Pismo Beach

If I could own a vacation home anywhere, I would choose Pismo Beach. I grew up going there every summer for family vacations. I have so many fun memories there!

This past weekend my Mom took me and the girls to Pismo. K met us there. We had a blast! We hit up Splash Cafe for some yummy chowder, played on the beach, swam in a heated pool, and hit the outlets for some shopping. Fun, fun, fun! Here are some pictures of our trip!

Little Ballerinas

Here are our little ballerinas. I'm so bummed this turned out blurry!

Questions

L is a very inquisitive little girl. She often comes up with questions that I haven't really thought about it. Here is an interesting conversation we had in the car today while going to grab dinner.

L: Mom, when does Heavenly Father sleep?

Mom: Hmmmm, I don't know. I don't know if He needs to sleep.

L: Well Mo-om, he HAS to sleep or he'll be grumpy in the morning. You told me that a long time ago.

Mom: Oh really? (laughing quietly)

L: Maybe He's sleeping right now.

Mom: Maybe

L: Or maybe He's eating dinner.

Mom: I don't think Heavenly Father needs to eat.

L: Yes he does Mom. He has to eat healthy foods to grow nice and big and strong.

Mom: Oh.

I love how little kids' minds work. So matter of fact.

25 Random Facts About Me

I posted this list on Facebook and thought it might be interesting to put on our family blog.

Here are some random facts about me. Some of them felt more like confessions than random facts. :)

1. I love sunshine. I enjoy rain for about 2 days and then I start to go crazy. I hate the snow. I love feeling the warmth of the sun on my face.
2. I have moved 10 times in the past 8 years (Visalia house #1, Visalia house #2, Visalia house #3, Tulare, back to Visalia house #3, Woodland, Davis, Sacramento, Fresno, Sacramento). Needless to say, I am happy to be in one place for the next 2 1/2 years.
3. My husband and I met in August 2001, started dating in March 2002, were engaged in June 2002, and married in August 2002. We've enjoyed 6 1/2 years of marriage thus far! :)
4. I recently decided (after lots of research) to homeschool my kids. My oldest started Kindergarten last month and we're having a blast!
5. I don't subscribe to cable. Our TV is plugged in for movies, but no television. I don't listen to the radio either. I enjoy the silence.
6. My husband and I read out loud to each other at night as often as we can. We love reading a good book after a stressful day.
7. I've been to Hawaii 3 times (which is not enough). :)
8. I cut my husband's hair. This is something that my husband has requested. I dread it each month, but I'll continue to do it until... 
9. I gave birth naturally (no epidural) to my last daughter. This was not by choice; she came so quick that the anesthesiologist didn't get there in time.
10. I look forward to checking the mail each day. I love getting packages, cards, and letters. 
11. I lead the music in church each Sunday.
12. I have no idea how to send text messages on my phone. Pretty sad, huh? 
13. I hope to have AT LEAST 5 kids.
14. I love to sing and wish I had joined the choir in high school. I hope to take voice lessons when my kids are older.
15. My husband and I used to live in a 597 square foot, 2 bedroom apartment. It had wall-to-wall linoleum (no carpet), no garbage disposal, no dishwasher, and no washer/dryer. We had two kids while living there. We were incredibly poor and incredibly HAPPY! We LOVED our time there. It was a great experience to learn that money does not buy happiness.
16. I love to eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast.
17. I had braces when I was in junior high. I never wear my retainer. For some reason it always puts a space between my 2 front teeth.
18. I hitchhiked with 2 guys who were polygamists. NO JOKE! My car broke down and they stopped to help. Me and two friends hopped in their car and they took us to my grandparents house (3 hours away). I know this will sound weird, but they were really nice guys. They weren't psycho freaks like you would think. And just for clarity, I DO NOT BELIEVE IN POLYGAMY!!!! :)
19. I love people with disabilities, especially children. Before staying at home with my kids, I worked for 5 years with infants and toddlers who had disabilities. It was awesome, and I hope to do it again when my kids are older.
20. While getting married the officiator mispronounced both of our names and forgot to have us kiss! Yeah, pretty big mistakes!
21. I don't really like my name. I think it's kind of boring. I wish I was named after someone or that my name was chosen because of its meaning. For that reason, my husband and I have chosen our children's names very carefully.
22. I love shopping on Craigslist. I've purchased tons of things (couches, refrigerator, entertainment center, baby things, etc). 
23. I don't like grilled chicken breasts. I used to eat them all of the time, but now the thought of them makes me want to gag. I don't like steak either. 
24. I love my silverware. I know that sounds crazy. But I really love it!
25. I think the hardest and most amazing job is being a stay-at -home Mom. I LOVE IT!

Groundhog Day

Yesterday was Groundhog Day. I would have never remembered this, but my husband (who remembers everything) told the girls about it. Naturally they were intrigued by this amazing groundhog who could predict the weather. So yesterday for part of school, I decided we would watch good ol' Phil come out of his hole on YouTube. The girls were mesmerized, until the final statement was read: 6 more weeks of winter. L instantly burst into tears. Apparently she doesn't like the winter. :) So much for a fun, educational experience...

If you're interested, here is the video. But my suggestion would be to WARN your kids. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8kDo9hmwY4

On the Move

R is now 8 1/2 months and has decided to crawl, pull herself to stand, and cruise furniture...all in about a weeks' time. Crazy! I can't believe she is getting so grown up!

Happy, Happy Birthday

A birthday party seems like the perfect way to start our family blog. We recently had L's 5th birthday party, princess theme of course. G and I made the cake. We spent hours on it. At the last minute, the third tier fell off, so it doesn't look as grandiose in the pictures. Oh well. :) L had a great time with her friends...dancing, getting their nails done, and making macaroni necklaces!