Summer vacation in Carlsbad

We spent some time with Ally enjoying  all that Carlsbad has to offer.  It's something we all look forward to each year.  

We spent lots of time at the beach

 

I thought we brought some sparklers from a clearance isle in Utah.  Nope they were smoke bombs. 

Legoland is always a treat

Emily, Jane, Ally and I spent some time school shopping.  

We also spent lots of time just milling around Ally's house and taking walks to 7-11

silly side.

As an "old soul" Jane is often seen as always serious.   Yet there's another side to Jane that she only shows her most trusted people.   It's the silly side of Jane.  I wish I could share all the many trivial videos she films of herself on my phone.   They are hilarious!  She gets this way almost instantly when she is with her cousin Bryler.  They turn any situation into a good time including a trip to Home Depot.   Sometimes at home when she's a little bored and often when she's goofing off with Spencer.     I've seen my sister Sarah turn moody Jane into giggly Jane and she's a good enough sport to go along with Bentley and the other girl cousins calling her "Janice"     

We love all the sides of Jane.  

P.S.  Jane is going to die and get so mad at me for this post.  

 

Lagoon with the other cousins

 Lagoon is usually a Richards cousin thing but this summer the Pace cousins came all together.   I love that everyone has a friend.   The 4 older girl cousins are besties and go kind to all the littles.   Dayson, William and Aaron got a long great with no hesitations on any rides.   The little girls  Avaya, Hazel, Clara nd Bergun are so kind to each other.   Spencer rotates between being besties with the Clara and Bergun and Roy and Maddix.     

Prior to Lagoon we all spent some summer time in Teasdale.  I honestly had no idea what the kids were doing because I was busy putting the house together.  We also stopped by Sarah's house so the kids got some horse riding in.  

Lets Play lots of music

Spring means of concerts for all my kids.   Emily's chambers orchestra was finally able to perform in person.   She loved performing with the other philharmonic orchestras which meant hanging with her friends.  

She's a good friend to others and in return they are good to her.   They came and supported her concert with flowers at the end.  

Emily also participating in solo ensemble with the school. It was all done virtually.   She made it to regions receiving superiors all around.  Thanks Grandma Becky for accompanying her.  

Jane and Emily's piano recital 

Aaron rocked the Let's play music "Bridges" program.  The lets play music program is top notch but this bridges program blows it out of the water.   Let's just say he occasionally helped his sisters with their "theory" worksheets.    I ran into Aaron's teacher at a restaurant and she commented that he is always prepared, conscientious  and one of her best students.   

  

Spencer finished his first year of lets play music!   He caught on to the catchy songs quickly although he seldom sand in class but often shared his beautiful voice with us at home.   

Spencer often fought with me and in class to practice his bells part.  Thank heavens for his sparkly understanding teacher who patiently showed him and me the love we needed to stick with it.  When it was his turn he walked right up there and without skipping a beat nailed it with such confidence.   It gave me the motivation I needed to not give up and keep him in the program.  

Onward and upward they all continue to grow with their music skills.  I'm proud of each one of them!