Now what?

So we got back last night from spending 4 days camping at San Clemente. For those of you outside of Southern Cal, that would be the beach. But it's so much more than that. It's where we spent every spring break and some summerdays growing up. It's where my sister, brother and I all learned to ride our bikes (Show-off Chad wasn't quite 3 when his training wheels got taken off). It's where we'd dig huge holes in the sand one day and boogie board the next. It's where we'd get sunburned to a crisp but didn't care! It's where we walked to the local deli/market and buy candy WITHOUT our parents! Where we looked for sand crabs and seashells. Where we ran from the waves or tried swimming far just to be tossed around and swallow gallons of saltwater! Where a hot shower cost $.25 for 2 1/2 minutes and more than once you were stranded with bubbles in your hair and no spare quarter! Where we learned how to make Jan Brown's campfire biscuits (so yummy)! Where you watch the beautiful sunsets as a teenager and imagine being there with that guy you had a crush on. Where the adults stayed up late around the fire long after we went to bed. Where you got to bundle up in your sleeping bag at night exhausted from the long day, just to do it all again the next day! Oh the memories! I could go on and on! I don't even know if any family members read this blog, or if they even understand my feelings for that place, or just think I'm strange.
Anyway, being back there with my kids and watching Dillan enjoy everything that I did...wow. It defined for me happiness and having joy and rejoicing in my posterity. It's a commandment! I don't want the San Clemente tradition to die away. I want Leah and any other kids I have to make many memories there, too!
This morning Chris returned to work and I had 6 loads of laundry staring me in the face and all the beach stuff to put away. Tears came to my eyes just knowing there was so much hype and excitement to this trip and now it's over!
Dillan came up to me and asked, "What are we going to do today?" I told him sadly we needed a little recovery time from the beach, but he's right. What's next? We need something else to look forward to! Am I spoiled? Oh well. It's what keeps me going. I love making memories and seeing my kids experience new things. There's nothing like it.

Gone to Carolina in my mind...

This is a quick shout out to Sydney, Amber, and Uncle Detta! Thank you for our Daddy back, we sure missed him! Can't wait to see all y'all! Utah perhaps? We'll rendez-vous at Mi Ranchito. Amber, you HAVE to get Sydney started on Mexican food! It's important. Till then...lots of hugs and kisses from all of us!

Dillan vs. Broccoli

It has become one of my many recent endeavors to get my son to eat-and like-green vegetables. I'm sure as a kid I wasn't the biggest fan, but my parents always set a good example, and I eventually followed suit. I know, I know "introduce the food to them 20 times and they'll eventually take it." Hmmm, not that I'm keeping track, but this is roughly try #359. Every once in a while he will eat something new and of the legume variety, but never when I ask. Grandma? yes. Grandpa? yes. Daddy? yes. I've tried bribery and threatening. This is what I get.
You can't see it, but just to the right of this shot on Chris' rocker is my new parenting book I picked up at the library. Maybe I can finally start doing something right if I learn from it. You can see, however, the piece of broccoli (in mid-air) just before he catches it. The dramatic effects are Dillan after he saw me break out the camera.
Below: Since tomorrow is our ward's annual Easter Egg Hunt, I told him we wouldn't be going unless he ate ONE piece. He took off one "branch" from the miniscule broccoli "tree" and swallowed it! This was his triumph. That's good for what? Half a jelly bean...

Hooray for Cousins!

Chris' brother Stephen called us up Sunday night to let us know they would be in Oceanside this week. Well, Chris' schedule was perfect so we could go stay the night and have 2 days of playing. They have 3 boys, so Dillan was in heaven. We had so much fun with them at the beach, it was the perfect kick-off to spring! Of course, I wasn't exactly beach-ready, so it was also a wake up call to get ready for the season. Dillan has never had issues with his skin and the sun, but oops! I forgot I had a baby with red hair and fair skin! Note, no List to self: you have a baby who needs stronger sunscreen, new swimsuits, baby hat, Chris prefers Bullfrog, Chris doesn't remind himself to grease-up, etc, etc. But we really did have a blast! Thanks guys, we miss you already!

Sea World!

We decided to spend the day at Sea World since Chris had the day off. Pretty good deal, too. The kids are free, and we were able to buy discounted year passes for the price of a day, including parking. The crowds were light and the weather in San Diego was perfect. All day Dillan talked about the sharks. Leah did great, so overall it was a pretty swell day!

Plum-Tuckered

The sad thing is that it's barely 10:00 am and I am already ready for bed. The hard part is trying to talk my kids into it. They don't seem to comply. Even Dillan, who this morning aroung 1, decided to go turn on the TV. Chris, bless his heart, got up to ask him what was wrong. He simply said, "I'm watching TV because I threw up." Then Chris marched right back to our room to tell me the good news. He seems to have gotten whatever it was out of his system. So, 3 loads of laundry later, he's at least happy and feeling better. Not mommy, though. Good thing Leah is a good sleeper. She gets up once during the night to eat, and takes regular naps during the day. I've tried napping. You know, "sleep when your baby sleeps," has never worked out for me. Seems like a good day to go visit Grandma.

Sugar and Spice and everything...Daddy!

It's true, Chris can finally show off his special little girl and all their similar qualities. The reality is that Dillan and he have a lot of similarities with personality, but looks are mostly Mommy. Leah has red hair and blue eyes and Daddy couldn't be prouder. He calls her "Smiley." I thought Dillan was a pretty good baby, and he was, but Leah has been a huge surprise of a good baby. She puts herself to sleep (Dillan never did) and in her own bed (Dillan was always in our bed). She pretty much never lets out a sad noise unless she's hungry or uncomfortable in her diaper. She's pretty mellow most of the time. She loves to watch Dillan and Daddy and laugh at all they do. Of course, we have our special moments, but she's definantly Daddy's Little Girl.