4 days in Carpinderia...

We had an absolute blast at Carpinderia. The weather was great and our camping spot was the best. We were on the beach with the ocean views. It was so fun to have daddy all to ourselves on father's day and see Dan's family from Utah. The kids can't stop talking about it. Here are just a "few" of my favorite shots.

A mother's worst nightmare!

You know when you loose one of your children! Well, it happened to us at Carpinderia Beach on father's day! Melanie went missing for over 20 minutes! All those terrible thoughts of "never seeing her again" came like an explosion in my head. My eyes get teared up and I get sick to my stomach just thinking about it! She was supposed to be staying with a group walking along the beach, while Dan and I were preparing dinner. She wondered off and no one knew it. When it was time to gather for dinner, Mel was no where. With over 15 people searching in different directions and time ticking she is still no where. I contact the "camp host" who knows exactly what to do (must happen often). They contacted the lifeguard station and she was found about 1 mile down the beach. She was crying and a lifeguard stopped her. Grandma asked her what her most favorite part of the trip was. She said, "being found by the lifeguard and taking a ride in his truck on the beach." Spencer was very jealous (of the ride, of-course).

Keep your dirty "whites" out of reach!

Sorry if you are offended by this picture. Nothing compares to Ashley's prune picture (see Ruth's blog if you are interested). We thought this was blog worthy. Chelsea is at the adventurous age. She is watching and taking in everything everyone does and says. Well, I was doing laundry the other day and the whites were the last load, so they were in a basket next to the laundry room door. When I turned around to grab the load, I notice my bra (which was right on top) was missing. I didn't understand what happened to it. Well, the picture explains! When she saw that I caught her, she said "boos boos mommy boos boos?" OOH, she is so funny!

The Home Depot on wheels?

OK, when you look at this picture, what are you thinking? This was a handyman that we called the other day to come fix our sprinkler valve. I hope he didn't notice my chin drop when I opened the door. My first reaction was, does he live out of his van? Well, actually he has every tool and part he would ever need to fix anything. REALLY! In other words, The Home Depot on Wheels. It was kind of embarrassing when people would drive by, they just stare. What are they thinking? "Lisa really has kicked her parents out of their house. They have bought a huge van and now living out of it!"

You never know...

So, our ward is REALLY pushing missionary work. I really need help in this department because I am just not out going when it comes to meeting new people and talking to them about my church. My excuse is that I don't have any non-member friends. Then people remind me that I do have neighbors. When we moved into my parents house 2 years ago, new tenants moved in next door. We meet them right away and learned that it was three guys and a very cute 7 year old who was one of the guys daughters. I always thought this was a strange situation and told my kids if they wanted to play with "Kaitlin", they had to play at our house. After about a year, Kaitlin's mom moves into the house along with her older son. I sort of get to know her through our kids playing together. She has Utah plates which I spotted of-course when they first moved in, but she smokes and so I thought, there is no way she is Mormon. Well, the other day I was working in my yard when Kaitlin came running over with a book. It was a Hymn book that said Newbury Park Stake Center on it. She said, "my mom asked if you would take this back to the church for her". It totally reeked like smoke. So, this was Saturday. I have not had the guts to ask her why she had a hymn book from the Stake Center. Is this her way of letting me know that she was/is a member. Kaitlin sees us going to church every Sunday and has asked questions. OK, I need to get over there today. I will let you know what happens!

Gross

I always feel so bad! Mom and Dad come home for their "P Day" and they have to work. We had a sprinkler that has been "leaking" even though the water to it is shut off. I don't totally understand it but we have a HUGE mud puddle in the backyard. Dad said the "sitting water" is growing stuff and to keep the kids out of it. Yah, that is easy! Don't worry mom, she was playing in the mud under the swing set not directly in the "swamp." It will be fixed tomorrow!

To use or not to use "time-out"??

So what do you do if your child loves to be in time out! We have been using time-outs with Chelsea. Today, I couldn't find her at one point. When I went into the living room, this is where I found her (on the time-out chair). She was smiling and making a fake whining sound. She likes time-out? OR is she mocking me?

Freecycle

Those who know me, know how much I love this yahoo group! When you want to find a new home for something -- whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door -- you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of the local Freecycle group. Or, maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself like moving boxes or a computer monitor. Simply respond to a member's offer, and you just might get it. After that, it's up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure. Their main rule: Everything posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages. It is so cool! If you love garage sales, you will love this site/group! Again, it is totally free stuff! You must not sell or buy anything posted!