A Sizzlin' Summer!

Well, we Normans certainly know how to have a fabulous summer, despite 108 degree temps! (No, 108 is not a type-o.)

We kicked off our summer by going to the Fresno Zoobalation. It was toasty, but a fanastic evening at the zoo, for members only. We got to go behind the scenes and walk through the elephant exhibit... Jennah was in heaven! We even got carrots to feed to the elephants! We topped off the evening with a yummy dinner at where else... but the Elephant Bar restaurant.

Jennah is quite the source of entertainment.... shorts are the new hat... didn't you know!?! This is what happens when it's too hot and the only thing left to do is strip down to get cool. I'll spare the pictures of Andy and I.

The rest of the 1st week of summer vacation was spent packing, cleaning the house (which seriously has been neglected), and getting the car ready for our trip down to Fallbrook (near San Diego). Father's Day weekend we down to Cousin Shannyn's Graduation/Moving Away Party. We're sad to see her go, but SOO proud of her and the new life she's about to start in Chicago!

While in So Cal, we got to meet our new Cousin Danica. She is as precious as they come! A girl version of Cousin Ryan for sure!

Cooking up a great Father's Day breakfast, Jennah and Ryan.... the chefs!!

The trip home was long. Thank goodness for Grandmas in the back seat!
Are we there yet?
Thanks for driving fast Andy (Happy Father's Day!! xoxo)
Thank goodness for cameras... which provide a source of entertainment on the drive. They are great for capturing Jennah's point of view... and oh-so-important things to document.... like Mom.... aka "the co-pilot"... and of course things like


interior car lights??
Guess it is the little things that we need to appreciate.

Jennah and I also did our first Girls-Only-Road-Trip.... to Monterey (where else!?)
I was a bit nervous, but with the car road-worthy as possible, cell phones charged, and snacks at arm's distance... we embarked on a wonderful trip! It was a nice reprieve from the Fresno heat.

On the way there we stopped for a break at Casa de Fruita.... where we encountered.... PEACOCKS!

This is monumental because this movie:
And if you have a little girl in YOUR home... chances are, you've seen it too!

The real purpose behind the trip was to meet up with my best friend from 3rd grade!! AMY.
I totally believe that people are placed in our lives for a reason.
Friends are not chance meetings.
When I moved in 3rd grade, Amy was the only girl that came right up to me and introduced herself to me. At church the following week, she recognized me and instantly we were connected. A few years later when her family moved away to the Bay area, I remember telling my parents that we needed to move, since my best friend moved. That's when we moved from So Cal to Fresno/Clovis. Our families kept in touch... but time flies and we all get busy. Well...fast forward to college... and through a mutual friend we were reunited over 800 miles away from our homes. Coincidence, I think not. We again lost touch... until FACEBOOK! We again have reunited and made a chance to see each other... meeting up at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. A dream come true!
It was surreal to see our children playing together... especially because her daughter, Pearl, is almost the age we were when Amy and I met.



Of course, Jennah LOVED the Aquarium and has asked EVERYDAY since to return.
She learned how to "pet" starfish, with one soft finger. She also appointed herself as an Aquarium Docent by making sure other visitors handled the starfish appropriately. I was a bit embarrassed when she scolded a lady in her 60's + for not touching correctly. Rules... are meant to be followed!
Our home developer held a "neighborhood event" at the park across the street. It was over 105 degrees, but we were out there, eating ice cream and playing in the water. Jennah fell in love with the slip n' slide... she didn't quite get the hang of the running or sliding... guess we'll have to get Uncle Travis over to show her what it's really meant to do.

They also had an inflatable water slide (what will they think of next!?!?)... Jennah wasn't too sure about it...
but loved splashing in the landing pool until it was ready to use.

Maggie Moo's ice cream... to top it off!
Can you tell that Jennah was really into the ice cream.... the sincerity of it all!
Loved living right across the street... makes for easy clean up!