Keeping it Local

This week is our spring break.

We've gone to the beach, had friends over, and wasted plenty of time around the house.

I think everyone around here is just fine with all of the above, but I need more out of a spring break.

So today I told Justin it'd make me really happy if he'd plan something for us.

He came up with exploring Calavera Hills, just 10 minutes away.

 

Justin and Owen have been there with the scouts, but I'd never been.

 

It was pretty! 

 

But we were not prepared.

 

A. I wore flip flops. They are my favorite and I thought I'd be fine on the trails. I was fine, but being better than fine would've been nice. A couple of decked out mountain bikers passed me and I overheard them commenting, "She's mountain biking (I was sitting on Owen's bike) in flip flops. With kids!" 

 

B. We brought the stroller instead of the baby carrier. This is what Justin looked like some of the way up and most of the way down (on the "shortcut" that would've been a shortcut had we no bike or stroller). August slept through a lot.

 

C. This isn't really a preparedness issue, but right when we got there...Owen flipped over with his bike (I didn't see it) and got spooked. He walked his bike the entire time after that. Say cheese!

Someone needed some help getting to the top.

 The view from the top was cool. Trust me.

And then we headed down.

 

 Oh, there's the maze they ran through at the beginning. (see picture at the top)

3 of the 5 happy hikers.

The whole adventure took like 1 1/2 hours but it was exhausting.

We needed food.
So we stuck with our local theme of the day and had lunch at Al's Cafe in the Village.

We've driven past that place probably 100 times and finally tried it.

And now I feel like I need to review it.

Slow, slow, slow service.

Food was fine.

Free fudge samples were really good...I'd go back for more of that.

Then we napped.

And I'm probably okay with a very low-key tomorrow.

Probably.

 

PS Al's Cafe is famous for its red wall that appeared in Rachel & Jacob's wedding announcement.

Doorway Jumper

4/3

Does anyone even buy or use these anymore?

That thing is vintage from when Owen was a baby.

March Photo Dump

 3/1

 Justin took Drew on a scout field trip to a local college TV station.

Drew is in back as weatherman.

 

 3/2

 Baseball season began for Owen.

 

 3/13

 Someone got creative with weights at the pinewood derby.

 

 3/14

 We visited the Bohns and Tates at their awesome beachfront house in Oceanside.

 

 3/15

 Brought donuts in to Drew's class to celebrate his birthday.

 3/15

 

 3/16

 Justin's sister Erica and her friend Lexi came to visit for a weekend.

We had a beach bonfire and I forgot all the s'mores stuff at home.

 

 3/19

 Owen chose to act as Lou Gehrig for his class living history museum.

He wanted a famous Yankee since that's the team he's on this year.

He chose Gehrig cause he looked cool.

Turns out that guy was super awesome.

 

3/21

First swing.

3/22

 A perk to having Justin home...lunch dates.

 

 3/22

 A bummer to having babies on lunch dates...they poop everywhere.

It wore him out.

 

 3/24

Came out of Sunday School to find August asleep on the floor in the hall.

 

 3/26

 Good morning.

 

 3/27

 

 3/28

 Probably time to retire the vibrating chair if he's rolling over in it.

3/28

He can practically do sit ups.

Does not like to lay down.

 

 3/31

 What Justin thought his Easter ensemble should've looked like.

Easter Breakdown

It wasn't the most Eastery of mornings,

but watching the sun rise (as much as possible with the clouds) was a good way to start the day.

 

More Christmas mixed with Easter.

Drew uses that blanket year-round.

 Honeycomb.

Cause that's what Jesus ate.

 Daily affirmations in the mother's lounge at church.

Photo credit: our tripod.

 Easter Sunday best.

Don't mind Justin's mustache.

My favorite of the day:

We took dinner over to Brent & Errin's house.

Instead of the traditional ham dinner we had fish tacos.

 Fish.

Cause Jesus ate that, too.

More fish (gummy) and honeycomb (chocolate covered).

And corn dogs for those non-fish loving kids.

 Photo credit: Errin

3/31

Photo credit: Errin

The Easter bunny came on Saturday for the first time and it was so much better.

I ate some mango. This time I bought it purposefully in honor of Grandma Lunt. It was good on those fish tacos.

I helped teach a lesson in church. 

And that about covers Easter.

Beach Hunters

photo credit: Errin

 Wait, you don't hunt for Christmas trees at Easter?

Thank you, Errin :)

 3/30

Easter egg hunting on the beach is one tradition I hope we're able to continue next year.

Also...eating at Cessy's.

 

As of now, we're moving at the end of June...just not sure where exactly we're moving TO.

 Really hoping the beach is still in our future.