The end of summer.

One little person is great; two is even better!

Having a snack outsides while waiting for Hailey to wake up from a nap. 

Our Turkish neighbors recently invited us to come to a Ramadan feast after sundown and a Turkish birthday party.

We love the exposure to different cultures and people here in Los Angeles.

Having a good moment.

A not-so-good moment.

A weekend at the beach.

The water was so sparkly.

Be careful with those little ones.

Evan wasn't so sure about that cold water... but was okay as long as Daddy held him.

I have never known my father to be caught anywhere without a book. 

Building a fort.

Where have Hailey and Evan gone? Do you see them?

They were hiding in the hole.

Evan has had enough for one day.

Steve is the fun parent.

Evan just wanted to shake the umbrella and climb on my dad...so much for reading.

Steve wanted a break.... and then Evan decided he would make a good trampoline.

On Labor Day we headed to a different beach down in Malibu where we watched some dolphins swim really close to shore.

Enjoying a cookie... even if it is sandy.

Hailey wanted to help dry Evan off.

You need one person to build... 

...and one to destroy.

There were lots of things to find hidden at the tide pools.

Like starfish.

See the little white crab?

Hailey wanted to ride the boogie board down the sand dune.

And now, time to go home.

Attempted Malibu Camp Out

Free as a bird in her camping dress. If you haven't heard, she hates pants. Not worth the fight she puts up.

My sister Kendra wanted to go camping one last time with the family before she entered the MTC.

Steve had to work the next morning so he just came up for the evening and was going to go home at night.

We don't own any camping equipment. We were just going to sleep in my family's tent.

Instead of traditional tin foil dinners we had terriyaki chicken, rice, and vegetables.

You camp in this area with trees and grass, and then across the street is the beach.

Hailey and Evan thought it was fun to play in the tent until it got dark... then it wasn't so much fun.

I was somewhat hesitant to come and stay without Steve's help. Evan, who is not a great sleeper, has started teething and is very fussy during the night. His crying wakes Hailey and before you know it you have two screamers and no one gets any sleep. In the end we went home with Steve because I knew if I stayed with the two little ones no one within a mile radius would get any sleep. Just trying to be courteous.

Steve said the people at the campground next to us looked relieved when they saw the kids get in the car to go home. I am pretty sure they heard Hailey screaming when she smashed her hand in the car door. The had already been screaming and crying before we decided to go home. Better luck next time.

A quick walk to the beach while the sun was setting.

Playing in the sand in the dark.

Time to get that fire going.

Still glad we came up for the time we did, even though we ended up going home.

So sleepy..... must be all the fire smoke that wiped him out.

Hailey was funny - she didn't want a metal stick for her marshmallow - she found a stick on the ground she wanted to use instead.