Fallen Sandcastles

Missed my ocean wave naps and freezing pool swims with the kiddos. But M* and I survived at home with the critters to keep us company. It's hard being a mama with my heart in two places!

Gold Rush - Spring break 2022

 

Present in the hear and now!

An exert from my vacation post I'm still working on...

After a stressful, tearful TSA experience without my daughter, AND finding out my flight to SNA was canceled! I started over at PDX to hopefully get another ticket and meet the rest of my family. 

I'm not a seasoned traveler. So with a ton of stress, I panicked, worried I would not get on a flight out! Will that guy three rows ahead get the last ticket? What about that family? Hmm... I don't see any Disney swag, they might be safe. My head was swarming with "What if's." I did manage to get a few rows up by asking politely to cut, they could tell I was stressed wanting to get to my family. But politeness doesn't get you that far when everyone else is in the same boat. I then became mindful and slowed down. My anxiety began to wane. I found people-watching at the airport helped get my mind off the "What if's" and I was able to be present in the moment and not stuck in my swimming head. I made good memories in that line! With thoughts of our new puppy at home with Grandma, I turned my attention to the many companion dogs. There was a Doodle puppy who was not being properly trained. Treats to get him/her to stop barking just re-enforces the habit...it barked a lot and peed. The poor owner was clearly stressed out and embarrassed. A German Sheppard puppy with floppy ears flying cargo. He was having a great conversation with the Doodle pup 😆. A spoiled Cavalier-Spaniel flying cargo for the first time. She had a teen owner with Dad and brothers going to enjoy the sun. The San Fransico rescue that was part Lhaso Apso part Havanese (Hava-Apso) SPOILED rotten that old pup.  The family of redheads, whose little boy really wanted a German Sheppard puppy. The extremely grumpy guy who had to borrow tape at the ticket counter to close his package, I hope your day got better! 

Being stuck overnight in an airport must SUCK! A lot of that line consisted of that. They all just wanted to get home for the holidays! And I just wanted to meet my family safely in California!!!

Disneyland 2021!

For Tani

Would have taken more pics, but teens must think your soul disappears with a camera flash!

 

Rockin' CCC speed run course!!!

 With 24 hours to spare Christian finished his last essay. So very proud of him for pulling off this Christmas miracle!! Now he/we can chill for a week before the trip!!! 

Our next family member! I hope!!

 

God's perfect plan. We met this little boy last night. The lady who met with us said that she was once assaulted while showing her puppies, so she now meets in public places. What is wrong with people these days? Back to happy thoughts...Seeing her smile again, that's what everyone's looking forward to!!!

Pinknose

 Incase anyone wonders why we dyed our MALE cat pink.....

We kept the one
Ragdoll with the soft fur. 

The last time Grandma watched our critters (beach vacay). She got confused about which cat was the outdoor cat. So she tried to push our VERY ANXIOUS Siamese out the back door!!! Since then, she has tried to build trust with our brat Sunny. 

This time around, Grandma has a cataract! So she has to close one eye to see the world, and she's not planning on getting it fixed until after her next cruise at the end of December! So, the kids are having fun deciding what to do about Pinknose when we go to Disneyland. 4 critters to take care of! One funny was to capture a skunk (we have a black cat). Another plan was to innovate a mini cow (Sam calls the dog a cow because she's black/white and sometimes stinks). Dane and I think we'll make do with a big funny poster and stick it to the front door. But with this family, who knows!! 

Tomboy no more?

Not me!!! This salon visit cost us about 100 bucks!! 

Christian's food truck lunch order ;) with idk.. either a bunny or a Kahuna sketch. 

WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!

Our first-ever Disney vacation that we paid for and planned by us alone. Our family has been through so much the past IDK 5ish years! It's now our turn to have a nice family vacation with just the 6 of us! It's all thanks to M*! She's been dying to get out of dodge ever since the pandemic hit. Having us all home for a year took its toll on her. I don't blame her; it was a horrible year all the way around! Pandemic, civil unrest in our beloved city and the entire country, my father's death, my trip to Utah, etc. But I think the thing that drove her the craziest was having us all under one roof! Sensory overload for her! So I hope and pray this vacation will be a good reset for this family as we are getting back to a new "normal." 

Desert Trip 2019

Gold Rush 2019

Desert Trip 2018

 

Off to Outdoor School!

Grandpa L*

During my trip to Salt Lake for my Grandpa's 90th birthday, I learned so much about this accomplished man. Listening to stories, scouring scrapbooks, but best of all was his 90th birthday memory book! Family and friends contributed with photos and favorite memories. Stories about fishing, camping, traveling, friendship, teaching, etc. My favorite stories were all the many tall tales of how Grandpa lost his pinkie finger. On the night of his birthday, he finally came clean with the truth!!!

19 years flying experience! 

Back from outdoor school!

As I waited outside the middle school with Sam and Emma, other parents arrived with cameras in hand. The first bus pulled up, empty of students, but full of packed luggage. The next bus arrived filled with students waving their arms out the window, screaming witty greetings to  loved ones. When all the kids finally got off the buses, it was utter chaos! Parents were hugging, friends were saying goodbye, and teachers were breathing a sigh of relief. The sound was deafening! Christian, along with several other kids, helped unload the luggage bus. It was comical to see how most parents had the same idea - sent trash bags for used clothing. Christian and his friends formed a line and passed luggage to the curb. Emma, on the other hand, kept whining that she wanted "Brubber". Eventually, she got her way with a big hug! All the way home, Christian chatted about the incredible time he had.

Christian's off to Outdoor School

No phones allowed, those kids will be roughin' it!

Seaside Basketball Tournament

Everyone had fun at the beach except M* who was sick with the stomach flu.

Flaming Gorge

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa Lloyd for an amazing vacation with our family!

Visit with Grandpa Glen

Beach Trip 2012

Every year, around 30 of us gather at the Sandcastle Motel in Lincoln City for four nights and five days. We had a blast this year, and it was Emmalyn's first time, which she loved!