California Cousins and Twin Teens

And just like that, we have TEENAGERS!!  We did the math….from this day until Gigi turns 20, we will have 16 consecutive years of teenagers ahead of us (gulp!)  These two who made us parents have made us proud!  We love the young man and woman that they are becoming.  On their 13th birthday. they were presented with a list of challenges from mom and dad – tasks to be completed before their next birthday on which they will receive a new set of goals for each birthday throughout their teen years….Spiritual challenges….A new skill to acquire……Implementation of their gifting and exploration of their interests.  An opportunity to serve.  And a special trip planned for each of them this year!  (leave me a comment or email me if you’d like me to share our challenges for our kids as we usher them into adulthood upon this monuments birthday!)

There’s no place on earth they’d be happier celebrating than in the USA!!  We’re loving being HOME!!   Our “California girl” and “Surfer dude” celebrated with cousins, grandparents and friends on the beach.  After some surf and sand, we lit a fire and bundled up as the temp dropped with the setting sun.

The fun continued the next day as we sojourned to a week of “Smith” family vacation in Palm Springs where we soaked up some rays and blistered our feet in the desert heat.  A joint birthday celebration at a fun Mexican restaurant to celebrate the twins and Aunt Arlene’s birthday made for some full bellies and giggling girls when the mariachi band started singing improv about Gigi – the “chips and salsa girl!”

Finally some R&R for our family after a couple weeks on the road.  We loved the slow mornings and lazy hours by the pool and the little duck friends that came to the back door of our condo.

Gigi, the very moment our aggressive little ducky friend “bit” her finger!

Cousins are just the best!!  Your turn Savvy and Eli….Come visit us in Bangkok next summer!  And you’re invited too Sheryce!!  We loved catching up with you!!

……back on the road again with this brood scattered between states and grandparents…..missing my babies, but so excited they are making memories with the friends and family they love so dearly!