Summer Vacation in California

It's August.

Our vacation was in July.

(sorry)


BUT-

In all fairness, we have had MORE company since vaca so that's why i've been away from blogging for the last few weeks.

So there. =)


___________________


I guess i'll start from the beginning.

We flew in from Austin to LAX on a non-stop..bc we have a toddler... who doesn't sleep on planes anymore. (well worth the extra doe)

After getting in and spending a few days with Eric's family I picked up a rental and drove down with Emmers to San Diego for a few days while Eric played in a golf tournement with his Dad.

While in San Diego I stayed with my Brother Doug and his Wife Nicole and got to visit with my sweet Niece Claire and my little Sister Meredith and her Husband Josh.

It was a wonderful perfect visit! Emme got to play with her cousin, aunts and uncles while i got in some needed family time.

Living so far away from your family drains you sometimes.

I got to go visit my childhood home in Vista and show Emme the house where Mama spent 17 years of her life.

I also took pictures of Daddy's home and got to show him how much it has changed since he last lived in it.

Vista- Eric and I's hometown

Eric's house

Emme playing with Cousin Claire

Tubby time with the girls. TOO CUTE!



Aunt Nicole, Cousin Claire, Emme, and Myself

Seaport village with my mooshk

Emme and I after lunch in seaport village

Running around looking at kites

Look at this cute puppy I found..

Looking cute as usual

Playing with Aunt duffy

Weee


Wild Animal Park




Birdie

Feeding the ducks

Feeding and chasing the deer

My animal lover

Meredith feeding the lorikeets

of course E has to check out the lorikeets and try to touch them

This guy was chilling on my head the whole time in the cage
























After the wild animal park Emme and I drove back to Orange County to stay with Eric's family.


Getting ready to go to Daddy and Papa's golf banquet.

Emme with Papa at the dinner banquet


Now with Daddy

Family trip to Disneyland the next day

One of the many rides we went on

Dinner at the Blue Bayou

Dumbo

My favorite picture of my favorite people

Mama and moosh

Getting ready to watch the fireworks

my favorite place to be...still....

The second part of the vacation was spent out at the Lost Lake house. My camera went dead so i only got a few pics of the river. All in all is was a great visit and awesome vacation. I enjoy the river so so much and always look forward to future visits. Here are the few pics I took at the river.

Emme and Grandma relaxing on the boat

Eric Skiing

Emmers and Aunt Ashlee

Motherhood: An eternal partnership with God

Every Mom has those days where you do nothing but get down on yourself and criticize your mothering abilities.

Like you feel all eyes are on you and how you raise your child.

I know it's silly to think a passerbys glance is immediately thinking the worse.

That's wrong, I know.

But some days...

eh.




Oh but there is good news.

We get to hear beautiful reminders like this one to keep us going.

*Sigh*

Sigh of relieve I should say.

We have our best friend, husband, and father back.

Welcome home Sweewee.

Emmers and I missed you so much.



xx



P.S......It's July now..... LETS HAVE FUN


California here we come!!! (6 days)

July anyone??

So far June has been a pretty rough month. Nothing drastically wrong, just lots of little things that have been draining away my positivity, leaving me feeling tired, drab and sad. To name just a couple... We're onto our third week with a sick kid. Mom is on her second. Emmers is actually feeling well at the moment but still coughing so we've been trying to come up with activities both Mom and Toddler can handle. Eric is due home in just 10 more days! I am ready to clock out and take a big nap when he gets in (right after a biiig hug and kiss from his girls). We have missed our buddy, haven't we Emme? I was challenged about my attitude today though, truly I have so much to be grateful for and so little to complain about. Wallowing isn't particularly fun and I'm ready to change tack and focus on the good stuff.
So, here's what's made me smile this afternoon:

Some comfort items..

E. Enjoying some peanut butter crakers and milk.

Mom enjoying some hot hot tea with the ac turned down to 72 degrees... Bliss..


Anyway, please July, do not hesitate to show up sooner than later. For you, I have been waiting for all Summer. You are my happy thought for the moment.

How to tell if you're Mom's favorite.

Yes,

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Where to Mr. Pooh?