A Pirate Adventure and S'more's

Today we traveled back up the mountain and out of the heat! On the way home we stopped at the outlet stores for back to school shopping. Since we had the cat with us, Dad sat in the air conditioned hallway outside Starbucks and waited for us...such patience. Later, we took the boys to the island in the lake and told them that there were treasures hidden and gave directions to find them, they really liked the adventure.

Last Saturday we boated over to the Lake Arrowhead lodge for a campfire, but the boys were too sick to take part in the s'more making, they asked to go again tonight, but there were not doing it today so we make our own here at home, not quite the same with out the campfire, but they liked it anyway.

Visting the OC

The kids are finally on the mend. Andrew ran a high fever Sunday evening and still had stomach issues Monday but was well enough to head down the mountain for a day of visits to our old home. We started at the Montessori school the kids had attended since they were 3-4 months old. The teachers were excited and surprised to see their old students.

Mom headed off to Fashion Island with the boys while I visited with some collegues on campus. I was so happy to see and talk with them again.

We quickly headed to Fullerton to drop mom off for doctor appointments and I took the boys to see their old park up the hill from our home, visit our old neighbors and see our good friends the Thorne's. By that time mom was done and we met my brother and family friend for dinner at the Spaghetti Factory. The kids love riding the elevator up and looking down on the trains.













A quick visit to Jason's new apartment ended the day and we headed back up the mountain. Nathan fell asleep in the car and Andrew slept until 8am!!


Today mom and I went back to the gym and dad took the boys to the coffee shop. They made a quick trip home where Nathan got his finger smacked with the door (I don't think a day will go by that someone does not have some issue!). The kids attended a day camp at the Club, it was a pirate theme and we headed off to the movies for a break.

Off to the desert tomorrow and I am sure lot's more adventure!

A California Adventure

Our long awaited trip back "home" finally arrived very early Tuesday morning. Our flight left at 6:30am so that meant getting out of the house by 4:30am. The kids were great and big helpers at the airport. By the time we got through check-in and security, the plane was boarding and we got right on. The flight to Houston was a quick 1 hour and 51 minutes. After a muffin and juice Nathan fell asleep for about 45 minutes and Andrew used the bathroom...... 4 times...I think he just found it fun to use the tiny bathroom so he kept going which was fine as it kept him busy. Luckily we were right up front and close to it. Once in Houston we had a 3 hour layover. I would not suggest this as optimal with two kids....not only were they tired, they were hungry and bored. We played a card game, called Dad (Brent did not join us on this trip), walked around, played on the moving walkway until a rude, old airport worker told them "Boys, that is not a toy" and watched the airplanes. Finally we boarded and it was a pleasant surprise to find out the flight to San Diego was only 2 1/2 hours. I figured no problemo since I brought my computer and had two new shows for them to watch....ha, little did I know that my battery life has gone down to less than 1 hour, so as soon as they really got into the show, the computer shut off. We were served a personal cheese pizza, side salad and m&m's for lunch so that kept them busy for a while and Nathan even ate his salad. After the computer died they did workbooks and colored then Andrew finally fell asleep about 25 minutes prior to landing.
My best friend picked us up and dropped us at her home for the afternoon to take naps. However, the kids had other ideas and I could not get them to lay down. Needless to say they were quite tired that night but were up early due to the time change. We had a full day at Sea World the next day and left for Lake Arrowhead today where we will spend the majority of the trip. The kids were excited to see the tree house that Papa built for them.
So that is the trip so far, here are some pictures and I will try to keep updating as the trip continues. If there is anyone reading this who is in Southern CA and wonders why I did not call....I apologize but we are only going into Orange County one morning to see the kids school and need to get mom to Fullerton by the afternoon. This really is a trip to visit with my parents and I wish we had more time so I could visit everyone...next time I promise.