Santa Barbara Weekend

I traveled this weekend. Wait. Read that again.

Yes.

I
traveled
this
weekend.

Yes, me. Me, who has never left my near 2-year-old son over night. Me, who has only ever spent one night at a time away from E. I know, stop the presses! I hopped on a plane for sunnier skies to celebrate my cousin's long awaited wedding in Santa Barbara, CA. Things did not fall apart at the seams, my children did not die from sadness, and most of all I didn't either. I spent 2 nights away and came home aching for my babies and husband but really did enjoy myself. I ate amazing food, my sister and I reveled in sleeping all night long, walking in the warm sand on the beach, we had a royal ball with my cousins at the wedding it was an 'eat, drink and be merry' occasion (with a little dancing and photo booth fun too). I also busied myself with a little game for E; I snatched one of her little robotic hamster guys and took pictures of him on my adventure. It helped keep them close. Here's what transpired. plus a few of me too.

The Adventures of Dexter

Dexter hid away in my knitting bag

Exploring the Airport

Security

Made it!

Seat Belt Didn't Quite Fit

Window Seat

Palms

In N' Out!

Blowing His Straw Paper at E

Enjoying the View From Our Room

Lifeguard on Duty

Fig Tree Planted in 1876

Moby Dick

Fish N' Chips on the Wharf

Pink Berry

Front Row Seats

Cake

Hello Zuma Beach!

::::::::::

My Sister and Me

A Little Wind Blown, HAHAHA!

Wedding

YES!

Mom & Girls

Zuma

Su-UN!

Happy (almost) Birthday N!

We had a little celebration at our community center today to sing and eat cake. Cannot believe he's (almost) 2. It was a small affair with only family and his closest 2 buddies, but where trains abound there's liable to be fun! We needed to celebrate a little early because Daddy sets out for his next round of tour dates in a few days and we didn't want him to miss out on all the fun.

Ska2oosh!

Saw Kung Fu Panda 2 with D & E tonight. Hilarious. Beautiful.

Timber!

I have been desperately seeking ways to increase the sun in our yard. My garden is struggling, and moss is taking over the lawn and now our roof! I had someone come over and give an estimate to skirt this 90+ footer and 2 other trees (we have 6 huge evergreens on our lot), but short of robbing a bank we just can't pull it off right now. So, I talked my dad into coming over to trim a few of the lowest limbs on our gigantic fir tree in the front. It has made such a difference in the light that reaches into our living room and my brain, and now hopefully to my veggies! Thanks Papa!

before

after

Our Constant Companion

When we decided to adopt Molly I really didn't know what to expect. Yes, we spent a few days with her beforehand, and we knew she was even tempered and well mannered. But what I didn't expect was just how loyal and constant she is. She likes being with us. She quietly guards the doors of my sleeping children. She pads along behind me as I travel around the house. She let's N crawl on her back and when she's done with that game she slowly gets up and moves to another spot on the floor. From our deck she patiently monitors the goings on below. She can predict when we're about to leave, and waits to be invited. She greets us with an enthusiastic wag when we return, never barking or jumping. She has never chased or bothered our hens, yet enjoys galloping after the pesky crows who land in our yard. She likes being with us, even if it means napping at our feet. We have grown to love this gal.

Lil Helper

D's been expanding our coop to my specifications, and a Little Mister is eager to help.

Meet Stephen

Here is our new little peanut! D's sister and her husband and Mabel are his new foster family...which means I have a new nephew! This kid is all sweetness and I hope to spend a lot of time with him.

Current Family Favorite

I literally watch this and immediately start snorting and have tears rolling down my cheeks. We are all quoting this incessantly.

Naps

I've been lucky; for the most part my kids like to sleep. Or, maybe I should say they don't mind going to sleep, they sleep well, and wake 11 or so hours after being put to bed (sometimes their wake-up time does not coincide with my internal clock). That said, look at this sleeping angel.

I am guilty of checking on my kids multiple times during naps and evenings before I retire. I snuggle my nose right between their jawbone and shoulder and breathe them in, I cover them with kisses and whisper "I love you" in their ears.

Here is my boy resting with his side kick, Kola Dog this afternoon.

* Placement of hands and color coordination of shirt and bedding not intentional

Mother's Day 2011

My morning started with sleeping in! What a gift! Then moved quickly into french toast and coffee made by my man! Afterward we went on a family hike, out to lunch, home for naps, then out again to Green Lake for another bout of exercise and fresh air. Then out to dinner, and ice cream! Totally awesome day of no chores or cooking. Thank you, my family!

*Please take a read, this was written by a friend/homesteading mama, and spells out pretty much how I feel.