Santa Barbara vacation Part 1

 Aunt Jen found this wonderful place in Santa Barbara and we all decided to go this year.

I am SO glad we did. This is what our cabin looked like.

And this is what it looks like when you enter. A kichenette and dining/living room 

(small but it doesn't matter as you are never inside). In the back is a full bathroom and bedroom and above is sleeping life that fits about 4 children.

 Aunt Jen knows her stuff and brought legos to keep el children entertained. This worked magic for hours.

 As I said above you are ever inside at El Capitan Canyon. There are bikes to ride, trails to hike, meadows to run in, streams to stream in, and just sitting on the porch reading your kindle as Jen and I did.

 This is pictorial proof that our Ellie is turning girlie. We love you.

It is pitch dark in this picture and the peeps are still outside

 My kids were having a blast from 7Am to 9Pm. Best vacation ever.

 We were so proud of you!!! You climbed a tree!!!! This is big news for you!

 John and Wills having a ball at the stream.

 Santa Barbara state beach was just across the road. 

 I love this picture. What a hunk!

 "LeBarons Rock" is says. And we kinda do.

Love this shot. I think this is Carter. There is something awesome about the sunset at the beach

Santa Barbara Vacation Part #2

 Wills my dear, you don't seem to sleep well on vaca. This morning you slept in with daddy. So cute.

 While walking to my massage (yes I did just say that) I saw some deer. It was rad to be so close to nature without the "camping" filth included.

 The massage hut and garden. Life is blissful

 Aunt Jen brought fake mustaches. The following series of pictures made the trip. This is my other child, Ava. Why Aunt Jen owns a red headed child is still beyond us all.

 Abe Lincoln anyone?

 I love Char's "mustache face"

Hysterical. That knife really adds flare my friend.

Thank you Aunt Jen for organizing such a memorable trip!!! We had a BLAST!!!!!

When pudge meets perfection

There are no words for things this cute.

Harry Potter's Influence

Recently we have been reading the first Harry Potter book to the kids before bed. It's the first time I have been inspired to battle falling asleep while reading to the kids at night. I LOVE the Harry Potter books and now the kids do too. After a few nights of this John started to read to them too and he got hooked. Like up-until-1am hooked. And then the texts started......oh the texts. Here is a sampling of what John started to text me throughout the day over the following few weeks. I laughed so hard while typing these up again.

"Your mom's a toad and your dad's a muggle"

"I caught the guinea pig performing magic last night. I think he's really a house elf and works for Malfoy. We're safe. I fed him magic mushrooms, it took all his power away. But he is hallucinating now. I had some myself, good stuff. "

"Voldemort lives!! I caught him sucking the blood out of our trash can last nite. I spit poisoned vomit on him but it only scared him away. We need to be ready when he comes back. I think he is after you!!! I fear he wants your cuticles. He will be vulnerable until he gets them. We must act fast."

"Well, I saw Voldemort today. He was disguised as an old real estate agent woman. I was 9 minutes early to my inspection and she/he complained bitterly about me being 20 minutes early! Evil incarnate. I kicked it where it really counts, but before I could cast my death spell it disappeared. I have a feeling I will be seeing HIM again!!!"

"I am so hungry I tried to eat a toad. But when I picked it up it turned into one of Voldemort's house elves. It disappeared before I had a chance to kill it. We need to watch out people, Voldemort is everywhere! And boy I am hungry"

"The Italian witches say it's okay to drop off your chariot for revitalization of it's magical cooling unit" (his way of telling me to drop off my car to get the A/C looked at)

"I must have killed over 10 evil witches this morning. He's just trying to get to you. He knows I have a protective curse that keeps my family safe. But I can't stop him from irritating us. He truly is a freaking jerk. He gave William his port wine stain birth mark when he refused to turn evil. William may be the only one that can kill him but I will keep trying. "

"I saw Dumbledore today. He was sitting on top of a damaged chimney. He didn't know it was damage but boy was he scared when I pushed on it and knocked him off. He dropped his invisibility cloak and then I saw him. That's when I discovered Dumbledore is a bit of a streaker. He had nothing on but his tennis shoes."

My dear lover man, I love your sense of humor these days. You make me laugh. And I love you for it.

Utah Vaca - A pictorial story - Part 1

Upon arrival to LeBaron country Charlotte started to rattle off her list of "must do" items. Aunt Olivia being ever so accommodating helped provide. Here are the girls - Amy, Charlotte and Kimberly.

Amy is a few weeks older than Charlotte and the sweetest thing ever. And Kimberly is 10 I think and an amazing person - she was the resident camp counselor while we were there organizing all sorts of fun games.

Item #1: Horseback ride.

This little trip around the property (that's an understatement) was heaven for our girl. This also prompted many, many a conversation throughout the rest of the trip. 

My girl was in heaven. H-E-A-V-E-N.

Doesn't this look like "old man farmer and son" ??? 

Hahaaaaa This cracked me up. The boys are watching the chickens run around out back.

They were so so pretty. Us city folk were mesmerized.

Oh Noel - you are so charming and funny. All of the older cousins are some of the coolest teenagers. I attribute this to some of the coolest parenting. It really is amazing to sit back and watch the household run. Everything seems easy-going and smooth. 

I like to call this pic " fun with terror"

Well this is all still day #1. We packed it in.

The kids and John had a blast ATVing. I was able to sneak away with just John and ride around too.  It was bliss. I felt like we were dating again.

My handsome boy on our twilight walk.

Amy was determined to keep up with the ATVers. Good luck Amy. 

You are super cute BTW.

Me and my boy. I love this shot. 

(I only wish I was carrying the last 20 lbs of baby weight in my face. *sigh*)

Listen you ATV freaks - it's almost dark! Come in now!!!

Day #2, Reservoir - or for the locals it's "The Res"

We had 2 wave runners and a boat. If I hadn't been out there having fun there would be more pics.

But basically John would NOT come in. The man was like a little kid. He was having the time of his life. The kids enjoyed it but John was just ecstatic.

Day #3 Canal

All the fields in the country area are irrigated by canals.

And all the country kids in the area swim in these canals.

My city people had a hard time grasping this. 

This picture cracks me up more than anything. Luke was disgusted with the soft, mushy wet bottom. Spoiled city folk! :) And John - muuuhahaa your face John!! The water is cold and the ground muddy and he's not happy. heheheeee

Oh how my baby wants to go in the water. Eventually he makes it.

I love this shot. We were all piled into the RV on the way to Lehman Caves and Olivia's morning sickness dictated nachos and chocolate. Always eager to please all the kids agreed that was an important pitstop. :) Here her youngest are sharing a chocolate bar. So sweet.

Lehman Caves was super cool. Literally and figuratively. It was 50 degrees down there and very beautiful. We learned a lot about stalagmites and stalactites and the history in general. Back in the day they held parties down there to beat the heat.

Beautiful.

more to come soon.....

H2O

We had a great summer in our "pool" this year. I dare not call it a real pool so as not to offend those that have them. But at 18 feet diameter I say it almost counts. :)

This summer was Will's first and he had a BLAST as water is his favorite source of entertainment and joy. You older kids had a great time on the platform daddy built and were having the time of your life running and jumping off with friends.

 His new floaty. Fun for about 2 minutes :0)

 Because being with daddy is waaaay better.

 You are quite goggleicious my love

 I think this was your first attempt at platform jumping. We counted down no less that 17 times before you actually took the plunge. Literally. 

 Oh for the love of all things cute. You my baby, put the fever in baby fever.

 Charlotte and her friend Katie.

 Charlotte and friends getting ready to jump.

Pioneers

Darling,

A typical conversation with you always gets my cogwheels a turning. This one was no different:

Char: What were those people who came first called again?
Allie: Um....(thinking what this might be, scanning recent topics & school lessons). Oh! Pioneers?
Char: Yes!!! Wouldn't it be fun to live like a Pioneer?
Allie: Hmmm...well...(thinking of all the modern things we wouldn't have) it would be a very hard life, that's for sure.
Char: Are there still Indians? (she means Native Americans people - sorry!)
Allie: Yes. Remember about Reservations?
Char: Oh ya!!!  ........(thinking)
Char: It's not fair mom. They were here FIRST!!
Allie: Ya...I know.....it's just one of those things.....(debating whether this is the right time to get into the topic of power and guns and money and what that does for your power...decided to K.I.S.S.)

Thank you love for all the stimulating convos! I love you and your mind. I love how to you will EXHAUST every topic until you completely understand it (and honestly sometimes I want to run and hide from you for this same reason). I love how you have a very intact sense of compassion and fairness. These are wonderful qualities. Keep them close to you even though often you will wonder why others don't have them as well. Be who you are and others will want to be more of themselves too.

Love, Mom

Oprah

Dear Children,

I don't know when you will read this and what sort of people will influence the lives of America in that future date but I want to say a few words about Oprah. She has been on daytime television for the past 25 years. This year was her last season and while I was not a faithful viewer I always enjoyed what she had to say and her final episode was just incredible. Her message has always been a message I hope will hit you where you really live, deep inside you, a message I hope you will carry with you always.

YOU have the power to change you

YOU and you alone are responsible for your life

YOU are enough

YOU are worthy of happiness and

YOU have the power to change the world

Her show has always been about everyday people - or at least it communicated on a level that everyday people could get. She taught lessons to so many about so much. She helped in the way she knew how and did it with passion. 

People come and people go but special people, wise people, true people, people who are good and kind and generous - those are few and far between. Cherish those people when you find them, hold them close and love them dearly. Learn from them. Listen to them. Encourage them.

I hope your lives are full of these people. As these are the people you are to me and I hope you grow to show others this as well.

This post is not to say "be like Oprah" but rather be the amazing people that you are and reach out and change the world. You are each so exquisitely unique & wonderful. Embrace it!

I love you my wonderful children.

And I love Oprah too. 

This and that

We got our pool set up a few weekends ago. And as we were filling Willsie you tested out the water for us. Is it safe buddy?? Yes??? Thank you for doing such a service to your family.

BTW that toy dog swims. A swimming toy dog! What will they think of next.

My bro. I love him mucho. We had a great mothers day brunch at the park. I suggested a game of tag. Every person besides Wills was involved. Even my mom. It was HYSTERICAL. I almost peed my pants a few times. TMI you say? Eh - let's embrace it.

My Char Char. You are a doll. Life is never boring with you.

What the heck? That's what I said too!! He gets this from his dad. This is exactly how John sleeps.

Car shopping

Today my son you have grown into a man. 

A manboy.

A boy who is sort of becoming a man.

Ok, just my boy.

You are very into cars. I don't know if this is an outside influence or one of your own but either way I like it. I used to play a game with myself and would try and name every car I saw as my mom drove me down the street. I used to be quite good - but I was the only one judging so I guess that's not a fair statement but who cares. I like cars too.

Your love (today) are Mustang GTs and Shelbys. You asked me to see pictures of them online and I took you to Ford.com where you built the car you wanted from the bottom up and were SHOCKED by the $54,000 price tag. Muuuhahahaha. This was always my intention. I wanted a little "life lesson" action thrown in there. We had a discussion about savings due to my genius.....excuse me while I pat my own back. :)  You went back and forth and back and forth and back and forth between red with black stripes or black with red stripes. These are tough choices. Ones you must make on your own. 

It was a fun way to pass time and I love being involved. The days of sitting on the floor and playing trains with you seem to be fading. And while I could tear up if I wanted, I just choose to be in this moment with you and enjoy this new phase.

Here's to embracing the moment.

xo, Mom