August at the Beach

If anyone is wondering why we are not fully unpacked yet... it's because we've been at the beach. Who wants to unpack when there's a beach to be at? Actually, we've only been once a week this month, but it's usually ends up being the best day of the week. My kids love the beach! They stay so entertained and busy and happy, even Grant goes the whole day so beautifully without a nap. And the best part is all that playing and sun really wears them out so they're ready for an early bedtime! We've been going to the beach with my aunt and my 3 cousins... lucky me cause I love the beach, but I do not like the ocean. I don't like the cold water, the seaweed, the waves or the sharks (you never know!) I know it makes me a deadbeat mother, but my adorable cousins take my kids in the water and they love it! Thanks goodness for them, they're the best! Here's a few of my favorite pictures from our trips to the beach this month.

Just totally in his element! 

Giving Aunt Jana some loves

What a kick!  First time to be buried in the sand. 

Maggie's turn. 

My uncle came with us one of the days.  

He's incredible at making sand sculptures. 

A man wrestling an octopus. 

My cousin Raquel, bless her heart, pulling the kids

in the sand on a boogie board. 

These 2 little girls were so cute 

trying to lift Grant over the waves.

My cousin Becca and her friend jumping 

Maggie over the waves.  

Glad someone does it!

I'm totally bummed that summer is over!

  

Somebody had a birthday!

Yesterday, Maggie turned FOUR! Here are my 4 favorite things about Maggie: 

1.  She ALWAYS stops to smell (and pick) the flowers.  We're always waiting for Maggie while she takes the time to notice the flowers.  In fact, her latest thing these days is to pick flowers and put them in a small bowl of water on the table to enjoy while she's eating her breakfast.  

2.  Maggie is always impressing me with her vocabulary skills.  She was an early talker and she never ceases to amaze me at her attempt to incorporate new words.  She's a pretty smart girl!

3.  Maggie knows right from wrong.  In fact, a little too well sometimes because she'll get extremely upset if something is out of place or if Grant is doing something the wrong way.  I hope she never loses her discernment cause I think it'll carry her throughout life.  

4.  Maggie always wants to help.  Cooking, folding laundry, packing and unpacking... she's a great helper!  For several months, I had a box of "pretend cleaning items" that I wasn't sure who I was going to give them to.  She'd been eyeing that box, hoping it was for her.  I finally gave it to her as a reward for all the help she gave me during our move.  She's been "ironing", "dusting", and "sweeping" ever since! 

Maggie: 9 days old

Maggie: 4 years old!

Maggie picked out this Cinderella dress 

for her Grandma to make her. 

Showing us how it twirls.

Opening presents.  Maggie's 1st gift card...

to Build a Bear!  Fun!

The Cinderella Cake.  I can't take credit this year!

Blowing out the candles.

Maggie's accomplishments

Maggie reports to me that she can't turn 4 cause "she hasn't learned anything yet!" Well, I beg to differ. I reviewed her pictures from the last year and she has accomplished and learned much.  Way to go, Maggie!  Here's the proof: 

Art class!

Maggie learned to fold laundry just like mommy!

Maggie learned how to decorate cupcakes!

Maggie learned about the firetrucks!

Not sure what this is, but it seems like a proud moment!

Maggie learned felt board stories!

Maggie talked me into buying her the Pancake Puff!

 Maggie learned how to make play-dough figures!

A new chapter...

Well, I was pretty sad about leaving Orange County. It closed 2 chapters in my life. One being the last of my original family to depart from Orange County and the second being the life Cory and I had there for 4 years. At least we are close enough to visit our favorite hot spots on occasion! So, a new chapter of our lives begins and I'm discovering that things are not bad at all! Here are the things I really like so far about our new life:

• A backyard for my kids to play in. Do you know how nice it is to say, "Go outside and play!" And they love it! (Not to mention that Cory looked very happy to finally have the space to "hose things down"!)
• An attached garage. This is a novelty! Wow! No more hauling groceries, Costco bulk, Target finds plus kids up 2 flights of stairs! I think Costco stuff will finally get unloaded from the car the same day I buy it.
• A recycle bin. This is so cool! Even though we generate so much trash, I love the opportunity to think twice about throwing out the milk carton, etc and putting it to be recycled instead!  I feel so responsible!  
• A Trader Joe's and Costco under 3 miles away. Still have to travel 10 miles to get to a Target, but 2 out of 3 is not bad!
• 2 Woodranches nearby!
• A nice beach less than 10 miles away!
• Our good friends, Scott and Sarah 15 minutes away! They've already come to our rescue by watching our kids while we unpacked! Thanks guys!
• All of Cory's family nearby! This something I've really missed ever since my sister Shelby moved away from me, so it's nice to be closeby!
• Cousin sleepovers!
• My aunt and her family nearby!  (2 cousins at babysitting age! YAH!)  My aunt's been trying to get me up here for 4 years... here I am!  When's the BBQ?
• Cory's 20 minute commute to work.  He reports that in "bad traffic", it takes him 26 minutes to get home.
• A nice ward, a little small, but Maggie's already found a girl friend her age!
• A move in general is just good, you know?  Going through all your stuff, throwing out all the crap you hang on to for who knows why?  Finding things you thought were gone forever and discovering the things you need to use up (like 5 bottles of windex and 9 bottles of bathroom cleaner)!  
• And last, but not least... Another baby due in March!  YIPPEEE!!  Now there's something to look forward to!