sunrise, sunset

Just kidding about the "sunrise, sunset" title. The sunrise part. I don't think my kids have ever seen a sunrise. Case in point, we're all up right now and it's after 1:00 am. But back to the title, "sunset, sunset" just wouldn't be as sing-songy as the famous "sunrise, sunset," which, by the way, are the only words I know to that song.

This sunset was in Trinidad, California.




It was so beautifully foggy on this side of Trinidad in Patrick's Point State Park that you couldn't see much of the sunset, but I had to throw in this photo. Takes me right back.


This was our first night, and it was quickly evident that I would be spending the trip lagging far behind, snapping photos left, right, and center, and then jogging to catch up. Here I was way behind. Thank you, Zoom.


This is Craig's favorite beach and is the first beach we hit on both California trips.


I'm mustering every ounce of restraint I have not to repost MY favorite beach and sunset pictures. I've already shared those but it seems like decades ago.

the moment I saw you

Thirteen years ago today I cried my eyes out when Isaac was born. Thirteen years later my eyes still well up with tears and I get that lump in my throat every time I watch the video of the moment he came into our lives. Aside from knowing I'm a child of God, there is nothing on this earth that can compare to the joy of giving birth and becoming a mother.

Lucky for all of you, I don't (yet) know how to get that video to my computer :)

But I do know how to do this...

Happy 13th Birthday, Isaac!

It's been a joy to watch you grow up with laughter, love, and the Lord in your life!

uncanny resemblance

I've been getting a little nostalgic lately since Isaac is turning 13 on Monday. Celebrating our 15th anniversary and our first born becoming a teenager all in the same month has created a lot of emotions to process.

It's also made me curious about the whole family tree thing and wondering who our ancestors really are, what they look like, where they came from.

When Isaac was born I heard rumors from the extended family that we had an "interesting bloodline" and there were whispers that Isaac had an uncanny resemblance to some long ago great-great-great-somebody.

Finally, 13 years later I think I've stumbled onto something. I found a picture of Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandpa Rex in an old box of family photos and it blew me away. Then I dug out a picture of Isaac from when he was 4 and when I put them side by side, I knew I was one step closer to completing the puzzle.

In the very least, this sheds some light on some of those rather unusual behaviors he's had (you know, the rumblings, the stomping, the ravenous appetite). There's no denying it, but at least it's on Craig's side of the family. :)

Happy Anniversary to us

Craig and I celebrated our 15th anniversary on Thursday! In style! Well, not really, but ALONE! The kids went to Nana and Papaw's (thank you!!!) for a couple of nights and we had an entire, lovely day to ourselves.

Part of the day was spent at this beautiful park.


We strolled through the gardens...






And sat here for an hour taking it all in. "Wow, beautiful gardens. WOW, fifteen years."




We even had a hummer come by to thank us for helping free his cousin a few weeks ago.


I don't have any pictures to share of the fun Isaac and Sophia had without us because Nana is dragging her feet buying a new camera. (hurry up, will ya?!) They made us the sweetest cards while they were there.

And guess what my sweetie got me? A 500GB external hard drive to store all my pictures!! I'm so excited and relieved (I was completely out of space). I bet he had no idea when he bought me my first digital camera for our 10th anniversary that he'd have to support my addiction. In the past 5 years, I've had 2 camera upgrades, needed more and bigger memory cards, tripods, batteries galore, and a ginormous hard drive to boot. (ha! no pun intended, but it fits!) Thanks, Honey! I love you!

Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day!

My screensaver started back up for some reason, so all our vacation pictures started scrolling and caused some serious vacation withdrawal. It's time to revisit our trip.

We loved our stay in Trinidad, California, which is a tiny coastal town up on the cliffs. We awoke to seals barking and couldn't wait to get up and look around.
The evening before, I made dinner while the kids tossed football in the "back yard" with Dad, and then we ate out on this picnic table.


There were seals covering these rocks.


There was a good chance we saw a whale out there too, but it never surfaced enough to be sure. Seemed like it was just lying in wait for some seal breakfast.


We spent part of the day driving through the Avenue of the Giants (remember the beautiful, green clovers, ferns, and TALL trees?) and eventually got pretty desperate for some place to eat. There isn't much civilization around when you're hugging the California coast with little towns dotted here and there. Our GPS told us there was an organic place called Nacho Mama's so we followed the directions and found this:

We ordered our (delicious) burritos and were on our way.

We saw a sign for a drive-thru tree and couldn't resist taking a bit of a sidetrack to experience it. Here we are in the van, in the tree.


Then I hopped out and had Craig drive through it again.


Sophia is trying the tree on for size.


A short video of the third drive through!


Back on the curvy, coastal road, the sun started to set on another fantastic day.

if you build it, she will come (with camera in tow)

I love it when this boy creates things. He used to have his own fleet of homemade (paper) garbage trucks lined up in his room. He once had a "Blue Bay Bridge" that spanned one side of his room to the other (made with blue cardstock and duct tape, complete with matchbox cars lined up on it). He's had lockboxes on his doorknob (Homemade. With cardboard. VERY secure.) He's also good at making cookies, macaroni and cheese, and pancakes. And messes. But I digress.

His latest creation is a skate park, and he never, ever has to wear a helmet at this skatepark. I love it. Apparently he does too, because he actually let me take pictures of it. And him. Enjoy. It might be a while before this rare occurance happens again.

God bless the somebody I want to see

ps Did you know today is 08/08/08? I just found out!

poor hummer

This poor hummingbird was so dumb? disoriented? in love with my silk flowers hanging in storage? that he couldn't find his way out of the garage with the garage door wide open! He kept flying OVER the door instead of one foot lower to get out. Not even sure why he came in, but he sure needed help getting out.

Make these. Now.

Roasted Ricotta Roma Tomatoes. With basil. And garlic. And olive oil.





Here's how.

And make a lot so you're not having to drool over pictures afterwards wishing you had more. Don't ask me why I told you that.