Update....We're Back!!

Yes, I'm finally updating.....I know I suck!  We have been so busy this summer so I have to go back a few months....

Corbin

Corbin is the coolest little guy!!!   He's been so good through all of the recent road trips, plane rides & potty training, what a trooper!

The Beach in Santa Cruz

Gilroy Gardens

Nutella Face! 

Sleeping through Auntie Vonnie's Wedding

Vacation

Vacation this year was 10 days with Eric's parent's at their house on Lake Of The Ozarks, so fun!

Hanhan/Tree

After graduating from high school, my niece Cassandra came to stay with us for two weeks. Corbin calls her "Hanhan" & Ty calls her "Tree" (I have no idea why!!!!)

San Fransisco Zoo

I took Cassandra to get her first Tattoo....

So cute!!!  (Yes, I'm the bad Auntie!)

Rain

I feel like we live in Seattle instead of California with all the rain we are getting.  Most people will argue with me that it's a good thing because the lakes and reservoirs are so low, but it feels like we moved to the rain forest after having lived in the desert for the last two years.  I even bought the kids rain boots and dusted off my umbrella (can't believe I still have one!) When it's not raining in Hollister (which feels like never!!), the kids and I have been playing and having lunch at a little park across the street.  There's no play equipment but that hasn't stopped them from having a blast.  Tyler loves to climb the trees and hill (she calls it a mountain) and Corbin loves to splash in the creek (I call it a puddle).

Peek-A-Boo!

Such a boy!!!

I'm really hoping she doesn't slip & fall....

Phew, she made it!

Settling

I'm happy to report we made it to Cali safely and without any issues....that is SO not our luck! We've had some challenges along the way but our new house is starting to feel like home and I'm thrilled that I can finally find a comfy spot to sit down with a cup of coffee and do some work on the computer. (Now that I can locate all the cords and don't have mountains of boxes surrounding me!)

The kids are doing great and both have adjusted really well. Tyler started a new school the first week which was a big change because she went from being on a half-day, year round schedule to a full day, nine month schedule. She also has 2 teachers that share days during the week, one teaches Monday & Tuesday, the other teaches the rest of the days. The first week of school went smoothly but once she realized how much more time she was away from Corbin and me during the day, she wasn't so thrilled to get dropped off!  But she's making friends and likes her new teachers. Next step is to get her involved in some extra-curricular activities. She's mentioned that she'd like to do gymnastics and would also like to try horse riding lessons.

Corbin is growing up so fast! He amazes me everyday with his little personality or something new he's learned. Not so amazing is the reality that he is going to go through the "Terrible Two's" (Tyler started them early so I thought their was a chance Corbin just wouldn't go through this stage.....wrong!!).

Eric really likes working at the new Milgard location. He has an easy commute and we all love having him back!!!! He is close to several fishing locations that he used to frequent before moving to Vegas so he's not wasted any time getting back to them! The kids and I bought him a camera for his birthday so we're hoping he's going to use it to take lots of pictures for his fishing blog.

Of course I've been super busy trying to get everything put away and decorate but I have to say it's been a struggle. This house is smaller and with much of the decor and furnishings being bought for our home in Vegas, it just doesn't feel the same. Needless to say, I have all this stuff I love and no where to put it! I'm constantly telling myself it can't fall into place over night and try to view it as an ongoing creative endeavor! In the past we've always donated our things to Goodwill but we've finally decided to make some money off everything that has to go. I'm a garage sale virgin, any tips????

Running outside has taken on a whole new meaning here...it is absolutely beautiful! I really love the country. Rolling green hills lined with white fences as far as you can see! Horses, cows, goats, chickens, birds, you name it! I've learned to turn off the iPod & make friends with nature, it's awesome! Quite a change of pace coming from the desert! But so is the whole lifestyle we've come to know here. The weather has been rainy, the nearest Costco and WalMart are 30 minutes away (ouch!) but we do have a Target just down the street (another Ouch!). But on the flipside San Jose & Monterey are only 40-45 minutes away. Last week we went to the San Jose Sharks game and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, so fun!

The last few months have really been a whirlwind for our family but we survived thanks to the love and support from our friends and family who were there for us and supported us even through the emotional turmoil that we (I) had to go through to get here! Thank you!

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey is only 45 minutes from Hollister and it's one of the coolest little towns ever!  I'd never been before I took the kids to the aquarium and now I know why everyone loves it.  

It was a rainy day so we had to hit the Starbucks downtown.

Yummy "Choc Choc Milk"
The ocean was so beautiful.  
The kids were really interested in the displays and I had to read the info about each one to them.




They really didn't want to leave but now we have a family membership to the aquarium so I promised them we'd be back soon.

Aliens!

The road trip to Cali was very uneventful with the exception of the aliens!!!  Eric and I were craving beef jerky for the road so we decided to stop here, Alien Fresh Beef Jerky.....What in the???!!!

There was even a baby alien in a car seat!!!

 It turned out to be awesome beef jerky!

Tyler was a little unsure about 'em...
And Corbin was just too tired to care!

Adios!

BFF's on Moving Day

Tyler & her BFF Olivia had so much fun playing in the Allied moving truck, it was soooo cute!  We miss you Livy!

Wow Girls, packing all those boxes must have been hard! You look tired (:

Movers

Allied Van Lines came today to take a survey for our move.  It took 20 minutes for them to tell me how long it will take them to take away 2 years of our life...2 days to pack, another day to load and 2 days for it to be delivered to California.  Looks like the last day we get to spend here is the 26th!!!!  I'm Sooo sad! I have total issues leaving this house, neighborhood and all our friends.   I know everything happens for a reason and we will all be fine, but this is the fourth move we've done for Milgard and the first time I've not been excited to go so I'm just in mourning right now!   Don't get me wrong, I'm so grateful for everything we have, just dealing with this new emotion as reality sets in!

One Last Trip To The Strip

The Bellagio