Happy Birthday Mom

Now that my in-laws have moved out to Colorado, we only see them maybe once a year. Since we were out in late June, we had the opportunity to celebrate not only Father's Day together, but also my mother-in-law's birthday.

I feel so thankful to have Marilyn as a mother-in-law. She is so thoughtful, and generous. She did so much to plan for our visit out. She prepared so many fun things for the kids, great meals for us, and quality time together as a family. It was so wonderful to celebrate her birthday all together - we just needed Pete, Karen and Jesse there to really make it feel complete. (Pete was out of town for work.)

Fun with Family in Colorado

On our first full day we spent the day up at Julie's house in Monument. Pete and Julie got a kitten, Blake named her Jeffery. She's an adorable, all black kitten, and she gives list of scratches. She's full of energy. The kids, especially Lilia, loved trying to wear Jeffery out.




Blake is only 2 1/2, but the way she talks, you think you're talking to a 4 year old. She cracked us up with her grown up phrases. She was bossing around Lilia and Alex, despite being the youngest by 4 years. Lilia would yell at her brother at different times. Blake picked that up from Lilia. We saw her standing with her hips on her hands yelling, "Alexander! Get down from there; it's not safe!"

Pete and Julie also have two dogs. Andy was a rescue dog they got from a shelter. She is very leary of children. Lilia used all of her "Cesar's Way" knowledge to try to befriend Andy. It worked slightly. It helped when adults Andy trusts were around, like Pete, pictured below.

 Finley Harper was born February 28th. We finally got to meet her at 7 weeks old. Here is Marilyn with her youngest grand baby.







We got to spend a lot of time with Julie and the girls. I was so thankful to get to hold Finley, help put her to sleep in the carrier, and just spend time with everyone.

 Blake is so fun and full of energy. It's funny how you can forget past stages of your children so quickly. I forgot how exhausting toddlers are. Blake never stops. She sure is a lot of fun though! Lilia and Alex loved getting to play tag with her or whatever other creative games they came up with.

Grandpop with all his grandkids.

Blake really loves Alex. He was a sweet helper feeding her dinner.

All the cousins eating dinner together.

This is Finley's favorite way to fall asleep during the day.

Lilia helping with bath time.

Alex reading Blake a bedtime story.

Uncle Dave teaching Blake some bow staff moves.

Downtown Frisco & Pier 39

The Pacific ocean leading into the bay.

A sign of a restaurant at Pier 39

 Muir Woods is just 20 north of the golden gate bridge. So after Muir Woods, we headed to a pull off above the bridge for lunch and photos.
The location was so amazing, and because it was the afternoon we had clear skies and could see all the way to the Pacific ocean!

Pier 39 is very much like the boardwalk at Ocean City. There are shops and ice cream and places for kids to have fun. One thing they have that OC definitely does not have are sea lions. Pick a spot on the deck and watch the entertainment as males fight, and mamas and their babies bask in the sun. 

Alcatraz

We drove down the famous Lombard street with its 40 degree incline. I would hate to be one of the home owners along this stretch of road. Everyday hundreds of tourist walk past your house taking pictures. Plus their driveways exit onto the crazy hair pin turns. I don't get living there, but it was cool to drive down Lombard st once!

Not pictured...but we also drove past the famous houses from the opening scene of the TV show Full House. We parked nearby and rolled the windows down in the minivan and played the theme song. The adults burst into song when the chorus came on as the kids embarrassingly sunk down in their seats. It was hilariously memorable - more than any picture!

Muir Woods

John Muir

Redwoods

Sierra Club

Preservation

Yosemite National Park

Giant Sequioa National Park

Are any of the words above familiar? If it wasn't for a man named John Muir, read about him here, there would be very few, if any redwood trees to admire. Here is a video that explains more if you are interested. John Muir spent months and months exploring Yosemite, redwood forests, sleeping outside, scaling mountains, and writing letters to persuade government officials to preserve the magnificent land he was so find of. It was Teddy Roosevelt who spent a couple of night with Muir in Yosemite who decided to protect the land and make it an official national park. Giant sequoia trees were being cut down by the dozens due to their size. One tree could easily build a whole house. Again it was Muir who helped give voice to what was happening and the government stepped in to protect the land as well.Muir founded the Sierra Club in order to protect the trees and natural areas he so dearly loved. Muir woods is home to coastal redwoods. Giant sequoias are the worlds biggest tree as far as girth, but coastal redwoods are the worlds tallest living things, averaging 200-240 feet. The Statue of Liberty measures 305 feet. The tallest recorded coastal redwood measured at 379 feet. They live for about 2,000 years! I was SO excited to walk through these woods dedicated to such an important man. 

 I gained my love of nature from my parents. Growing up we had a house in the pocono mountains and spent time hiking and swimming in the lake. My mom taught me plant and flower names. I've always leaned toward "being green". In college I was part of the Earth Group on campus. It was then I learned about redwood trees and made it a goal to hug one. Well I did it! Most of the trails through Muir woods are on boardwalks to prevent humans from destroying the delicate ecosystem. However, there was one tree on the trail you could get super close to and even hug.


Some redwoods grow in clusters, called families, as pictured below. Others grow by themselves, as pictured right.

 If you are looking for a fun adventure story to read for the summer check out The Wild Muir. In the book are 22 short stories of Muir's truly wild adventures and near death experiences. Totally worth reading!

Flora of California

 Lemon trees grow in most yards in California. Can you imagine just going outside and picking a fresh lemon off your tree?! Just picture fresh lemonade, squeezing lemon into your water or over a salad.
One of the amazing things about the climate in northern California is how they don't have a winter, so plants never go dormant. Flowers, rose bushes, hydrangeas, succulents, lavender, and rosemary grow enormous. They never have to winter over; they grow 12 months out of the year.

Coastal redwood

Bird of Paradise

cactus flower

Orange tree

Half Moon Bay, California

It was my first time to experience the Pacific ocean. It was a sunny and surprisingly warm June 15th. The weather app said it would be 61 degrees. We dressed in pants, t-shirts and hoodies. I just happened to grab the kids swim suits. When we arrived on the beach it was actually warm enough to take off our jackets. The kids quickly changed into their suits and ran toward the big, swirling waves that were the pacific ocean. I of course joined them. I wasn't going to pass up a change to stick my toes in an ocean I'd never been to before. The water was very cold. Within a few minutes my feet were starting to hurt from the cold. I stood back on the sand and watched the kids play joyfully; completely oblivious of how cold the ocean was.

Lilia and Aubrey playing in the sand

Lilia's famous ocean pose...as if embracing the sea.

Lilia and Sydney experiencing the waves

I've never seen a bigger clump of seaweed!

 I found this awesome strand of seaweed that reminded me of a rope. I brought it back for the kids thinking they would play a game of "giddy up horsey," or something like that. They had no interest, but I found a game I could play ... jump rope! I couldn't believe how strong it was!










As we took our family photo, a wave came a little too close. Dave was wearing jeans and wasn't willing to get them wet!