Getting out of Dodge: Point Reyes, California

On Friday night I spoke to the kids about what we should do on Saturday. Because the baby is due soon we've kept our weekends pretty clear just in case. Since it was Memorial Day weekend we wanted to do something! So I suggested to the kids that we go to the beach and they went bananas! They could hardly wait for dad to come home so we could tell him where we were going. Oops! Should have talked to dad first, but the kids loved surprising him!

Bella immediately went into baking mode (wonder where she gets that from) and made chocolate cupcakes for the trip.

We left early the next morning, and after making some pit-stops for a gas fill-up and snacks, we were well on our way. We had a map of the Northern California Coast & Bay Area, but no specific destination in mind: We just wanted to go to the "beach"!

We ended up in Petaluma, California and enjoyed a nice ride through their incredible downtown.

We stopped for a bit to stretch our legs...

...before continuing on to Point Reyes and the Sir Francis Drake Beach!

Even though it was late in the afternoon and everyone was hungry for lunch, nothing sounded better to the kids than digging in the sand!

When we left our home we all had flippies and shorts and t-shirts. You've got to love Northern California Coastal weather, where you'd better be prepared for gusty winds and overcast skies. Luckily, we know our California and packed appropriately.

Isn't this the best? Just staring into the great ocean and watching the waves roar in.

So beautiful.

Samuel could not resist finishing what Bella began. With the help of the kids, he created a beauty of a sandcastle that drew quite a few onlookers who were eager to take pictures.

I could literally see Samuel's head swelling with pride!

Owen stayed pretty close to our home base, but after a few hours started to get curious about the water. Samuel followed him down and removed his socks and shoes so he could feel the sand and water on his toes. This proved to be very disconcerting for him, and he trotted back up to me high-stepping it all the way and doing quick in-and-out Lamaze breathing. I think it was sensory overload!

Cuddling with my boy. I can't believe that soon I'll have two sons!

Coming into the beach are fields and fields of dairy cows. Unlike here, these cows are the classic black and white and Owen was smitten. You could say that rather than having a sing-a-long in the car, we had a moo-a-long.

It seems to go on forever.

Nature at it's best.


What a wonderful day trip!
We had so much fun, and on the way home, we couldn't resist planning all of the other wonderful places we'd like to visit next time!

22 days to go!

Mosquito Magnet

Between the Father & Son Camp-out and playing outside of Grandma's House, Owen managed to attract nearly every hungry mosquito in the area! And this even with a liberal coating of bug spray!

He took it in stride until he discovered how great it felt to scratch the bites until they bled, hence the massive number of band-aids we placed all over his body.

Luckily, he LOVES band-aids!

I weigh 20 pounds!

For Mother's Day, Ava's class hosted a special program complete with lemonade and cookies. Each child presented their mom with a bevy of handmade gifts, and some of my favorites are shared here. The funniest was a "fact sheet" she created about me. I love that in my daughter's eyes I weigh 20 pounds and my favorite place to go is Walmart!

Thank you for a wonderful Mother's Day sweetheart!

Playing Dad

We always keep a baby and a bottle in the car because that's when Owen gets very paternal. I love to sneaks peeks at him as he plays "Dad".

We love you Grandpa Lopez!

On Saturday May 14th we visited the cemetery for my grandpa's one-year anniversary.

We love you grandpa!

Next stop:
The Temple!

Father-Son Camp-OUT

Samuel and Owen had a blast at the ward Father & Son Camp-out up at Rollins Lake. Samuel said there was a good turn-out, lot's of laughs during the Guess-Who Father & Son slide show, and a terrific breakfast. What a great opportunity for the brethren to bond as members of the Priesthood!

Mother-Daughter Camp-IN

Since the boys were off in the wilderness, we girls decided we were going to create some fun of our own. Ava's great idea was for me to take them camping too. Good try Ava! Except mom prefers hotels over tents, and besides, Dad had all the camping gear! Whew!

So we compromised and had a camp-in in the living room. The girls dragged all their blankets and pillows down for the big event. Since Samuel was taking the camera with him, we took some quick shots before they left.

Owen's not too happy here because I was trying to kick him out of the picture. After all, it's GIRLS ONLY! But since he cried, and mom felt horrible, we let him cheese with us.

Since it was still early and plenty hot, I had the girls change into their swimsuits and surprised them with a trip to the Fountains. They had a blast romping through the water, and later they played on the playground.

Afterward we picked up a pizza, and then settled in for a movie. The girls were voting for old movie favorites, and were just getting ready for a serious game of paper-rock-scissors to break the tie (Mom stays out of the voting but Iris always votes twice!), when I surprised them with a movie Sam and I bought especially for that night...BOLT!

The girls were so excited they started screaming like mad people, and it culminated in Ava yelling: "We're having way more fun than Dad and Owen"!

We ate in front of the TV (another treat), and after dinner and dessert--which was peppered with food items we rarely buy (Twinkies, Ding-dongs, & Rootbeer-everyone even got their own can!)--the girls were in a sluggish stupor. They sprawled out on the floor and mom came by (per an earlier promise) to give manicures and pedicures.

The next day we all slept-in and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. It was a happy surprise when Sam and Owen came home early enough to join us at the table!

Here's to a fabulous Mother-Daughter Camp-In!
And yes, I'm still exhausted!

When they were Young: Father-Son Camp-Out

For the Father-Son Camp-out we were asked to provide the youngest photos of both the father and son for an evening slide show presentation. I had a great time picking through my favorites, and finally settled on the ones below.

Samuel said the shot of Owen (on the right), got big laughs!

Here's a brand new Owen:
Just born and on the scale!
He's not one bit happy about it either!

Such is the life of a new baby:
Sleep, sleep, sleep!

And here's my sweetheart at 6 1/2 years old.
He's about the same age as Isabella & Ava!
It's hard to believe that the boy in this picture is all grown up with a wife and 5 children!

And here they are today.
Two of the most influential men in my life. Soon they'll be joined by a third.

I can't wait!

Speed-Racers & Blessings

This is the sight I am fortunate to see every week-day morning! I hate to brag, but my daughters are beautiful! They are intelligent, curious, fun-loving, and FUNNY!

What a blessing to be entrusted with their care!