Luckiest Birthday Girl

I have for sure been spoiled by these guys. Plus Hunstman and Love & Friendship movie nights this weekend. I am one lucky girl.

Family Birthday

Today started with running my first five miles ever? In quite some time? Not sure, as I'm not really a runner runner, but gotta get used to running more regularly because of this half marathon business. My legs felt it. Just gotta get used to an additional 8 more miles (!!!)

Since my birthday lands on the busiest day of our week (like, not even sure when we're gonna fit in dinner on Tuesdays), we celebrated my birthday today. Packed up and headed to a new (to us) beach, Rincon. Such a fun, full day with these four. Nothing makes me happier than spending a beach day with them (maybe tied with a Disneyland day.)

Kids were super into this pile of rocks when we got there. They collect rocks and shells (mostly broken) and bring home dozens from our beach trips. Here they had their very own zen garden.

Love when they're out on the boogie boards:

Cutest crazy kid:

Ocean lovers:

Only thing to make it better would've been bringing the key lime pie they bought me and five forks. Key lime pie on the beach?! Next year. 

Cambria

It is beautiful there. Different than I thought. Almost reminded me of a New England beach. Small and quaint. Quiet, and pretty chilly while we were there - definitely sweater weather. Not play on the beach all day with kids - you could, but no one really was. More like stroll down the beach with kids, or walk your dog on the boardwalk. It's the perfect place to escape, even if you just want to hole up in a beautiful hotel room on the water. We had our fireplace on and it was perfect.

Shopping in the cute village. There is East Village and West Village, full of neat shops and restaurants:

We learned you must have a piece of famous Olallieberry pie from Linn's (featured in many food magazines and shows), so we did. It really was delicious.

This is where I took a million pictures of this amazing fairy garden in the backyard of the cutest shop. Seriously I need to take my kids here, especially Audrey - the photos aren't even enough, you could spend all day and be happy and zen. Fairies and tiny details everywhere. If only I could recreate it in my yard.

The mailbox opened and had letters inside. Kids wrote: "Dear Fairy - I do believe in you." So sweet.

They sold one of my favorite candles there (Milkhouse Creamery - thank you Lauren), so I bought one, and the store owner wrapped it like this and that tiny rose smelled amazing. Fairy wrapping!

We drove to Hearst Castle and our reservation was cancelled! The fire had shifted and they cancelled the whole week. Boo! These dumb fires are nuts this summer. They've been fighting theirs since July! We bummed around the visitors center, and at least have a reason to go back.

Then drove out to see sleeping Elephant Seals. They were pretty cool.

Running together on the beach was also nice. Now that Adam and I signed up for next year's half marathon (!!) we gotta get used to running regularly. Twice on the boardwalk was pretty nice, especially the two of us. Photo for Miles - Soulcycle represents in Cambria:

We ate well (lots of fish), slept well, listened to the ocean right out our window every night. Breakfast delivered to our room every morning. It was a lovely trip, and hopefully first of many now that our kids are getting older - it all seems more doable. Kids had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa Tait. So grateful they helped us make it happen.

Soccer Season Has Begun

This girl is ready, motivated, and loving it. Dribbled through the house all afternoon.

Getaway

Made my Saturday to have lunch with these two. Can anyone make me laugh harder than Miles?! And nice to hang with Anne without all our kids in tow - grown-up time. Love friends that can catch up in a couple hours, like no time has passed.

 Adam and I even snuck out to the movies that night. Now we escaped to Cambria for a few days of relaxation.

 Pretty nice view from our hotel room on Moonstone Beach:

 Delicious dinner on the water last night. Fell asleep to ocean waves. Run on the beach this morning, Hearst Castle today. Excuse our windblown hair, but we are enjoying our getaway.

Summer Afternoon

Great first week of school! Ended it with one of our favorites - last day at the aquatic center. Took the kids out of school a little early and spent the afternoon in the sun with friends. Gotta make it still feel like summer, since it is.

Treated to snacks and smoothies:

Proud of these kids - they really did great this week. Cole was fantastic, and going to bed at 7pm! Back to School Night for Audrey and Tyler - I am so excited for them. Really impressed with their teachers. Enjoying our last week before homework and soccer starts. Cub scouts is back, and Tyler earned about ten awards during the summer:

  I enjoyed many things about my first week back to school - like a quiet, cleaner house in the morning, taking Rey for a long walk, Trader Joe's solo, lunch with friends, and treated myself to my first gel manicure and pedicure. I say moms get summer vacation 'til at least Labor Day.

And although Cole went down at his early bedtime, it's the weekend and I'm happy to let the big kids stay up late watching the Olympics. They've loved it, and it's so fun seeing them catch the Olympic spirit for probably the first time. Audrey swears she's getting a gold medal in diving.

First Day!

First day 2016-17 school year. We survived! And it was no easy feat at two different school this morning, with parking far away, a zillion parents, excited kids, and the heat! I was sweating by the time I headed to Ladybug.

Love these three... Thought about them all day.

Tyler's in 5th/4th split with Mrs. Iles, the teacher he super-duper wanted. Cool thing is his good 4th grade friend Kaleb is in his class.

Audrey in 3rd grade with Mrs. Eaton. She was soooo excited for school and friends, and I thought she looked adorable today. Loved that Mrs. Eaton said hello and hugged each kid in line before heading to class.

This cool kid was all ready for TK with Mrs. Westerdale:

First school drop:

Three amigos back together. Not in the same class, but they'll surely find each other at recess.

Drop #2. I was so proud of Cole - he did great at a new campus!

His buddy Brody is in his class, and another friend from church. He told me he made lots of new friends today. How handsome are these two!?

After school tradition! All reports were great.

Rest of Summer Vacation

My kids tried to kill me today. Or maybe they're giving me the best gift ever in making me not miss them tomorrow when they're all three in full day school for the first time in 10 1/2 years! End of an era. Bittersweet but we are ready. Especially after out crazy day, which I'm sure was back-to-school nerves and excitement, but still!

End of summer picture dump:

Friends over to play

Cute readers - I love how they get buried in books after summer library mornings.

More reading, and forts:

Back-to-school haircuts:

Cute puppy photo shoot:

TK kid selfies:

Cool car museum we visited with the cub scouts. Nethercutt Museum. Lots of cars reminded me of Ragtime. Gotta remember this one next time my dad comes to visit. Old music instrument collection, too.

Celebrated the last days of vacation pool partying with friends, and lots of family time. Blessings before school starts tomorrow. Kids are happy with their teachers - should be an adventure.