Escape to SLO

I am going to blame it on the baby-brain that I totally forgot to include this trip in my summer post. kent went on a business trip for a week and so the kids and I escaped to San Luis Obispo to visit my grandparents to help pass the time. it was a fun (though loud) trip! we did all the things I remember doing when I was a kid and went to visit them. not pictured is playing dominoes, which we did each night and I got the cutest video.

eating ice cream cones for a special treat

taking she for a walk

playing at the school

playing at the beach- the kids all LOVED it and it was perfect weather

grandad was such a huge help and always lots of fun!

we went downtown with grandmom- to bubble gum alley

the creek

and the mission

grandmom was the perfect tour guide (though we think she was allergic to something in the creek bed =o/) 

the kids just adore she. Natalie wants to have a dog when she turns 8 and insisted that she and her dog toto are best friends.

caleb playing in one of the hanging chairs

my grammy is living with my grandparents so that was great for the kids to get to visit with her. I hope we didn't wear her out too much!

despite this picture, the kids all love grandmom and granddad so much and i'm so grateful they get to be a part of our lives!

Happy MacKay Day!

boy are we grateful to have made it to another happy mackay day in one piece!

 

we had the award ceremony before kent left for work because the kids were too excited to wait!

Natalie is The Morale MacKay because she is always trying to help others and has an enthusiasm for life and is (mostly) cheerfully obedient.

Caleb got The Movin' MacKay because he is fast and busy and has awesome dance moves (and because the kid NEVER sits still!)

Jenna is The Mini MacKay because she is so dainty and also because she tries to copy everything her siblings do.

I gave the family two blog books that I made, which we read later in the day.

caleb thought the present was going to be a new game to play as a family lol

we got a plant for kent's office and dropped it off at his work. it was a much better visit this year =o]

we went and played at the park after quiet time

we had a special family dinner in the dining room with our fancy dishes and everything, and then we went out for dessert to Cold Stone! 

the Saturday after we went on our family trip- to the LA zoo! it was fun but A LOT of walking for both our short legged and big bellied family members.

 

 

 

 

our favorite animals were the elephants. we got to see one of the elephants during a training session/checkup/bath and it was AWESOME! that is the souvenir we choose (a beautifully carved vase with elephants) because it made such an impression.

 

 

all in all it was a happy event and I am so grateful for this tradition!