Swim Lessons!

While we were in CA, Will was able to take swim lessons and he learned A LOT!  He was scared to put his head under at first, but just a couple days in, I had to tell him to STOP putting his head under all the time during class, and listen to the teacher.  :)  He learned some swim strokes and can now "swim" on his own (when he is feeling brave enough).

Will got really good at using the kick board.

Will worked up his bravery and was able to jump in the deep end by himself!  Here he is holding hands with the teacher, but the next jump (which I was not able to get on video) he jumped completely unassisted!  Sorry about the sideways frame.

Sea World

Since we were already in California for Carl's schooling, we decided to go to Sea World for a fun day (which has an amazing discount for military families---thank you Sea World!).  It was a wonderful day.  To top it off, we got to visit some military friends who now live in CA afterward ) unfortunately we don't have any pictures of that .  

Will LOVED watching the whale show.  This show alone was well worth the trip.  Pretty amazing creatures!

This was a slow elevator-like ride that let us see all around the park.

There was a fun obstacle course thing for children that Will did multiple times.  Nets, tubes, and bridges...

Bouncy floor.

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives Restaurants

For anyone that doesn't know, there is a show on The Food Network called Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.  The host travels around the country and samples featured entrees from "diners, drive-ins, and dives" across the country.  There are two restaurants that were featured on the show located near us here in California, so we decided to sample them both and we were glad we did!  :)

Pops and Deedee were able to go with us to "The Kitchen".  

Daddy had the same thing that Guy Fieri had on the show.  A lamb burger.  Yum!

There was even live music!  Will loved listening to this man sing and play guitar.

Our second restaurant was "Pete's Breakfast House".  It was delicious!

A monkey in my monkey's pancake.  :)

Beach Body

We went to the local beach here on July 4th and Will went CRAZY for the beach!  He hasn't been since he's really been old enough to enjoy the ocean, and we discovered that this kid is a little bit fearless when it comes to the waves.  He had so much fun, he was covered with sand, head-to-toe!  Even found it in his armpits??  He squealed with delight running from the waves and before long was throwing himself down, sitting, waiting for them to come up over him.  It was a great time.

Running from the waves.

He sat down, but the tide was lower than he expected, so he kept scooting toward it to sit in it. :)

Scooting...

Finally scooted his way into it.  :)

Running from the waves.

Will doing what we called "sand break-dancing".  :)

Backpacking in Arizona

While visiting the grandparents in Arizona we took a little family camping trip.  First we hiked, then we camped.  Will even carried his own pack!

At the trail head.

The boys all strapped up and ready to go!

On the trail!

Will was a trooper!

At the camp site.

Yes, there are rivers in Arizona!  ;)

Boiling up some drinking water.  Daddy is the best camp cook.

Nature's cooler.  :)

Will loved to walk out to this rock and play in the stream.

Playing hide-and-seek. 

This boy LOVES his daddy.

Just waking up!

Breakfast before we head home.