Mammoth Pools

We're back from camping. A little lot dirtier than we left. We filled our days with boating, wake boarding (i didn't take any pics... boo), in rivers, jumping off bridges and rocks, exploring (and finding globe rock... Pretty cool), playing in the sand, talking around campfires and enjoying family.
I am thankful for camp showers and bug repellent (my purchases were well worth it!) and I fell in love with wake surfing (with a wake skate). Cameron decided that food tastes better when you're camping (i think it's because you're limited) and was expectantly awesome on the wake board. Krew loves boating and examined every stick, pine cone or rock that came across his little eyes. And not to mention, we celebrated Krew's first birthday there! In celebration, Krew was sure to sport his birthday suit about 70% of the time.
Mammoth's snow is still present! This caused for high water levels and water that was freshly melted snow (brrrrr....{teeth chatter}). We managed to bare it everyday but thankfully it did warm up.
We had a wonderful time and I'm excited to return next year! Thanks to our family who made it such memorable week!

headed home

We've returned from our camping adventures at mammoth pools and it's back to real life. What a relaxing and fun week and a half. I feel like we have been in la-la land. But I must say, I am grateful to be clean again--a week and a half was just right. Now it's time to sleep in my own bed, nice and clean without mosquito repellent.

And here's proof baby is up and walking.

Happy 1st Birthday Krew!

Everyone warned me that babies grow up too fast. I can't believe my baby is 1! I still have his birth pictures on my memory card because I just don't have the heart to erase them after they've been uploaded. I frequently look at those pictures and think about what a blessing he is in our lives.
He is so funny and loves to be with people. And not to mention, he is sooo cute! I could squeeze and kiss his cheeks all day! He is a wonderful joy in our lives. We love you so much Krew! Happy 1st Birthday baby boy!

Cordelia

grandma & the girls' tea party, August 2006

My Grandma Cordy never really liked her real name which was Cordelia. I think it's absolutely beautiful. She was a beautiful person inside and out. She is my maternal grandma and will always be.

She was first class, the perfect hostess, and I would trust her with picking out my entire wardrobe-- she had impeccable taste. She had a tremendous amount of charity for anyone. She was a beautiful woman that made everything around her beautiful. She sent us packages and presents galore that were so extremely thoughtful and creative. She made each grandchild feel like there were no others. She loved the gospel and worked in the temple every week. She set a great example of service for the rest of us.






grandma and grandpa came to visit us in Hawaii 2008

She always jokingly said to me "You won't ever let me go to a rest home will you? You'll let Grandpa and I live with you, right?" I always said "of course". She would do anything for me. No, I never got to take care of her because she had my grandpa who took wonderful care of her and two fantastic nurses that are now members of our family. But we live on my grandparents property and I was able to visit her almost every day which I felt filled her request of never letting her be lonely.

My Grandma Corky was one of my best friends and was so much fun to talk with. She was very youthful and had quite a sense of humor. She never wanted to die from an old person's disease and she didn't. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor that anyone could have had.
She was extremely well rounded and cultured. She truly was an incredible woman, there is no way we could have lost her all at once. We lost her in pieces since her diagnoses.
I miss her truly. We still live on her property and I feel her presence here. She left an incredible legacy behind as such a spectacular woman.


grandma's garden (yes, my gma & gpa let me write in their concrete)

big 1st birthdays

Krew's first birthday is coming soon! Maybe I should make a paper chain! (Anything truly exciting deserves a paper chain countdown). And with that 1 year mark comes a fabulous 1 year birthday party which I am so excited for.
I swore to myself I wouldn't do an over extravagant first birthday party but as I come nearer, it's hard to resist. Silly? Yes, a little... You could say what is a 1-yr-old going to care or remember? And rightly so.

In my quest to throw a first birthday party for the cutest little guy around, I did some extensive research and my findings were surprising. Moms throwing birthday parties that cost a small fortune!
I am not saying I am not one to go all out because I do like planning fancy parties but these are extravagant.

A few for example:
Mom throws kid a birthday and rents... Oh no, not a pony, an airplane! Wow! Details!


And look at this Elmo party!

Has anyone watched the extreme kids' birthday parties on TLC? Any good?

These parties are incredible! I'm impressed!
Like I said, I'm not saying I'm Simple Sally or Plain Jane when I comes to throwing parties but I lie somewhere in between only throwing a cake on the table to spending half a year's time and money.
But then again... If I had the funds, maybe it would be a different story.

I'm a camping gal.

We're off to go camping in Mammoth Pools (near Yosemite National Park) for the next week+! There will be lots of campfires, boating, jumping off rocks and hikes. It's Cameron's family tradition and I'm glad to finally join this year!

Last night I went shopping (at 10pm) for supplies and I came back with:

-A happy birthday sign for Krew's birthday next week (essential)
-A camping mirror (a MUST)
-A hanging light for the tent (how else will I look into my camping mirror?)
-A camp shower (don't want to be stinky)
-Glowsticks for Krew (gotta keep him from eating too much dirt)
-non-greasy, sent free Mosquito repellent (couldn't find the Burt's Bee's one)

I didn't even think twice about this purchase.
When I got home, Cameron looked at my bags with confusion and said "Okay now lets talk about what we really need."
Today I'll go back today for an aero bed, food, cooler...etc. Not sure where my head was at.

All I need is this tent and bed up there... wish me luck.

walk, baby, walk

My baby is no longer a stationary baby. Today he has decided to stop walking along furniture and walk on his own.

I hear this is good and bad. But mostly good.

baby kisses

Me and my happy baby waiting for our dessert down in Hillcrest (we started at Extraordinary Deserts but changed our minds and ended at the Crest Cafe). We're working on giving kisses with mouth closed. I am more than happy to accept those open-mouthed, slobbery kisses too.

A penny for my thoughts

-It is hot this week, reaaaaal hot. Krew has been struttin' around like this because it's way too hot wear anything (if you don't have to). Krew prefers just his denim diapers.

-I never realized what a seriously awful/ sickening feeling to see your kid get really hurt. Krew fell out of my parents' van onto concrete. I screamed, he screamed and I felt sick to my stomach for about an hour after as I careful watched for any changes. He cried hard but thankfully was smiling and talking within 10 minutes. It's amazing what babies can go through. Poor little guy. I told him later he could pick out any toy his heart desired at Target.

-Last week we dog sat this guy (cam's uncle's dog)...

This is Slater sleeping. We're glad he didn't feel too uncomfortable around us.

-Did I tell you my husband got a job?! We're thrilled!! It was a pleasant surprise, the internship offered him a position and he said yes. So wonderful.

-And how was our 4th of July? It was ideal! Pancake breakfast in Old Town San Diego with our ward, beach for 7 hours, BBQ with lots of yummies, and topping it off with watching our baby see fireworks for the very first time.

A weekend in Solvang

And in late afternoon on Friday we arrived in Solvang! The town is a touristy Danish town about an hour north of Santa Barbara. We indulged in delicious danishes and danish meatballs with red cabbage, ate food of all kinds, swam in the pool, did lots of shopping at the many boutiques, enjoyed a clever, Hitchcock spoof play "39 Steps", rode the surrey bikes, and most importantly spent time with family and to celebrate great Nana's birthday!





Isn't this playground unreal?






Krew has discovered his nostrils




The mini horse farm. Teensy tiny horses that you can snuggle in bed with. I think I want one instead of a dog.





Until next time Solvang...