getting that healthy feeling

Since our exciting summer trips, it's time to get back to the gym because I haven't exactly been consistent. And lets just say that our trips were not short of yummy treats.
I did go jogging once while camping... and about died from the elevation. Does that count? ;)
So this week I'm trying to get a back on track and avoid those treats and pack in the veggies and other jewels pictured above^^ (there are dark little avocados in the middle that are hard to see). Oh, and I've managed to avoid pasta and bread for an entire week! That is A LOT coming from a carb loving lady. I won't do this forever but I thought I would try for a week because I was having waaay to much.
And to top this whole healthy feeling off, I signed up for my 2nd Half Marathon! (I'm not sure an exclamation point is appropriate but I'm trying to be optimistic). No, but really, I could feel the urge to do another one strangely enough (never thought I would say that) and will be running a whopping 13.1 miles the second week of November. And that means that my 10-week training starts Monday! Hope you have a fun and sunny labor day! (I'll be running for part of it!)

Krew's 2nd birthday party

My little guy, Krew, turned two a month ago and what a fun celebration we had. A few of his little friends and family came to a zoo themed gathering. Krew loved it all and he made sure his tiny animals got lots to eat. :)
We used the animal observation booklets I put to together to stamp and color and tape. It looked like everyone had a great time and little Krew couldn't WAIT to blow his candles right out! And we had a surprise guest (even I didn't know)! A gorilla (my younger brother and his friend) visited our party which Krew was terrified of-- he wasn't quite sure if it was real or not. Cameron and I were excited to give Krew his very own skateboard and helmet. Krew had a wonderful party!
Cheers to the year of 2! We love you Krew!

and I turned into a begger

Krew has been a fan of the trolley ever since our first ride. Needless to say, I promised him another ride especially since one of our cars is temporarily out of commission (since some not-so-nice person decided to saw off a piece of our car during the night). And of course I would plan our trolley ride on a super hot and humid day so we could walk to the station and sweat like little pigs. And of course I would get down to the trolley station and the trolley leaves while my child is loudly requesting a drink which to my dismay I realize I forgot sippy cups and water bottles at home. And of course while I am sweating and quickly shoving a dollar bill in the soda machine for a water bottle, I realized that they would be out of every beverage except Coca-Cola. (just don't ask me what I did here, k?). And wouldn't you know that when I go to the trolley ticket machine to buy a ticket that it doesn't take my type of card, I realize I left my Visa at home by the computer and also realize that I spent the last bit of cash on my son's poisonous thirst quencher. And thankfully, my pathetic begging around the trolley station worked and two kind men were able to lend give me a few dollars so we could make it on the next trolley. Which then I instagram a lovely photo of my son and I smiling on the trolley like it was no.big.deal. I think we'll wait a bit for our next ride.

catalina island part II

After two days of beautiful camping, we boarded another crazy bus ride and made it to Avalon, the little city on Catalina Island. It was just as I remembered, such a quaint little town and everything miniature within. There aren't even cars, just golf carts- they fill the streets parked in front of little houses. As a child, I loved how much freedom our parents would give us to roam the little city. It was just the same, just as I remembered. We filled the following days with the beach, snorkeling, golf cart riding, eating ice cream treats and frozen bananas, and celebrating my beautiful mama's birthday. The trip was so much fun. It was easy, relaxing, not too far to travel, and wonderful to be with my family.

we have fun together

This morning as Cameron was getting ready for work, I said to Krew, "Do you want to do something today? Do you want to get out today?"
Cameron laughed and said, "You act like you guys haven't gone out and done anything this week." I laughed because I realized how silly this sounded after this very eventful week we have had so far. We've spent lots of time at the beach, had warm summer night barbeques with our families, went to Disneyland (we couldn't keep away for too long), played at Cameron's work party on the beach, and welcomed my cousin Kate home from her mission last night. This photo is little Krew and I before the celebration last night and I wish someone would have told me to change my shirt-- it's looking and little weird but I guess that's what I get for not having a full-length mirror. Krew and I always have so much fun together-- it's really awesome having a little playmate. And we especially have fun with the man behind the iPhone, Cameron. Can't wait for him to start the weekend.

quote via

over dress

via

Happy Friday!
We've got a summer wedding this weekend and hopefully some beach time! I am loving these hot summer days... keep them coming.
And don't forget... when in doubt, over dress. :)

catalina island part I

As much as we wanted Cameron (dad) to come with us to Catalina Island, he had to go back to work. The second we arrived home from mammoth pools, I was unpacking, washing all our stuff, and repacking again. We had less than 12 hours from the time we got home to get on our 5 a.m. boat! Needless to say, I didn't sleep much.
Krew and I tiredly boarded the boat with the rest of my family and off to Catalina we went. The first thing I notice was the water. Although not too far from Long Beach, the water is much clearer over in Catalina. We got off the boat at Two Harbors, the more rural part of the island. For the first two days of the trip, we had decided to camp! Like we hadn't gotten enough camping for the last 8 days ;). The camping is waaaay different though. This was beach camping with wide-open spaces and grazing buffalo! We took the craziest Catalina safari bus ride over to the campsite (I still have vivid memories of taking this bus as a child, it is slightly scary). The beaches over on this side look like what you would imagine a California beach that was never touched. It was beautiful and peaceful and we had all of the time in the world to play, surf little waves, eat, and have bonfires at night.
And surprisingly after all this camping, I still wasn't even sick of camping.
Next up, we venture into the city of Avalon on Catalina Island...