Big Bear 2010

We took our first family destination trip this August. We went up to Big Bear for three days and had a super time. I found a house that was in Sugarloaf which is just outside of Big Bear Lake City. It cost $50/night with a $50 flat cleaning fee. It was perfect, a little bit in the woods, it had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room and kitchen, so I was able to bring food for meals and not have to eat out for every meal. We did eat at the really yummy hamburger restaurant called Get the Burger, it's basically In-n-Out on steriods. Locally owned, and cash only. The owner actually made our milk shakes for us. It was worth the calories.

The first day we went to the Alpine Slide and went down it 3 times, we all loved it. It's a bit pricey and addicting, so it could be very expensive if you got out of control.

M isn't tall enough to go down by himself, but he still loved it.

The chair lift ride up was almost as fun as the slide itself. On the way up M and I saw that someone had lost a shoe, M said, "That's okay, Buzz Lightyear will save it."

It rained the first afternoon we were there but the boys had a great time playing in it anyway. It was very reminscent of the monsoon in AZ, reminded me of home, without the heat.

The second day we were there we took a little hike in the woods and M picked up some souvenirs. He has always loved rocks, specificially, throwing rocks. They were all effectively discarded by the time we got to the end of the trail. We saw probably 30 lizards all over the place on our little walk.

I know, white shorts, hiking? What was I thinking?

We went to the Moonridge Zoo. It's a tiny zoo, but well worth the admission price. They have 6 bears, a wolf pack, a snow leopard, and this mountain lion, as well as several other animals. M is being a mountain lion as well.

E's favorite animal was the bald eagle. You can't tell by the expression on his face but he loved looking at these birds.

We took the boys to a petting zoo/pony rides. Both boys were grinning ear to ear the entire time they were on the pony (named Tiger).

M shocked me that he actually pet the goats and pigs, I thought for sure he would run screaming, but we has super brave. (I'm holding the cup up high because there was one goat that was exceptionally tall and would snatch anything out of your hands if given the opportunity).

Our last day there we went up to the top of the ski slopes to do some exploring. E loves to climb rocks. When he takes a break from jiu jitsu we're going to put him in a rock climbing class. He is a pro.

11 Years

11 Years ago I married my very favorite person in the wide world. I would do it again without question. I've been happier than ever, learned more than ever, and experience true joy being with him. He's pretty much perfect.

I love you A.

Concert in the Park

On Thursdays in July at Mile Square Park they have concerts in the park. We don't go to them often, but when family was in town we want and had a great time.

Just Another Day At The Beach

When A's aunt and uncle Jolena & Steve and their kids were in town, we went to the beach for a few hours, here are the picutres.

Adventure Playground

E and I went with our friends the Orgill's to Adventure Playground in the Huntington Beach Central Park. It costs $3 per child and adults are free. They have a building area where you rent a hammer or saw and are able to build things. They boys did that for at least 45 minutes, it was way simple fun. They also had a mud waterslide, a rope bridge and a pond and raft area. It is a worth your while inexpensive way to spend a few ours during the summer.

E's face says it all.

Beach Days

A's goal is to make sure our family goes to the beach once a week, we've pretty much hit the mark for the most part, and my legs are greatly tanned to proove it.

This pretty much sums up how M feels about the water:

A in his field worker hat, it provides great coverage and is exceptionally stylish to boot:

Summer 2010

July is nearly over, I was astonished to see that my last post was clear back in May, I'm truly a blacker (that's blogging slacker, for those who need a translation).

E finished his first year of school, he is so ready to be a 1st grader, he can hardly wait. He told me earlier this week that he misses school: he misses recess, he misses lunch, he misses science time. He hasn't really had much time to be bored yet. We went up to my dad's for the 4th of July, spent a day at Lake Tahoe and watched the fire works. My brother and his family were there, and that means that E's most-favorite-person-in-the-whole-wide-world was there. His cousin Jacob and him have a love that transcends cousinhood. I think they would never tire of each other. We went to Grover's Hot Springs swam in the hot and cold pools, fed a squirrel gold fish crackers and apples, took a hike (upon M's insistence), were eaten my mosquitoes, and had delicious ice cream. We went to the shooting range and the boys got to shoot guns. Jacob introduced E to pinball on grandpa's computer. Jacob came home with us and spent 5 days, we went to the park and played croquet, went to the beach and tide pools, and they went to Nickel Nickel, a super arcade. The spent hours upon hours of laughing and entertaining each other. When reading our daily scriptures in the Old Testament they read about the King of Tyre. They could not stop laughing at the hilarity of that title. Parting was bitter, E asks everyday when we are going to see Jacob again, and is not satisfied with the October date on the calendar slotted for our next Jacob sighting.

By the way Jacob loves On-Star and subsequently has convinced my children that all people should love it just as all encompassingly. When I say that Jacob loves On-Star, you don't quite get the fullness of that love. He really-really-really is passionate about that most amazing of services. He was very pleased with A and me for having not one but two vehicles which are On-Star capable.

Last Tuesday one of MY very favorite people was in town. My very good friend Erika was here from Tuscon spending a week at the beach and I was so happy to go down to San Clemente to spend the day with her. She has a daughter, Bree, who is E's age. When E and Bree were 2 and 3 years old they were peas and carrots. I thought for sure when I told E that we were going to the beach to see Bree he wouldn't remember her. But he knew who I was talking about. It took them a while to re-warm up, but they had a great time.

The waves at the beach that day were crazy. A went out swimming and a lifeguard had to go save him. Well, I exaggerate. The lifeguard just went after him to tell him that if he didn't have fins on he shouldn't go more than waist deep since the currents were too strong. It was just very funny to see the lifeguard running out there with his little red buoy to 'save' my extra strong swimmer husband, I had a great chuckle about it. He was not at all even close to drowning.

M is potty training this week, and is doing really well, has had one accident on the carpet and on the grass outside. I don't really think the grass was an accident, it was a deliberate move from that boy. But I'm very proud of him (not for the grass part but the rest of the achievements) and very excited to not have to buy diapers anymore. He is a very funny kid and makes me laugh frequently.

I am doing well, I had my 33rd birthday last week and went for pedicures with my girls Jodie, Kim, and Lindsay, then out to eat a yummy lunch at La Creperie where Lori, Mindy and Tiara joined up with us. We had a great time, I need more girls days. A had to work that day so it was very nice to have them there supporting me. When we moved to this ward I was determined to not get attached to anyone since this living arrangement is temporary, but these girls make it awfully hard to not be attached. I am now the Activities Committe chairman in our ward. I've had this calling before and I'm just being honest when I tell you that it is not my favorite calling. We live in a ward that is very tradition oriented and I hate ruffling feathers, but also see that changes are needed, so I have to take them on. The last time I had this calling I made some enemies, I'm hoping it doesn't happen again. I'm getting antsy for something lately, I can't put my finger on what that something is, but I've got the itches for it whatever it may be. I am doing well and am happy to report that the discomfort I was feeling a few months ago are mostly subsided. My relationship with E is exponentially better than it was and I am beyond grateful for the healing influence of the Spirit in my life. Time and patience really were the cure (as much as I HATE the 'P' word, it does work.... drat.... when will I ever learn that lesson?).

A bought a surfboard and has been putting it to good use. It was his present to himself for moving from one phase of his probationary work to the second and easier phase. He is a hard worker and amazing husband, I think he's pretty great.

There is so much more in this brain of mine...

Playing Hookie

Last Wednesday my friend Gina told me about a great deal that I couldn't pass up. We could get in to Sea World San Diego for $5.75 per person!

I could hardly believe it, but it was true. I don't know the reasons why but apparently if you had a group field trip that day that was the cost. So I called E in absent to his Kindergarten class and we spent the day in sunny SD! We had a great time. They have a fantastic play area that the kids didn't want to leave, lots of rides and plenty of animals to see (of course). Since we were with Gina and her family it made it even that much better to share it with friends. Do I regret taking my son out of school for the day? For $5.75 per person? I don't think so my friend.
Enjoy the pics:

Girl Trip 2010

My sisters, Melanie and Emily and my sister-in-law Erica and I took a 3 night cruise down to Ensenada, Mexico a couple of weekends ago. We had a great time! Lots of laughter, making a new friend, Joseph, the elevator boy, avoiding the Wang Sisters, eating, eating, and eating.
Our first day we had a fitness evaluation, I learned the my body was 'highly toxic', but since I don't drink coffee, alcohol, smoke, or take drugs, I would hate to know what the level above 'highly' might be (they were just trying to sell us stuff). On Saturday, our 'Fun Day at Sea' we learned country line dancing, played family feud, and saw whales. On Sunday in Ensenada we took a tour and learned how to make authentic Mexican food, then did a little shopping for all kinds of Mexican stuff.

At night we headed to the Kaoroke lounge and sang a long with the people who were brave enough to actually get on stage, alas, they ended the open Mike right as we were getting our courage up to go.
The trip was the perfect length, just enough time to still enjoy each other and not long enough to get very homesick.
I missed Ruth, Stefanie, Mallory, and Jodi who were not able to make it. We're thinking a spa retreat for our next girls trip, probably in 2012.
Good Times!