Whimsical ME

California Love

Took the kids to California this summer, but it didn't feel like summer in California!  I tried not to mind too much because I knew that the summer heat was awaiting me back home.  I went on runs in the morning and it was beautifully crisp and cloudy.  I could actually wake up at 9am and still be able to run comfortably.  

The kids were really looking forward to a beach day but the weather was not cooperating until our last week-end of our 11 day stay.  

Nyomi somehow found out about Hollywood and asked to go there.  Adam told her that Hollywood was not going to be like it is on TV and that in fact it may be boring and dirty.  She still insisted that she wanted to see it for herself.  

When we got there ... she looked around and said,

"Hollywood is beautiful!  Daddy was wroooooooooong!"

(oh and this camera had a big smudge on it...dang it)

Hollywood was like a circus!  There were so many people dressed up as different characters like Batman, Darth Vader, Mickey Mouse, Wonder Woman, Elmo, Diego, Jack Sparrow ... so many more I can't remember.  The kids thought it was fantastic!!

We went shoe shopping with uncle Oscar.  Dylan wasn't having too much fun until he was able to pick out some shoes for Uncle Oscar to try on.

Jennie joined us for a movie.  We watched the X-Men one ... Nyomi loved it.  I thought it was little scary for them.

Jennie got to meet baby Nadya.

Went out with my brother a lot!  On this occasion we went to watch his co-worker/part-time musician sing at a club in Los Angeles.  VERY, VERY fun night!  I danced the night away and it was awesome.

During the day I would try my best to tire the kids out so they would go to bed early and I could justify going out with friends and my brother.  Sometimes it worked but there were plenty of times that I was the only one tired!  I took them swimming EVERYDAY sometimes 2x a day.  We met the usual tenants that also go swimming everyday ... it was very cool.  

Then we headed over to visit my best friend Maren and her family.  We stayed with her for 3 days.  It was so much fun to reconnect again.  You can say that we re-bonded and I'm so HAPPY that we can be so close again.  I love-love-love her family and I could just keep her daughters with me for months/years if she ever needed me too ... they are that much fun!

Then I drove to San Francisco to visit with my sister and my adorable nephew.  I adore him!  He's so handsome and sooooooo sweet.  I could just gobble him up.  It's really sad that I don't get to see him more often.  I'm really excited about their trip out here in October.  While in SF we took the cable car into the city and then had lunch.  I spent little time there and it went much too quick.  I need to go back.

p.s.

Dylan didn't want to wear pants so he decided to stay behind and play with his friends Grace, Eve and Daphne.  He's a ladies man.

My kids had a blast playing with Maren's girls.

I'm so sad that Daphne was sleeping when I took this picture.

The "best" picture I got with Maren.  I was soooooooo tired.  Crazy me woke up super early to go for an 8.5 mile run.  So, I look beat up!  lol Anyway, I made it back to Los Angeles in great shape.  

Love Maren!  We will always have an amazing bond.

It was so sweet to have Grace run out with our car and wave us off.

I went to watch Capital Cities during one of my last nights in town.  Me and this little bearded fella (Sebu) goooooo waaaaaaaaaaay back.  The beard was a little shocking but when he spoke it was like the beard disappeared. It was so great to see him again and meet his beautiful wife.  The music is so upbeat, catchy and FUN!  Check them out, especially if you like to dance or need new material on your ipod for your workouts.  

I somehow got  to the front and transformed into a major groupie.  haha!  Never imagined that I would be a groupie but it was fun!

My friend Sam and his beautiful girlfriend.  Seriously, my friends have hooked up BIG time!  He's a beautiful person inside and out.  If you ever need to feel beautiful and peaceful you go to Sam ... he just has a way about him.  Oh and he's a musician as well... THE DIRTY DIAMOND.  I bought a shirt and I'm so excited to wear it around here to spread the word.  I would describe his music as Vintage Rock -- but what do I know about it?  All I know is that I love it and I love him!

I took some pictures at his show.  These are some of my favorites.

The only sunny day that we experienced in California so we got to go to the beach and the kids had a blast!

Uncle Oscar serenading miss Nadya.  She loves music!  There was one afternoon that she was having a hard time falling asleep so he played his guitar until she snoozed.  I love this picture!

Can't wait to go back!

Grand Canyon 2011

We went to the Grand Canyon.

Now that my mom is officially retired she's ready to see and do stuff!  It's so exciting to be able to travel with her.  She helps with the children, which makes traveling a lot easier to do.

My brother Oscar came too, because he had never seen the Canyon.  It's just beautiful and something that must be experienced at least once in your lifetime.

We did the trip in just one day, which means that we didn't do any hiking or any of the many adventures of the canyon but we are leaving those things for when they children are a little older.  It was colder than I had anticipated but I was very happy about it ... thankfully, I thought of bringing some sweaters for the kids in a "just in case" scenario.

It was a looooooooong day of driving and sight seeing but it was SO worth it.  My mom thought that it was so beautiful and just something that she didn't imagine even when she had seen many pictures.

Happy THANKSgiving

We had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend with my friends and family in California.  We've made a family decision NOT to travel during Christmas anymore because it is so stressful AND we really enjoy spending the month of December home with our own traditions.

HOWEVER

the other 11 months of the year we are free to TRAVEL!

So, we decided to take the drive with our family of 5 and visit so. Ca.

The kids were easy to travel with as usual.  AND the hubby behaved too ... LOL!

We ate a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with some family friends, same ones we ate with last year.  The kids had fun running around with the other children.  AND the adults had fun conversations while we waited for the feast.  Adam had to go out and search for a pacifier for Nadya ... since we had lost her beloved earlier on our trip.  Luckily, he found one that has NOW become her favorite.

These are some of my brother's best friends that are like MY brothers too.  I've known then since they were in Elementary school!

Dylan LOVES pumpkin pie!  Last year he tried it for the first time and was in LOVE.  Early in the morning he'd whisper in our ears, "Pum-kin pieeeeeeeee?", cause he wanted it for breakfast.

We ate 2x at our favorite place ... PANERA!

We went to our local park where there is always a group of old men playing games and chatting.

We tried to go to PORTO's on this day, but it was closed ... so instead we went to Goodwill and bought the kids a couple of books!

We went bowling with friends!

I even did some karaoke.  I don't know HOW the heck I sang in front of people in High School and now I'm petrified of singing in front of drunk people!

It was a little chilly at my mom's so Nyomi found things to keep her warm.

We finally made it to Porto's and it did NOT disappoint.  Apparently, people travel really far to come to these restaurants.  BUT, I had lived in Glendale for so many years and had NEVER tried it.  Where have I been?

So, we tried their breakfast ... and ... then Adam came the next day and got some Potato balls and some pastries.  Really delish!!!

Sweet Nadya and uncle Oscar.

And on our last night we spent the night with my good friend Tony and his GF.  Oh man, it was FUN but it was late!  We stayed until 3am and we had to travel home the next day!  But, it was definitely worth it ... that's for sure.

Thanksgiving Trip

 

We had a lot of fun traveling as a family to Glendale this past weekend.  We realized that Adam's last time in Glendale was last Thanksgiving ... wow!  On the other hand, I've lost count of my visits this year.  Thankfully, I have very good travelers.

Thanksgiving dinner was great.  We went over to a friend's home (we've known this family well over 15 years)  we partook of delicious food, great conversation and some fun games.  About 30+ people were invited ... and the kids had lots of fun too.

Adam and I were able to have some date nights thanks to my Mami.  We watched The Blind Side , which was a really good movie to watch on Thanksgiving night.  We even went to the Beach on Thanksgiving day (I almost forgot).  For a second, I thought we were still in AZ when we arrived to LA with 80 degree weather.  People were in the water!  crazy!!  

We did a lot of fun family activities.  Now, it's time to relax and enjoy December.

Tomorrow, I commence my December daily.  

(P.S. So my mom bought these incredibly cute but expensive $30 jeans for Nyomi ... she doesn't even buy herself anything that's $30 ... my kids are certainly spoiled) 

Kidspace California

During our short trip to California, I was inspired (hehe ... by a friend) to go to Kidspace in Pasadena.  California parents really enjoy visiting this place.  On the other hand, I thought it was a little disappointing.  Perhaps because I've been spoiled by other awesome museums in Utah.  BUT, you know what ... DYLAN {loved} it all ... and that's all that matters to me!

 

when another kid tried to invade his space ... this is the look he gave the boy!

Yikes!!

 

 

I was so glad Sierra was able to travel with me.  She was so helpful and sweet like always.  She climbed these glass-like raindrops with Dylan.  Very fun stuff.

 

LOVE this picture because it reminds me of a picture of my brother when he was in Kindergarten.  My brother would ride a tricycle like this one ... he would claim it as his own during recess.

This is also the spot where Dylan played with water and got soaked!

Back from Vacay!

Oh boy did we have some major fun.

Of course because of all the fun to be had, I neglected in taking as many photos as I would have hoped.  I did manage to get my camera out for a very cool session in Salt Lake City and for some outdoor fun with my cute little kids and one of my favorites mom's kids too :)

We had a really nice family reunion in Park City, Utah with Adam's side of the family (specifically his mom).  We stayed at a beautiful hotel (condo) with awesome amenities.  I could live there.  The weather was brisk and the mountains were beautiful like always.  Because I have been working on my SLC session and other randomness, I haven't downloaded reunion pictures.  I have enjoyed glancing at the ones that have been posted on Facebook!

Okay this first photo,

has to be first because it touches my heart.

I loved the sun flare I was able to get and I love that Boston has his tiny hand on his Mama's heart.  So precious.

Our kids having a blast.  They spent 5.5 blissful days together.  I was very surprised there weren't as many touchy days.  I was expecting to have to hitch-hike to a friends...and give them a break...ha-ha.  It was a great time.

Good TImes, Good times! {wink wink}

And this is how Chels rolls.

Love how she'll get down and dirty with the children.

She is

patient

loving

funny

caring

her husband and children are really, really lucky!

My kids

"ta-da" as Dylan would say

Fort Myers Beach

My cousin lives in Fort Myers.  This was our home base during our stay in Florida.  It turned out to be the best locations for what we wanted to do and see.  Very fun.  We went to this beach two times.  The sand was silky and the water warm.  On our second visit the water was dirty with slimy seaweed.  Nyomi refused to get in and I couldn't blame her.  Instead they played in the sand and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.  

The next time at Fort Myers.

The End.

Key West and Miami Beach

We drove 6 hours to Key West.  About 3 of those hours was on a one-way road through all of the keys and essentially little islands (on a bridge).  We enjoyed traveling with my cousin Betty and her 2 kids, Vicente and Gianella.  This was the first time in 15 years since I'd been able to see my cousin and the first time to meet her children.  We don't know when we'll be able to see each other again, we had such an awesome time together.  

My thoughts of Key West.  Beautiful, blue, small, nice weather in March, a lot of people, not very enjoyable with small children.  We went to 2 beaches because the first beach we went to was very rocky and not suitable for small children or anyone with skin :)  The second beach was much better but not as beautiful as I had expected.  The children LOVED it and played on the beach all afternoon.  Once we headed to our hotel we all played in the heated pool.  Very nice way to unwind and refresh.  

 

Miami Beach was a lot of fun.  I found the beach to be a lot better for young children.  The sand was soft and the surf was fun for big and small.  The beach was quite shallow for a long way out. Blue skies, cool water and fun in the sun.

And then we had dinner at Adam's favorite restaurant.

 

Disney World Orlando

I've been on vacation mode for about 2-3 weeks now.  We had a wonderful trip to Florida.  We stayed/visited with family and traveled to see as much as possible.  

One of our first stops was Orlando.  We were only able to visit one park because of time constraints.  It was so much fun!  We'll definitely go back again someday to visit the other parks. One was good enough for us this time around.  

Nyomi enjoyed everything about Disney World and Dylan was right behind her enjoying her enthusiasm and energy.  It was such a special experience to travel with my mom.  She doesn't get to travel much so this was a treat for all of us.

Some of my favorites ...  straight out of the camera because I'm still on vacation :) 

More to come.

A Couples' Retreat

 

Thanks to Granny and Papa who let us stay in their beautiful home...and thanks to my MIL who watched our children while Adam and I enjoyed some adult time in Colorado.

We traveled with some great friends...that I have personally known since High School.  Thankfully our husbands get along really well...you know GUYS...very easy and practically drama-free.  We enjoyed hot chocolate by the fireplace, hot tub/sauna nights, snowshoeing, skiing (not for us though), window shopping, games, laughing and staying up as late as possible. 

These are some pictures I was able to capture of the couples.  We were having so much fun we put off the pictures until the very last minute.  We have some very good-looking friends, don't ya think?

 

 

 

 

 

And what do you know...my friend Chelsea got some of Adam and me too!