Shillig 4 Family

After some pizza on the beach for lunch and being lathered in sunscreen the kids began to dig and build.  I kept Solomon in the stroller and under the umbrella most of the day.  Next time I don't think I'll even bother putting him in a suit, he gets so sweaty!  I just loved holding him and looking at his sweet face and the kids with Jake down by the water.  They hauled LOTS of water back and forth.  It takes team work!  Aimi Lark was the first surfer of the day.  Jake says she did fantastic!  She told me afterward that she had to learn her balance.   Joby's mind is very mechanical in thinking.  He built roads, made castles, and I had to keep him from talking to other people.  I think he'd have just wandered off and made friends elsewhere if I'd have let him.  Delaney also totally rocked on the surf board.   Malachi's turn was coming.  He asked Jake to go but I don't know if he knew exactly what he was gett...

We made a quick little stop at this famous speedway on our way to the beach today.  He was impressed, but wished he could see the cars race.  Sorry buddy, not today.

What are these boys up to these days?   Beau is headed to youth conference with our stake this weekend where he'll hear from the likes of Brad Wilcox.  Brad Wilcox spoke to us in my stake when I was his age.  Beau has put in for an earlier ship date with the Navy, and he's hoping that goes through.  As you can guess he's anxious to get his "real" life started.  He spent a week in Destin, FL recently.   Brody went to a week of scout camp back in June.  He's playing a lot of video games.  He is obsessed with his iPod touch and the skype/oovoo feature as a way to keep up with all his friends.  He does make sure and come out of his room every so often to torture/play with the children.  As you can see in the above picture he gets REALLY creative. Thank you boys so very very much for not being rebellious, I truly appreciate it.

Last night when Jake got home from school he rewarded our sweet girls with a little date night.  He told them it was because they took such great naps!  (they slept for like 3 hours)  Jake took the girls to see Zoo Keeper and he said it had some really funny parts.  It took the girls awhile to realize it was in fact a "kid movie" because to them if there aren't actual kids in the movie they don't always get it right away.  I love when the kids get to feel special and go on dates.  Oh and Yes they are in their pajamas, they were fresh out of the bath when Jake got home from school.

Jake took Joby out today on a transformers man-date.  Jake was so proud of Joby for taking care of Bumble Bee that he rewarded him with a fun outing.  Want to know the history of Bumble Bee?  Well when Jake graduated from AIT (advanced individual training) in Fort Huachuca, AZ he got that toy as his gift.  It cost me a fortune, but true to his word he has treasured it ever since. 

Delaney yells out, "CAROLINE,  joby's trying to lick me!" Jake says, "That means he loves you." I scold and explain our "no licking " policy. Joby says,  "but I love her" I say, "Well you can love her But don't lick her."

A value that is so important for Jake and that he works hard to teach our children (and my siblings) is GRATITUDE.   As we were leaving the BBQ Mali Su says, "That was really fun Dad, Thanks" He said it was so genuine. Tonight I went into the kids room and Mali Su said, "Mom, I love this hotel." I said, "You do?" she responded, "Yeah, it has this rabbit show."  (on TV is Bugs Bunny) As I was leaving their room (we are connected by a bathroom) she said, "Can we stay  here for a long time?" I told her no that we had to leave tomorrow but that we'd come back again sometime.   Then Aimi Lark said, "but it's far away." I am so glad the kids are loving this vacation as much as we are.