Nana's Hairbows for Hailey

Here is my little buddy during our California trip; 

Hailey is the youngest of the three girls and is such the girlie-girlie!

During our visit we spent a great deal of time together hang out, each morning she would bring me the hair brush, a bottle of water and some hair ties to do her hair.  She is nothing like her sisters who prefer to wear a headband or braid - she wants something fun and cute - and Nana doesn't know how to do cute little girl hair do's so I made do with what I knew. 

One thing I do know hjow to do is make hairbows so I made a handful of bows for Hailey to wear - Mostly for her Singing Hands Performances.  Here is just an example of some that she wore that day.

A Must Have California Experince

Micah and I had to take Sam to In-N-Out Burger

He had his first Double Double, French Fries and Vanilla Shake. . .  loved the burger and the shake,
but thought the fires tasted like deep fried Styrofoam.

Monopoly Night with Nana

The girls and I spent the evening in the Motor home playing Monopoly this evening -
I can't believe how much these little ladies have grown up!

It seems like just a short time ago that I was there the afternoon Rebecka was born (and she turned 11 in October). Rebecka is 11 going on 21 most days; sassy and know it all, but she is just as happy and joyful as I remember her to be when her parents and I all lived together. I am looking forward to the time when Nana is more important than boys, make up and iPods.

McKayla who has grown into such an amazing and smart 10 years old - I know I am not suppose to have favorites, but she is mine! She is such a spitfire and so full of attitude - Like two peas in a pod we are! My last night there we had a chance to spend some quality time together and I soooo sooooo LOVED it!

Little Miss Hailey - She spent most of the time snuggling with me and wanting to spend time with me that I just about to pack her up and bring her home. We spent sometime together making some bows for her to wear to school and to her Singing Hands performances and just enjoyed the time we had.

Looking for Sea Ceatures in Caycous

 

These afternoon we packed up a picnic lunch with the Smith and Celedon Family 

to head over to the coast to show Sam some of the highlights of living in the Central Coast of California.

We took a long walk down the water so that everyone could search the tidepools for sea life. 

Hearst Castle Visitor Center

After we took a walk on the beach we drove up to the Hearst Castle Visitor Center
to let Sam learn about Hearst Castle and William Randall Hearst.

As we were walking along in search of sea creatures we came across this  

"little guy" taking a nap along the shore line.

Morro Bay, California

What is a trip to California without a visit to the Central Coast and a chance to see beach after beach.

Caycuos, California

 

There is a portion of coast line along the Central Coast were you will find thousands of Elephant Seals; 

during this time of the year most of them have their babies and enjoying the warmth from the sun.

It is a pretty amazing place - there is a long walking path that takes you about a mile down where you can observe these sea creatures.  The area is now gated, but when Micah and I were first married we took a trip there with some friends and were able to walk right up to them. 

However, it is VERY DANGEROUS and not recommend, but it was an amazing experience to say we have walked among these creatures.

Caycuos, California

Family Day at the Beach

SMFD - Firefighter in Training

Sam took a trip down to see the San Miguel Fire Department - 

and now whenever you ask if he can do something he replies 'I am a Volunteer Firefighter!'

BUSTED Little Lady . . . .

If I have said it once I have said it a million times; it is a good thing this little girl is one of my favorites!  

Sam caught her RED handed doing this to my truck.  The worst part of it all is that I was the one who gave her the silly string for her socking stuffer -That'll be the last time!!!

Gilbert and Ken had to show Micah and Sam the damage 

from a fire that had taken place in the river bed months before.

Merry Christmas from California

 

We had a GREAT Christmas in California . . .  Sam was not to sure how he felt about having no snow Christmas morning, but I think that was quickly over shadowed by all the Santa gifts.

We were awoken by three small giggling girls who thought it would be a great idea to wake us up at 7am.  Needless to say the joke was on them when they had to wait until Grandma and Grandpa come over to open presents . . . 

The girls were excited to get a Wii from Tia Di (it was also their birthday gift) and along with that came various other gifts to accompany the Wii lifestyle.

Sam - I would say he was spoiled rotten, but the truth is calling Sam and Spoiled do not go in the same category; he did have a great Christmas as far as gifts were concerned.  

He was lavished with clothes and shoes, not got one BUT two watches - in fact i don't think I have seen him go a day without his Fossil watch that he received from his new Oma and Opa.  He also got a new MP3 player (from his dad) so that he can listen to his favorite music and save other media And the BIG gift finale of the season was  . . . . . . . .a new camera from Micah and I to capture all his important life moments.

OMG Look at this Cat

I realize that these pictures are not the best quality, but that is not the point!

Sam and I were amazed and shock when we saw the Celedon Family cat during our California vacation.

This is Rein  . . .  rumor has it that they use to have two cats and the other one ran away, 

but I am almost certain that he/she was eaten by this guy here!

Go Carting Adventures in California

So my Brother in Law, Gilbert build this go-cart while he was away at school many years ago . . . and the family tradition is that on holidays he will allow the kids; Becky, Kayla and Hailey to ride it. Needless to say, the girls were so excited to go outside with 'responsible adults' a.k.a Uncle Micah and Nana for a little while.

Farwell to Chaze

We knew the time would come before too long when we would have to say Farewell to Chaze . . .

This afternoon Micah, Sam, Chaze and I sat down for our last Sunday dinner; 

on the menu TACOS of course it's Chaze's favorite meal.

I had already planned for a few surprise visitors that evening - the whole neighborhood as a last chance good-bye before Chaze returned home that Tuesday afternoon to Blanding.

Sadie Hawkins Pictures

The Sadie Hawkins Pictures have FINALLY Arrived!

Ward Christmas Party

Micah, Sam, Chaze and I went to a Christmas party earlier in the day, went to see Blindside where I spent the next two hours bawling my eyes out  . . . .  the next stop on your schedule was the Ward Christmas Party.

When we arrived (over dressed) we were sitting around talking with friends and someone noticed we all had matching toe socks . . .  Chaze was getting ready to go home and the boys & I thought it would be a fun thing to do on one of our last family activities.

UYV Christmas Party

Here is one of the LAST pictures of the four of before Chaze left to return home.