End of Summer Fun

Here's some random shots from our last few weeks of August. It has been a fun, and very full summer. Even though the weather isn't cooling down, we are moving into a fall routine in the next few weeks so it feels like summer is coming to an end. Coming soon... pictures of our Labor Day trip to the mountains!

So precious!

When we were at the San Diego Zoo Micah had fun watching the "Splash Artist" painting. This is his rendition of splash art on the chalkboard.

Finger painting fun

Feeding Baby sis

We spent one evening with several families from our church at a local park for a picnic. Sadly, the playground at the park was closed. Micah wasn't too concerned though - He told me, "That's ok mom. I'll just play in the dirt."

He also had fun on someone's tricycle...

Running down the hill with the kids...

and throwing water balloon granades.

The weather is still quite warm so we're getting lots of time in the pool. Here's Micah with Daddy and Sofia.

Ashlyn is 5 months old!

The last night of Kidsfest. Micah has had a blast with Kidsfest this summer. It is our church's VBS program. On Sunday evenings during the last 10 weeks he has been learning about sin and salvation. And it has prompted some great lunchtime discussions about Jesus dying on the cross to save us from our sin. In addition to being taught, the kids also engaged in games, crafts and dinner. Here are the 4 year olds during game time.

Micah and Cole walking to their next activity.

Painting! So fun!

While Micah was busy painting, Ashlyn was enjoying playing with her feet in the nursery. She's been a regular in there for about a month now, and is joined by about 6-8 other babies within about 2 months of her age. We have lots of babies at our church!!

Hanging out with Auntie Vonna

Our last pool day at the Hoglos this summer. Micah likes to play in the wading pool since he is tall enough to touch.

Enjoying lunch with Baby sis

Ashlyn has been having fun sitting at the table with us while we eat. I love the Bumbo seat! What a great invention!

Once she got the tray off she figured she should try to eat it since she sees us eating the things set before us on the table.

San Diego

This past week we spent a wonderful 3 days in San Diego with my dear friend Kathleen. I worked for Kathleen for 6 years at College of the Canyons before Micah was born, and she has remained a part of our family even though I don't work for her anymore. She recently moved to San Diego and invited us to come spend time with her so we took advantage of a little vacation time to do just that. It was a wonderful visit and we fell in love with San Diego. She lives just 2 blocks from Mission Bay ~ who wouldn't love that?!! Thanks for a wonderful time Kathleen! It was so good to see you again!

Taking a walk down to the Bay

We spent one day at the San Diego Zoo. What a great place! We loved the design of this zoo and how close you could get to some of the animals. It is so big that we didn't get to see all of it, but we really enjoyed what we did see.

Have you even seen a koala move? Since they live in trees you would think they would be really nimble moving around on the branches, but not this guy. He moved ever so timidly, carefully getting a good grip before advancing the other arm forward. It was so fun to watch him though. Doesn't he look so cute? Makes me want to pet him.

Micah enjoyed getting close to the elephant

His favorite animal was the sea lion

But the best part of the day was the Skyfari Aerial Tram!!!

While we were looking at this reindeer, surrounded by many other admiring guests of the zoo, Micah loudly commented, "Hey Daddy! Do the reindeer have meat?" "We should shoot one! They'd be good to eat." I was horrified, but Nathan just laughed. This kid needs to move to Idaho so he can go hunting.

Although I don't think she cared much for the animals, Ashlyn had a fun day chewing on her links.

Micah fell down while climbing on a rock so we made a trip to the First Aid station to get bandaged up.

As I said, the tram was a hit, so we rode it 4 times that day.

Lovin' on my buddy boy

Our last day there we enjoyed a picnic on the beach

Then we rented a pedalboat so Micah could get out in the Bay.

I wasn't so thrilled though when the boys yelled out, "Watch this!" I looked up to find Micah flying off the boat. Good thing he had swimming lessons last week!!!

Kathleen and Ashlyn enjoyed hanging out on the beach

Once we returned the boat, Micah spent the rest of the time building a river bed in the sand and filling it with water.

Micah and Cookie

Micah, Cookie, Kathleen, and Ashlyn

Time Off with Daddy

August brought with it several days of vacation to play with Daddy. We really enjoyed spending time together as a family, relaxing at home and having a few adventures out and about...

Daddy and Micah spent several days in the pool for swimming lessons. Micah has always loved the water, but now he is becoming a really good swimmer. One day I told him that I thought he was a better swimmer than me now, so he is quick to repeat that comment to anyone that sees him swim!

Learning to twist so he can come up for air

And of course, there has to be play time after the lesson is over!

We had a few quiet days at home to just relax. Here's Ashlyn practicing on her tummy.

Making sissy smile!

The weather has been quite warm here so the boys tried to cool off outside with a water balloon fight. They had tons of fun and even enticed some of the neighbor kids to come play with them.

Daddy started off gentle

But Micah was ready to fight

In the end Micah was soaked

Finally... A Day at the Beach

I'm sad to say that it is August and we are just now making our first trip to the beach. But since it stays warm well past the end of August, I'm sure we'll make it out there again several more times this year.
This was Ashlyn's first trip to the beach. She enjoyed the light breeze blowing on her face, but she could do without the sun in her eyes.

Although she almost always wants to stand, this time she was only content to sit (in the sand of course!) I think we have finally gotten all the sand out of her hair, clothes, blankets, etc.

As always, Josiah and Micah had a blast. I'm not sure if they realized there was an ocean next to them though as they spent most of the time playing in the sand.

After seeing some other kids digging a hole, they decided to dig their own hole. With the Olympics in China this year, they decided to dig a hole to China...


By the end of the day, a hole big enough to sit in and get covered up in was much preferable than a hole all the way to China.

After her escapade in the sand, Ashlyn was content to sleep in the shade of the umbrella.


Joshua enjoyed a nice nap snuggled up against his mommy.

Following a day in the sun, we all enjoyed a nice dinner at Wood Ranch. Thanks Micah! It was so yummy!!

The babies got to look at each other while the rest of us ate.

We ended the night with a game of pinochle - boys against girls. Since it has been nearly a year since we played (thanks to pregnancy sickness and new babies), Bonnie and I were quite proud of our family and double pinochle. Watch out boys - next time we may get a double family!