travel :: santa monica

A week ago, Lane and I went on a little kid-free vacation to Santa Monica, CA. We love short getaways to explore an area we have never been before, and three nights was the perfect amount of time to do just that with out missing the babies too much!

I arrived on Thursday and Lane taxied up from Long Beach where he had been at a conference. We checked into our airbnb, ate some tacos, and explored the area.

The area we stayed in was known as "the canyon" in Santa Monica, with tiered neighborhoods rising steeply on the North and South side. We immediately fell in love with the area to the South, specifically the neighborhoods of beautiful old houses and one street in particular, Montana Ave, that was so quaint and had the best restaurants and coffee that we experienced.

The next day, at the recommendation of some locals, we rented bikes and rode along the beach south to Venice beach. We explored the beautiful canals and then walked over to Abbot-Kinney Blvd, which we were told was rated "the most fun street in the US". We truly don't understand that status. However, we had a yummy lunch at Neighbor, and then returned back to the canyon and spent the rest of the day on Montana once again.

On Saturday we biked to the farmer's market in downtown Santa Monica, which was not much to speak of, and then explored around downtown. Again, it could not compare with the charming area of the canyon/Montana Ave.

Saturday afternoon we grabbed an Uber ride up to the hills of Pacific Palisades and hiked the Los Leones trail, which was a nice easy (and very popular) walk with beautiful views.
That night we ate at Art's Table (on our beloved Montana Ave.). I am still dreaming about the vegan bowl of rice and roasted veggies I had along with a glass of JuneShine hard kombucha- SO good! After dinner, we went next door to check out the impressive tap selection at Father's Office. Lane had a couple tasty beers, and we turned in early (yet again. nerds.).

Before we flew out on Sunday we had coffee for a second time at the best coffee shop we had found in the area- Primo Passo, then strolled the neighborhoods one last time.

I would have loved to go up to Malibu for a day, but aside from that, I think our quick getaway was the perfect amount of time to spend in the little area that we fell in love with in Santa Monica. As always, though, it was just so sweet to come home!

friends camping 2018

We took our final family hurrah of the summer last weekend: the annual "friends camping trip" at Champoeg State Park.

There was something like eight families and more than twenty kids in our group. It was wildness and wonderful.

Also, no one slept.

Eleanor had a panic moment the week before camping when she realized all her friends would be biking like crazy and she still had training wheels!
So, we took them off and she conquered the two-wheeler a couple days before we left.

(I should also mention that we have since upgraded Elle to a larger bike.)

I love the memories we make with our friends each year, and we stay plenty busy with all those kids, but Champoeg park is not the most exciting camp spot. However, they put a neat park in a couple years ago, and our kids really enjoy climbing, sliding, and playing in the sand area (I can't... escape.... the sand..... Seriously, though, I feel like there is sand everywhere we go. Why can it not just be contained to the beach, it's natural habitat?)

I have really simplified meals over our years of camping. 

I used to be the (insane) mom who pre-made every single meal, and even baked my own graham crackers.

Well, no longer, my friends.

This year, our beloved Kodiak cakes or cereal and fruit was breakfast, sandwiches or hot dogs for lunch, and taco bowls, burgers, or chili for dinner. 

After everyone packed up we all made the usual stop at the Butteville Store for ice cream.

In other news, we are getting all geared up for our "soft start" of home school. September is getting crazy so we won't be officially starting until the third week or so... I know that a schedule and routine will be good for us, but summer is my favorite!

straying from the path :: yet another spiritual lesson from parenting

At this phase of life, God teaches me the most through parenting. The way I love my kids more than they can imagine, the sacrificing and laying down my life for them, and the things I find myself saying to them are the prominent way I am learning about how God cares for me.
Yesterday, we were in the woods on an archaeological dig looking for dinosaur bones (as you do), and, as always, we ended up playing in the creek.
It is probably my kids favorite thing ever to explore along the creek, throwing in rocks and clambering across logs to get to the other side. To them, it is a bit dangerous, but I am always right by their side, and I think a little risk is good for kids. Our big rule is that they have to be able to see me, which means that they need to look over their shoulders every once in a while to make sure I am still within view. If they can't see me, but they hear me call, then they better get to where I am, and fast.
While we there yesterday afternoon, I was bent over the creek, throwing rocks with Judah and watching Elle on one side of me. James was on the other side of me, hopping across rocks to get to the other side of the creek, having a great time exploring. I looked away from him for maybe 90 seconds while helping Judah, and when I turned back, he was gone.
This is not super unusual, so I called to him. No answer.
I heard no rustling or jumping sounds, so I called again. Still nothing. I called again and again, walking as far to where he was as I could without abandoning the other two. I tried to fight the panic feeling that I could feel rising up.
What seemed like forever later (although was probably only two minutes) I heard crashing sounds in the bushes and he reappeared, goofy smile on his face, leaping over the rocks towards me.
I reminded myself to be calm but stern, to extend grace but also make him realize that this was serious.
I sat him down on the creek bank where I could watch Elle and Judah, and looked into his eyes.
"James, you really scared me. If terrifies me when I cannot see you and you don't respond to me."
He nodded his head and looked apologetic. I continued,
"You have to be able to see me. You have to keep looking out for me. If you cannot see me, come back to where I am. But when you can no longer hear me, that is when you are really in trouble. That is dangerous."
The words were barely out of my mouth when I felt the Lord whisper "The same goes for you."



We have to look for Him, to make sure He is always within our sight. When we can no longer see Him, we must run back towards Him. But the real danger comes when we cannot hear His voice. When we have gone so far that we are no longer listening for His calling. That is when we get lost and lose our way.

May we always be like James and come crashing back through the bushes to One who keeps us safe and on the right path.

This time a year ago: another spiritual lesson.

mother's day 2016 : all up in da hood

Yesterday, we spent another fabulous mother's day in Hood River.

We started out with Pine Street Bakery, of course.


Then we walked from the Bakery down to a school play ground and hung out there for awhile.

                          

We finally bribed the kids to leave with the promise of fro-yo.

Then off to the play ground on the river where we played in the sand and water and all the fun play equipment.

We were so hungry and tired by the time we dragged ourselves across the street to Pfriem that I did not document all the amazing food and beer we consumed because I was too busy consuming it.

After dinner the kids had one last burst of energy, so we headed back to the park and played a bit more before getting the kids into pjs so they could pass out on the drive home.
Which they did.

It was such a perfect day.

PS the hood last mother's day, the hood the year before that, and a post from a year before that with pictures taken in the hood

mother's day 2015 :: in da hood

Warning: these photos taken with our tiny orange camera that is literally being held together with tape and is used more often by the kids than the adults. But, it fits in the front pocket of the Ergo, so for outings that I just can't carry around my nice camera, this is it. Also, the lens is irreversibly cloudy.

This year we spent Mother's Day (remember that? from almost a month ago) in Hood River.

 

We drove there after church, got coffee, and headed to the awesome playground near the river, where we ran into our friends and their three kiddos.

First attempt at a family photo with all five of us = unsuccessful. 

It was extremely windy, but we played for a few hours, then went across the street to the amazing brewery/restaurant, pFriem, and ate every ounce of delicious food they brought to our table.

After dinner we played a bit longer, then headed home and passed out into bed.

 

Hood River is so enjoyable, and there is a chance we may get to stay there again (in our favorite vacation home ever) for my birthday/Father's Day. Keeping my fingers crossed that it works out!

One year ago: what we ate this month, last year