Post San Clemente- Part Deux

So I was thinking...Why is it that our family, for 4 generations now, instinctively returns to the beach every spring? The answer: We're Sea Turtles. Sweeeeeet....totally. Even better, we're Sea Turtles who quote movies. That explains everything...

When I was younger I never realized how many clothes changes there are during the course of the day at San Clemente. I brought my kids a lot of clothes and I was struggling on our last day to find something clean for them to wear!
On a typical day, you wake up and it's a little chilly so you put on sweats. You wear the sweats through breakfast and during your morning time at the campground. Then it gets warmer later in the morning and you change to your swimsuit to prepare for the beach. You spend most of the day at the beach, greased with sunscreen, but still manage some burns on those places you forgot or never reapplied. Later on you hike back up the massive hill in your flipflops totally sticky and covered in sand.

Then you get back to the campsite where you scrounge through your clothes looking for something clean that doesn't smell like campfire and take your daily 2 quarters rations with you to the showers. The showers are normally warm, sometimes too warm for your now-crimson colored back. But you can't beat that shower clean feeling. Back at the campsite, you spend the rest of day light riding bikes and playing games while the adults comment on how burned you got in the sun that day, as if you couldn't feel it. Then the sun goes down and it gets a little cold so you put on jeans and a sweatshirt. Just make sure that it's the same jeans and sweatshirt that you wore the previous night that already smell like campfire.

Then after dinner, it's time for smores and Jan Brown's campfire biscuits that you can never cook as good as someone else and everyone points it out in case you failed to notice. Everyone sits and watches the fire and the little ones as they nod off to sleep. Then there's the final trip to the bathroom before bed, you're completely exhausted, and you try to change into your pj's while trying to maintain some type of modesty, but still need that stinky sweatshirt because it's cold. You're full of excitement as you dive into your sleeping bag because you can't wait to do it all over again the next day!

Although we welcome any outsiders to our campfire conversations, don't be surprised if you don't know the lingo that goes on at these events. I wonder if we could go a whole night without quoting a movie. I really don't think it's possible. I also don't think there's anything wrong with that! If you don't like it, you don't have to stay. Some movie highlights from this week were: Princess Bride, Scrooged, Caddyshack, Groundhog Day, Donald Duck, Dumb and Dumber, Liar Liar, Star Wars, to name a few. Some outsiders may think we're strange, but I think we're perfectly normal. Plus, we're happy. We all love our traditions and laughing at the memories we've had. I think that's how it should be.

Thank you, crazy family, for making this place memorable for all of us!

Here's to many more years of camping fun!

Post San Clemente

Dillan's ready to go back. He's been crying all afternoon that he wants to be back there. He was in heaven the entire week. He had cousins galore to race on big wheels and go on bike rides. He spent our time at the water splashing in the waves with Daddy and has become quite the brave little guy when it comes to the ocean. Then there was all the sand toys with all the sand sand sand he could get. Fly kites with Papa, get good snacks from Grandma. Play hard all day and crash hard at evening campfire. Pure bliss.



Leah took her turn trying out Dillan's bike (no, not pedaling) and big wheel, but was content chasing anyone who was riding anything. She enjoyed the sand, both to play with and as a topping for her snacks. She turned on the charms to a select few and had many wagon rides, bike trailer rides, and extended playground swing time.



Thanks to everyone who was there, we had so much fun with everyone!
Thanks for playing with our kids and making it memorable for them!

Spring, is that you?

Leah had her 18 month checkup today.
When the nurse measured her length she exclaimed, "Whoa, she's tall!" 32 inches.
Not something I've ever heard at the doctors office after being measured, but good for her!
28.4 lbs- 90th percentile. Yeah, she was born that way. Can't complain with healthy kids!



We went with Daddy to feed the ducks since we promised to stop last time. With 80 degree temps, how could we not? Everyone got into the fun, even Leah who sat on the edge of the lake and proceeded to slide into the water. Luckily my Supermom powers kicked in and I was able to grab her before she got wet or plucked by the mob. It was a fabulous day to walk and play on the toys.



Then Daddy decided it was time to introduce the kids to one of his favorite beverages of all time: The 7-11 Slurpee. It's nice that Dillan considered that a treat since we only ever drink water and milk. And it was nice that Daddy was the one to educate him how to drink Slurpees on a warm day. Dillan talks about doing it again the next time Daddy's not at work.

And we've got our brackets up on the fridge ready for tomorrow. Since we first started our little March Madness competition I believe I'm 1 and 3. This year, however, I'm feeling confident. We still have to lay out the stakes for the winning side of this deal. Let it begin...

2 Sunday Firsts

The past two Sundays we have had two first timers. First of all, last Sunday Dillan gave his first talk in Primary. The theme for the month is "Family members have important responsibilities." We talked about Daddy's and Mommy's responsibilities in our family and his responsibility as a big brother. Then we talked about the 2,000 stripling warriors who had to face battle for the first time, but they did not fear because they had been taught and nurtured by loving mothers who taught them to have faith and obey the commandments of Heavenly Father. We placed a family picture in a sturdy board frame and mounted a stripling warrior picture onto the back. We practiced the talk at least 5 times, turning over the picture when appropriate. It was all he could talk about for days.

By Sunday afternoon, he was ready. Daddy came into the primary room to watch and we stepped up to the microphone. I started to whisper the first line. What did he do? He whispered the same words into the microphone. I told him he needed to talk louder. He tried a syllable or two, but nothing else. He didn't want to say anything, but was willing to hold the picture. I continued reading the talk and he even flipped the picture at the right times, just like practice. I finally got him to say two lines from the talk and close appropriately. I guess you just never know what to expect from a 3 year old!


Today Leah had her first week in...drumroll...NURSERY! We have been looking forward to this day for a while. Dillan was totally against it, he did NOT want Leah to go to Bro Courtney's class. She has been my sidekick for awhile but I think she's been ready for bigger and better things. Well, she took to it just how I expected she would. She screamed the whole time, but our wonderful nursery leaders were okay with that, just as long as I was. I frequented the halls more than usual, but during snack time I noticed it was peaceful. Knew she'd love that part. So now, we'll see what happens. She probably won't let us go near that room again, but hopefully in a few short weeks she will grow to love it. My dad calls it payback. Karma. Fine, I can live with that.

One for Grandma

If you don't know her yet, just talk to anyone around you and they probably do. She knows EVERYONE! At least everyone in the Southern California region. Plus, she is quite the letter-writer and keeps in touch with everyone who moves away.
My grandmother has so many talents, but she'd never let you know it! All you need is to have one conversation with her and you'd discover how genuinely interested and concerned she is with YOU. She knows how to make everyone around her comfortable and feel important. The perfect hostess every time. This is a trait I long to develop.
When I was younger, Grandma tried to give me piano lessons. Yup, she's the most accomplished pianist out there, and an excellent teacher. Of course, I refused to practice and couldn't be bothered trying to play better. Oh how I wish I had practiced!
Grandma's house was a fun place to play and Grandma could always find something for even the most bored kid to do.
Grandma once told me that she never considered herself a good cook, but figured out how to make a few things to sustain her 8 kids and stuck with those. Well, Grandma, I've tried other food and no one can cook like you!
Here is my list of memories at Grandma's house: (yes, I realize most are food related)
- Open-faced Peanut Butter and Jelly
- Tuna sandwiches with big chunks of Dill pickles (I was used to pickle relish) on toasted bread
- Enchilada casserole (the green kind)
- Drinking Country-Time lemonade from a huge plastic mustard container
- Eating oatmeal cookie dough from the refrigerator
- Potato Casserole
- Pounding on Grandma's old organ with all the buttons on and volume up to the max until someone came in and told us to stop.
- Then turning around and doing it again.
- Picking berries from the bushes in the backyard
- Climbing the lemon tree and going home with the obligatory scraps from the cinder block wall
- The barking from Scamper when the doorbell rang
- Walking to Beryl Park
- Grandma's blue bicycle with the folding baby seat
- Riding skateboards down Grandma's street to the corner and dragging your toes so you didn't end up in the street (more scrapes and toe-worn shoes)
- No Bake Cookies
- Oatmeal Cookies always in the cookie jar (when refrigerated dough wasn't touched)
- Frosting on graham crackers
- Grandma cheering the loudest at soccer games
- Cuddling up on the couch with one of many soft afghans and books
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Book
- Falling asleep watching the fireplace, always burning in the winter
- Admiring my mother's high school picture on the wall
- Hearing Grandma's piano playing from the street as you walked over for a visit
- Couldn't say goodbye without a hug and a kiss. Still can't!
- Helping in the kitchen, using the hand nut grinder with walnuts for the cookies.
- Grandma ALWAYS has her camera with her. And ALWAYS taking pictures. (Hooray! I picked up on something!)

I wish I had written everything down from when I was younger. I know I will think of many more things and will have to put them somewhere.
Family is the most important thing to Grandma. As many of us as there are, she knows all the goings on in everyone's lives and is always there for support. How she and Grandpa managed to attend all the soccer, little league, football, dance recital, choir and band, karate, marimba, school plays, tennis, track, gymnastics, and whatever else everyone did!
Our family is unique in how interconnected we are with one another. We get to see each other often, thanks to Grandma's efforts, and love being together! Rare.

I am so thankful for my wonderful Grandma and Grandpa. They are the perfect examples of love and service that I have found. Thank you for everything you do!


We LOVE Grandma's cookies!

B-O-W-L

Dillan has been begging to go bowling since we left the bowling alley in St. George. "Mommy, I want to go to B-O-W-L." Since Chris found his old bowling ball at his mom's house, he's been itching to use it. So why not? We decided to invite Dillan's buddy Ryder along, to add to the fun.

They boys did surprising well, considering they are 3. The first game they were into throwing the ball (with Daddy's help) and cheering on others while anxiously awaiting their turns.


Dillan- a natural.


For the price of one game plus shoes, we had unlimited bowling for a good 2 hours. The boys had their fill after 1 1/2 games, but somehow remained entertained. It helped that for the 2nd game, Chris found a ramp and brought it over. The boys affectionately called it "the slide," and became super excited to use it. It helped each one get a strike! At one point, they both had strikes with the red head pin and so got to pick a prize envelope from the front desk. Dillan picked a free bowling game and Ryder picked a free order of french fries.




What's better than bowling?
Skittles with your good buddy. Miss you Ryder!

Good times.

Life's too short

There are so many things that float over my head like dark clouds daily. I was confident that once I had some resolve to these floaters, I'd be able to relax and focus on real life. But you know, life is too short to be wasted on the floaters. Real life goes on while I am stuck focusing on the floaters and I haven't been able to enjoy what I have.


Is it a hiding place? Working on their tans?
or a fine place to eat apples?

Chris interviewed for a new job back in October, maybe September. A completely new opportunity in a huge company that would respect his talents and give him endless opportunities. He was told he'd be made an offer before the holidays, then the first of the year, then two weeks after that. Now it's March and a this job should be a possibility within the next week or so. We'll see what happens. But I am thankful he has a paycheck now.

Then there's our home. When we found it, it was just what we needed, and all we could afford. The plan was to stay here for a couple years, sell it for a profit, and move on to something bigger. Now the housing market is in a rut and we are essentially stuck. We have not been able to find a way out that would work. We've seen so many good friends move away because of housing issues, and we're just not sure what's going to happen to us. But, I am thankful I have a home.


Why can't everyday be like this?

Good Buddies playing at the park. Period.

On a daily basis swimming through my mind are: my list of daily chores not yet completed, my family's physical health (overwhelmingly blessed in that area, thankfully), what I still need to pick up at the store, the price of groceries, clothes that have been outgrown, unfinished projects for the house, my bank account, what my kids ate that day, what we're going to eat for dinner, is my car clean, did I call that person back, update primary rosters, do I have a meeting tonight, should I throw this away or save it, am I ready for the next day, what do I need to get done before Sunday, when is Chris coming home???

And that's not life. Family is life. Creating memories with my kids, that's what I want. I want to start some great family traditions for General Conference weekend, San Clemente, Shaver Lake that my kids will always remember. I want them to have great memories with their grandparents and others. I want less of the noise in my head. And I just want to let go of all the pettiness that's not important and start living!



Handsome boy. Wonder where he gets it?