Ocean Air

As soon as we got to the coast and could see the ocean, we stopped to soak it all in.


My brother and his family also stopped here. They had gotten there before us and were already enjoying the sea breeze when we got there. We parked our car by them, got out and put on our jackets, and as we started to walk towards the ocean, Parker stops. He sniffs my brother's car, and says "Mom, why does Uncle Nate's car smell like tuna?"

I exploded into laughter and when I got my breath back, I asked Parker, "Do you really think it's the car? Or maybe the ocean?"

He smiled and agreed, the tuna smell was coming from the ocean.



This is the house we stayed in. We loved enjoying the ocean on the balconies.

This was our fabulous view. Yup. Spoiled, I know.

Starr Creek ran on the side of the house we rented and trickled out into the ocean. It was a perfect play spot for the kids. One giant sand box + an endless water supply = hours of fun!

We didn't waste much time before we hit the beach. Who needs sun to enjoy the coast?

The house we stayed in had a good supply of sand toys and this kite which got lots of use.


Dylan and Lexi were quick to start jumping the waves.

This sequence of pictures is really quite comical.

Dylan's falling.....

and falling......

I, of course, being the busy photographer, didn't move very fast to rescue him.

Dyl broke out into tears, was "freezing cold" and was done jumping the waves for the day.

The kids loved exploring the "Pirate Cave" they discovered.

They marked their territory (along with the bunch of other territorial markers inscribed in the sand cliff).

Unfortunately, the sand cliff wasn't the only thing around showing cracks......

We were here......

Beautiful......

Mystical......

Lush and green....

Adventure....

When are we going back?

The Big 4!

Can it be? Is my baby really 4 yrs old!

Yes, it's true. Our Dyl Pickle is now another year older.

Don't you dare smile!

Dylan loves his new wheels.

Well......that's kind of a smile.

We, of course, followed our tradition of popping the birthday balloons to reveal things we love about Dyl.

AND the silly string war!

The aftermath......



We actually celebrated Dyl's birthday a whoppin' 8 days early. On his actual birthday, we were driving home from Colorado and then Rob and I jammed at the No Doubt/Paramore concert that night (rotten parents!). So the best day we found to celebrate, just happened to be 8 days before.

While on our way home from CO, on Dylan's actual birthday and in honor of his bday, we stopped at good ol' Little America for one of their fabulously cheap ice cream cones.

However, Dyl chose a different birthday treat for himself. He also apparently didn't get his hair combed before our travels home.


Dylan's one birthday request was to go to.......

Yup. Chuck E. Cheese.

I am so in love with this little guy. He has been such a fun-loving, easy-going boy.

Some things we L.O.V.E. about Dylan:

1. His contagious giggle

2. Dyl says some funny things.......He calls his belly button "tummy button" Breakfast is"breafkast". "Mom, can I have a waffle for breafkast?" He also has a unique name for piggy back rides. "Dad, will you give me a piggybank ride?"
3. He really knows how to "shake it" when he's dancing!

4. Dyl is so tender and fun to watch with younger children.

5. Love his tousled beach boy hair.

6. Parker says: "He's funny, and joyful and a great brother. He sometimes looks like a wild ape monkey."

7. Alexia says: "He's cute and I think it's funny how sometimes he has a quesadilla for breakfast. He's fun to play with."

We love you Dyl and are so happy you belong to us!

Spoiled Rotten

I love the month of May. Spring has arrived. Flowers and plants decorate the world in beautiful colors.

One of the first blossoms from our rose bush.

We get to celebrate our precious mothers. I enjoy reflecting on what a blessing it is to be a mother of 3 healthy children.

AND Rob spoils me rotten on Mother's Day. I get to sit back and fully enjoy the day. No cooking. Rob does it ALL. No cleaning or dishes. Rob does it ALL. I sit when I want to sit and I don't feel one ounce of guilt. LOVE IT!
Rob's hard at work in the kitchen. Lookin' good in my apron that I actually sewed. Yes, don't let your jaw hit the ground, I actually used a sewing machine to make it (with lots of help):).

Rob and Lexi were at the kitchen table brainstorming what to make for my Mother's Day dessert. Lex was so thrilled with her idea. She helped Rob make two different kinds of jello and then they layered them in dessert dishes.

Apparently, Rob had something else in mind. Chocolate souffle. Yum! Two Mother's Day desserts? I'm a lucky girl.

The kids spoil me with homemade gifts.

Lexi made this flower pen and pot at school. I love how she presented it surrounded with little flowers she found in our yard using her Dora tea set as flower pots.

As if Mother's Day pampering wasn't enough, my birthday is also in May. Yup. May 13th is another lucky day for me.

My delicious key lime pie from Marie Callendars was a gift from my mom. YUM!

I received many fabulous birthday calls from friends and family. The day after my birthday, we met friends at the park where they surprised me with a birthday cake. Surprises really are fun.

My mom came and took me out to lunch on my bday.


Dylan and Lexi were very happy to be able to come with us.

I was given even MORE fantastic homemade gifts.

Lexi thought, with me being pregnant, it was very fitting to wrap my birthday gift in baby wrapping paper. I loved her clever idea. Inside was even more fabulous and unique art pieces by my Lexi Lou.

Parker presented to me a typed letter for my birthday.

He placed the pics of the tanks over the letter for some fancy decor.

After Parker's baseball game, Rob had arranged for the kids to go to a friends house so we could enjoy a dinner out together. Oh date nights! So rare and treasured!

Rob's gift to me ......

Paramore and No Doubt concert tickets.

We went on Memorial Day where we sang and danced the night away with my sis, Britt, and her hubby, Caleb.

Yes. I am spoiled rotten and I love the month of May.

Lovin' the Sun

Just like the rest of the world, we are loving all of the outside play time we get in this fabulous weather. Before we know it, the temps will rise and outside play will be limited.

But for now........

(This boy does eat food! Really well, actually. I promise!)

We will soak up the warm sun (with sunscreen of course!) and breathe in the fabulous fresh air.

Playing hard does have atleast one draw back..............

my little Superman comes inside and falls asleep at 4 or 5 in the afternoon in random places. This usually results in a delayed bed time.

Oh well, I'm willing to suffer such a consequence.

Happy sunshine to you!

Solitude

Solitude.

The meaning and depth of this word changed for me last year.

I had the opportunity to escape with Rob to a quaint little city in the mountains, Midway. Midway is just over an hour away from our home. In the 1860's, this mountain town attracted Swiss families with it's Swiss-like charm. There are several resorts and places to stay. The nearest shopping is about 30 minutes away.

Rob had a work conference to attend in this charming town. When he first presented the idea to me about escaping with him for the night, I of course jumped at the chance.

Then the work set in. Finding a place for the kids to stay. Packing everyone. Finalizing details. I was up late the night before our departure. I started wondering, "Why am I going? We have to drop the kids off at 6:30 AM! So early! I will see very little of Rob with him being busy with his conference schedule. What was I going to do? There are no nearby stores." Not much to do in this town, as far as I could tell.

Needless to say, I went.

The experience was a dream.

I experienced treasured solitude for the first time. I had hours to myself. Hours of uninterrupted thought. I got to do whatever my heart desired. I walked, read, napped, played on the computer. I didn't have any where I needed to be. I could eat a treat and not have three little cute people asking for a taste. I got to choose what I wanted to watch on TV.

Solitude.

I was able to spend lunch time with Rob. I enjoyed a great meal that evening with my hubby as we watched awards being presented and listened to a guest speaker. On the way home the next day, we stopped to watch a $1 movie.

Naturally, when the opportunity arose again this year for the same conference, I jumped at the chance to go.

Surprisingly, there again were thoughts of doubt that settled in my mind.

Since the kids would be staying at my sister's house, they would miss out on baseball practice, soccer games, and a church activity.

Oh, well. They'll survive. Yes, my common sense kicked in.

This time we were off to Park City.

We again had to drop the kids off at a dear friend's house at the early hour of 6:30 AM. (I have great friends!) Then we hit the road for another 2 days of solitude and treasured time with my hubby.

Being in Park City, I of course had to hit the outlets where I found great deals on some adorable I-can't-pass-you-up $5 and $7 dollar baby outfits.

Other than that bit of shopping, I experienced the same solitude as last year. Hours to myself.

Priceless.

Friday night as we were getting ready for the banquet, Rob realized he had forgotten some dress socks. Oops!

He looks at me and says, "What do you have for me?"

Huh?

"I didn't pack you any dress socks."

Rob responds with a smile, "I know, let me see your socks."

Serious?

Yes, he was serious.

Now those are some stylin' ankle socks, eh?

It was a good laugh, and it worked out well.

Earlier on Friday, there was a drawing for some fabulous prizes. I was in the room having a fantastic nap during this time.

Ring ring.

It's Rob.

He says,"Hey, you just won a prize!"

"I did! What?"

Behold, my prize!

Love it!:)

We have since sipped all of the sparkling cider. Placed the glassware in the cupboard with our other fine wine glasses and as for the oh-so-heavy cement art piece.......it sits nice and pretty in our back yard as fabulous garden art.

At this point, we're not sure if the conference is in our cards for next year. Even if it is, we'll have a precious baby in tow. That kind of changes the whole solitude experience. Nonetheless, I am a very lucky girl for being able to experience heavenly solitude for two years in a row.

I'd like to propose a toast with my new fine glassware and sparkling apple cider. Cheers to hours of uninterrupted thought and time to myself. And wishing all of YOU your own kind of priceless solitude, whatever it might be. (clink!)

Missin' us?

Where, oh, where have we been?

Have you been missing us in the blogging world?

Well, you see, we've been racing.

Yup. Just like the rest of you. We've been racing trying to keep up with life. And, well, Rob actually participated in his first race. His first 5 K. The Race for the Cure. He seemed to have a good experience. I was excited for him, but sad we couldn't be there to cheer him on.



You see, while he was running, I was in my own race........with two overlapping soccer games.

I dropped Lexi off at her game and watched for 10 minutes. Told her coach I'd be back by the end of the game.

(LOVE the tongue!)

Then Dylan, Parker, and I raced to Parker's soccer game.

After watching for a couple of minutes, it was time to go get Lexi, Dyl and I got to Lexi's game just as it was finishing.

Then guess what?

Yup. We rushed to Parker's game. I actually got to sit and watch for about 30 minutes before it was over. Rob joined us after his race.

Phew! The good news? Between my family, by 10:30 a.m. we had already accomplished a 5K and 2 soccer games. Not to shabby. We still had the rest of the Saturday......to do more racing.