I'm Back

Update on the Hills

Sad how it's been so long since I've blogged that everything looks unfamiliar. Oh well, there's always a time to start over again and now is as good a time as any.
My life is all baseball right now as my 8 year old is playing AA and my 6 year old is playing A. They are both enjoying their hectic schedules, as am I, since it means no "boredom" at home and lots of activity.
More on that as the games get under way, but for now I'll share some pictures of our whale-watching trip on Monday. I cringed as I saw a group of children on a field trip enter our boat, but we were fortunate to NOT be near them on the trip. We were excited to see something living in the ocean, but hoping that one of those living things had a whale tail. We were a little disappointed on that note, but did see a pod of at least 100 dolphins. It was amazing. They were all around the boat and very curious little guys (and gals).  The boat captain drove us by the bell bouoy (sp?) that was sagging under the weight of many sea lions. They all talked to us as we floated by. Obviously they are the "go to" tourist attraction should the captain not find a whale to observe.

 Having fun together as a family, killing time the fun way.

 Ok, so it's getting a little boring and a nap sounds good right about now. It's nice none of us get seasick. It's actually relaxing feeling the boat move up and down under us. The boys have been used to falling asleep in our boat since they were babies.

Nothing like topping off a fun boat ride with a trip to Ruby's on the pier. Oreo cookie and chocolate shakes and malts. YUM!! Fun family day together.

Menagerie

Whew....it's been a while. People have probably given up on me, but I'll write anyways.  The end of the year is coming (school year that is) and they've been having various things to entertain the kids/parents the last few months. One such entertaining event was the Mother/Son dance. Yes, you read right. Prettty much it looked like this....little boys wrestling/falling/running/sliding on the dance floor while the moms took pictures/tried to dance/chatted/ate. Quite a scene, ya? Well I signed up because Ethan said he wanted to go. I think it was a quick, "ya..." which I should have translated into "I'm not paying attention right now so anything I say do not take as what I really want to do." The entire way there he sobbed....SOBBED and said he missed Daddy. It made me feel so wonderful to spend some quality time with him....mm hmm. We get there, his face is puffy and red, he won't eat anything, then stands with one of his other friends and watches everyone, asking me every 5 minutes when we can leave. Not to mention, I didn't get the memo that it was Mexican themed....sombreros, ponchos...ya. He was in a tie and I was in heels. 'Nuff said.

So we stayed for a little while, I chatted with a couple moms, then I was outta there and got him an ice cream from McDonald's. Interestingly enough, they had just installed a TV (why must every eatery have a TV?) so I was further ignored as he licked his ice cream. The joys of motherhood.

End of the year yogurt run after a win with Little League!! The boys were goofing around and we got a silly shot after they scarfed down their yogurt. Their team was #4 and they all had a great time. Here comes winter ball....

 Bryan got in on the action too with our church's team. He can still hit a pretty mean ball out there. He's reliving all those years in high school except with the occasional ache and pain added on top of that.

Last but not least, my dad made this cabinet for Bryan and me to fit one of our alcoves. It now houses DVD's, VHS, and the various players associated with those. Thank you dad!! This sort of thing is priceless!! Perfectly made and so pretty in our house! Awesome!

Lake Fun

After weeks and weeks of Little League, we finally had a break in the schedule and set off for the lake. We've been wanting to go for a while and Bryan almost had to work, but we got out of the house as soon as he got the call that he was free! The boys are always excited and so am I, actually, because it's usually a day of relaxation and eating....which I have no problem doing.

 Here's Austin's smile in the truck as we're pulling out of our driveway. This is genuine and he's so excited - probably because we're meeting Papa at the lake and picking up Grammy on the way there.

 Here's my boy missing his 2 front teeth. He looks so different now, and has to find new ways of biting food, but I think it's been that way for a while. His teeth have been loose for ages, and finally last week Bryan pulled both of them. Friday morning he pulled the second one because I couldn't do it - and I heard a ripping noise from the root. UGH!! He wanted Bryan to do it though....he was pretty brave with both front teeth.

 There's the fisherman in action. He hasn't fished in so long, but still caught about 15 fish!

 I squished just about every fish he caught and didn't actually put my lips on this one, but sometimes they look kissable. Their tummies are so meaty and squishy. They are actually quite docile and put up with my affection for a few seconds. I guess they know that I love them and will release them as soon as I squeeze them. hee hee

 The boys spent the whole time in Papa's boat (which didn't have a canopy). I put sunblock on them once and was so afraid they'd be lobster red by the time we got them back in our boat, but they looked fine! They were in heaven over there. Austin helped Papa net the fish he caught and held them for a few seconds...getting a war wound on his thumb that he flaunted for a few days. OH and he ate almost all Papa's food. Ethan was in heaven fishing next to Papa, too. I think Papa spent more time helping him than actually fishing himself, but I think he enjoyed it.

This was taken the morning before...Bryan ripping out tooth #5. He's already lost 3 on the bottom and 1 on the top. This was his second front tooth....he cried pretty hard after this one because it had a nasty root on it. EEks. That's what dads are for....

Annual Date Night

Ok so we don't do a lot of date nights. But this is one that we don't miss every year. Bryan signs up to be in a drawing to get discounted tickets from one of the doctors who holds season tickets to the Laker games at Staples Center. When (and if) his name is drawn, he is able to spend the same amount of money we would spend to be in the nosebleed section but instead we're on the 2nd level. This has happened twice and the other times we've been at the top (which isn't too bad of a view if I do say so myself). Bryan's mom stayed over to watch the kiddos, and we set out for L.A.

 Have to get the Staples Center words behind us to prove we were there, right?



 Here is our view from the 2nd level, first row. They actually checked our tickets when we sat down just to make sure we were in the right seats. They were pretty on top of that - which is a good thing!

 The team practicing before the game. It's a wonder they don't hit all the media out there on the court. Goodness!

 My favorite player - Derek Fisher. I do like most of the guys on the team. They aren't too cocky (or at least they don't seem to be).

 Don't ask me why everything is "los...." Even the Suns were "Los Suns." Who knows, but we got these little flimsy towels to wave at the game free with entry!! What a steal! :)

And after triple overtime (I must say we got our money's worth), the Lakers finally managed to win. What a game! The last time we sat there we went into double overtime. I won't complain more time to enjoy our date night away from all responsibility!! Fun memories.

Alone Time?

I don't need a lot of things to make me happy. Really. As long as I have my health, my family and vitals like food, shelter, warmth, water....it really is all I need. In fact, sometimes I want to go through my house and purge stuff that I really don't need and I'm hanging on to, thinking, "there'll be a use for this someday." I mean I'm not talking Survivor minimalism, as that would send me, cranky, ugly, cold, hurting, and irritated back to a hotel with a warm bed. But minimalism to the point that I don't need a lot to be happy. So, a couple weeks ago Bryan's grandparents wanted to have the boys at their house for a couple nights, allowing me to go to several doctor appointments and join them after 2 nights. They LOVE being there.  They get to go to parks by the beach, jumper places, and the zoo. Heaven for a kid (and an adult...except the jumpers). I drove down after an eye doc appt. (with my eyes dilated fully) and it was so relaxing. After a stop in San Clemente where I walked through a bead shop, an art supply store, and sat at the beach, I finally ended up at my destination....the guest house. I got to stay by my lonesome in a 1 room, fully equipped house that was so cozy I didn't want to leave (except that I was all alone out there).

 The house has a little bathroom (the door open in the back), a kitchenette (I mean REALLY little), a wood fireplace and 1 room that has a bed, couches, a dining table and a tv-watching area. OH...and REALLY big windows to a fantastic view.

 Here's the swing on the porch....heavenly.

 And here's the view. Gorgeous!!

I must say that it was refreshing to stay here and know that I am loved by so much family. It is wonderful to have my kids still be able to spend time with their Great-Grandparents. What a blessing. I know that won't last forever, so I want them to treasure it as long as it lasts. Truly, I am thankful for the little things in life. The guest houses....where I can be who I am, be loved, love my family, and sleep warm and safe. Thank you Lord.