Monterey for a Day

We loved having Erica and Christian (Justin's siblings)
here for the day.

Did I mention we loved it?

PS That pirate ship was used in the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean.

My Twenties are Over

I had a good birthday that ended with a fun dinner at Volcano Grill.

Isn't it the cutest restaurant?

Notice the fire in the middle of our table.

Now excuse me while I get busy with my thirties.

Garden Fairies

Yesterday when I was busy feeling sorry for myself about how Stephanie just left, my house was a mess, dinner was taking forever, and I was too tired to go visiting teaching that night...

Drew shouted that our friend, along with her mom and daughter (who prefer to be nameless) were here.

They came unloading all sorts of plants, flowers, and soil to finally fill the grow boxes in our front yard that I've been meaning to fill myself for hmmm...9 months now.

Literally in 40 minutes start to finish they were done...cherry tomatoes, snap peas, and petunias everywhere.

They were so happy and energetic the entire time. It was contagious...and I was ready to do my visiting teaching with a smile.

Happy early birthday to me!

3s and 1s

Drew just turned 3, Sally 1, and today Justin is 31.

It's the year of 3s and 1s.

I know, pretty clever of me to put that thought together.

Especially at 6:30 in the morning, when this picture was taken...

right before we took Justin to school

where he gets to spend his special day conjugating Arabic verbs.


Happy birthday Justin!

Like 90 Degrees or Something

It's almost as hot as Arizona here.

90 degrees is so rare in Monterey.

And I love it.

This is what April is supposed to feel like.

Germany is About to Get Lucky

Cause it's getting Stephanie (far left) and family.

Which means I'm about to get really sad.

But first, another happy memory to add to the collection.

A beach bonfire with s'mores, Catch Phrase, and no kids.

We liked it.

Our Easter

Egg Dying

Even raw egg dying which I'm thinking is the way to go because how many deviled eggs can a person eat?

Easter Baskets

Easter Stroller


Temple Trip

Egg Hunt

Thank you Target for coming out with a new Star Wars shirt.

After the Temple and pizza we were so worn out we almost skipped the hunt but I'm so glad we didn't because we found Joaquin Miller Park like 2 minutes from the Temple that was perfect. It had a stair-stepped/waterfall-ed path leading up to an amazing view of the city and Bay.

Church

And food.

Does anyone know where I can find some brown hair?

4/7

Eggs

Look...twins!

More pictures from our lunch/egg hunt yesterday at the River Ranch
(same one that has the yellow brick road)
Most of the kids that were there.
That would be Owen with the bucket on his head.
And Sally not very happy on Drew's lap.

Drew getting to ride first class in Sarah's lap.

Owen missing school for the occasion.

Conference Pedicures

Good Old Days

It's basically a glorified farmer's market with kiddie rides.

Where I tried to buy some happiness with a $7 lemonade.

But it was the free balloons that did the trick.

Don't worry, we went after conference was over.

You know I needed to hear some good conference talks
after my heartless April Fool's joke.

PS: Drew's shorts were on backwards.
And yes, Owen is wearing Star Wars again.

Mini Me

Busiest, most exciting day...
We just finished up the adoption paperwork for
Hazel from Rio de Janeiro.
I didn't want to risk having twin boys so we're adopting.
Can't wait to meet her in person and clean her up!
Crazy thing is doesn't she kind of look like me?

PS Angelina did so much to make this adoption possible.
She is so down-to-earth.
And so inspiring.

We're In It Together

Isn't this the most romantic picture ever?

Seasick side-by-side while I'm mooning the boat.

This picture pretty much sums up our whale watching trip Saturday...and somehow 2 days later I still can't stop laughing.

Justin was so, so miserable. He got it the worst of us all.

This is what he looked like pretty much the entire 3 hours. Or else he was huddled in a ball in a corner of the boat.

He said it was the worst experience of his whole life...even worse than boot camp.

Then there was us.

Our corner of the boat was Sick Bay.

We did see a few humpback whales...that was awesome.

And the day was so beautiful.

We definitely made some memories but it wasn't the grand finale to spring break I was hoping for.

Sally did much better off spending the day with Sarah L & company playing at a ranch in Carmel Valley. THANK YOU!

And also thank-you to Stephanie

for:
a) taking that picture of us in our misery (and my embarrassment)
b) spending hours up close with my rear, editing it to be PG

P.S.
I obviously like making fun of myself
but if you want to, you need to ask first.

Okay yes you may.

Someday

Whaaat? A real life yellow brick road?!

You know Drew was in Heaven.

K this property is owned by a family in our ward and it's amazing.

Someday...

I'll have my own custom path made in a mountain.

That has this amazing view.

Not Sally & me...the background.
Obviously.

And I'll have a huge 2-apartment ranch for parties and guests.

Hey I'd even settle and use the ranch for myself.

Not that that's settling at ALL.

Well if I had to take care of the horses that'd be a problem.

Oh, that's what ranch hands are for.

Phew!

Now I can keep dreaming...

Wild Things

At Wild Things they train animals to be movie stars.

Real animals aren't used so much in movies anymore so most of these guys are in retirement.

I was too distracted making sure Owen & Drew didn't break every single rule to hear much of what our tour guide said.

But this lovely fella was the model for the artist who drew Rafiki for The Lion King.

And I know there were some kangaroos used with models in Vogue.

And that's about all I got.

Still a fun little place.

Now good night, I'm exhausted.

Will the Real Baby Please Stand Up?

3/22

Beach Week

Asilomar Beach

Wednesday - We were supposed to be flying kites but the cheapos from Rite-Aid were broken even before they got assembled. So even though it was COLD and we didn't come w/swimsuits (hence the undies) they still played in the water.

Pre-Beach Tacos & Shopping in Santa Cruz

Thursday - I would drive 45 minutes just for those tacos... so good.

Then on to Capitola Beach

Saggy undies...nice.

But at least they're on.
Different driftwood forts were all over the beach.

Tide Pools in PG
Friday - This is Drew's view of us...we were busy freezing while he explored w/Shawna.

Asilomar Beach
Saturday - The cheapo kites from Target DO work.