Our Overdue Date

Date nights: Aren't they all overdue if they're not a weekly occurrence?The thing that usually prevents ours from happening is my laziness in planning them. Now that we're married with children, it's usually my responsibility to make dates happen because I get to arrange the babysitting, and in order to do that, I need to schedule the time frame, which, at that point means, I'm planning the date! Waah, waaah, waaah, woe is me! On the positive side, I get to look at this hottie all night without any kids screaming for mine or his attention! Hello Motivation! Woo-hoo!
So, the funny thing about this date is that I basically planned to go here, but then tried to be spontaneous and put a bunch of fun places to go on pieces of paper in a bag and have Stephen select one. Well....
that didn't really work, because he didn't choose this place first and it's where I really wanted to go! So, next time I'll try and not pretend to be so "flexible" when I know that I'm really bent on one special place.
Another funny thing? I decided to blindfold him on the way there. "That way it can still be a surprise!" I lied. Sort of. I did want to surprise him, but I also didn't want him backseat driving while I took him there! Sheeesh! Ha ha ha! I think all the planning and that the scenery at sunset was awesome made me giddy the whole way. I didn't even feel like we were doing a serious hike, which, we weren't, it was like one mile total because it was fun just flirting like we did when we were dating. Okay, alright! Any of you reading this can barf at any moment and I won't be offended!
Stephen will argue that I wasn't really that into the date or him, but just taking a bunch of pictures at each and every switchback. What? I couldn't help it! It was just breathtaking! Who cares that it was the same beautiful scenery, just a few feet higher each time! I had to give myself some props for finding this place on the internet!
In case your wondering, the place is called Mission Trails Regional Park and there are about a million different trails to take. The one we took was called climbers rock probably because it's only the favorite spot of all rock climbers in the area. We were not prepared to rock climb. So, I can guarantee next time Stephen goes here, it will not be with me, but someone who has the right climbing equipment, experience, and expertise. Although I wouldn't mind being a third wheel!
If only the grass were a little taller, Stephen could play Adam in the Garden of Eden, just kidding!
Did I mention my favorite time to hike is sunset? It is.

The road we walked along from where we parked to get to the climbers rock trail.
Pretty rocks.

Does this remind anyone else of those crazy ink blot pictures? I just thought it was weird how the rocks fit together like a puzzle.
Okay Vanna!

Lunch with Dad

There are certain advantages to living within spitting distance of the mall. One being, it serves as a great escape when you have a friend over for lunch and the maintenance worker, at noon, decides to overhaul your quirky faucet. We were especially glad to have Stephen with us on this outing. Nothin' like seeing a nicely dressed business man pulling three little ragamuffins in a heavy-duty wagon on his lunch break.

Mormon Battalion

We decided to head down to Old Town San Diego one Sunday afternoon to see what all the hype was about of the newly renovated Mormon Battalion monument/mini museum. Actually, Stephen and the kids have already been there when it first reopened. For some reason, I missed that outing...which is probably why there are no photos or blog post documenting it.
Anyway, there was plenty for the kids to see and do, all for free! (*For non- church members, it comes with the price of two missionaries - just kidding!)
There was a place to pan for gold. Brooklyn skipped out on the fools gold and went straight to collecting all the smooth white stones. I'm sure she had a favorite scripture story in mind with that - kidding again!
Ian enjoyed testing the effectiveness of the splash-guarding aprons.
And he also checked out the view from above.
Then he tried climbing the wrought-iron.
It was kind of a fun little vantage point up there on top of the monument.
I really liked this view of the flags as we walked down from the mini watch tower.
I don't think that rocking chair was big enough for Ian though.
This was the best shot of the covered wagon out in front. I'm positive that they were all artistically color coordinated back in the day as well. Really this is also the best picture of what a mother looks like when chasing down two children who are running in opposite directions.
Stephen mocked my winter coat here. I just knew I would freeze without it! I do own a few sweaters and hoodies, but this time I knew they wouldn't cut it! I had to break out the Utah jacket. There must be something in between, but I have yet to find and purchase it. In the mean time, it gives Stephen something to laugh about I guess. This is me not caring that I look like a fool when it's pushing sixty outside.
And this is a little something I found under Miss Brooklyn's pillow two nights later. Remember those smooth stones I mentioned earlier? It took me a minute to remember how they got here. I must have seen them earlier in the day someplace that was within Ian's reach and I told Brooklyn to put them in a safe place. Well, she found one. So precious!
P.S. Does anyone recognize this pillow case? I have no clue where it came from unless it was maybe the Louisiana days and Evelyn was cleaning out her linen closet. I don't mind using it - just hope we didn't inadvertently steal it from someone somewhere!

Girls and Boys

Cute and colorful, happy and hand-holding.
Sports-minded even in slumber, the second-child sleeps to the sounds of a glow worm and he snuggles in his sister's girly baby blankie.

Move over moms! This kid is taking the sport of stroller walking to a whole new level!

Beach Bums

Life is really rough when one day it rains, and the next day here at La Jolla shores it looks like this.
We are so sad to have to endure such disturbances in our weather.

The picture below is not at the beach, obviously, but I think the surfer dude shirt is hilarious because I always say/think that Ian looks like a characature picture anyway with a skinny lil' body and big cute baby face.

Zoo

We were glad to catch this keeper talk about a rare mammal whose name currently escapes me. He's nocturnal, I remember that much. Also, he and the female mammal of its kind have lived 2 years at the San Diego zoo and that's the longest that any zoo has been able to keep them alive. They bring them out one at a time, once a day for a quick exhibit and explanation.
My mom doesn't approve of Ian's rainbow hat. I know, he looks like he belongs in a bowl of Fruit Loops cereal. I thought it was a fun summer hat. Sorry, Mom!
It was hilarious to see the difference in my two children's behavior at the petting paddock. The girl loved it.
The boy, not so much.


He would however, approach the caged animals, and pretend to bravely approach them from the other side of the fence.
But clearly folks, we have an animal lover....
and then we have Ian.

I love how the boy in the picture is pointing angrily at the ambivalent Ian.
Again, Ian tries to play Mr. Friendly with the animals in time-out. He waves hello and acts like he'd be first in line to stroke their mangy fur.
It's okay Ian. We know the truth. But you're still a tough guy in your own little way.
After all, you do put up with a big sister every day. I'd stay away from other wild creatures too!
This reminds me of a lovely insect collection I made for a high school Biology class once upon a time. Yuck!
The quietest and safest bees we've ever seen!
The heron and the otter are my friend! (Which Disney movie?)
And we are all connected to each other

In a circle in a hoop that never ends!

(Cheese-ball, I know, but I had to reveal some more lyrics for some of the less Disney-minded folks!)