La Jolla

After hiking around the Wildlife Park in Escondido, we decided to explore La Jolla on our way back to San Diego. I think La Jolla would be a great place to set a novel, but the kids weren't as impressed. Lots of hills, little parking, no bathrooms (just honey buckets), and the beaches weren't splashworthy.

We started at Shell Beach, which is rocky, with coarse sand. The boys climbed the rocks while Grace twirled about. Hayden came up with a science project idea - comparing the different types of sand along the Pacific coast. I told him to stick with Oregon beaches and he had a deal.

They waded in the water, explored the sea caves, spied the sea lions sunning themselves on a rock just off shore. From Shell Beach you can see Seal Beach (which is technically named Childrens Beach because it was designed as a sheltered area to make it safer for kids to swim. The seals think it's a pretty sweet place, so they took it over almost as soon as it was built.

Watching the seals was hilarious. They were crawling all over one another. The kids were pretty much over it all at that point, so we grabbed some gelato and headed back to the hotel. They wanted to go in the swimming pool. Which I pointed out they could do at home...

San Diego Zoo

When researching out San Diego trip, I came along the tip to begin a zoo trip by taking the aerial tram to the bottom of the zoo and then work your way back up. This worked so well! We got there as the zoo opened, and because we worked our way backwards (which I do at our zoo as well) we were able to enjoy the animals without crowds of people for almost 2/3 of the time!

By taking the tram first, we were able to get a lay of the land and the kids got to look forward to the exhibits. We don't have pandas at our zoo, so we were all excited to see the pandas and the panda baby.

As y'all know, no animal sighting is complete to my kids until they get to see one poop. The elephants were happy to help them out. We really liked the elephant exhibit because the elephants were playing with one another and we got to see an elephant get a pedicure.

We'd never seen koalas, so they were a highlight. After Grace saw the baby giraffe, she was pretty much tuckered out and opted for a stroller nap. Just as well, when we saw the gorillas, the silverback mooned us!

San Diego Safari Park

We were expecting the safari park to be a cross between the zoo and our Wildlife Safari, and it was, but with way more walking than we anticipated.

The highlight was the hot air balloon ride. It was lovely to see the expanse of the park and see the animals roaming through. The basket was shaped like a giant bagel, so we could walk around and see everything for different vantage points.

We had a beautiful day, but I wouldn't have thought it was hot enough to walk around wet. Of course the boys saw water and went for it. I think they could have stayed there all day just dousing one another.

The elephant exhibit was great, but the highlight had to be the bird show. The birds flew across the stands, making everyone duck. Hayden had the wings of an owl brush his arm as it flew by.

On our way out, we made time for the carousel. Grace and I love them. Hayden joined in, but Bayley and Jeff opted to miss out on the fun.

20 questions by Gracious Mae before she turns 5

1. What is your favorite color? rainbow
2. What is your favorite toy? My walking kitten from John’s Incredible
3. What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries
4. What is your favorite TV show? Cinderella
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? spaghetti
6. What is your favorite outfit? A dance outfit
7. What is your favorite game? Candyland
8. What is your favorite snack? Peanut butter crackers
9. What is your favorite animal? Elephant
10. What is your favorite song? A lullaby
11. What is your favorite book? Tinkerbelle
12. Who is your best friend? Ava
13. What is your favorite cereal? Rice Krispies & strawberries
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play
15. What is your favorite drink? Milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Teddy
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Rice Krispies & strawberries
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Fruit Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Pterodactyl  

Last year's interview...

Family Portraits

family shot

 It was time. The last family portraits we had done Grace was bald and sitting on my lap. So we headed in to Portrait Innovations and got the quick package.

Hayden was obsessed with the frame - I think this is a must for Gabe & Maureen's upcoming wedding.

Hayden & Grace

Grace wasn't up for sitting still or humoring the photographer, but she was all about the boas. Thank goodness Hayden was up for it.

Portland Aquarium

The idea of having an aquaium in town thrilled Grace. She still talks about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and Ocean World. I had high hopes for the local take on it, but didn't want to get ahead of myself. We got half-price tickets from Sharing Spree and Jeff took a day off work to check it out with us, and hopefully avoid the weekend rush.

We learned two things right quick...Milwaukie is farther away than it looks on the map. We could probably get to the aquarium in Seaside faster. And...buy the season pass at Portland Aquarium if you don't want to wait an hour in line outside. Members get right in, the rest of us try to stay under cover and near the outdoor heaters. For an hour.

It's a small place, perfect for a year from now when people wander through, but right now it's packed. So many people are moving through that the food they sell for the 'feed the animals' experience could be seen floating limply in the tanks. These fishies were full up!

It's put together in a very playful and clever way. One touch pool is in the back of a boat, the jellyfish are under blacklights that really show off their beauty, and the tropical fish aquarium is gorgeous. It brings to mind visions of the sea floor when snorkling.

The shark and stingray petting pool was a favorite for the boys. Hayden kept reaching in all the way to his shoulder, not caring a bit that his sleeves were drenched. We spent most of our time there. The boys were all about the water, but Grace was more interested in checking out the aquariums that lined the room.

I think we'll check it out again - when the puffin and otter exhibits are up and running...and everyone in the metro area isn't lining up outside!

Christmas Tree

As soon as we caught a break in the rain during daylight hours, we trekked out to forage a tree. Okay, so we drove up two blocks and chose one at the Santa Lot. They even tie it to the car for you. It's one of the perks of living on the edge of town - you can get your Christmas tree in five minutes!

The boys helped get the tree in the stand this year. It's much more fun to watch the tree wrangling than to be the wrangle-ee.

After a day in the half in the garage to dry out, my men brought the beast inside. Apparently the small men are much more help getting a tree in a stand than they are getting a tree in the house. Again, happy not to be the one being yelled at.

The kids loved decorating the tree with all the ornaments. And Grace just had to put the angel atop the tree.

So far, the pups seem uninterested in the tree. They've plucked off a few ornaments, but the novelty of that wore off and they're content to ignore it. Now if I could just convince them to nap during my writing time, they'd be perfect.

Maybe I should ask Santa for help.

Gingerbread Men!

To get everyone in the holiday mood I picked up a giant gingerbread man decorating kit. I'm hoping it keeps them from asking for gingerbread houses this year. I just know I'd leave the house and come home to puppies with tummy aches if we gingerbread house...


The boys had their own designs, and Grace followed a pattern from the box. Kind of. She stopped after she realized the gummies were hearts. Then she set to using as many hearts as possible.

They looked great...but they were hard as rocks! The boys tried to take a bite...then decided to break off a foot...and yeah. Not yummy.

Thanksgiving In Pajamas

Since Bayley has to avoid cats for the next month, we're doing Thanksgiving at home. Thanksgiving in pajamas no less. To help prepare, Hayden and Grace made pumpkin pie.

What's better, they liked eating them!

We also made our traditional Oreo turkeys. This year they were extra chocolate-y. An Oreo, a peanut butter cup, a kiss & Reeses pieces!

The cooking was going along swimmingly until...the oven weirded out again! We knew that after the last repair the warranty had expired and it would be a pretty penny to fix it. So, we hit the Black Friday sales for a new oven of all things.

Thanksgiving Performance

Grace's preschool had the parents come in a few minutes early so the kiddos could sing us a song and give us a handprint turkey telling us what they are thankful for. Grace? She's thankful for circles. OK...

I tried to video the song...but the camera stopped a few seconds in...

Grace also had a turkey where she had to list something to be thankful for on every turkey feather : my mom, my dad, my brothers, my dogs, strawberries, circles & Choppy. Who is Choppy? Her imaginary cat.