, and one Sunday morning when the lake was empty Amy got brave enough to try driving the boat and let Karis have a turn on the tube!  She always tells him to go slower, and wouldn't you know, it is harder to go slow than you'd expect so she went too fast a few times as well!

Daddy with the gang...

Random Pictures:

Elin, Addison and Victoria 

Being silly, we tried to recreate the picture of the little girls with the Moms, but Yvonne and Kelli should have flipped locations to match their girls!

When Zachary and Blake were little, they went out at Miss Jennifer's and jumped in the puddles....well Addison and London got their chance to recreate the moment!  So fun - loves these pictures!

We have been baking a lot of banana muffins lately - it is quick, easy, and somewhat healthy and Addison loves to cook!

Six Years Old!

We started off with a sixth birthday for Addison!  We did the group birthday party again for Addison, Devin, Erik and Elin and it was a painting party this year at our house.  Somehow what was a simple idea that grew and grew until we had 27 kids plus parents at the party - so almost 50 people!  It was controlled chaos, but super fun!   The painting theme was Frozen (Elsa) and a Viking (for the boys).  The small kids had free hand panting of pottery and then blank canvases.

The birthday girl with her finished painating!

Not too old to be silly!

The birthday guests of honor - Erik, Elin, Devin and Addi

Having a painting party with a bunch of 5-7 year olds in your house.....where you just finished redoing your dining room last year was a bit nervewarcking at the end of the day but it at the end of the day, it was all fine with no mishaps!

Everything set up ready to go

Our very own Jennifer is an amazing baker (Sweet Expectations Bakery!) and Addison and she always come up with some fantastic cake design.  Well this year was no different and it was a "Doodle" cake where Addison could draw on the cake for her decorations!  It was super cute!  Addison had so much fun planning and designing this cake!

Addison and Mommy on this side of the cake

Addison adores drawing rainbows!

Daddy

Zachary and Kaleb was on this side, but didn't get it turned far enough for Kaleb - can see it a little bit below.

This is all four kids' cakes.  You can see Kaleb's stick figuring on the left hand side of the cake beside Addison in this picture a little.

While the kids were making their painting masterpieces, there was LOTS of parent involvement.  Some enjoyed painting so much they took over from their kids! :)

Kent was one who enjoyed painting after Elin left to play something else!

Once the painting was done, we striped off one layer of tablecloths with voila, we were ready to go with food and cake!

Some of the kids went outside to eat, leaving some room inside for parents where it was cool!

The whole group!
Back row:  Molly, Violet, Will, Braden, Price, Erick
Middle:  Arden, Devin, Maiya, Elin, Addison, Nora, Victoria, Keenan and Karli
Front rot:  Juliet, Nash, London, Reason, Sarah and Maddie

The tired moms!

All done!

The Zs like to celebrate birthdays, so most times there are multiple birthdays between the big "bash", the actual birthday day, then a really close friend birthday with the Cs and Js where we actually exchange gifts for the birthday kids (we don't do gifts at the big bash as there are people who may not know all three kids) and then a family birthday where we invite Amy's family that lives in town - there are never a shortage of opportunities to blow out candles!  Amy took off Addison's birthday and we went to Rebounderz (per her request).  At the end she hurt her knee which was a little nerve-wracking for Amy (quick call to Karis to triage if we needed to get an X-Ray) but thankfully she was fine after a few minutes!

The Bs came with us

Right before the knee episode!

The afternoon, Amy took her for her very first pedicuare!  It was fun times - she does love to get her toes painted!

Ice cream cake at home!

Blowing out candles on peach crisp with Kieran

and immediately after getting some new legos, she and Erik were hard at work!

Making her cake at Grandmas!

And the fondant the next day!

And the finished product!

All in all, it was a "thumbs up" year for birthday parties!