We had our annual family retreat at Palm Springs – so much fun – it was HOT HOT HOT (reached 130 degrees one day – felt like Egypt in summer – yes, we were there one August) but we still had a great time. The kids are in heaven and the adults love watching and playing with them. Thanks to my nephew who organizes all of it ! Five sets of grandparents, four sets of adult kids, and 12 little ones! Amazing fun – swimming, playing ball, flying mini helicopters, running races, eating and eating and eating, some cooking – my niece is a terrific cook – salads, bbq, cake ( we celebrated one little boy birthday) a LARGE pinata, candy ( oh so much candy!), sleepovers, minecraft ( ad nauseum), movies, games, wii and other electronic games and reading lots of books – and the adult kids got to go out on the town for dinner while grandparents babysat – fabulous times for all.
A birthday meant lots of cake and happiness!
Cooling off – our youngest family members.
Screen time for some of the cousins when the temperature was 124 outside — of course!
The best part of a family week is one on one time with each of the little ones. 
Both sets of twins loved jumping in!
Snow cones anyone?
Two grandmas with one grandson on the way to the pool
While we were away our rescue dog Goldie ran away ( maybe to look for us?). Thanks to a friendly neighbor who called animal services, and another wonderful neighbor who picked her up for us – she came home. Very concerning – we have secured the Little Farm Property carefully even before she got out – but she still managed. We are so happy she is home. And Smokey, our very large Central Asian Shepherd was happy to see her too.
