San Diego Day Two

With a good night's rest, everyone woke up very happy and excited to be in a new place.



We rented a house on the beach so we could go back and forth as often as we liked. I've always loved the beach but I was concerned that Livi would hate the sand (she hates the grass) and that I would just worry the whole time about the two older kids near the waves. Once we got there, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that all of the kids loved it. I forget how fun it is to see things for the first time through the eyes of my kids...it's one of my favorite parts of being a parent.




Livi didn't like the sand, but did fine when she was on the towel with me and she would play with it in her hands, she just didn't like it on her feet...

After the day at the beach, Jeremy and the kids went to see a movie while Livi took a much needed nap.

San Diego Day Three

Today we went to Sea World. The kids have been to Sea World in Florida but Emma was only three, so she doesn't really remember it, so we figured we should go again now that she is a little older. I had no idea they had a whole Sesame street area there. Livi is absolutely obsessed with Elmo and so it started out our Sea World experience on a really high note. The whales and other sea creatures were pretty lame to her after that, and she just wanted to be back in the arms of her boyfriend Elmo.









No Seaworld adventure would be complete without seeing the great Shamu...




Then Jeremy took the kids to the Journey of Atlantis splash ride.






Overall it was a really fun day for everyone!

San Diego Day Four

Another day at the beach. This time Livi didn't mind the sand at all and dug right in. Emma was still pretty tentative and didn't want to go more than a few inches in the water, but she was having fun collecting sea shells. Landon liked to lay down on his stomach on the beach and let the waves carry him to the shore. He called it a "super slide".





I promised Emma we would paint her finger and toe nails before school started. So while Livi was napping, we decided to go to the nail salon together. She was so cute trying to act all grown up as though she had done this a million times before, but her constant giggling gave it away. She got a pedicure and a manicure and chose blue sparkle polish. While the cute Vietnamese woman was giving her a pedicure she and Emma had an interesting conversation...

"How old are you"?

Emma: "Five"

"Five, wow, and you are getting a pedicure? I didn't even have food to eat when I was five!"

Emma: "Oh, I have lots of food to eat. Anything I want. Yup...all the food in the world."

Yeah...I don't think she got the point. Anyway after that we all went to Fashion Valley Mall and then we ate at the Cheesecake Factory. This was probably my favorite day.

San Diego Day Five

We went to LegoLand today. I don't really know why...I guess we were just trying to hit every cliche attraction in the area. It was fun for the kids and something we wouldn't otherwise see, but it was way over-priced for what you get. For those Utah folk- it's not as good as Lagoon if that tells you anything.






We drove back on the "Beach Scenic Route" and it was so beautiful. I think after Day Four I was in love with this city, but this drive really solidified it for me.
However, no matter how many times I come back to this city, I will NEVER return to LegoLand!

San Diego Day Six

Zoo Time. Not much different from the Hogle Zoo, other than being much bigger and with a bus and sky rides. There were a few things we were able to see here that we couldn't see back home, like the Panda and Koala Bears. They were so freakin' cute.







We ate lunch and had every intention of going back through the zoo when Jeremy spilled Diet Coke in my lap. We spent a seconds debating who actually spilled the drink. I knew for sure it wasn't me, but he disagreed. He thought it was pretty funny that I had wet my pants, and I didn't want to have all of the fun, so I "accidentally" spilled the rest of my drink in his lap. So we left after that.

San Diego Day Seven

Ah...day seven. This is the day that Jeremy will never forget. We decided to go to the beach one more time, but this time we would rent a boogie board so Jeremy and I could have some play time. After one week in the sun, the kids and I had a pretty nice tan. Jeremy was as white as when he started, and he didn't want to come home without some color. The first day on the beach, he wore his shirt the whole time. The second day on the beach, he took his shirt off, but lathered himself in sunscreen. I only wore sunscreen on my face the entire time, so he thought he could do the same...you can see where this is going.

So after about four hours in the sun, we were both completely worn out and ready to relax. We went to the salon where Emma and I got our nails done to get Landon a haircut before school started. Here he is with his sweet red UTES mohawk.


An hour later, Jeremy started feeling a little sick. He felt hot, but had the chills. He also felt nauseas. As the minutes went by, I could literally see him turning more and more red. I snapped this picture right before he got sick (he's gonna kill me for posting it) and he is now about 3 times more red than this.



That night he couldn't move and crashed on the couch by 8:00. It was so much fun taking care of the kids and trying to pack all by myself. I felt so bad for him, but at the same time I was wishing I had some help. Before he fell asleep, I went to the store to buy him some Aloe Vera and I caught the sunset over the ocean. I took three shots in a row and captured the entire sunset. It was so peaceful. I can't believe the people who live here get to see that every single night.

Last Day in San Diego

Jeremy is even more red now and completely handicapped. He can barely walk and lift anything and he feels like he has the flu. His shoulders are blistering and his skin looks badly burned. He and I both had backpacks so we could have our hands free for carrying Livi, the carseat, the porta-crib and 3 bags. Since he couldn't put the backpack around his shoulders, I had one less hand for our airport adventure. Oh well, it all worked out fine.

The plane ride home was much better for me this time, because Jeremy sat by Livi so he had to deal with the meltdowns. I figured since he was already miserable, why make both of us suffer ;)

I caught up on my reading and had a good time hangin' out with Landon. I also thought back on the trip and noted a few things I wanted to remember:

First, a few things Landon said:
-"I want to sleep in long pajamas while we are here so my bare skin doesn't touch someone else's bed"
- "Dad, what does X-Rated mean"?


Something funny that Emma asked me:

"Mom, what does it mean when people keep doing this with their hands?"

"That means Hang Loose"

Oh, well that's not good, someone should tell them to Hang Tight so they don't fall. How do you sign that"?

One night Emma was laying on a pillow and Livi grabbed her by the hair and pulled her up. Emma started crying and so Jeremy went over to Livi and pulled her hair so she could see how it feels. Livi started laughing and wanted him to do it again.

We brought Livi's video monitor with us and one night I flipped it on and saw a totally different room with a different baby. It freaked me out for a second, but then figured out it was the baby next door. What are the odds we both had the same camera!? It was a lot of fun spying on them, I'm sure they felt the same. Whatever, you'd do it too.

All in all, I've decided that I love this place after all, and would love to come back again. The weather is perfect every day and the people are always so happy. I would love to learn to surf since I found out I have some mad skills on the boogie board. Also, my skin is normally really dry and itchy in Utah (thanks eczema) and it was absolutely glowing in San Diego. If it weren't so expensive, we would move here. It definitely gave us the itch to move to a warmer (but reasonably priced) place.

We also learned that we won't be traveling on an airplane until Livi is potty trained, sleeping in a bed and can follow directions. It's just too much stuff to bring and the plane is too hard with her. It's kind of disappointing because we wanted to go to Hawaii next year to renew our vows with our kids. It's our ten year anniversary and we thought it would be fun to go back to the same beach we were married on. Now we know there is no way we can go as soon as next year, but at least we know. We're still going to do it, but we'll just have to wait another few years. Maybe we can talk someone into watching the kids for us so Jeremy and I can go alone. If you are still reading this, you are probably a grandparent, aunt or a really good friend (or just really bored). Just think about it ;)

I'm exhausted and school starts tomorrow. I have to find their uniforms, backpacks, and unpack and do the laundry. Oh crap, I also need to charge my camera. I can't believe my little girl starts all-day Kindergarten tomorrow! AAAHH! I'm so glad we all spent this last week together since we won't see much of each other during the school year. I'm really going to miss them during the day, it's been an amazing summer.

The Final Splash

We spent quite a few days this summer at the splash park near our house...it's a quick 'n' cheap way to spend a few hours. We went there for the last time this summer with my girlfriend and her kids. It was great to be able to catch up with her while we let our kids play. Livi was pretty exhausted and needed a nap and I also had to still pack for our San Diego trip in the morning, so we cut the visit short. The kids still had a blast!

Eating lunch in style

Last year I was on the hunt for a lunch box for Landon. I just wanted a metal box, like the one I had when I was little. They are simple and sturdy. I looked all over and the only ones available are the zipper ones. I ended up buying one and mid-year, the zipper broke. The second one I bought was too flimsy, and his sandwich kept getting squished. This year with two kids needing lunch boxes, I was determined to find actual lunch pails. Not only was I successful in my search, but the ones I found are the cutest things! Who says you can't eat lunch in style?

She'll Be Comin' round the Mountain...

Today we went up to East Canyon for the last time this year. As I've mentioned in the past, my parents stay up there in the summer because they live in a furnace and need to go where people can actually go outside. My brother Rob, his wife Terri, and two kids were staying up there as well so we were able to get in a double visit. We went hiking, played at the playground and had lunch. It was a short trip because we had to make it home in time for dinner with Jeremy's grandparents. We really enjoyed their company and were really glad they were willing to drive so far just to eat. I didn't get pictures of the dinner but have quite the overload of photos from East Canyon.

Hiking 'Jeremy Style'


My Mom and Me


Emma and Grandma


Livi and Grandma playing Livi's favorite game.


Landon and Cloe


Daddy and Livi


Livi loves dogs, luckily this one doesn't mind her grabbing his face!
This is Rebel, he's a Puggle and I think I love him.


Hunter being a Monkey

A Conversation with a Five Year Old

Emma: Is there such thing as Obra?

Mom: A Bra?

Emma: No, O-Br-uh

Mom: Oprah?

Emma: Yeah, that's it. Is that a real thing?

Mom: What do you mean, where did you hear the word Oprah?

Emma: On Drake and Josh, he said he loves O-br-uh, what is that?

Mom: Oprah is a name of a person. She has a show on TV that mommies like to watch.

Emma: And Drake. Next time O-br-uh is on, let me know so I can watch it okay?

Mom: Sure.

Rock Star or Super Hero?

I can’t decide which one to call myself today. You know those days when you look back and wonder what you did all day? Even worse, a week goes by and you can’t account for one tangible accomplishment? Well, that’s pretty much all of my days. I have a “To Do” list a mile long, but can only do so much in one day.

Then you have those rare days where you get SO much done, and you feel like a total Rockstar?

Yea, that’s me today.

Here’s are all the RockStarSuperHero stuff I got done today:

-Woke up and got ready before the kids woke up. I NEVER do this. The kids are always tugging at my blankets, begging me to get out of bed. So not a morning person.

-Made my bed. For those of you that are Martha Stewart, you don’t think this is a big accomplishment, but for me, it’s not an everyday event

-Got the kids up, dressed, fed and out the door by 8:15 to make it to Landon’s Science Camp

-Got home, did the dishes, one load of laundry, set out the dry cleaning

-Hit the UPS Store

-Drove to Salt Lake to pick up my supply of B12 shots

-Went to Nordstrom to take back Jeremy’s “gay” sandals

-Stocked up on Bath and Body Works soap-SALE TIME!!

-Bought makeup

-Received phone calls from two of my favorite people…both needed cheering up, but for very different reasons. Still managed to shop efficiently while offering my assistance.

-Went grocery shopping

-Picked up Landon from camp

-While driving home, I managed to pass up the newly opened Iceberg. This is a huge accomplishment. I don’t think I can do this again- I’m going to need to find a new route home.

-Another load of laundry

-Put 2 bags of salt in soft water tank

-Made dinner

-Tried to fix broken Xbox #1- Success!

-Called Microsoft to help fix broken Xbox #2-Not so lucky. I hate talking to India.

-Blogged!

I’m exhausted. I’m looking forward to getting some sleep and getting back to my lazy and unproductive routine. Good night!

Girlie Hair

Emma's hair is finally growing out long enough to start putting it up again. She loves when I play with her hair and will sit for hours. Today we did a fun up-do that she liked a lot.




Livi wanted her hair done too, but she's not as patient as Emma, so her do turned out kinda crappy...

...I kill myself sometimes!