Yosemite!

 Ol' Yosemite, you didn't disappoint.  Our yearly trip with the Cases was another success.  I believe this may be the 5th annual.  We have hit Santa Barbara, San Diego, Disney Land, Paso Robles, and now Yosemite.

It is cool watching Max and their kids meet yearly and pick up where they left off.  Now Ford is old enough to interact and Max kept calling him the baby.  Although in my mind, Max is still a baby too. They explored, hiked, boated, ate ice-cream and played.  What all young kids should do.  It was a pretty awesome trip, and Yosemite, it's gorgeous.  Majestic and magical, what you would expect.  We saw lots of deer, and even a wee baby one.  We splashed in the lakes, gazed at the brightest of stars, and got to catch up with old friends.

Where will next year take us?

swinging bridge, although it didn't swing?

such a ham

rocking the underpants

I can't get over that cute crack

work to do

El Capitan

its hard work climbing rocks

had to ride the steam train

all suited up

my brave boy let us pull him on the boat 

and Ford went nice and slow

Blueberries

I love me some berry pickin'. Grace and Max had a great time too, aside

from the bee scare ( they had a small bee farm on site.) Neither were stung, but the chance was terrifying enough

for them. 

I loved watching them pick berries off the tree and eat them. Max kept saying "yummy".  I picked about five pounds, and so far I've made a crumble and pancakes. Now with the other 2 pounds. Ha.

Not a bad day in farm county!

old friends and new memories....

Santa Cruz is always a good time, and it is even better when you get to show it to someone for the first time.  My sweet friend from Alaska came to visit us with her man-child.  I say man-child because he is only 16, but is huge and man like.  To think I was in the room helping him come into this world.  Crazy to think who we were then and who we are now.  Even better, is the friendship that has lasted these 16+ years.

The weather was so hot while they were in town.  We kept cool by heading to Santa Cruz and Capitola.   We also lived by the pool.  I also got to experience my first case of car sickness with the monster.  Have I mentioned my hatred for vomit.  I feel I can tolerate a lot, but vomit is so wrong.  Max no longer can play iPad games or read while driving.  Lesson learned.  Cleaning vomit out of a car seat on the side of the freeway is not a pleasant experience.  You have been warned people.

A and T

our babies

coolest pirate kite

what's down there?

we really tried to win that damn minion

Growth

I am sure you are growing tired of my fabulous garden, but I must document it. 

Please forgive me.......

I can not help myself 😝

Jalapeños are almost ready. I forsee salsa in my future.

Eggplant is making an appearance

Holy shiz my zuccini is a total show off 

Green juice from the kale, chard, lettuce in my garden. ( I add apple, celery, lime, lemon and carrots too) I plan on planting some of that next year. 

mama-cation part II

So about a year and a half ago, my friend I went on a mama-cation.  It was heavenly, and it was also the first time I was away from Max for more than one night.  It was also the weekend I weaned Max completely away from my boob.  All major events.  And my sweet Hubby was totally up for the challenge, and I was told, the first night was ugly. Max was pretty pissed at Dad. 

We travelled to Santa Monica for a three day weekend adventure.  You can check it out here for a recap RECAP :)          

It was wonderful, so why not do it again?  This time our destination was San Diego.  Things were a tad different this time around.  Leigh was 7 months preggo so we had to curb her drinking. So the good friend I am, I drank for two.

Leigh was such a trooper.  We walked all over the city.  Her poor swollen feet.  It reminded me of those days where you couldn't wait for that baby to pop out.  But even in her discomfort, I was all green with envy (the good kind) counting down the days, or actually months now it till I am in that same wonderful boat.

We attended a comedy show, acted like tourists and rode the trolley, hit the beach, got pedicures and slept in.  Ah, sweet sweet sound sleep.  How I had missed you.

On a side note, the Rock and Roll Marathon was going on while we were there.  I have to admit, this did not motivate me in the slightest to get back on my exercising regime.  I'll start that next week.

they will even bring you shoes and work out clothes.....
Ah, no thanks.

pool side with my new hat Leigh got me for my BDay

                                         

Best sandy beach is in San Diego-Coronado

                                     

Some touristy shiz

The beautiful belly

And an oldie but goodie from the past....

2012

what a little swimmer I have

This kid, I tell ya.  He will be the death of me.  I am totally afraid of swimming.  That's right.  I can't swim.  Go ahead and gasp, everyone else does.  As if I am the only one who can't swim?

All my friends tell me I need to learn.  This I know, and this I have heard a billion times.  It's not that I am lazy....I'm not.  It is that I am scared.  

Yes, scared, 

(the sit in corner and rock to and fro kind of scared)

This all matters not, I realize.  Not when you have a son who absolutely loves the water.  A son who will probably jump into the deep end of the pool just to see what happens.  I know I need to learn for him.  To show him that there is nothing to be afraid of.  That the water is an awesome place to be.

ugh...

I will, I will, I will.

But anyways, look at this little fish.  I couldn't be more proud, or more petrified.

                                     

                                                 

more family, more fun...

My Father and the Hubbies Father overlapped one day in their vacations.  It was nice to have everyone here at once.  Felt like Christmas.  Max was in hog heaven.  Every where he ran he was greeted by smiles and hugs.  And I think the Grandparents may of slipped him pieces of candy too.  And I was told, that is just what Grandparents do.

So on this night we decided to have a big BBQ.  We invited my sweet neighbor who brought over sangria, and we invited our landscaper who we have made good friends with.  They made a huge pan of paella.  There was soooo much food! And beverages of course.  We had the music and fire going.  And of course laughter, lots of laughter.
A perfect evening.

Grampa Callagy 

s'mores? or rocks? Can't tell by my expression

Grampa McCallum

being sneaky

Bro and Sis-in-Law
(parents to be)

Backyard shenanigans