Lissa's visit

Lissa, Clara and Charlie came to visit over the Fourth of July and we had so much fun. 

We went to Santa Monica, multiple beaches (Santa Monica, Torrey Pines, Solana, and La Jolla Coves), Legoland, and had a ladies night. 

Fabulous times with our best of friends. I just wish we could see each other more. 

Playtime with friends

Wordless Wednesday (with a couple words)

Picture one:
Truman and Jensen are here!!!

All is well.

I could not be happier.

Picture two:
Ice cream in celebration!

Spring Break 2012

We spent the break doing LOTS of fun activities...

...we visited the children's museum with 'Oria and her momma (Marcia aka Gramma Cici)

 

The crane was a total hit.  

 

Look at all those organic items!! (read: one thing I love about living here.).

 

 

 

 

...we made grapes float in water and learned all about density.  

We increased the density by adding sugar to glass #2. Then we made it appear to float in glass #3 by putting the sugar water on the bottom and regular water on the top.  

in glass #4 we decided to add salt to see if it also change the water.
This was such a FUN experiment, even little Nora enjoyed it.

We made ice cubes boil (discovering liquid, solid and gas and learning about thermodynamics).

 

 ...created an indoor dog park

 

 

(Chris' response to this picture: "Why did you take a picture? She was putting dog food ON THE FLOOR." My response to him: "HA! Sometimes you just let them be kids and explore.)  :)

... and we visited the Vancouver Aquarium... 

 

 The boys loved the Beluga whales.

and Stanley Park in beautiful British Columbia with our good friends, Caleb and Tracy...

We had a wonderful break! 

Ohio Jan/Feb 2012

After our six days in the sun we headed north to Ohio. The kids and I spent 8 full days there  (7 in G-town and 1 in Columbus) and Chris stayed 3. It was really wonderful getting "home". I finally got to meet my nephew and see my mom and step-dad's new house. It is beautiful!!! Just. Beautiful.

Plus, we spent quality time with lots of family and old friends, ate way too much (I think I see a pattern here), and I helped out with farm chores and I absolutely. loved. every. second of it.

The kicker of the trip was that I didn't stress out A. BIT. about being ANYWHERE. That is a new thing for me because I typically worry about who we need to see, who we haven't seen, who wants to see us and where I need to run every day of our trip. Don't get me wrong, I still missed seeing people and I truly missed (as in my heart misses them) seeing them but I can't do it all... And that is okay! Life is busy for everyone. I don't expect people to stop living just because I am in town and I hope that they understand we do our best and that traveling all over the country with young children and living on the other side of the country has some down sides...

 I know... HELMET! Please. 

 Kendra and her adorable little Wesley. 

 Not exactly the best picture of me but those babies sure are cute!! 

 My SIL (to be) and Nora

 My nephew Logan Wyatt and his very proud big cousin

 Mom's crew. 

 Mom and Michael

Those eyes... 

**p.s. I have more pictures to include here (specifically of Great Aunt Irene) but they're on a different computer so I will upload them later. Also, Babe- could you send me your pictures. I would like some of you guys. Thanks!