River Rafting Adventure: July 2018

 Kern River was quite the experience this summer. I sure am glad my friend has a bucket list from which plan our adventures together. Carving the time that works with five teenager's schedules is mind boggling, but I'm so glad we made it happen. . .even if I never need to raft again.

While we stayed in the raft through the rapids, our friends weren't so lucky and that was a scary experience. So happy no one was hurt and everyone worked together to get people out of the water--but still terrifying in the moment!  I can't even imagine if it was my littles flowing downstream in their life jackets!! Thankfully, it wasn't and all is well that ends well!

 Snapped one family picture before we headed home. 

 Mom and Bubba on the balcony. We were waiting for night to fall to see the "Bat Show."

 I always tell the kids to check out the masterpieces God creates as the sun sets. Sitting on the deck, with the sound of the river flowing, surrounded by majestic skies was no exception.

 I love that these sisters both wanted me to braid their hair and then sat together watching something. Sisters.

 Hiked up to Slide Rock. I only fell twice and we were met with this natural slide. Jonathan saw a snake in the water. I think they were crazy to go in, but they did. So I captured the moment from a rock not in the water. Snakes scare me.

 Janessa slept in the cutest teepee ever up in the loft. We all fit. That's how big it was!

 Daddy Daughter Time

 Plenty of time for kids when you're away from the hustle and bustle of schedules!

 Our backyard

 The river was flowing. So much so, in fact I was nervous for my Nessa Bessa. 

 Road tripping to see the sites!

 Big trees to explore at Trail of 100 Giants!

The Trip That Wasn't. . .

A cabin was their idea.  The 22-year-olds asked for a weekend away together.  Having never been up to Big Bear in the snow, we decided to go for it.  It would be a nice family vacation.  Something we all could experience together.  So we booked it the weekend the kids said they'd be available.

And then they were no longer available.  Disappointment followed, but excitement too.  Our oldest was headed out of state for an interview that he's been waiting a long time for.  So we prayed and he traveled one way, and we the other.  

The drive up the mountain was slow.  It was raining when we left, which meant as we drove into town, it had begun to snow!  None of us have ever been out when it was actually falling from the sky before, so it was quite the sight to behold!

Snow was everywhere!  It was so beautiful!  This was our front yard.

This was the view from the second floor, panoramic windows.

The game room was awesome in the loft.

Ernie supervised the kids while they sledded down our driveway bright and early Saturday morning, right before we were told out weekend was cut short due to an overbooking.We were angry, disappointed, and sad but there was nothing they could do for us at that point.  So we headed home, but not before we got some more sledding in.

Lesson:  Sometimes in life, things don't go as planned.  Make the best of it and keep going.

They ended giving us a full refund and a weekend getaway take two.  We will take it.  Another mini vacay for memories to be made!

Catch Up

There's this lull that is occurring.  A calm before the storm, so to speak.  As we finished up the school year, which I still have a ton to write about so we always remember, I was struck by the absurdity of planning a vacation a mere day after the kids were out of school.  It felt crazy to leave after a week of mere craziness and festivities.  Truth be told, it was!  As relaxing as the beach eventually grew to be, the prep felt haphazard, unorganized, and messy.  Those are not great working conditions for me, so it was a struggle to let go and let loose.  But when I did?  What a great week with another family we love.  How awesome were the kids laughing, and playing games, and frolicking in freezing cold water!  It was a vacation to remember.  Actually this will be a summer to remember.  More details to follow, but first I have to catch up.

Hawaii Part One

Hawaii seems like a distant memory already.  How can it have been three weeks ago that we were surrounded by paradise?  I was so nervous to go and yet I was so welcomed by the relaxation and peace that came with it.  That combination along with nature's pure, breath taking sights was enough to fill my senses and I'm hopeful that sensation will last awhile!

Our first sunrise on Maui.

How do I go about writing a recap of a week that meant more to me than words can say?  This trip was long overdue. This trip was about leaping on too good a deal on air fare.  This trip was planned by friends whom we consider family. Every last detail was thought out and reservations made.  All I really needed to do was pack and show up.  And sometimes, that felt like a lot. . .because I'm a nervous flier.  And it's a long flight.  But the pros outweighed the cons and we were in it.  We were ready for rest, relaxation, and adventure.  Maui did not disappoint!

 This was "Big Beach" and it had some really BIG waves!  Notice the red flags.  Lifegaurds were asking people to stay out of the water, which I happily obliged, rule follower that I am.  The beach and mountains were gorgeous, but those huge, crashing waves were fierce.  My feet never felt the ocean on this beach.

We had to go to the La Haina Luau, because everyone must go to at least one in their lifetime!  This is the same one I went to about fifteen years ago with my parents, little brother, and papa .  It hadn't changed much and the traditional food was even better than I remembered, or maybe it's just that I appreciated its authenticity so much more now.

I had a drink and cheers-d my dad, who was celebrating his birthday three thousand miles away at home.

The thing about this trip, is I was very much a noticer.  There was so much lush beauty to take in, and I really tried to. . .when I wasn't reading one of my many books I brought along.  A vacation wouldn't be great if I wasn't able to bring my voracious appetite for books.  This trip did not disappoint in the least!  

Speaking of disappointments. . .I don't think I can ever eat a California shaved ice again.  There is no comparison!  Uluanis Hawaiian Shaved Ice was absolutely the best EVER!  So good, it will only ever be THAT good there in Hawaii.  

Speaking of good. . .I had to get myself a Dole Whipped, because, well...Hawaii! 

It was mighty tasty, but nothing compares to that shaved ice!  Nothing, I tell you!  These simple adventures would have been enough, but there was so much more.  There's a whole camera I haven't even downloaded pictures from!  These are just snapshots of our first couple days with my phone.  I think I had to wait awhile to go back and begin documenting this trip.  First, I needed to not be missing it so badly.  And next, the writing of the recap now, is just what I need to keep my mind set in the second honeymoon phase with E and I home together for the next couple weeks.  I'm smiling as I write this.  Our trip was a good one, probably the next best trip to our honeymoon because it was all about us.  Just us.  We missed out on the chaos of home and it was good.  So good it's going to take me awhile to get all our pictures in.  Bare with me.  This adventure is one for our memory books.  And if you're reading this:  get out there and create some new adventures of your own!  You will never regret it!

Spring Break 2015

How we've gotten to Summer without me posting about our Spring Break is beyond me!  Stranger things have happened, but geeze, where did the time go?  This Spring Break found us needing a get away.  There was a lot going on and we were just tired.  We needed to be refreshed and we needed time to just be. Anthony stayed with his dad for a couple days so we booked a hotel on the bay and headed out to the Newport beach. It was the kind of vacation that is imprinted on my heart forever.

 One of our nights there, the big kids: Little and Kendra came down to show us his new truck.  They stayed for dinner right on the water.  The food was just okay but the company was terrific!

We came home Easter Sunday, but not before attending mass at a neighboring church.  The service was great and the kids liked the donut option before mass started.

 Our view from the balcony

 We decided on A Thousand Steps beaches because I remembered it from my college days.  Let me tell you, it did not disappoint.  Look at that!  God's beauty at its finest right there!

 I love everything about our pictures at sunset.  When I was in college, I would drive to the beach just to watch the sun set so watching it set with my kids dancing and playing in the fore front?  A small preview of heaven.

 Walking the pier and someone got tired.

 I think I might get these blown up on a canvas.  I love them THAT much!  This particular picture reminds me to pause and take it all in: the beauty and the chaos and to count it all as joy!

 Big. Medium. Little.

 Good Friday quiet time in the hotel room.  Tradition.

 The ferry.

After our quiet time, on Good Friday, we began walking to Joe's Crab Shack for Dinner since it was Friday and all.  As we were walking, I believe Lene directed us all to look in the sky.  There was an inverted rainbow clear as day.  The kids were super excited that God chose that moment, hours after his death to remind us about His promise.  My mama heart was so full it could have burst!