Monday, August 23, 2010

Jam packed Weekend Away

This past weekend, Ben and I took a trip to California (without kids) to attend his sisters wedding. They were getting married at the Newport temple, which was minutes from our good friends from college, the Hellewell's, who live in Laguna Beach. We stayed with them for our trip. We packed every minute with something. We left Friday, after the kids went to school. It was so weird not having the kids in the car. We listened to some of our old music, and I tried to sleep a bit. I can't believe the only time I can actually sleep, I forget to bring a pillow. We stopped at In and Out on the way, and met up with Matt and Nicole for lunch. We then went over to the Coach outlet. Neither one of us walked out of there with a purse. That is pretty amazing since we are both Coach purse connoisseur's! We hit a few more stores, and then headed out to avoid traffic. We got to the Hellewell's and visited for an hour, and then got ready and left for the wedding dinner.
The dinner was nice, allowing Ben and I got get to know her fiancee whom we had never met, a little better, along with his family. The seemed to be very laid back....a California trait!;)
After the dinner, we headed back to play games and spend the rest of the evening with our friends.
The next morning our friends made yummy crepes and then we headed off to the beach. It just wasn't any beach. It was a private beach where their parent's have property. Its called Three Arches Bay. It was so NICE!! (I can't believe I didn't take my camera!) It was the cleanest beach, and had all the amenities (volleyball, grills, picnic table, and nice bathrooms) and no traffic! It also had great waves, fun tide pools, etc. The kids would have LOVED it. I definitely want to take them there! It was hard to pull ourselves away. We finally pulled ourselves off our towels, and quickly got some lunch at our favorite Mexican food spot in Laguna called Baja Tacos. It seriously had the best shrimp tacos I have ever had. We then rushed home to get ready for the sealing.
This was the first time I had ever been to the Newport Temple. It was a beautiful mini temple. It was a beautiful day for us, but a hot one for the locals. They were all complaining about the 80 degree weather. LOL They made a beautiful couple. Her dress was a lot like mine. Know what that means if that style is coming back around? It means I'm old! Ha!!! (Or that I was ahead of my time! Double ha!) Here are a few shots after the ceremony.

After pictures, we rushed back to go to a reunion of sorts that was going on at a friend of ours. There were several people from college that we haven't seen since college. It was great catching up, and was hard to leave so quickly, after not seeing them for so many years.
We then headed back for the reception. The grooms parents had turned their backyard into a great reception area. They had a tent and a dance floor, lit with white lights and a colored disco light. The food was exceptional, Maggianos and some Hawaiian food. One of the better backyard weddings I have seen in awhile.
After getting some dancing in, Ben and I left to spend some last few hours with the Helewells before we went to bed. We were planning on leaving that night, but decided a full nights rest would be more safe. We were up early, and home before church. Ben took the kids to church, and I stayed home with Sophia. I hadn't slept all night, and the 3 hour nap was much needed. I'm still trying to play catch up around here.
The last two time we went to Laguna I have gotten really homesick for California. I so miss the mild summers, where you can take your kids outside for whatever activity you want to do. I miss the summer bike rides, trips to the park and beach etc. It was so nice driving around with the windows down and feeling the cool breeze on my face and looking around and seeing all the beautiful vegetation. Of course, Ben just looks around and sees traffic and a state that is bankrupt! I guess I'm just still a California girl living in Arizona. Good thing I like it here, too!

Back to School 2010

Seriously, I really have a 5th grader??? How did that happen??? I just can't believe how old my babies are getting. I think that's another reason I have a hard time with school starting up again, besides the fact that they are gone from me so much. I miss them, and the house seems empty.
The first day of school started bright and early at 6:30. I decided that we needed to get up a half an hour earlier than last year, so mornings could be less stressful, and so scripture study didn't feel so rushed. It was a great change. The kids were ready in plenty of time. Piano practiced, chores done, etc with a half an hour to spare. That was worth getting up early.




I drove them and walk with them to campus the first day.
Ethan was more interested in sitting his stuff down and playing on the playground. It was a challenge to get him to stay long enough for this picture. He said, "Why do I need a picture, she was my teacher last year? Can't I just go and play?" LOL
Boston looked around for friends and didn't want me to take his picture.
Aubrie found her friends and chatted till the bell rang.
Then it was off to take Sophia to preschool. She was so excited, and when we got there, she didn't give me a second look as she ran off to play with friends.
When I left I wasn't too sad, probably because I was going to the gym, and would have had her in the daycare anyway. I really started missing her when I went to the grocery store. It was lonely not having anyone with me. I think I chatted it up with the cashier more than I normally do. It will be really hard for me when she goes to Kindergarten. I will admit that preschool will come handy for visiting teaching, dr. appts, and volunteering at the school. But beyond that, I'm going to miss having her around for my daily errands and routine.
When I picked her up she was so excited to show me her green stamp, and she was so happy. I'm glad that she finally gets to go to school; something she has been wanting to do since Christmas!
The kids had a great day at school. Boston seemed to snap out of his whole "I hate my class", and seemed to be liking it just fine. Ethan is so laid back, he would be happy with anyone. Aubrie likes her teacher, and loves that her best friend is in her class. There is also a new boy she thinks is cute, that likes her back. I keep thinking this puppy love is too early, but when Ben and I think back we remember liking people in 5h grade. Luckily it's not too big of a deal. Today she said, "If he wants to stop liking me, it's ok with me. I'm just a fifth grader you know." I think it was just great for her to know she is likeable... and why wouldn't she be? She is full of personality, and is so cute. Of course, they never take your word for it! ha ha
I think this is going to be another GREAT school year.

Tea Party




Gotta love and record these precious moments, because they won't last long!

The Last Hurrah

The Saturday before school, we spent all morning cleaning the house. I haven't been on top of things during the summer, like I normally am....my attempt at letting go! So we all got our lists of things to do and got to it. I told the kids there would be some prizes for the fastest, and the best. It was no surprise when the first done was Boston. It never takes him longer than an hour to complete any list of chores I give him. Aubrie on the other hand is thorough and takes forever. After some swimming, Ben and I decided that one last night out with the kids would be a good way to end the summer. Some how we needed to reward the winners, so we wrapped it in. We let Aubrie pick what restaurant we would be going to that night (we were counting on Ah-So), and Boston the movie (there was really only one to choose from....the Kitty Galore movie). It was a good time. Sophia sat through everything. It's amazing how much easier things are getting with her. Life is good!

Gotta work the chopsticks (balance beam injury on her eye)