July

4th of July we began our camping trip to Lake Casitas up near Ventura. We were all filthy dirty from head to toe for 4 days and on overdrive from lack of sleep, but came home with really good memories. Our spot was overlooking the lake and had a playground next door, the weather was beautiful and hot, and nights were cool but not too cold. We saw deer, bald eagles, snakes, and tons and tons of cute little beasts called squirrels that chewed through our water bottles, paper towels and even our tent! Chase shot 4 with his BB gun :/  Along with a rattlesnake which the guys attempted to eat for dinner and all spit out because it tasted horrible. 

The first night was the 4th so we drove to the high school there in Ojai and watched the fireworks which was cut short after a ground level explosion. We later found out the guy putting it on was burned badly and transported to a burn unit in LA. Ugh. Speaking of burns... this is horrible and puts knots in my stomach to remember, but we had an accident that first night.... We had bought a pack of sparklers at the gas station and Hunter and the older kids were being really careful and having a blast playing with them. Chase lit one for me and Skyler to hold for a picture, she was on my lap and grabbed it and burned her poor little hand. :( It was really bad and blistered and she cried so hard. I dont think I've ever felt worse in my life. 

Moving on, we went to the waterpark on Friday and the kids loved it! Chase and my favorite was floating around the lazy river but that was too boring for the kids. They liked the slides and splash park, of course. The kids took their naps every day in the car with the AC on because it was way too hot to sleep in the tent. We roasted s'mores every night and told stories around the campfire, did a little fishing with no luck, and threw a lot of rocks into the water. We attended the junior ranger program sunday morning before we left where hunter and skyler earned their first patches :) 

Aside from the burn and a few noisy and inconsiderate neighbors, we had a good time and look forward to exploring new camping spots in and around california as the kids get older. We have one more trip planned later this summer with Chase's mom and Tom. Can't wait!

On our way home we stopped at an Ehrlich reunion and saw some of the Utah Ehrlichs and also Chase's "Aunt Pat", MaryLou's sister who visits rarely, such a fun afternoon being with the whole awesome family.

Since my parents and Grandma were touring Europe during my brother's birthday, we spent the day with him at Knott's Berry Farm and had a blast. As always, the kids love spending time with Uncle Andrew. And eating funnel cake.

Hunter has been on summer break from preschool for the past 5 weeks and returns the first week in August.  We passed the time with 2 sessions of swimming lessons and he is looking forward to seeing his teacher and friends again. We ended the month with Jake's Celebration of Life in Coto de Caza. It was such a perfect service full of laughter and great memories. His family made the best video of pictures and old family movies. The air force held the traditional gun shots and flag folding, it was unreal. Jake's high school youth leader led the service and told great stories he heard from Jake's friends. It was cool to remember him as he was, such a comedian, so full of laughter and jokes and adventure, lifting everyone's spirits even in a moment like this.  Miss him so much already.