California girls and boy

My first trip to San Diego and I couldn't resist my 1st trip to In and Out Burger. Matt's choice on Father's Day for lunch. Good choice Matt.

I got the cheeseburger, but Rick kept the secret of the Monster Burger to himself, until AFTER we had left. It's not on the menu, but if you ask for it, they put everything on a giant burger. Dang. Thanks Becky for documenting the 1st bite for all of times sake.

The Baldwin's backyard is amazing with stonework, gazebo's, tiers and a this incredible fire pit. Reece doesn't even like marshmallows, but every kid is a pyromaniac when it comes to open flames and a stick. Sorry for goobering up your rocks Mr. Matt with all our dropped charred gooey masses. Notice Emma, yes, it was actually cool enough in June for a sweater and long sleeves.

A triple really Emma? I have a feeling those were eaten by me.
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The San Diego Zoo has a safari park about 30 minutes from San Diego, BUT 5 minutes from Becky. Yippee. We took the tram tour and found out that baby giraffes can't straighten out their necks until they are 2 years old. You coulda put this little guy in your purse. Don't you just want to poke him in the haunches?

The boys lost no time in reacquainting, but I think Mason is having himself a personal problem going on :)

You can't pass a giant metal rhino without sitting on him. The weather was perfect here and such a relief from the east coast humidity.

We went to MiMi's cafe for breakfast and ordered giant muffins and eggs benedicts. I haven't had that in years. I kept forcing the kids to pose for group photos, you can see Emma's already sick of them. We would spend an entire week in San Diego, saw another old military family from Cherry Point and had lots more fun. Pictures will come shortly

Our trip out west begins with VEGAS

Rick was able to priceline us a 4 star hotel on the south strip of Vegas for $60 and got the MGM Grand! Amazing, especially driving up to it at night and seeing the entire green hotel lit up. The kids were so excited. Only thing our room stunk like an entire can of lemon lysol had been unloaded in there minutes before our arrival.

The MGM lion in the entrance. This hotel really was pretty amazing

The temperature the next morning was 107 by noon and we headed right to the pool. The kids were waiting for the lazy river to open, but our time in Vegas ended before we could enjoy that. Plus Adeline refused to get wet(she is still very afraid of pools, including ours) so she just sat in the firey heat and melted. So I couldn't see letting my youngest perish, so my older two could get their swim on.

Adeline swelters in front of the cabanas which were like little oasis's in the desert, equipped with tvs, full bars and comfy lounge chairs. I tried to carry her into the water once, and from the amount of screaming coming from her, the lifeguard was giving me "mean mommy" looks, so I stopped

I took the kids to the Grand Buffet that morning and was almost not going to pay for it from the expensive prices. But, then the cashier hooked us up and only charged me for Emma. Well, after hoovering down home made corned beef hash, bacon from England and quiche... she made her way to the dessert table and never left, except to refill her plate. I figured for that price if the girl wanted 3 chocolate mousses, then go for it. She savored the little dark chocolate decoration on top and let them melt on her tongue.

Even though we didn't get to see any other resorts, the kids were perfectly happy having stayed the night and seen the bright lights and big city atmosphere, even if only or 10 hours on our brief overnight. On to San Diego in the afternoon to spend the week with our good military friends the Baldwins.

June starts with mad crazy birthdays

Rickapalooza kicked off summer with our pool party tribute to the man that is Ricardo. His younger sister Emily drove over from Jacksonville and left her mark on these cupcakes that became her masterpiece after 1 hour of decorating and slaving over pull and peel twizzlers. Only problem was the kids avoided the twizzler cupcakes and opted for sprinkles ones that were less complicated to eat.

Aunt Emmy took her nieces and nephew up to their favorite location on earth other than Disney World.....Toys R Us and let them pick out a toy. Wow, what a great aunt

Just as birthday festivities start dying down, don't look now, but Emma Leigh turns 10. Her breakfast request, was pancakes with strawberries, strawberry syrup, whipped cream and bacon. You got it, Emma Roo, with a side of hashbrowns and a smile

Emma sporting her new cool girl hat from Aunt Robin. Hats are her staple signature and she wears them with STYLE. Just don't go breaking your other arm while wearing this one, girly.

On her birthday she wanted to go to Sonny's Barbecue for lunch. I guess that idea has been mulling around for awhile, because it seemed like a random choice, but boy can that girl put away some pulled pork. She invited her good friend Maria and the McDavid's joined us. Emma couldn't wait to get home and try her new laser fingers in the pool. They light up with LED lights.

That weekend when Daddy got home, we took her snorkeling and swimming out to Ft. Pickens and she decided to create a sand sculpture. Here is Emma with her swordfish out of sand

We then took the Sea Monkey over to Peg Leg Pete's and found the marina, docked and had dinner in our bathing suits, while the kids played on the playground, used the restaurants fishing nets to catch a crab and then enjoy grilled shrimp and Bushwhackers. It was hotter than Satan's bathroom out there and no fans, just chocolaty flavored liquor to cool me down.

Emma and Reece waiting on corn dogs and fries. We were serenaded by a band called Three Amigos the Duo. The kids watched some men fillet a few snapper and were grossed out

Emma's Slumber Party took place Sunday with girls from NB Cook and Girl Scouts. Rick rigged up a zip line minutes before girls started arriving. Emma couldn't have been happier. What a wonderful childhood they have

Grace, Ashley, Rachel and Maddie waiting for the rope swing and their turn to play Indiana Jones

The girls were having so much fun outside, with a bubble machine, the disco ball and the pool that we didn't have cake until 10pm. But, the Pralines and Cream Baskin and Robbins cake couldn't wait forever

Make a wish for another amazing year, maybe for one of the male teachers next year in fifth grade or to get a chicken for your future farm.

Great Grandma comes for a GREAT VISIT

Great Grandma arrived with a smile and an eager attitude to do something every day while in sunny Pensacola. I took her out to the beach near Ft. Pickens one morning and look at the blue-green turquoise colors behind her. She spent her afternoons soaking in our pool or sunning herself on the patio. She drank coffee while watching the cardinals at my birdfeeder and watched the kids ride bikes in the cul-de-sac from the front porch.

Adeline invited her to Mother's Day Tea at her preschool. Grandma was thrilled and dolled herself up for the occasion. A three generation picture. Grandma found a tiny preschool chair and made herself at home. She enjoyed the Mother's Day snacks and listening to the teacher read a story the kids had written about what their mom's do best.

Adeline and Abigail were having fun giggling and showing us their room

Pink cookies, wedding cookies and strawberries for the mom's and grandma's

Grandma looks over Adeline's work from the year, and asks her questions about what she likes about school and who her friends are

While watching the news one evening, we heard that the Blue Angels were putting on a special demonstration for the 100th year Centennial of the base. Grandma said she had never seen an air show before, so we packed her up on a cool morning, and took her to watch the Blues.

Grandma kept yelling " Judas" every time they got close to one another, and would look to Rick as if to ask " Were they supposed to be THAT close?!"

The Coast Guard put on a Search and Rescue demonstration afterwards and then we stayed for the Harrier as well. Grandma loved all of it

The temperature was a cool 50 degrees and windy, so Grandma was snuggled in and those guys behind her were selling Krispy Kreme, so we had to buy warm doughnuts.

Grandma came to every Tai Kwon Do class, every swim lesson and anywhere the great grand kids were. Thank you Grandma for creating lovely memories for us and enriching my children's week with funny stories from your childhood. Your memory is amazing and the time with you was priceless. Thank you for making the trip down to see us.

Easter Egg Hunt

Another year another egg hunt thrown up at St. Paul's. This year, Rick wasn't the bunny, but he did help me stuff and hide eggs. Along with 10 boyscouts who were playing volleyball and got wrangled into hiding eggs.

Abby and Addie and their stash, Adeline you better give Abby some of your eggs

Hurray a GOLDEN EGG, only problem..... it was empty. I had hidden $1 bills inside the golden eggs and it looks like the boyscouts discovered that as well. So, poor Emma was shorted a dollar by a crappy boyscout.

Like a duck in water

Adeline started her first swimming lessons at the ripe old age of 4. Up until this time, she won't let Rick or I touch her, or try to help her learn how to swim. But, maybe sweet swim instructor Mr. John was gentle and reassuring.

Ok make waves everyone, I guess Mr. John could do this everyday and twice on Tuesday. He looks very bored

Adeline koala-beared him the entire time in the water

You can't tell here, but the water temperature was a cool 78 degrees and poor skinny , no fat on her bones, Adeline was shaking the whole time with blue lips, until the instructor took her to a hot water enema machine and turned it on full blast

See the fear in those little eyes, but don't worry Addie, Mr. John won't let anything happen to you

kick Adeline kick

Girls and their hats

Emma has this pink plaid Fedora hat that she uses for her Magic Shows, as a dress up hat for when she is a secret spy and just to look ultra cool out on the town. However, the hat brought her some bad luck this past Saturday. She was riding her bike downhill while wearing her hat, the hat started blowing off in the wind, she broke too hard, fell over the handle bars and in the process broke her left arm. We didn't realize it was broken until Monday afternoon, when after 2 days of cradling her arm and complaining of pain, we got the x-rays and confirmed that it indeed was a "buckle fracture". This new cast will be on for a month and then she will be as a good as new.

Adeline and Abigail- the best rootiest tootiest friends this side of Snakehollow Gulch

Just watch out for Bad Bart, Adeline, sitting next to you ready for his trusty sidekick Stinky Pete to steal the fabulous looking cowboy boot cookies.

Violet's Dad made and decorated these cookies- believe it or not!

Outside they had Cowboy Don show the kids how to lasso a baby cow and then got to ride a horse. Adeline came home telling both Rick and I that she rode the white horse. Turns out from her teacher, that she didn't ride ANY horse, she was a chicken little, just like a Parrish