Cheap-O Pumpkin Patch

So, we never made it to the pumpkin patch but Nini's front porch seemed to work out ok. And, just for the record, how cute it Wyatt here?????

Just your ordinary afternoon

Gives new meaning to "eyes in the back of my head."




Remind me why we buy toys for our kids. I mean, here Wyatt is totally pumped about a pair of old goggles which he INSISTED on wearing on his head. I had no idea leaky goggles would keep a one and a half year old so occupied.

Also, you may notice the lack of pants. Chronic state at our house. I actually consider the presence of a shirt a small victory.



Shelby, meanwhile, is attempting to create bubbles with her giant bubble wand. Nini purchased it for her b/c it had a princess smeared on it, but that's about all it had going for it. The promised giant bubbles never appeared. Shelby eventually gave it up and Wyatt used it as a sword.

and a bat.

and a golf club.

You get the picture.

Bubble Trouble

Phhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhttt!



My wand must be defective.



This was taken right before Wyatt passed out.


Not really.


But it could have happened. He really was giving it the ol' heave ho.

Moving

Goodbye first home. I remember when we first walked through your door. Shelby was still forming in my belly. In fact, it was in your walls we first felt her move. It was to you we brought both her and her brother home. It was on your tree we proudly hung our baby swing and your driveway we decorated with chalk. It was your backyard I attempted my first garden and blew countless bubbles. It was your walls that heard cries in the night, silly laughter in the day, and the hushed prayers to the Lord before bed. Yes, little house, you have seen our family laugh and cry and grow. In the chaos of packing, I never got to reflect on all the memories lurking in your walls.

So, goodbye first home.

Goodbye.

I turn the big 3-0

One amazing husband and two kids later...I've never been happier! Blessed, blessed and blessed again!

Boy has skillz

Wyatt showing dominance with his new spoon.

Last leg of the trip

Code red! Call the natural disaster hotline. There is a carbon monoxide leak rendering all the seals unconscious. Or...they are just living out my fantasy of laying around in the California sun all day.



Our hotel accommodations...



Just kidding. We took a Hearst Castle tour which was AMAZING! I also randomly saw a girl that I haven't seen since high school & had tons of fun catching up. Never burn bridges I tell you!




Santa Barbara. Lovely town, except I would have loved it better had it not come after Carmel. Ah, Carmel...



Who is that good lookin' couple? Are they movie stars? Maybe just in their own heads.

Turnin' the wheels back in at the end of our trip. If you ever vacation to California take this tip w/ you: go convertible or go home.

Big Sur

You will notice I am in pants and long sleeves b/c driving down Hwy 1 in a convertible can be chilly. Also, note the ponytail. Girls, do yall remember when you were younger and your Barbie's hair would become a tangled mess after a couple years or two rounds of "play" with your younger sister? That is the best visual I can give you for my end-of-the-day hair.






I know yall are sick of beautiful ocean pics, but GOOD GOSH this is amazing!!!!




Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park



Awww!



Oops! Let one more slip in. No more I promise

Carmel

Sooo this was down the street from our Inn. Not too shabby, huh? I mean, assuming you like that sort of thing.




Tra la la la. Just walking down the path to town for an espresso and a croissant from the bakery.


All the houses/cottages in Carmel are so unique with every little detail attended to. My favorite cottage was the one above. It made me think of Hansel & Gretal. No composite shingles for Ol' Carmel. This one had a whimsical waving roof line and, if you look close enough, you can see that they built the brick on the front porch to make the door look like a little dwarf door from the street.




Then we went to see Pebble Beach....

I WANT IT! I'll pay anything I tell you!






...Or not.

Headed South

Goodbye lovely San Francisco! We loved eating your sourdough and watching your seals!





Let's play a game. It's called which one does not belong.

A)


B)


C)


D)



If you guessed D) then you are not blind. Congratulations! The last picture is of our local beach, Galveston.

A-C are on Hwy 1 headed to Carmel. Ahhhh! Beautiful, beautiful Carmel.

Stay tuned for more on that...

Muir Wood Part II

Sooo, I can't post more than five pics per post. Get what you pay for I guess. This is my concluding post on my Muir Wood series. Cry not faithful readers! I have many more California pics to share (just no more of Muir Wood).



Three things to note about this picture...
1)I am wearing dark jeans and a turtleneck
2)I have hiked to the top of a very large mill or hountain.
3)I have not passed out with heat stroke.

By these three things you may conclude: I did not anticipate a hike, I love my husband and agreed to a hike, and the weather was cool enough that the hike ended in the positive column of marital experiences unlike our first (and last) duck hunting outing...







I know the pic is sideways but I like it that way. Or I am just too lazy to change it. Moving on.

Do you see this tree??? I can't help but hug it!


Bye Muir Woods! I'll be baaaaaack!

Muir Wood Part I

So what's with all the Californians wanting to preserve everything?



I mean, wouldn't some town homes look lovely here?




















Too dark. Cut 'em down and make some firewood.

















Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade right in the middle of the woods! (Might be worth preserving...maybe)






















Does anyone know that there is a giant whole in this tree? Must be defective. Chop it down.




















Gross! Seals! They're like the rats of San Francisco.








(*note: take all comments and reverse them.)

The Rock*

*must be said in a Sean Connery accent or we are no longer friends



So Seth and I took a little trip down Hwy 1 this spring and started with San Francisco. To be honest the first thing that popped into my head when I thought of San Francisco was "Full House" followed by gay pride parades. I know this is a weird trajectory by such is the truth. Anyhooz, we spent our first day visiting what could be the coolest and oddest attraction of the visit. I mean, why do we find an old, crusty prison where the dregs of society eeked out their days so fascinating? I can't answer that for you, but the audio tour freakishly awesome!


Upon arrival...
















Our hotel accomodations











So there is a lot of whining about torture, blah-blah, water boarding, blah. That's nothing! Put some of those terrorists out on Alcatraz to look out at the beauty of San Francisco spread out on a hillside on a clear, spring day knowing they'll never leave The Rock alive. Now that is cruel and unusual if you ask me.


Two little love birds headed off to jail

Is this hilarious to anyone else?