Lakeside Fireworks

After our original 4th of July plans fell through at the last minute, Jei & I weren't all that disappointed... because what we did instead would've been hard to beat! With no plans and just about no time to make any, Jei remembered seeing something online about Lake Elsinore firing off their fireworks over the lake again for the 4th. They hadn't done their lakeside firework show since we last went and saw them back when we used to live there... and it was a pretty good show. So with nothing else to do - we decided to hit the lake that evening for the big 4th of july fireworks show... and got there just in time to watch the sun set behind the mountains.

We were smart & brought our bikes. With some really good weather and a beautiful view, the ride was perfect! But more importantly, we didn't have to walk all the way in to where we wanted to watch the fireworks.

Allen of course tagged along too...

and was chauffeured around like a king!

After a nice little ride, we stopped so that Allen

could scope out a good place to set up camp.

"Hmmm... I don't know guys - 

I think this spot is as good as it's gonna get!"

We quickly set up shop...

and then began to stuff our faces with food.

Food... check. Beverage... check. Patriotic shirt... check.

All this kid needed was some fireworks!

There was actually quite a few boats out on the lake...

and Allen made sure to point out each and every one!

"'Dad?' 'Yes son.' 'We have a boat, right?' 'Yes, yes we do.' 'Then why aren't we out on the lake like everybody else?' 'Shut up and watch the fireworks!'"

There was a really cool breeze coming off the lake - which made waiting for the show very comfortable & enjoyable... but once the sun disappeared and the fireworks started, it was a tad bit chilly! 

Hard to believe the last time we were here for the 4th of July fireworks show was when we were still living in Elsinore and Allen wasn't even born yet! Life sure has gotten better since then, that's for sure. And hopefully the fireworks show has gotten better too.

Between watching all the boats and a few random fireworks going off around the lake... we all managed to keep occupied and stay patient while we waited for the big show to start.

And when it did...

it certainly didn't disappoint!

Like I said... with that constant breeze it got down right chilly, so we made sure to cover up and snuggle as we watched all the pretty fireworks! 

It looks like Allen is sleeping here... but trust us, he was wide awake and loving all those big booms and sparkling lights in the night sky!

For being kind of last second... the lakeside firework show turned out to be a great idea. The fireworks were spectacular and we all had a really good time. Definitely not a bad way to spend our 4th of July evening. 

Staying Cool

With the weekend forecast predicting 100-plus temperatures, we decided it would be a good idea to leave the hot weather behind and get out of town for a few days. We packed our bags, hopped in our friends Suburban, and headed to... Hell! Well, not really... it was just Laughlin, Nevada... but with temperatures in the mid 120's, it sure did feel like we were in the Devil's Kitchen! Of course once we got there that evening, we immediately turned on our hotel room's A/C, set it to 'arctic-cold', and got comfy.

A big' ole hat and lots of sunscreen...

Allen was as protected as he was gonna get!

It was definitely HOT! But once it gets over 110 degrees... it's hard to differentiate between 112 and 122! Unfortunately, being out on the water didn't cool us off much at all.

A few of the older kids were smart though...

and tried to cool off behind the boat on the tube.

Being on the boat or on shore was just about unbearable... so the shade, chairs, and of course all of us went right into the water... and it felt oh-so-good!

The adults weren't the only ones staying cool in the water. Allen made friends with a turtle and once they both hit the water... well, I think the pics speak for themselves!

We put off lunch as late as we could... I don't think either one of us were looking forward to getting up on shore and standing by a hot charcoal grill in 120-plus degree heat. But we toughed it out and it was totally worth it cause that carne was delicious!

Lunch time in the water! Between the cool water, the ice cold beer, and the yummy meal, we were all happy little campers!

A few of the kids continued snacking on the boat after lunch. Between the two of these little ones, they could eat an entire bag of chips!

Out on the water again that afternoon...

and the snacking continued!

"Hurry up and fall off already guys!

My Momma said I could go next!"

An extremely full belly, the hum of the engine, and the motion of the boat only added up to one thing for Allen... nap time!

The next day Allen was just as excited as we were to get on the boat again and cruise the River on another super hot day! 

Unlike his Daddy, Allen worked hard

to tan those pasty white arms & legs of his. 

Besides the fish and a few birds around, the only wildlife we absolutely did not expect to see at the River was a wild Donkey! 

We felt sorry for him... being out in that heat, lonely and probably hungry, so I took it upon myself to feed it a half-eaten hamburger of ours... which he gobbled up in no time at all!

He was so grateful...

that he insisted on a group photo!

Once our Donkey friend left...

it was back in the water to cool off and play.

Later that afternoon, we all piled into the boat again

and cruised on over to our favorite jump-rock.

Allen stayed in the boat and enjoyed watching all the crazy boys jump into the water... but I have a feeling he wanted to be jumping with us instead!

"Are you sure I can't go in and jump too Mah?!"

Trying to catch a mini-football after jumping off a cliff...

not as easy as you'd think!

"Good job Daddy! It wasn't pretty...

but at least you caught the ball!"

"What d'ya mean I have crazy hair?"

Only one way down... and it looked a lot further

from up top than it looked from the boat!

After doing all the jumps we wanted... and didn't want to do,

we all got in the boat and cruised up River.

Allen & I couldn't help but smile ear to ear!

We both love being on the boat with our friends and family!

That big ominous cloud of darkness didn't look good to us either! So we packed up and headed in... and said goodbye to the Colorado.

Good times at the River! It was a hot one for sure...

but we stayed cool and had a really good time!

Quality Time

Two months. That's how long it had been since Moe-Joe's last visit, and exactly how long she had Allen Jess withdrawal... before she just had to come out and visit us once again. And as you might have guessed... Allen was thoroughly excited to see his Moe-Joe!

Moe-Joe left Dad-Oh behind this time... so that her & Allen (and the iPad of course!) could enjoy some quality time together.

Summer time was upon us, and that meant it was hot out...

which in turn meant two things:

Many afternoon hours spent playing in the pool...

and lots of wasted water!

Naked-time playing in the pool with Moe-Joe...

definitely one of Allen's favorite activities!

The kiddie pool certainly wasn't the only pool they played in! 

The big pool got some use in as well.

Moe-Joe & Allen practically kicked Jei & I out of the house one night! They apparently didn't want us around... so we happily went out, had date-night, and enjoyed our time together... just the two of us!

Lunch time at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Not exactly patient when it comes to waiting on our food...

Allen kept busy playing with his puzzle.

Playing & learning on the iPad...

definitely a nightly occurrence with these two!

According to Moe-Joe, Allen always did such a good job

and was always earning gold stars...

Which meant he deserved a good helping of ice-cream!

Waking up and stuffing your face with bacon...

Mornings just don't get any better than that!

That afternoon we spent some time playing at the park.

And then we rode our bikes to Allen & Moe-Joe's

favorite outdoor eatery... The Mill!

Playing iPad games with Moe-Joe

while getting fed snacks by Mommy...

Life is pretty darn good I'd say!

Moe-Joe & Allen... hand in hand, happy as can be, and just about inseparable... whether it was in the house coming down the stairs...

Or outside walking around in the backyard...

Or even together playing in the waterfall...

It didn't much matter where they were (or how few clothes Allen had on)... they were always having a good time.

Being outside playing in the pool & the waterfall is one thing... but add some bubble-blowing and it's a whole new ballgame!

Nothing brings a smile to his face like chasing bubbles around!

"I am the king of this backyard!!!"

It wouldn't be a SoCal visit without a delicious Peony's meal!

Allen loves his noodles!

Moe-Joe's visits always seem to go by so darn fast. Probably because we always have so much fun. It's just too bad our ride back to the airport didn't go by just as fast. We may have had a lot of traffic... but we certainly had our fun. 

This is Allen...

not realizing his Moe-Joe is about to leave...

and in his usual happy mood!  

And this is Allen...

after realizing his Moe-Joe just left to go back to Florida. 

Thank you Moe-Joe for coming out and visiting us!

We love having your here and can't wait to see you again!