Palpalooza

The police sponsored organization PAL also offered free admission to Pacific Park aka the Santa Monica Pier.  What a great organization, I can't believe I didn't discover them sooner.

I won a stuffed animal for Sophie on my first try.  Lydia wasn't to play, and unfortunately, did not win.

Roosevelt buddies

Venecia braving the Dragon

National Night Out

The Santa Monica Police really outdid themselves this year with National Night Out.  Not only did they have the usual bouncy houses, but a rock wall and trampoline.  Also, the event gave out twice as many snacks like cotton candy, churros, and snow cones.  Needless to say, the girls were very excited and have a new found appreciation for the police.

Cotton candy as big as their heads

On patrol

Giving shout outs to Mom and Dad

Coding Queens

The girls attended a free coding class at Microsoft this week,  They already knew the basics, but still learned a few new things.

Enrolling

Concentration

Their class was at a large shopping mall, and I didn't need to stay in the store the entire time, so I had no choice but to go shopping.  :P  Check out this fun silk dress I purchased for $10 at Madewell!  Retail price of $140!

PAWS for reading

The kids still enjoying reading to dogs at the library, so I reserved spots for them twice during the summer.  I think they enjoy holding or petting the super chill dogs more than reading.

This dog loved listening Lydia read on his back

The girls' favorite dog Kabuki was back

VBS

The day after we got back home, the kids went to back to back Vacation Bible Schools.  One from 8:30-12:30 and the other from 1-3:30.  They really love both churches and couldn't decide which one not to attend, so they went to both and as always, had a good time.

Sophie was really into the final performance

The theme song.  Lydia didn't want me to be there, so wasn't really into it.

The girls with youth minister Meredith

Picture Day

Our home for the past week

The family

Goofy is our middle name

Feels like we just purchased this house

Beach pic

Always have to be silly

Our family

You gotta jump when you're at the beach

Ma with 5 of her 6 kids, just missing the oldest son

She's such a good sport

Atlantic City

Four of the five Ly families decided to take a day trip to Atlantic City to see what all the hype was about.  Since we mainly just walked on the boardwalk and souvenir shopped, we didn't get the full experience, but it was still fun to see.

The casinos, oh the casinos

Progressive jump

Crowning Mr. America

Creating art with the sun and a magnifying glass

Totem pole

Re-re-re-revolving door

Group pic, Sophie's a gangsta

Cool memorial where we rested while regrouping

Southern food for dinner

Indoors to Outdoors

One good and bad thing about staying in a nice place is that you can, but than will want to stay in all day.  We had a slow start, with Trung teaching the kids how to code.  Then we moved everyone outdoors and played some putt putt golf.  It wasn't the greatest place, but it was close and we used a groupon.  The younger kids had fun, at least.

Sophie loved Abby

Lydia buddied up with the other twin, Gavyn

Coding 101

Trung supervising

Taking a break at a local miniature golf course

The golfing gals

My oldest nieces feared the sun and would go everywhere with their umbrellas

Shadows

An outdoorsy kind of day

The entire family finally hit the beach today.  Sophie and Trung went a couple of days ago, but this time the whole Ly clan went.  The kids stayed on land for the most part and enjoyed burying Uncle Tai.  Afterwards, we went to a nearby boardwalk to check out their "Christmas in July" event, which was just okay.  Oh well, at least it was something to do and got us out of the house.

The Ly family took over the beach

Cousins hard at work burying an uncle

Grabbing an Abby

On the boardwalk

Sophie patiently waiting for her free balloon with tip in hand

Getting crafty

Coaster fun

Sophie got the last ride

Everyone was so happy high fiving

Pure joy

This is how our family rolls...summer rolls. And the lady that started it all.