California -- June 2010

Jeff and the kids took a road trip to California after school ended in June.  In fact, the whole Banks family went, except for Jen who had to stay back home and work.  The kids had a GREAT time playing at the beach with their cousins.  Oh yeah, they got to go to DISNEYLAND, too!  I think the highlight for both was their "Jedi Training" in which they learned light-saber techniques and fought/defeated Darth Vader.

Spring Break - Stops in Utah

While driving South during Spring Break, we couldn't get away with not visiting the family!  And why not throw in a Jazz game while we're there?

EASTER EGG HUNT TIME!

JAZZ FANATICS!

I'm a pretty good face-painter, huh?

Spring Break – Road Trip in THE VAN!

…these events actually happened at the end of MARCH but I am a procrastinating blogger…sorry!

Jeff spent 3 months taking tender loving care of his new/old GMC Vandura camper van and was extremely excited to take the family on a Spring Break road trip to Southern Utah.  He had it packed and ready to go as soon as school got out on Friday—he and the kids picked me up from work with the van stocked full of supplies, complete with paddleboard on top and mountain bikes off the back.  And we were off!

MONDAY – Temple Mountain
Family Hide & Seek
Rules:  No climbing cliffs
No going past the van
Ashley: “Can we hide in the van?”
Dad: “No”
Ashley: “Oh crud!”

Later that day…
Ashley:  “Mom! Come outside & get shot – it hurts!”

TUESDAY – Swasey Beach
Windy, cool, partly cloudy
Jeff decides to strip naked and jump in the river.  Yes, we’re alone on the beach, thank goodness.  Peyton thinks he wants to do the same.  I make him stand in the river up to his knees for 30 seconds to see if he can handle it.  He lasts 10 seconds.  The he says he’s going to do it anyway (stubborn kid).  Peyton strips to his underwear (he’s a little more modest than his father) and runs and falls in the river.  His wet head bounces up and his eyes are as wide as his forehead.  “Oh man that’s cold.”  Then Ashley thinks she wants tot do it.  “It’s a man test” Peyton says – “to see if you’re a man.”  He and Dad are men now.  Ashley gets down to her Hannah Montana underwear.  She runs into the river.  As soon as the waves touch her ankles she does a 180 and races up the dry sand.  She tries again.  And a third time.  I finally convince her to put her clothes back on.  It’s OK – we’re girls – we don’t have to pass the man test I tell her.

My favorite part of the whole trip was just being together as a family in our comfortable van on the open road.  Each kid had a notebook and I thought I'd report a sampling of their writing:

Peyton’s writing:

Goblin Valley
Mountains, rocks, boulders, grass, snakes, dirt, river

Ashley’s writing:

I love mom and dad I do not love peyton

We tried to enjoy nature and be together as much as possible, but some nights we plugged in the ol' DVD players for the kids and each took time to ourselves.  One night I took a look around and observed the following:

• Peyton watching The Sandlot
• Ashley watching Sleeping Beauty
• Jeff reading Every Rapid Speaks Plainly
• Jen reading Comfort Food

Loved our trip to and around Green River, Utah!!!

Peyton's 1st Official Guitar Performance (YouTube)

Peyton’s 1st Official Guitar Performance

The 3rd-6th graders at Peyton’s school put on a Spring Music Performance this year and several kids were able to show off their musical talents.  Peyton and his friend, Tenje, played their acoustical guitars while the rest of the 3rd grade sang the Johnny Appleseed song.  Peyton had to quickly learn a few new things on the guitar, but his teacher Dusti was very helpful.  After only two ½ hour lessons with Dusti and two practices at school with Tenje it was time for the performance.  We were so excited!  Grandma Chewy flew to Boise for the event (and got to ride back to Utah in the camper van after the show!).

[this was back in March BTW]

Here are some pictures of Peyton practicing guitar with Grandpa Chewy a few days after this performance (in Grandpa's "music room" in Utah).

Peyton's Dance Program 3rd Grade

I apologize for the poor recording - we had to sit on the floor and picked the wrong side of the gym/cafeteria/auditorium/multi-purpose room. You have to love our quaint old school! Peyton and the other upperclassmen did great! The program was about many of the ethnic groups that settled in the Boise area. Peyton and his class represent the Native Americans. There were also the Basque, Jews, and Chinese.



You really can't see Peyton in this last little clip, but the kids are so fun to watch anyway!



After the program a few of us went to nearby Hyde Park and enjoyed some pizza and air guitar. Then it was to Goody's for treats for the performers!


I love this kid!