*the* Trip

I know you've been waiting with bated breath for me to return and let you know how our Central California trip was. Well, the wait is over. I am here and I will let you know the details!

By the numbers:

number of days in the car: 4

number of nights in a hotel: 3

number of different hotels: 3

number of people in my toyota sienna: 7

number of miles driven: 860 (give or take a few)

number of vineyards: too many to count

number of giggles: many

There are probably more. For those of you not in the know, my husband, children and I took a short vacation with my inlaws who are here visiting from Iowa.

On Sunday we headed out for a small Danish community in Central California called Solvang. All of the people I know that are California natives always speak highly of it and we thought we'd make it part of our journey. We spent a few hours walking the streets after having a much needed lunch. It was fun and interesting. We were all still fresh and ready for whatever adventures would come our way.

After the unseasonably warm weather there (and at home where we'd been having record breaking heat!) we headed to the coast. More specifically, Pismo Beach. We stayed at Pismo Lighthouse Suites. Let me be the first to tell you - if you need to stay on the central Coast -stay here. It was a really nice, updated hotel with fun activities for the kids right on the ocean. It was here that the boys got to play oversized chess and ping pong -- Harrison got to dip his toes in the Pacific Ocean for the first (and I'm sure won't be last!) time!

I would have been perfectly happy to stay in Pismo Beach for the rest of the time, but the others insisted we move on. (Plus, I *HAD* been waiting over a year to see those dang Sequoia trees!) So, we headed north for the tiny town of San Simeon and Hearst Castle. Before we could tour the total opulence of the remarkable home WR Hearst had built, we stopped in San Luis Obispo to visit the mission there. It was far smaller and less commercial than the mission in San Juan Capistrano that we visited in November, but it was still lovely and full of history. There were beautiful gardens in the back and I took that opportunity to take a few photos of my darling (yet sometimes wild) boys.

I absolutely loved SLO. It was a fun and funky Iowa City with much better weather! There was a fun downtown with cute shops and it just had a really nice feel.

Hearst Castle was absolutely over the top and I highly recommend it. I'm not sure what to say about it other than it was just completely decadent. (the indoor pool was amazing. as were the guesthouse and dining room!)

The last stop was the Sequoia National Forest/Park and Kings Canyon. Despite the road that would make anyone sick to get there (lots of turns and twists going up, up, up!) it was an amazing day. The trees were completely unbelievably large. Their sheer volume was unimaginable! We learned a bit about their history and how they compare to other trees, both smaller and taller.

It's impossible to understand how big they are without something ordinary to compare them to. So, that is why there are things like people and cars in these photos. :)

On Tuesday night we stayed in the Park. I had thought that it would be fun to sleep in cabins versus in one of the lodges. (Who am I kidding?! The lodges were all full when I made our accomodations. Okay, so it would be so bad to sleep in cabins. We booked the "honeymoon" cabin (the one single cabin - not a duplex) and a tent cabin. The tent cabin had 4 walls but a canvas roof. It had no electricity and used a shared bath house. Luckily, our honeymoon cabin had it's own bath for all of us to use. Andy and the boys bunked up in the tent and Tom, Carol and Harrison and I shared our own private honeymoon cabin. How romantic.

I thought the boys would enjoy touring a cave so before we departed we did just that. We walked through Boyden Cavern and saw all of the fun formations within. The cavern is located up in an area that is less full of sequoias and more dramatic in its landscape.



It's taken me all day to write this less than thrilling account of our trip. If you've read this far, much applause to you. This trip was loads of fun, first and foremost. Secondly, it totally made me remember why travel to all of the corners of our country and this earth is so great! I'm very glad that we're not the type of people to only vacation to one place over and over. There are so many amazing places to see and this trip just gave me a few more of those images burned into my mind. I've been to 29 states (I would have thought this was more. Plus, Andy and I have some definitions of what constitutes this) and 6 countries other than our own.

Over the rest of my life I will continue to make it my goal to visit more new places and see new thrilling things. It's going to be hard though - because I live in a great state for travel. California has SO MUCH to offer and I've only experienced a small part of it - even though I feel as though I've been all over this great state.

I couldn't believe it

Today, in the morning more specifically, I took the boys to the pool. We left the house at 930 because I knew it was going to be hot today. (Turns out I was right - it was 107* again today) We met several of my friends (5 of them to be exact) and had a great morning.

Anyway, I put Harrison in his little float/boat and he LOVED it. He splashed and had a gay old time. His "girlfriend" (named as such by Sawyer) Emma was there and she not only entertained him but also Sawyer. Harrison enjoyed the float so much he about fell asleep resting his head on it's side. Luckily he waited to doze until I put him into the stroller.

I didn't get a picture of this first. I take my camera just about everywhere and today, I didn't. So I missed the swim in the real pool. OH well, I'll have to photograph the second.

Last day of basketball camp (WOOHOO) and Campbell had a birthday party this evening too. Seems like we're going to have some time to rest. I wouldn't count on it!

A few random snaps I took at the Santa Ana zoo last week. Mostly just because I haven't downloaded any in a couple of days!

***OH YEAH*** Andy got his new Prius today. I drove it home from camp today and it's like a spaceship!

One Sweet Earth

A couple of weeks ago Andy and I had the pleasure of meeting Andy's friend, Dave's, brother in law and his new wife. While that sounds less than scintilating, let me assure you -- this was truly an experience.

Over a year ago, (in April of 2007, I believe) Brian and Susan embarked on a 14 month adventure around the world. They visited approximately 26 countries in this time period, some for a week and some for a month or more. Initially we were both completely in awe of this idea, cheering them on as they quit their jobs, sold their cars and traveled our vast yet very small, earth.

A couple of weeks ago, they returned to the States and we met them at Dave's 8th grade son's graduation party. I was really eager to talk to them and hear just a snippet of what their travels brought to them. It was fascinating to hear about their favorite part of their trip (Nepal) and the most overrated place they visited (Australia). I was enraptured by their tales and just soaked in all they had to tell.

Needless to say, I personally think that this is an amazing adventure -- and that they are brave and unique folks. Now they are on a month long trip around our great country (with Dave's 8th grade son!) and that is also a great journey, in my opinion.

If you're interested in peeking at their photos or reading a bit about their stops, you can find their blog at http://onesweetearth.com/travel/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

As for us, we're just trying to keep cool. It's been over 100* all week and our pool is getting some real use. (good timing on that one) We're plowing through basketball camp and enjoying seeing our friends. The pool, camp and friends - isn't that what summer is all about?

$4.47

Let's just get the cute photos out of the way, shall we? (unedited, of course, because I don't have time to edit AND blog!)

that above mentioned price, four dollars and forty seven cents, is the price of gas - per gallon - at the gas station across the street from andy's work. (it's one of the cheapest stations we know) the price goes up $.02 per day. it was $4.45 when andy got to work this morning at 5:30 a.m. and when he left it was $4.47.

isn't that annoying? we think so.

apparently in our house it's a must that we have some sort of sport going on at all times. since baseball ended a couple of weeks ago the boys had to have some sport to fill the time. enter basketball camp at centennial high school!

campbell went to the basketball camp last summer and this year sawyer was insisting that he needed to go. today it started and it was all we remembered it to be. except there were 2 new kids in attendance - harrison and my friend cara's baby - McKenna! last june cara and i were pregnant and discussing our kids (cara has three little girls) and our upcoming bundles.

anyway. the boys had fun - it was even better once cara got campbell on the right team (and off of sawyer's team. they split the 5-6 year olds up from the 7 and 8 year olds. so, cam was initially on sawyers team. he was also at least a head taller than all of the kids!) with some of his friends. i had fun too, there were plenty of friends for me there, as well. tomorrow, however, i will not stay the full 3 hours. once andy arrives I will bring the baby home for dinner and rest.

for your viewing pleasure, some terrible photos of basketball camp!

I almost forgot. the boys spent over an hour in the pool in the back yard today! Woohoo! (I mean, the thermometer *did* register at 101* today!) they took a brothers picture. (according to sawyer)

this doesn't even look like Cam!

father of the year

here he is folks, the father of the year! he's pictured with his brood of boys (and another girl!)- happy and fun as always.

Andy is, hands down, the best dad and husband anyone could ever ask for. Quite frankly, I don't think that the boys and I will ever truly realize how lucky we are.

Andy works as hard as he possibly can at his job and always comes home to play, do chores, chat, and do anything else that the kids and I ask of him.

He takes time off of work to go to do things at school ALL.OF.THE.TIME. He doesn't miss performances or ceremonies - he is always there, front and center.

He stays home with the kids, without complaint, when I go out for bunco, book club or just out for the evening with a group of girls.

Andy always teaches the kids and works hard to make sure they understand, even if it's just slicies in two square.

So, what did the best dad in the world want to do today on this fathers day? He wanted to have breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen and go to Disneyland for a few hours. I had for sure thought a car show was in our plans for today, but I happily oblidged to a trip to see the Mouse. We had brunch with Lilo and Stitch (not at Goofy's Kitchen, unfortunately!) then raced on over to Disneyland. Andy chose all of the rides and in what order. And even though we'd had another late night last night (dinner with friends at their house), the boys were fairly well behaved for daddy's day. (YIPPEE!)

The only picture of all three of them with a character. clearly, it turned out well.

If you listen you can hear harrison. It was really very cute - even though Lilo was at our table for WAY too long!

Anyway. Happy Fathers Day, big Daddy! You are the GREATEST!

Saturday

After a couple of busy days, it's Saturday. Finally. There hasn't been much to report but I'll run down the activities all the same.

On Wednesday after school my friend Cara (and her daughters Alina, Cayla and McKenna) had an end of the year party at the park. There was a huge jumpy, lots of food and fun. The boys had fun, the baby was perfect and I got to hang out with friends.

Thursday was our first day of summer! WOOHOO! To celebrate, we headed to the mall in Mission Viejo and to Whole Foods on the way home. Yum. Gotta love organic, locally grown grapes!

Friday was our first summer outing. We loaded up the van with our friends Caden and Carley and their mom Kate and we headed to the zoo in Santa Ana. The kids were perfect, the day was sunny with perfect weather. We enjoyed the monkeys (there sure were a lot monkeys at the zoo!), the train and the picnic lunch under the giant trees.

(Myself, Kate, Julie and Staci)

There wasn't much time at home before we had to head out to a dinner party that our friends were having. There were loads of friends, food and drinks -- (delicious spring rolls!) it was good times. (I think everyone except Harrison would concur. He doesn't like staying out past his bedtime!)

On another note, in a couple of weeks, it's been *10 years* since we've lived in Iowa. 10 years. We've lived in 4 states and 5 homes since then. Even though we're people of the world and call California home now -- we're still watching Iowa very carefully. My very beloved Iowa City is underwater and the bridges that connect the east side to the west side of town are all closed except one (and that one is exptected to close soon), according to the local paper. We're going to keep all of our positive thoughts focused on the Hawkeye state!

And, to bring a smile instead of a frown, a few *unedited* photos of the baby!

Do you recognize this boy??

That is a photo taken this morning. Does anyone recognize him? I certainly don't. That is my nearly second grade eldest son. He's smart and too big for his britches. Today is his last day of school, his last day as a first grader. Here he is on the first day of first grade:

Doesn't he just LOOK older? Let me tell you, this kid has grown by leaps and bounds this year. It brings tears to my eyes. He's a whole lot of sass and a whole lot of pain in my butt. He's also a whole lot of smart, of love and of responsibility. What a big boy.

Yesterday was the day of all days in class. First, at 9 am there was an awards ceremony for just Cam's class. Each child received 2 awards for them - just them. They were all about their academic success and their personality (no two awards were the same. some were similar but they were not the same award). Campbell received Mr. Responsibility and the Challenge award. (The challenge award was rising to every challenge set forth academically and rising the THE TOP in EVERY subject) Those are going to be high places to start 2nd grade from. We certainly couldn't be more proud.

After the awards ceremony started the day of the PARTY! The rest of the entire day was essentially a party. The kids had snow cones (9ne of the parents owns a commercial snow cone machine and brought it for the party - what fun!) and then lunch. After lunch they sang songs, colored and played games. Then, we had a water balloon toss, limbo and sprayed each other with squirt guns. What fun!

Soon, Sawyer is having a playdate with Grace, one of his friends from Crossroads. Her mom is a kinder teacher at our school (Luiseno) and she's coming over for a few hours - fun! Then, summer will officially begin. I see swimming lessons, basketball camp, a short trip, a visit from Ma and Papa and fun with our friends in our summer. We can't wait!