ComicCon 2009

July has been a busy month,
and it just wouldn't be complete without our annual trek to Comic Con in San Diego.

I started going 5 years ago, when I took a two month old Caleb and two little toddlers by myself to this extravaganza of entertainment. Our family has since grown (little miss spent the day with grandma & grandpa) Daddy has joined us for the fun for the last few years, and there seems to be more and more people every year.

This year we got ther bright and early by way of the trolley (this one of the kid's favorite parts) and spent the day visiting booths, checking out new toys, new games and new movies to be released this year, and people watching to our hearts content.

The boys posing with Master Chief from HALO

Dave and the boys entering the STARGATE portal

An extremely realistic Wolverine replica

The boys and a CloneTrooper Bobblehead (it really worked)

G.I. Joe toys to be released this fall

More toys, Dave felt like a kid again with G.I. Joe coming back

Cars toys, Caleb was in heaven

Caleb, and his buddy Lightning McQueen

Caleb and Josh and Lego SpongeBob

Joshers and Caleb building with legos

Caleb showing off his muscles to the Bionicle

Caleb and Mommy

The whole gang, wrapping up a great day at the 'con

I made a dent

I made a dent, a small dent, but still a dent.

As many of you can attest, my garage holds many treasures. And it seems that most of them need my help finding a home.

We somehow squeezed our very large tent trailer (that was originally figured to only take up half the garage, but now takes up 80%) into the garage. We made quite a few loads to donate our old goods, and used our extra trash can to it's full extent to do so.

Now comes my job of sifting through the mush piles and deciding if I need to find a home for it.

Today I unloaded an entire large laundry basket of stuff. Half went into the garbage, and the other half I actually found a home for, and put away.

I am very impressed with myself, and so I am tooting my own horn.

The best part, I think I may want to tackle more today...

(edit post: I finished another basket, and re-did my blog background and banner, woo hoo!!)

Beach Camping

We had a blast last week camping at the beach with the Christensen clan.


12 adults, 17 kids and lots of sun and sand makes for a great time.


The cousins entertained each other with big holes in the sand, and playing in the waves during the day. Bikes, and scooters around the campsite in the evenings and early mornings. Lots of fun conversations around the campfire with the adults, and funny stories that I will never forget.


As we drove home (the entire 10 minutes it took us) my heart was full, and I realized how truly blessed we are to have such a great family!!


Thank you all for making the drive (or flight) to come see us, you are all welcome anytime!!

Another one...

I can vividly remember the memory of being at a car lot, as my parents purchased a new car. I remember the lights in the dark lot as it was close to closing, and I remember balling like a baby because we were losing our beloved Lynx (car). I was so sad. The excitement of the new car didn't affect me at all, because I was losing a beloved part of my past.

Last week the same flood of emotions ran through me. I didn't ball like a baby, but there were a few times that I was misty eyed. The thought of never seeing the car that all my boys had been babies in. Picking up Daniel from Kindergarten, bringing Josh and Caleb home from the hospital in. Moving up to Escondido, moving up to Orange County.


Our first new new car.


We had it for nine years, and boy did we run that baby into the ground. We put less than a $1000 into it over those nine years, and that was just tires and brakes. It was needing work, more tires, brakes, shocks, trasmission, and it was our only car that could tow the tent trailer. It also could no longer fit our entire family, so were looking into putting in over $1000 to put a two package onto the van. Money money money what were we to do..



Buy a new (used) car (truck)..




Check out Dave's new baby...

He's excited to be a truck guy again, and that we have two cars that can fit all 6 of us..

Here's to a new chapter in our (car) lives..

Busy Week

Last week was fun, and busy. We spent oodles of time outdoors, and enjoyed the wonderful holiday weekend.





On Monday and Tuesday we visited the beach with friends. I'm trying to make it my goal to transplant sand from as many different beaches as I can. Yes, try as I might to clean them out, we take home a little sand from each beach trip we make, and it is all so different, as are the beaches.






Wednesday we visited the Del Mar Fair. Ok, so it's not called that anymore. But, it will forever be that to me!!

We had a great time, and filled up on BBQ turkey legs, funnel cake, fried everything, and rode tons of rides. My parents joined us later in the evening and we had a great time with them, especially when mommy and grandpa won the kids stuffed animals. (the highlight of the trip)




Thursday we played outside in the sunshine and in the pool.



Friday we enjoyed having Daddy home, and did lots of errands in preperation for our camping trip next week. That evening we made the trek down to Esco to celebrate my mommy's bday, and we even got to see my great gma while we were there.




Saturday morning we woke up bright and early, and enjoyed a pancake breakfast at the church for 4th of July and a bike parade for all the kids.

Afterwards we swam at our friends house, then enjoyed a nummy BBQ at home, followed by some homemade ice cream.

Then we packed up the kiddos and made our way down to the pier to watch fireworks. They were amazing, and the finale was spectacular!!