Swimming and Sparklers

We spent the last few days of our time in California at my Aunt Koreen's house.

Koreen is my step-dad Kraig's oldest sister.

I have so many great memories at her house!

When we were living in California it's where we would have Thanksgiving

and Christmas, and lots of family parties.

My Aunt Koreen is such a fun, easy going, generous host.

Now that we have a house of our own, and have had several parties here, 

I realize how much work it is to have a lot of people over - 

but the memories are totally worth it and I am so glad my Aunt Koreen has 

always welcomed us into her home with open arms (and lots of good food :).

Pizzas on the grill...

My Uncle Kim...Mabel loves him.

My mom got Mabel this cute 4th of July dress...it's a shame she only
got to wear it for a little while because she was in her
swimsuit the rest of the day!

Brandi is slightly obsessed with jumping in the pool after her ball.

No matter how tired she is, even if she has done it 200x that day,
if someone throws a ball in the pool...

she MUST retrieve it. Or she can't sleep at night.

We swam and swam and swam all day.

(and Mabel took a three hour nap! that was awesome.)

My Aunt Koreen and Uncle Kim remodeled their pool a few years

ago and added the shallow beach entry and umbrella - PERFECT for the kiddos.

(and the dogs)

Jacob and Nate kept us entertained with their

diving board and water slide tricks.

My Aunt Cathy, Uncle Bruce and Nana came down for the day.

4th of July Chillaxin

Aunt Koreen let us have some of her secret stash...

yummy Italian Ice popsicles.

She calls them cracksicles.

Super addicting. :)

No fireworks allowed in Placentia so we just had 

a few little ones for Mabel.

Happy Fourth of July!