Summer Catch Up

I have been doing a pretty lousy job recording our summer.

I have started quite a few entries but have never completed any.

This will be a very brief and incomplete catch up and review.

 

It seems obvious but I will say it anyway. We are having a great time.  

 

Sunset Beach.

We spent the late afternoon and evening at Sunset beach. We ate dinner,  s'mores, and played with the Skelton Family. A great family from the MBA program we have gotten to know really well while being here.

 I was happy to take this picture. Its very reminiscent of the night we were engaged minus the little figure that is between us. 

I loved that Luke was photo bombing our pictures.

 

Alicia and I were tough and got in the water to do some boogie boarding. I felt like a kid again! It was so fun.

Charlie had fun playing with the Skelton's two boys: Levi and Luke.

I love this picture of Levi jumping around in the water.

 

A Trip down Highway 1

Bean Hollow and Pigeon Point

I love Charlie. We have so much fun with him. I love discovering who he is and enjoying his lively personality.

This was a great place for exploring tide pools. We saw a ton of crabs!

I love Olive. Her sweetness just radiates and I love having her around.

We found this lighthouse the first week we were here. Andy had been dying to go back ever since. Walking around here i felt like i had stepped back in time and i sort of wish i really could.



 



 

Charlie and Olive continue to grow. I feel like when we get back to Utah they will be completely new kids.

Santa Clara

It's nice to settle in to a somewhat normal lifestyle. Up until this point being in California has felt like a vacation. But now that we have a more permanent place i feel myself relaxing and enjoying the kids. I want to give an update  because they have been doing the funniest and cutest things.

 

Charlie



•  Every day, morning, afternoon, or night he will say, "It's a nice day!"
•  He's been saying, " I love you (pause) very much mommy (or) daddy"
• He cherishes his sleep. And now sleeps in a big boy bed! I was nursing Olive and told Charlie to find a book to read before nap. As he went looking he stubbed his toe and had a medium melt down. I was unable to help him. After he recovered he said to himself, "I need a nap". He went off to his room and climbed into bed. 10 minutes later i enter and sure enough he was sound asleep.  
• We brought one small box of toys. In it are his Legos, two dinosaurs, and a couple cars. I am learning Charlie doesn't need much to be entertained.
• A conversation with Charlie, "Mom, can i ask you a question?"
• Me  "Of coarse!"
• Charlie "Grandma and grandpa friends."
• Me "is that a questions?"
• Charlie "yes"
• Me "Then yes, grandma and grandpa are friends. Who are your friends Charlie?"
• Charlie "Grandpa and Gwyneth"



 

Olive

• Olive is officially crawling. She is a very curious wiggly little girl.
• She loves eating finger foods. And as much as she seemed to love her applesauce, she refuses any type of soft pureed baby food now. She eats beans, rice, scrambled eggs, and really anything we are eating that's soft and easy to cut up small.
• She enjoys the park. She laughs going down the slide and smiles big on the swings.
• She loves her brother and gets excited when he is getting up from a nap or when they are sitting on the floor together.
• She is currently trying to learn how to pull herself up to stand.
• She still has a a gummy mouth- no teeth
• She's 9 months old



Andy

• Andy likes his job. He enjoys free lunches at work and meeting his co-workers. He feels like Adobe is a GREAT company to work for.
• Andy also loves the weekends. His feet have a nice chaco tan line which he is proud of. He loves the coast especially, and if our camera wasn't out of batteries, he would be taking millions of pictures. So maybe its a blessing in disguise :)
• Andy is so good to me. As busy as he is, he lightens my load wherever he can. He gives me quality time. He listens to my concerns. I am very grateful for him!

Monterey Bay

We said our sad goodbyes to Los Gatos and moved to a hotel for 5 days. Andy, of coarse, noticed a grapefruit tree in the parking lot of our hotel. It was growing in someone's backyard. He was determined to get a grapefruit. After much deliberation, he knocked on the front door and asked the owners. They were happy to share so Andy got his grapefruit. He had to stand on top of our car to pick the grapefruit. 

During our hotel stay I was needed to keep busy, for fear of being stuck in a hotel room. We spent many hours at the Children's Museum. It has a number of wonderful activities for Charlie and even for Olive. It is my favorite place to hang out. Olive and I were testing what it would (sort of) feel like to go sky diving. 

 

Charlie stood at this table for maybe 30+ minutes. Measuring, scooping, pouring etc. 

We officially live in Santa Clara now! It feels good to finally settle down somewhere and not feel like we are on vacation. Although, it still feels like vacation because there is so much to do. 

We went to Monteray Bay this weekend. We went to Fisherman's Wharf. They had beautiful produce for sell. We ate a fresh yummy breakfast. We saw people preparing there rowboats for a race. They are racing to Hawaii. No engines or sails! Just rowing. Incredible! 

We then took the 17 mile drive. Making stops to explore. I am in awe of all the beauty here. I feel Gods Power and Magesty as I take in the scene. 

After the drive we went to the famous Monteray Bay Aquarium. My favorite things we saw was: the octopus, otters, jelly fish, and really big fish. Quite a site. 

So many creatures! I was in awe at how colorful it is. I have seen fish tanks with neon looking plants but thought it was for show. No, they really are that color! 

I'm ashamed we didn't get pictures at the Aquarium. 

Dinner at an ok Mexican restaurant. The view made it all worth it!

Traveling West

My pioneer ancestors really travelled west. It's a dream they could've never imagined how we do it today. I am grateful for their faith and willingness to do hard things. In this area I know I have it much easier then they do (and that's still an understatement)! 

We travelled west, in our car, 12 hours, over the span of two days, stopping at a comfortable hotel in Reno. We are in Los Gatos in a small 2 bedroom furnished apartment. The neighborhood we are in is ideal! Cute, clean homes surround us. We are in walking distance to great parks, historic downtown, the library, and our church. 

California is beautiful! It's green. Beautiful flowers line the freeways. Orange trees across the street. 

We visited the Redwood forest today and plan to go again. We had dinner in Santa Cruz and did a drive by the ocean. Charlie was very disappointed not to go onto the beach but it was already getting late. 

We'll be here all summer so we have plenty of time to play at the beach. 

Olive is a happy girl! She has been pleasant through all the traveling. Her personality is showing more everyday.

                        Redwood trees are awesome! I felt so small. 

Charlie was great on the drive too! I felt so grateful! 

A unique trunk we saw.