Summer Camp, Scalloping, Weddings and Conventions

Jeopardy Answer: What are four things that we've done recently on summer vacation?

Jack finished his last week at Little Lambs Preschool on July 29th. The first week of August, I signed him up for a tennis, golf and swimming camp. I think he had a blast, but the only parts he really talked about were lunch and the swimming. Not sure that we have a little Tiger Woods or Roger Federer on our hands. I'm still holding my breath for a young Michael Phelps, though.

During that last week of July, Ben's youngest sister, Kim, flew to Tallahassee for a visit. She was here for a whole week and entertained kids, helped out around the house and changed lots of poopie diapers. We also did a little fun stuff, too. Including taking her on a first-time trip scalloping on my parent's boat. Despite the fact that we caught enough the weekend prior to make a shrimp and scallop ceviche, this trip wasn't quite as prolific. The waters were mirky and the current was moving pretty good which made them harder to find. In fact, this was the one and only scallop that we found.

Still, we had lots of fun in the sun riding on the boat and swimming in the ocean.

Have you ever seen two siblings that love each other more?


After Kim left, I spent the next two days doing laundry, packing and cleaning the house to prepare for our five-day trip to Lake Tahoe. It took me the entire two days, too. Luckily, that meant that we came home to a completely clean house, which always feels really good. I don't think my house has been clean for that amount of time....EVER!

Here are a few highlights from the Tahoe trip.

Taking gondola rides up to High Camp at Squaw Valley (home of the 1960 Olympics)

Playing with cousins and sitting in a giant wooden chair at our resort – The Villages at Squaw Valley

Water sports and relaxing on the shores of South Lake Tahoe

Watching sunsets over Lake Tahoe at Camp Richardson

Hiking down to Emerald Bay in South Lake Tahoe

Playing on the shores of Emerald Bay

Basking in wedded bliss at Jon & Marcie's Wedding at Camp Richardson

Taking a lazy river raft {with a few exciting rapids} down the Truckee River with family was an experience to remember and a perfect way to end our Tahoe trip!

We headed straight from there back to Reno before boarding a 6:20 am flight to Tallahassee. Here is the slideshow of EVEN MORE photos from our trip to Lake Tahoe.

After we returned from Tahoe, we immediately unpacked and repacked for a trip to Panama City for a dental convention. It was crazy, we were all jet lagged and sick with colds. We wanted nothing more than to stay at home and recover. But we went {due to a reservation that couldn't be canceled} and still had a great time playing on the beach and swimming in the pool. Ah, to making the best of our short time left of summer.

Shell Island was the perfect secluded beach – beats the crowds on Panama City Beach!

Just had to capture Paige's wedgie on camera. That cute tan fanny reminds me of the Coppertone baby!

Nothing like a beautiful beach sunset and night dip!

Now on to tackling piles of laundry, unpacking bags and shopping for groceries all while fighting a raging sore throat. Thankfully, we have one whole week to recover and prepare for the big first day of kindergarten!