10 Years

I remember when I'd mark the month we'd been together. Then I'd mark the 6th month, then years, and then we'd count down until the wedding. We knew all the dates. First date, May 24th 1995. Officially together, June 5th 1995. Married January 6th 2001. Now we stand together pretty firm at ten solid years married. We are a great team and love each other dearly.

It was amazing getting to make a quick but much needed break to the coast. We ate at the restaurant that we used to frequent often and was where we ate before he proposed. It was a fun time and something we will now make a tradition.

Here's to 10 more!

The Local Farm

Today we went to the local farm. I agree that farms get yucky and stink, but I couldn't help but feel bad for these animals. In an attempt to make this farm "cleaner" they poured cement in all the pens. The animals look sad and hot. They keep searching for some hay and water and there was only enough- barely. The poor pig had no mud. What's a pig pen without some mud? They are cared for. But I think things could be better.

Summer Part 1

This summer of vacationing really started this spring with our trip to Monterey. We then celebrated 2 graduations in our household. Kindergarten and preschool. The last day of school was full of games, like hula hooping. S is officially a pro at hula hooping. The Monday after school let out for summer we took off to our usual spot in Pescadero. This time grammy came with and we had side by side cabins which was so fun for the kids to be able to hop from room to room via the deck.

The first part of our summer has been met with lots of sand, smell of fire on our clothes, visiting and vacationing with friends in new places, carefree kids. The kids got wet suites to accommodate the cool oceans. I've enjoyed mingling with other families, enjoying my own, and feeling the cool earth on bare feet on a warm day.

There are many more pictures of a camping trip to Lake Don Pedro with a fire fighter friend and his lovely wife and little girl. A impromptu trip back to the coast with Chris's co worker and his fun family at their vacation cabin in Aptos. We are in the midst of swim lessons, hip hop class, some play dates, birthday parties, and wedding renewal (s)! What a jam packed summer this has been so far. But, I am soaking it all up because aside from my little medical issue I've been having- it's been really sweet.

Also, my little guy- who is now 17 months old, is just a joy. He's weaned this week amazingly well! He's been in a big boy bed for most of the nights. We've done away with the high chair. Yay! He talks soooo much. I'll have a post on him I think at 18 months.

I'm feeling very blessed!

April, part 1

I can't believe we are past the half way mark in April already. We've had a little vacation, a yummy Easter dinner, and C had his tonsils and adenoids out. I got to play nurse for 2 weeks to a brave little patient. Now on the path to recovery we can enjoy some more out door time. We are officially on the countdown to school ending in less than 2 months, which will surly fly by. So I hope these last 2 months of preschool and kindergarten are filled with fun and excitement.

Stanislaus

There's something to be said for living near a forest.

My Peeps

Go read JazzayMay 09. It's my aunts writings about her trip to DC with her family. I found it very interesting. So much culture and history in one place. I want to visit one day.

First Family of 5 Vacation

-Watching the life guard school.

-Toes in the warm sand

-Feeling the cool water

- Watching daddy surf

-Getting a chance to surf

We scored on having nice warm weather at the coast. Not even any fog in the morning. The kids were awesome travelers and loved hanging at the beach for days. What a perfect little get-a-way. I really am looking foward to going back.

It's Been Far Too Long

And away we go.

Last Weekend

The kids and I were in need of a little getaway to the Bay Area and a visit to my husband, who is on day 8 at work and 4 more days to go. We went to spend some time with dad on Saturday evening and then he was back to work Sunday morning. So, I decided to take the kids to Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont. I used to work there as a Naturalist Aid while in college. It was one of the best jobs I had. I got to be outdoors, do nature and historic tours, roam in the gardens, and be a part of the East Bay Regional Parks District. A cool college status.

This is the Perry Farm stand right out side of the park where we stocked up on some local fruit to snack on while roaming the park.

This is George and Claire Patterson's house. George Patterson came out West in search of gold from Indiana. He soon discovered that the soil was rich and decided to plant fruit trees, corn, and walnuts instead - to sell. He then became a part of the railroad industry and tapped into that area. Three generations of Patterson's lived in that house until it was donated to the city.

How about letting the kids stroll though an heirloom herb garden? Fever few, lavender, and rosemary are a few thriving here. I used to hang out here on slow days on the farm and read a book.

Every afternoon the kids can help feed the animals. There are turkeys, hens who lay green eggs ( which the kids though was pretty awesome), goats, sheep, 2 cows, a pig - but not this time, rabbits, and a few draft horses. There is also a aviary with doves and other birds.

And a few of theses guys. This male really dug the grapes that *fell* out of our lunch bag.

The kids got to pump from a well.

The kids got to practice shelling Indian corn, like in the old days. After it's shelled, they grinded it and took it to feed the animals. They also had cookies made from and out door kitchen. The real treat was spending 4 hours walking and talking with them without a time constraint or an agenda to get all the "sights" in. Just lots of strolling and stopping when we wanted.

And for a treat. We took a couple of ears of popping corn home. The popping corn has been drying in the crib for a year. All you do is take one, place it in a paper bag and put it in the microwave for about 3 minutes... and POP! Fresh organic pop corn.

Ardenwood offers a site for weddings or events, tours of the house, and many events during the year. Next weekend is the annual harvest festival where all the corn is harvested. Bring a basket to carry your take home if you go. And pretty soon, the monarch butterflies start migrating south, and take a stop here in the Eucalyptus grove. It's pretty fun to see.

Big Trees State Park

Have you ever been? It's a pretty cool place to take the kids. It's an easy walk, most paths are marked, and even stroller friendly. Despite being sick we walked a path that took us in a big circle and took about 1.75 hours. Not bad for kids who wanted to stop and look at every branch, fallen tree, and ant that was on the ground. Be sure to check out Beaver creek. It's a good place for lunch, about 8 miles from main trails. (You drive there)



I wish this picture came out more clear. C was really into the roots of this fallen giant. He inspected it for a while. But what I loved the most was the lovely plumber's crack!

A long Holiday

We sure spread out our holiday weekend from Wednesday to Sunday. We know how to party!
I am so exhausted now and have lots of things to tell. But alas I'm too lazy. I'll just post lots of pictures. Lemme just say it was so enjoyable going on a mini vacation with the family.

We decided to go to Pescadero and stayed at Coastanoa, a place we've stayed before. It's an Eco- friendly "resort" where you have a few options on how you'd like to stay. Do you like the lodge, or cabin, or canvas tent, or bring your own tent or RV? If your at the coast, this is a great place

to stay. Ask for the AAA discount for %10 off.

Here's the general store and restaurant that serves mostly local and organic foods. (Watch out for the house cats...they scratch!)

The view from our cabin, hills, hiking trails and lots of trees.

A short walk to the beach across the highway.

A visit to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

Spent some coin on games. We had to get a little prize for the kids!

We played in the sand.

We watched surfers near the lighthouse surf museum in SC.

We got home for Fourth of July and stayed home making peanut butter cookies and had our own little BBQ.

Then headed over to grandma's for an evening BBQ and some pretty tame and short lived fireworks. Just enough for the kids to see some light and not enough for fire danger. Leave it to papa Jorge!

And ended the weekend with some fishing at a local trout farm. With the grandparents and uncles. We caught some beauties and grilled them for dinner, yum!

Even grandma caught one! It only took her a few minutes!

And now I must rest for a full week. You may not hear from me in a while...

Yosemite and The Dolls

While I was on a little break from Blogger we spent a few days in Yosemite with some friends. That was pretty fun. Biking with a burly is the way to travel around the valley with two kids in tow. Here is a shot of Half Dome... a place I hiked up to 10 years ago. It has the most amazing view. And the next one is Yosemite Falls, that was flowing pretty well from all the snow run off.




I was also able to finally finish these two Waldorf dolls for the kiddies. I am so glad they enjoy them so much. As you can see they are very "homemade" with lots of imperfections. They also need clothes. That may wait for a while. I need a break from sewing since I just can't ever get it right. One Crafty Mama has some great posts about Waldorf dolls, including this one.

And today is a lovely rainy day, much needed. We are still in our Jammie's and having green pozole for lunch and papa Jorge and the boys are coming to visit. It's a pretty good way to spend a Saturday.

How's your spring?