Our spring break.

My goal for spring break this year was to have no goal.  To focus less on the chores and the unfinished projects and the endless lists of things to get done and instead focus on having fun with my little man.  I didn't want to be so busy that I looked back on the week and thought, "Man... I'm exhausted.  I need another vacation just to recuperate!"  But I also didn't want to waste the week laying around in our pajamas all day (because that is what summer is for, right?!?).  

I think we had the perfect mix of fun and relaxation.  We got lots of cleaning done around the house, spent a few days out of town, and plugged the coffee pot back in after a 5-month hiatus.

We went to Disneyland.

Enjoyed a father-son baseball game and BBQ.

Hung out at the Avila Valley Barn and beach with all 10 (!!!) cousins.

Visited the Fresno Zoo with good friends.

Colored Easter eggs.

Had spontaneous trips for ice-cream at 9:30 at night.

Caught up on school (and even worked ahead!).

Had a family baseball game.

And spent a beautiful weekend celebrating Christ's death and resurrection.

Because isn't that what Easter truly is all about?

We are so thankful for our sweet Jesus.

An ordinary man who came to this Earth to do extraordinary things.

Who walked a perfect life in an imperfect world.

And was murdered on the cross so you and I would not have to suffer 

the severest of penalties for our choices and sins.

It was a pretty good week.

A pretty good week, indeed.

Our week of thanks.

Every other year we head out of town for Thanksgiving with Popeye's siblings and folks.

Twenty-six people and counting.  Twenty-six people and counting.

It is crazy.

And fun.

Filled with so much laughter and chaos and food.

This year we headed up north to Angels Camp.

That's Gold Country, for those of you familiar with this great state.

We stayed in a rambling farm house that took 150 years to build and it shows.

And it was perfect.

We played games and watched kids race around the back yard and had dance parties and hiked and walked through the biggest trees in the world and drank coffee on the couch in the kitchen and stayed up too late and shared what we were thankful for.

And I wept.

Because I have so gosh darn much to be thankful for this year.

For even when it doesn't make sense.

And our plans don't go as we would like them to.

And things seem like they are tougher than they should be.

And your losses seem to stack higher than your wins.

HE is still Lord.

HE is still sovereign.

HE is still King of kings and Lord of lords.

HE is merciful and gracious and loving and good.

And my cup overfloweth.

My cup overfloweth again and again.

A bit of Utah.

I shared a few of my Utah pictures on my ten on ten post on Sunday, but I had so many more I just had to do another post!  We are lucky ducks that my parents purchased a condo in Southern Utah earlier this year, and even luckier that they are willing to let us use it as often as we want (or as often as we are willing to make the 8-hour drive there).  This summer we had a blast hiking and fishing and riding horses.  And we were finally able to get back up there for the very first major snow fall.  It makes my heart giddy with joy thinking of all the memories we are creating as a family in this little place.  It is totally worth the two days spent in the car getting there and back!

*****

1. A bit of pre-trip shopping.  Furry boots and vino.  A must have for the mountain.

2. Cracker Barrel.  For the Arkie in all of us.

3. Bass Pro Shop.  This deer has troubles.

4.  Camo goes with everything.

1. Our boots all ready for our first day in the snow.  Excuse my mom's 1985 boots.  They are totes vintage.

2. Muscle man in his camo long johns.

3. A bit of snow!  Oh boy!

4. Walked the mile to the town general store.  Enjoyed some hot cocoa and waited for Grandma to pick us up because we were freeeeezing.

1. We were invited to an annual pre-ski season Brian Head tradition.  

2. A prayer and bonfire for Ullr, Norse God of Snow and Ski.  Here's to a wonderful year of snow and fun!

3. The snow arrives.  And it arrives in buckets.  16 degrees never felt so good.

4.  Snow angels galore.

1. Trudging up the hill more times than we can count.

2. "This is my best snow day ever, mommy!"

3. Our little snow man with the Nilla Wafer eyes.

4. And 24 hours (and 12 inches later) there he goes.

1.  No power.  We be freezing.  Huddle by the fire and our last few pieces of wood for warmth.

2.  S'mores for breakfast.  Don't judge.

3.  The powers back!  Warm beef stew (and red wine) to warm us up.

4.  Nearly two straight days of snow and it is bea-u-ti-ful outside.

*****

Thank you, Brian Head, for another amazing trip.  We can't wait to visit you again in the New Year!

A field trip of sorts.

One of my favorite parts about working part-time and homeschooling is that we can take off in the middle of the week and go on adventures without worrying about crowds or pulling Swee'Pea out of school.  Last week we woke up in the wee hours of the morning so we could head to the airport to drop off Popeye for his five day mancation in the most magical city on Earth (i will not be jealous.  i will not be jealous.  i will not be jealous.)  We decided to make a day out of it since we were already down south, and hit some of our favorite LA sights, as well as a few new ones!

We started the morning at my fa-vo-rite little breakfast spot in Hollywood, The Griddle Cafe.  We sat at our usual table and had our usual order: a buttermilk pancake the size of my head, bacon and eggs, orange juice, and medium French Press coffee.  Please, please make a point to visit this place if you are ever in Los Angeles.  It is straight-up breakfast heaven.

Next we headed to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.  WE LOVE THIS PLACE.  They have an amazing exhibit on dinosaurs and lots of interactive kiosks for kids to explore and play.   My favorite part about this museum are the three halls on the various mammals of Africa and North America.  We are studying mammals in science so it was fun getting an up close look at some of our favorites.  In his journal last week, Swee'Pea wrote that if he could be any animal, he would be a rhinoceros because they have a sharp horn.  So of course we had to get a shot in front of a rhino!

Just for daddy... a Honey Badger Don't Care!

One of the coolest things about this museum is that kids 4-and-under are free, and so are TEACHERS! (Finally, that $15,000 teaching credential pays off...).  Our parking was $10, but our trip to the museum was totally free.  We gave a donation though at the main desk (I know museums are hurting for funding just as much as schools are if not more.  I want them to remain open for our enjoyment!).

After a few hours at the museum, we headed next door to the California Science Center.  Again, FREE!  This museum reminds me of a little mix of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., Sea World, and a children's museum.  There are some cool exhibits on space, and the space shuttle Endeavour is making its way there as we speak!  They have cool rooms that show the climate and animal life of different regions of California and the West Coast, as well as a neat aquarium and exhibit on Kelp Life.  We got to see two divers feeding the fish.  So fun!  They even have a play room for toddlers and little kids, which Swee'Pea loved.  It also gave me a good chance to charge my phone (hey, I made a donation!  I can borrow a little electricity!).

When we were done, we headed across the street to visit USC.  I am not ashamed to say that I got a little teary eyed and text messaged Popeye to tell him I really missed college and wanted to go back.  It is a beautiful campus and kids were riding their bikes and sipping coffee and laughing and studying.  I am a nerd.  I loved college.  I loved learning new things.  I would love to go back someday and get another degree.  I would love if Swee'Pea could go to an amazing university like this someday.  But for now he will have to settle on a scoop of ice cream and a picture with Tommy Trojan.

Now, the only thing I had on my agenda this day was to visit this restaurant I had read about called Lemonade.  Please go to the site and watch the video about it, it is amazing!  There are a few locations in Los Angeles and one happened to be on campus.  The staff couldn't have been friendlier and they were practically shoving samples in mine and Swee'Pea's hands. It was amazing.  I wish I had more time to sit and enjoy our meal but the parking lot we were in was about to close and we had to skedaddle.  I devoured my two salads on the road and Swee'Pea promptly passed out without touching is gigantor cookie.

Oh, you know.  Just sitting in traffic, listening to the game, and drinking the most delicious lemonade ever.  

This is where things get hairy.  I drive a stick shift car.  I left the parking lot at 5:15.  I hit LA and Dodger Game traffic immediately.  I moved about 1.2 miles in about 60 minutes.  I listened to the Giants game on the radio until half time and then I felt like I was going to lose it.  My leg was aching from holding down the clutch and I just needed a break.  I pulled over in Burbank and dragged an exhausted and barely functioning Swee'Pea from the car.  We headed to Ikea, because Ikea is the logical place to take your exhausted child at 7:00 at night.  Not.

Here's the deal.  I came to this Ikea specifically because they showed on their website that they had a certain item in stock.  I circled the market place and the display floor.  Twice.  I asked multiple associates.  Their computers showed they had it in stock.  But he confirmed that they did not.  Swee'Pea was desperate to leave.  He was exhausted.  "Can we just go to our home?  I just want my home!"  He didn't cry.  But he certainly was not happy.  (see picture below.  his face the entire time.  true story.)  I told him he could pick out something because he had been a good boy all day and I appreciated his patience.  He picked out a 99 cent green frame.  "I can put a picture of me and Henry in it.  And take it with me when I go on vacation."  I die.  Anyway.  We left without the item I came in for.  Obviously.  I shake my fist at you, Ikea!  I shake my fist!

As soon as we got in the car Swee'Pea put on his jammies and tried to go back to sleep.  I made one last stop for gas and the largest coffee I could find and headed home.

We got home around 10 pm and Swee'Pea collapsed into bed.  I looked through our pictures and felt grateful for a really, really great day.  I love that Swee'Pea is willing to be adventurous with me.  I love how easy he is to take along anywhere I want to go.  I love how much I enjoy his company.  I love, love, love being a mom to this little boy!