The 4th and Camping with friends and family

We spent the 4th of July at my parents house enjoying the heat and the pool, eating as much as we could stuff. It was a very relaxing day and I can't wait until next year when Katie will be able to see more than just the 5 fireworks that were shot into the sky behind my parents house.

Katie has been in swimming lessons, 6 classes total for 2 weeks. She is kicking and relaxing a little more in the water, however, the highlight was being able to play at the park after. Silly girl. She blew bubbles the first time, but that was pretty much it. She loves to jump into the pool at my mom's and dad's but refused to do so at the Valencia Glen Pool.

This past weekend we went camping at El Capitan State Beach, which is where I spent many, many summers as a child. I am glad to say Katie seems to be enjoying it as much as I did. She slept in a tent for the first time and did very well. Matt didn't....Katie decided she was going to push him off the blanket and sleep on his neck-just like she did when I slept with her in the trailer last time. The weather was perfect-seriously, I could not have asked for better weather. Clear day and night and warm. Sometimes it is so over cast that it is too cool to go into the water and forget about getting any sun! We played on the beach and my sister and I went boogie boarding, we dug a hole and Katie played in it. She played in the water and all in all, had a really good time. My parents are going up again in 2 weeks and I would like to join them, but we will see if that happens. We also went to Jocko's....a hole-in-the-wall place with the best darn steaks ever! It was a 2+ hour wait (fun with a one and a half year old and 3 other kids!) but the kids were so well behaved. If you are going to ever stop by Nipomo call and make reservations early! It is worth it, as long as you don't have to wait so long.

My brother got back last night from his trip and I can't wait to see his pictures and hear all about it.

Katie is seriously the funniest little girl I have ever seen. She keeps me entertained for hours. She loves to sing and can pretty much say Humpty Dumpty in it's entirety. Not too bad for such a little thing. She knows a lot of colors and can count like crazy, she loves to count everything. Doesn't matter what it is.

Seriously, what happened to me?

I try to be so good and update this as much as I can, but I fail. Humph! The past few weeks have been very emotional and just plain crazy.

First, the daughter of a friend who I "met" on-line while we were both planning our own weddings was diagnosed with Leukemia. She just celebrated her 1 year birthday. My other friend (who I met the same way) texted me with the devastating news. My heart just broke into a million different pieces. This little girl does not deserve this, no one does-it is not fair. I get so filled with every emotion there is, proud that she is a fighter, angry that she has to be dealing with this, awe for her parents who are so strong and sadness for the entire situation. I am also astonished at our little clique of friends. These are amazing people and I could not imagine life with out them. I ask that if you have the ability and the heart to PLEASE consider donating blood or signing up for the "Be The Match" bone marrow registry. Here is the link:

http://join.marrow.org/friends2allison

This is something I have wanted to do for a long time and I just haven't. But I am expecting my kit in the mail within the next few days to I can swab and send it back. I hope I match someone-anyone. There is nothing like being able to give someone a chance at life again. Here is her blog if you are interested in reading about their journey:

http://teamallisonz.blogspot.com/

Second, and on a little lighter of a note. My brother Dan is in Costa Rica. He went to Nicargua and Panama and will be returning home in just over a week. I can't wait to see pictures and hear all about his trip. I am very envious and want to someday take a trip like that.

Third, I don't know.....there are a lot of things that are on my mind...my cousin Leslie got to bring her little babies home, Layton and Marilyn. They were born at 29 weeks, but are doing really well considering. Yay!

I am really tired and wanted to go on a little more, but I can't keep my eyes open. Matt still is not home from work, so I have been with the best little girl all day. We went swimming and poor little thing burnt the bottom of her feet. :( I feel like a bad mom. Matt's project at work should be over soon and I can't wait for things to return to normal here, well at least as close to normal as it can get!