APU Flashback

Why didn't we do this sooner? That was the question of the day as 4 of my college girls (and former room mates) and I sat down to have mimosas this Saturday afternoon. It had been 5 years since most of us had seen each other... CRAZY! There was no reason... just life had moved on so fast and all of sudden the 5 us realized- hey, let's take a minute and reconnect. It was an amazing thing- no warm up time or awkwardness. It was just right into the same funny jokes and terms we always used as late teens and early 20's. We remembered the embarrassing stories that usually related to a party, the clothes that we thought were so awesome at the time, and I can't even explain it enough. I loved it!!! and I love you girls!!! Let's not wait another 5 years(:

The greatest thing about all of these pictures is I have like 800 more just like these from 1997-2001 (except that we wearing things in the other pics that showed our belly buttons and usually we had way too much silver eye shadow on... and the notorious brown lip liner). I'm happy to say there wasn't any lip liner in the bunch at this gathering. (:

Camping Take 2

We had such a surprisingly good time last week, we decided to go again... and even stay longer! Can you believe it? I'm shocked too. But seriously... There really is something that being outside and with the family can do for the soul. My sister came along too and thanks to her geology degree from CSUF she was full of extra info about what we were seeing in the giant redwood forest.

You could easily fit our truck through the trunk of these enormous trees. We all agreed that they looked more like the scenery in California Adventure than real trees... they are just too big.

I love this face... it means, "I mad/embarrassed that you are looking at me right now".

I love this face that means, "I'm dirty, but I'm 2. Who cares?"

Mud pies were on the agenda quite a lot. (they kids really went old-school without TV and video games)

This just kind of sums up our 3 day trip. Good-bye summer... it's been a great one!

Running the Bases

What better way to spend a scorching hot Sunday afternoon than at a baseball game? We couldn't think of anything better either... so off we went- excited that it was a "Kids Run" game. When the game is over the Junior Angel Fans get to hit the bases full speed. Last time we did this Eli fell right before home plate and blamed it on me for putting him in "these stinkin' flip-flops". So today I went with a classic- Converse All-Stars for both kids. No way they'll wipe out in those shoes- they're legendary. As you can see... he ran them like a pro!!

My sweet Sierra had a little bit of stage fright, but thanks to the cute "AngelGirl" she made it all the way around. (she was a wee-bit angry with her brother for leaving her behind. I don't think that he was sorry):

In the end, the Angels lost badly to the Texas Rangers, but we screamed our heads off for the Tafoya team.

Roughing It

We have never taken the kids camping before... because how would it go, right? They couldn't hang was our thought, but in the current economy camping is the vacay for the masses- thus we arrived for our first family camping trip at Kennedy Meadows in Kern County. It's an "unimproved campsite". I had no idea that meant no running water and pit toilets... but I very quickly figured that out(: Our home away from home was a beautiful spot right beside the river, with tables and chairs made from the scattered boulders. The only "comfort" provided was the fire-pit left by the previous campers.This was our "backyard". Pretty sweet. The restroom situation was addressed by either OPTION #1Or... OPTION #2 (after the kids looked down into option #2, they decided #1 was lookin' pretty good)It was roughing it for sure, but to my surprise it was an incredible experience. I rose to the occasion in a way that I didn't know I had in me, and the kids went positively primal. They were dirty, hungry, and loving it. Rich couldn't believe his luck that the family took to the outdoors the way we did and is already planning the next trip.

The experience was different than I had expected, but the lack of civilization and distraction opened up the opportune moments for this... and we had to squeeze in a little trout fishing... golden's to be precise.

We caught a little one and Sierra wanted to know why he was soooo mad. I didn't know if a nearly 3 year old could understand the idea of "fight or flight"...

The trip ended with Rich and I packing while the kids wandered around camp. We begged them not to get wet because we didn't have anymore dry clothes for the ride home, but Eli being a 5 year old boy couldn't resist. He went home damp and thrilled. Happy Roughing It!

Pretty (and handsome) in Plaid

I had the kids dressed up to go to Seussical (the musical) and I took advantage of a little free-time and the two adorable clean faces (you never know how long before they look a mess again). I don't have a fancy camera or software to spruce these pictures up, but I was proud that point & shoot could capture these expressions on their faces.

... any tips on how to get those ugly (and incorrect) dates out of my shots?

Elijah Thomas- 5 years old

Sierra Elizabeth- 2 years old

Catch of the Day

If you know Rich, you know he is passionate about fishing. Usually he's more of fly fishing in freshwater kind of guy... but when the opportunity came along for an Albacore fishing trip off the coast of Mexico, all I saw is a blur as he ran for his gear.

This is the crew taking off from the harbor around midnight... safe returns...His first catch of the day was not too shabby if you ask me... and you have to admit, he kind of looks like a stud holding that big fish up out in the middle of the pacific ocean. Round two... and I'm excited about the awesome dinners to come. The crew cleans and fillets the fish, so I get to avoid that dirty work(: (like I know to that anyway)

They did pretty well I'd say...