Santa Barbara

We have search high and low for an airport close to a beach (and close to us) so we could just spend a Saturday at the beach for free.  We found many that are close, but with spotty transportation, we would probably still have to rent a car.  However, after zooming in on google earth, we found that Santa Barbara airport was withing 1/2 mile of the beach . . . WALKING distance!!  So we planned carefully and flew out on Saturday morning.  When we landed there were ominous clouds in the sky and we realized that with all our planning . . .we forgot to check the weather!!  All we had was beach clothing.  Luckily, after our 1/2 mile walk, we were warmed up, the clouds left and it was warm enough to be in a swimsuit.  We spent several hours playing in the sand, running away from the freezing cold water and trying not to be upset that the beach didn't live up to Maui :).   Hallie and Jackson both loved digging and building and burying and just being in the sun and sand.

The most awesome part of the trip was seeing dolphins!  I saw about 5 of them coming up out of the water.  They were so close to us!  I watched them for almost 30 minutes before they were too far out to see anymore.  I have tried to find dolphin so many times on a beach and I did NOT expect to see them on a public beach in Santa Barbara.  As we took the kids on a walk to get Hallie to sleep for naptime, we walked down the long pier and a pair of dolphins were swim along side us the whole way.  So beautiful and amazing!

It was a little awkward to have a carry-on and 2 backpack and a double stroller on the beach with us, but you do what you gotta do- at least I decided not to bring Hallie's carseat!

 
Our camera battery died, so we only got a few photos, but our memories will have to do!

We walked back to the airport around 3:30, and found out that the flight we wanted filled up.  We were disappointed, but hopeful in making the next flight.  We had 3 hours to kill in a very small airport.  There was an observation deck to watch the planes take off.  We also ate at the restaurant which had surprisingly great food and reasonable prices (compared the the fish place on the beach).  The kids were a bit restless by the time we got on the next flight at 7:30.   Jackson played contentedly and fell asleep about half way through the flight.

This was my FIRST time missing a flight and I was sad to break my record, but happy that we at least made it home.  We had tentative plans c,d,e and f, but they all would have been expensive.  All in all, we spent a day on the beach for the $4.50 it cost us to park at the parking spot for 12 hours (plus, the food we hauled in).  Pretty great day!

Well Child

My children are perfect! (at least from the dr's limited perspective!)

Jackson is 35 lbs (50%) 41 in tall (75%) and is growing along the correct development curve

Hallie is 27 lbs (75%), 34 1/4 in tall (100%) and head is in the 80%.

Both kids got shots.  Hallie got one and stopped crying by the time we pointed out the tweety bird on her bandaid.  Jackson got 4, all in the arm.  He did it without any help from me and was so brave.  He did cry a bit, but I could tell he was really trying not to and quickly regained his composure after picking his prize.  We are done with shots for him until he is 11!

I am thankful for healthy and happy kids.  I worry about my kids in so many ways it is nice to hear good news that they are progressing perfectly - at least physically :)

Here are some funny shots recently of the kids  This first one is a shot of Hallie biting.  This is a 2 month long 'phase' that I can't seem to get any control of.  She used to just bite me, then Jackson and now kids that she thinks are smaller/weaker than her.  I hope she grows out of this ASAP!!

When the girls are in town . . .

Sandra was in Utah for a month, and although I was just in Utah for the 4th we weren't able to get together, so I had to come back a different time.  It was so worth it to be able to hang out with my best friend for a day.  We flew in Sunday evening and left Tuesday morning (bringing my sister Marcie home with us.)  Sandra and I stayed up late talking and talking.   Our kids had so much fun together.  The little cul-de-sac of homes is so much fun for little kids.  Jackson was in heaven with a swing set, digger toys and an airplane.

We enjoyed working out to a video together (very nostalgic!)
We took the kids to the splash pad (although Utah is too cold for this kind of thing!). There we met Stephanie Nielson, (author of 'Heaven is Here' and nieniedialogues blog).  It was amazing because she was just like any other mother you would meet at the splash pad, but has overcome some intense and amazing trials.  What an inspiration.

We also had the chance to go out to eat with Sandra's mom.  We chose Red Lobster and we were not disappointed!  It was heavenly.  I had 3 different kinds of shrimp and couldn't decide which ones I liked best.  The greatest part was leaving the 5 kids at home and enjoying a calm quiet meal where we could focus on our conversation.  Thanks Ali for watching the kids for us!

I really love having a best friend with whom I can share anything.  It doesn't matter how long we are apart, being together is easy and comfortable and so fun.  Sandra's laugh and happiness are contagious.  As a mother, she is incredible.  I just love her! Thanks for a wonderful couple of days, San!

Whiting Reunion - seven generations of fun

My sister Marcie flew home with us and we got to spend a few days with her.  We mostly just went swimming (because what else do you do in July in Phoenix?) Marcie was such an amazing help to my kids and I as we pack and drove to my family reunion. 

Now, when I say family reunion, most of you think you know what I am talking about, but let me explain this one.  First off, this is the WHITING family reunion . . . which means that it is my GREAT, GREAT grandparents and all posterity.  That means my grandmother (grandma Louine) who was the OLDEST one in attendance is the 3rd generation, I am the 5th and my kids are the 6th. This means that most of the people we met at the reunion were 4th cousins or more distantly related.  There were 500 people camping at our "homestead" built by my great, great grandparents for 4 days.

Grandma Louine

We conquered the rock that has been tripping people in front of our tent for decades of years!

There were tire swings and kids swings everywhere!  We couldn't pass them without Hallie begging to get a push. 

Hallie attacked Luke everytime he was left unattended.  Sometimes it was a hug, kiss or snuggle, but often it was a poke, pinch or even a bite . . . this girl just wants to touch babies!

Funny outfit for camping right?  My mom gave this to here since she will grow out of it before her next birthday.

Lots and Lots of handwashing at this dirty, muddy campsite!  Thank goodness for lots of running water, soap and help from my parents and sisters!

They have a "Whiting Villiage" which has 25 different stations.  This one was a beauty parlor (painting nails and doing rag curlers).  Jackson also loved getting a shave at the Barber shop.

My kids really didn't like being put in jail (although Jackson played outside the jail for HOURS later on)

This is the little cash store where candy was so cheap!

Crack the bull whip!

 

ice cream parlor

Flipper contest

One of the reasons I love this place so much is that I have so many wonderful memories of camping, hiking, playing games, dancing and just having fun with cousins and relations.  I loved giving my kids the opportunity to have similar memories and happiness from this place.  

Here is me at 1 year playing at the reunion . . . just like Hallie is now!

Jackson entered the Children's Talent show and showed off some articles of Faith.

I ran in the 3K race and WON for the girls (I've never won in my life, so this was a big deal! I got a twix candy bar . . . same as every other winner in the race, but STILL- prizes WAHOO!)

We have family dances (for which Dave constantly makes fun of us) but it was seriously so fun! 

Luckily, for us, we got to stay in a cabin which mean much better sleep and better conditions (less dirty).  It was so nice to have a room to spread out in!

It rained every afternoon and evening.  This is Jackson making the best of it with his second cousins.


Worn out!

Four years ago today. . .

 . . . Jackson joined our family.  There hasn't been a dull moment since.  He is such a wonderful little guy.  He has so much energy.  He is so intelligent and thoughtful.  He loves learning, being a leader and teaching others.  He mimics others, and loves to make them laugh.  He is silly and crazy, but can also be serious.  Jackson learns songs and books quickly and keeps them memorized for a long time.   His verbal skills are incredible, we sometimes forget we are talking to a 3 year old.

After spending 2 days at friends houses, he informed me that at their houses they get to do 'whatever they want'.  He asked sincerely if we could make our house a 'do whatever we want house'.  We talked about what that would look like and he said he would still clean and go to bed, but I'm not so sure.  

I heard Jackson up at 5:10 this morning.  He didn't come directly into our room, which is quite unusual.  Finally, at 5:25 he came into our room to inform me that he had done everything on his getting ready routine (dressed, bed made, teeth brushed, table set) and was prepared to start his birthday.  Usually, it takes at least 1/2 hour to complete these tasks.  But I guess a birthday is great motivation.
I took the kids running to a park and let them play.  I realized just how early it was when they were being loud at the park and I was shushing them because I didn't want to wake the neighbors.  My kids are crazy early risers!

Jackson helped me all morning as I prepared for his party.  He was thrilled with the construction theme.  He loves Bob, the builder and Handy Manny so we tried to make a general theme which was easy to adapt to all sorts of activities.  He loved trying out all the party favors and dressing in his builder outfit.
Here is the invite:

Each kid got a construction hard hat and nail belt pouches.  

Jackson had 8 friends, plus himself and Hallie.

We started with lego building as the kids arrived.  Then the kids excavated tools from frozen ice.  The kids used kitchen knives to dig out the party favors.  

The kids had to 'build their own' lunch.  They 'scooped' corn meal onto foil, hammered out the dough, painted on sauce, scooped cheese and sawed the pepperoni's.  While the pizzas cooked we commenced with more games. 

The kids played musical chairs, pin the screw on the driver, build a sky scraper (with boxes as bricks) and then wreck it with a wrecking ball, and 'lofty, lofty Bob' (duck, duck, goose) with a giant inflatable hammer bopping each kid on the hard hat :)

After eating the pizza, the kids painted the walls outside with water.  Then they used their new hammers to hammer tees into foam.  Finally, came presents.  Jackson got a puzzle, a punching bag, race cars, play-doh toys and a memory game.  

We ate cupcakes (Yes, that is Jackson's face on the Bob, the builder).  

Taking a break from all the hard work at this party.

 We ran out of time to build with our play-doh, but the kids got to take some home anyway.  I think Jackson really enjoyed being with friends and planning and preparing for this fun party.   This kids took home their hat, the belt, hammers, 3 other tools, paint brushes, play-doh and the golf tees and a bouncy ball just for fun.  I like using the party favors throughout the party, so we get to enjoy seeing them enjoy their gifts.
Later on, we gave Jackson rollar skates and a roadway rug.  We also went swimming and out to 'Dairy Queen' (Jackson's choice) for dinner.  I did a favorite tradition of my childhood and went through Jackson's baby book telling him memories of the day he was born and his childhood.  It made me remember so many great things about him.  I love this boy!!

Chatting time with Chelsea

When Chelsea posted on facebook that she had a week with out a spouse and needed a visitor I thought i was the perfect canidate!  I've been wanting to get out to see her and her place, but the flights are always full and it is a long way to go.  Thanks to kind and generous friends and family, I was able to only take Hallie, so she and Eden could play together while Chelsea and I talked and talked and talked.  It was fun to catch up with her and have some one-on-one time.  Whenever they come to Utah there is always a million family members around so we really haven't had personal time in years.  

 Eden and Hallie are 9 months apart.  They really enjoyed each other.  Which meant they never took naps when they could see or hear each other.

We talked about everything under the sun.  Chelsea  has so much knowledge, confidence and expresses herself so well.  It is fun to see her passion for life and her family.  She is an inspiration in so many ways.

We drove to Hershey, Penn. and saw the Chocolate factory there. 

 Hallie colored on her face (with Crayon) at the restaurant.  I didn't really know that was possible.

  

Hallie was great on the trip going, but coming home she got bored and decided to yell out (as a game) over and over again for 4 1/2 hours.  I was SO sick of saying "shh" "be quiet" I guess I needed to be more prepared with things.  She didn't sleep at all on either flight, and i hadn't brought 10 hours worth of activities for a toddler.  

It was so nice to spend some time with 'just the girls' and Dave said he really enjoyed the time he got to spend with Jackson.  I am so thankful for wonderful people in my life that make trips like this possible. 

Getting on flights to and from Baltimore was SO difficult.  I really didn't think I would make it (the flight was overbooked by 2 only 2 hours before take off).  When it opened up to 2 seat available we headed to the airport.  I strapped Hallie's carseat to my carry-on with a cool attachment we bought online.  It was nice to not have the stroller.  I even had a free hand . . . I felt so free :)   Chelsea flipped out when she saw me because she couldn't see Hallie and thought I had left her somewhere.

Getting home, the flights from Baltimore were all full.  Chelsea was kind enough to take us to DC to catch a flight from there.  Traffic was terrible so we arrived 25 minutes before take off, there were 500 people at security and I cut in line, and still took so much time! I was SO late.  I think I got to the gate 12 minutes before take off was scheduled.  but we did get seats and miraculously made it home perfectly.  My record of never missing a flight I went to the airport to take still stands :)