Hunter's 70th (week 500)

Can you believe it?  This is the 500th entry that I have made in the weekly blog since I was born!  Although some of the entries have been more exciting than others (such is life), we have plugged along with photos and memories to revisit someday when we are old and gray.  At least they can't say that we didn't try to record the highlights and low lights of our lives!

After a week of Rancho Camps, we all headed North to San Luis Obispo to spend time with our cousins from Virginia and celebrate Hunter's 70th Surprise Birthday Party.  It was a last minute change in plans due to last week's loss to Orange in the Pony U9 Super Regional Baseball Tournament, but it was a blessing in disguise.

Zak, Kate, Ryan, Jack, and Anna were staying at Grandma Paula's house for the week since Grandma Paula and Grandpa Mike were out of town--hiking the Sierra's with Uncle Ron and Aunt Karen.  It worked out perfectly because we stayed with Grandpa John and Grammy while we attended the 70th Birthday for Hunter.  After the party, we got to go swimming at Avila Bay Resort, body board at Avila Beach, and eat pizza at the Woodfire Grill near Sycamore Mineral Springs.  On Sunday, we attended Mt. Carmel Church, went body boarding again at Avila, visited Great Grandma Betty, and went to a barbecue at Larry Smyth's house.   He has the best house because he overlooks a giant field and has a golf ball driving range out of his back patio.

It was great to see Ryan, Jack and Anna for the 2nd straight Summer.  They are getting much bigger (like us), and they are super fun to hang around with.  Our various personalities are starting to emerge more and more.  Chris (48 lbs) and Anna like to play My Little Pony, while I (71 lbs) am still obsessed with competing at any sport or game that I can find.  Ryan is definitely on his feet and taking off, while Jack has mellowed a bit since last Summer when he was tackling everything (and everyone).  While Zak and Dad talk about male pattern baldness more and more, Kate is busy chasing Ryan around.  Mom is still stressed out about our eating choices, but less concerned about the immediate threat of self-destruction that we once posed.

All-in-all, we are pretty normal and feeling pretty good that we made it to 500 weeks!