Grandma Kathy's Pics & Vids

Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom left today, but before they left I was able to steal some of her beautiful pics. I love the light captured in the restaurant pics and I love the video she took of Eden's flip in! I'm afraid it did not transfer well from phone to phone to youtube but I love that it captures the movement at least. We were sad to see Grandma Kathy & Grandpa Tom go but hopefully it won't be too long before we see them again. 

Eden's Flip In

Back to Rivi again!

Saying our Goodbyes...

Grandma Kathy & Grandpa Tom Come to PLAY!!

Grandma Kathy & Grandpa Tom decided to come for a quick trip this weekend. I am hoping we did not cause any permanent damage trying to squeeze in as much fun as we could muster into these few hours with them. We started the day at Rivi where Grandma Kathy was such a trooper playing in the water with Eden almost the entire time. I knew after watching five minutes of their water play just how spent Grandma Kathy would be by the end of the day, and again hopefully it is nothing a good night of sleep won't cure. After the beach, we had a nice luxurious afternoon at home while Zion napped, in which Eden remained in her wetsuit the entire time taking her beach stoke to an all new level. After nap and lunch time we headed to the pool (unfortunately I wasn't able to get any swimming pics, maybe Grandma Kathy could share some of hers (: ). Zion was swimming really well at the pool today, he gets it more and more every day. He also did a lot better with his tantrums and his listening today which was such a breath of fresh air, so nice to feel like we are making progress with that. After the pool, we ended the day with pizza and pasta by the pier. Couldn't have dreamed up a more wonderful day! We are so grateful to Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom for making time to come and play with us!

Eden was killing it on her boogie in the water today. She hasn't had the opportunity to boogie for a while...normally Zi occupies it and for some reason we never bring two. But since we had two today, Eden took full advantage and had the time of her life!

TRAIN!

Such a highlight of having beach days at Rivi

This is an awful picture but I love how it captures Zion's pure joy over seeing the train go by.

Zi digging for berry treasures in the granola

 Grandma Kathy & Eden searching for crab treasures in the sand.

Because every post beach lunch should be eaten in a wetsuit.

And every post beach story time 

And every post beach play dough time

I love the synchrony of Grandma Kathy & Zion's expressions here.

Zi lovin on Grandma Kathy the only way he really knows how - by tackling!

Eden's Hopscotch

Eden is just starting to figure out Hopscotch and she is so so proud of herself. I LOVE the way she tries to jump on one foot!

Zion's Boogie

Zion is pretty funny on his boogie board. I realized recently that I didn't have any video of him in action. It's pretty hard to get good video because I have to spot him pretty close (without touching his board because he absolutely does not want any help, and if you do touch his board he has an absolute fit like you just ruined the perfect wave for him..), but I digress...these two videos are pretty good and they generally capture the spirit of his pure joy on his boogie in the waves.

Rivi Evening

Every beach has it's charm, and Rivi has captivated us with it's all around fun factor. It's relatively easy to access, Jon can surf decent waves, Eden can kind of surf, Zi can kind of boogie, best swimming beach around, and the beach with the least amount of rocks around. We spent this past Sunday evening there and it was one of those evenings that made us wonder why every evening is not spent in the exact same way. 

Below are a few videos from Rivi. The first one is of Zi catching a wave in on the big board with Jon, and the second one is of Eden surfing, and the third is of Zi's antics while Jon is in the water with Eden. In this third video I catch the tail end of what looked like a pretty awesome wave of Eden's.

Zion's look says it all - "What is with these two?" or more aptly "What does she got that I don't?" And our answer to him every time...a couple of years and that's it. 

Zion trying to show Dad that he has what it takes.

Doheny

We have long been told (and certainly Jon always knew) that Doheny is an excellent spot for beginner surfers but it has taken us until now to finally break out of our rhythm and actually try it. It turns out that the hype did not disappoint. It is not as perfect as Cardiff but the closest thing to it around here and both Eden and Zi love it!

Eden trying to carry her board out. I am very proud of both my kids for always trying to be such big helpers, each always with their own load, on the way to and from the beach.

Below is the best wave sequence I got of Eden from this day. I was pretty proud of the way she handled the end of the wave, lying back down and such. I myself would have probably stayed in position, pearled, and eaten it very badly.

Zion's Turn

Zion waiting not so patiently for his turn

One of Eden's favorite things to do is stand on the board and jump into the water.

Zion throwing one of his customary fits for another turn /:

His wish is granted

Eden is thrilled to be pushing Zi into waves, while Jon stands at an arms reach to catch.

 Swim!

Eden definitely seems to prefer it to anything. All day long that is all she wants to do, swim, swim swim!

Klamath

Summertime is difficult for Klamath. He is used to accompanying us everywhere. Any time we start packing up the car he is the first one to settle in so as not to be left behind. During the summer he has to stay home more often, it's too hot for him to stay in the car and the beaches are too crowded for him to join. This past week Jon had to physically remove him from the car - I was struck by how at home he appeared to be in Jonny's arms...and I was reminded of a time when he was our only baby and we would carry him everywhere like this. Up the sides of jagged cliffs to reach the base of a climbing route, from the couch to bed, literally everywhere almost any chance we got.