The big 3-0

Yay! We're finally adults! Brad and I are so often asked (with looks of curiosity and disbelief), "How old are you guys?" Brad and I are now officially out of our "20's". I understand that most people don't celebrate this milestone with this same enthusiasm, but quite frankly, I could not wait.

So, what did I do to celebrate this momentous occasion? Did I abandon my children to frolic with my girlfriends? Perhaps an extravagant jaunt with my hubby for the weekend? Or a big party to bring in the new era of my life?... Nope, I took my girls camping down California's gorgeous coast. And as Amber continued to announce at every opportunity: "No boys allowed!"

I didn't originally plan this trip to be my birthday present to me, but it just sorta happened that way. At the beginning of the summer I challenged my girls to watch only two 30 minute T.V. shows per day. I asked them what would be a big "prize" for them to work toward with their efforts. Because Brad and I had just finished our 10th anniversary trip to Disney Land and were telling them how fun our dinner out at Medieval Times was, they both agreed going there at the end of the summer would be a good incentive.

So as the summer wore on and they continued to limit their T.V. watching (at home anyway) we planned our trip. We invited our friends, Karen and daughter Allysa, to join us. What a trip it was!

The pictures will get a little excessive, but hey, it's my birthday and I can post all I like!

Thursday we headed for Santa Cruz and Natural Bridges State Beach:





After having our fun we headed inland to Henry Cowel Redwoods State park to camp for the night.



The next morning we went back to Natural bridges to see the tide pools before leaving for San Simeon. The girls loved this and got to hold and touch all sorts of neat tide pool creatures.











We then headed for Hearst Castle in San Simeon. This stop was more for us adults, but the girls found it fascinating as well. I'm sure it would have been more fun for them if they didn't have to be reminded to stay on the blue carpet runners and not touch anything.

After Hearst Castle we cruised into Pismo beach to camp for the night.





The next morning we realized we had set our tent up on top of a gopher's home. He was excavating himself a new front door when we woke and allowed the girls to get close enough to observe.



The girls relished riding their bikes around the camp after breakfast while we packed up to head for Camarillo.






We stopped along the way at a random beach south of Santa Barbara to have a picnic lunch and play in the surf. Amber wasn't too sure about the waves. Karen (who also happens to be Amber's preschool teacher) babied her into the water holding her hand to which Amber came alive and started squealing with delight.







That night after settling into the Camarillo house we took Karen and Allysa to our favorite spot at Ventura Pier. The girls loved playing at the park (as usual) and were lucky enough to run into a super nice guy on the pier who was fishing for crabs. He gave them a little lesson all about the crabs and they got to touch and hold them too (at least, those brave enough).





Then, Sunday, the big day had finally arrived. After some successful shopping at the Camarillo outlets, we were finally on our way to Medieval Times. The girls were thrilled and had the best time. During the show Amber kept yelling, "Why don't those boys play nice!?"





Monday morning we packed up and took one last bike ride to our favorite little neighborhood park. Then it was back to my boys and life as usual.








I love my life!

Young Money

The girls finally begged their way into putting up a lemonade stand. We borrowed a neighbor's corner (the busiest intersection in our neighborhood) and went to work. The girls loved the experience and came away with 20 bucks!

Camping

We finally "bit the bullet" and took the kids camping. Our last camping trip was when Caitlin was a toddler and I think we made it one night. This time we decided to go big. Three days and two whole nights at Mt. Lassen National Park. No dashing home if it was too cold, The 3 1/2 hour drive sealed the deal.

After an entire week of packing (if you think there's a lot to pack taking kids on an airplane, don't ever camp) we loaded the trusty people mover and hit the road. And the verdict is...

We'd do it again in a heart beat!! What a great time:








We managed to convince several family members and friends to come along. So the girls had their cousin Ruby and friend Allysa to ride around camp with and chase chipmunks together. Meanwhile the adults played cards and sat around the camp fire together... at least the adults who didn't bring three children with them. I always say vacationing is just taking the show on the road.







Drew was amazing as usual. It got pretty cold over night and in the morning hours. But our baby is happy no matter the environment. He even did mommy the favor of sleeping.





The second night was colder than the first. Drew ended up in bed with us. Although I never did hear anything from the girls. Come morning time we were tearing down camp and figured Amber would rouse as we rolled up. Apparently she found a way to keep warm that night and was content to stay in her coziness despite the disruption.







On our way out of the park we drove over the summit. This road was only able to open two weeks before our trip. So there was plenty of snow to play in, on August 1!





This is Brad taking my baby to scale a rock. Safety, honey?



Because I seem to be incapable of managing the 3 muchkins and the camera, we don't have any pictures of our hike around Manzanita lake (some of the most well known scenery in the park), the thermal vents and boiling mud pots, or many pictures of our fellow campers. But if I can squeeze out another chance to blog and get copies from family I may add them later.

Needless to say, it was another successful Krinke trip of "wow!"

A Few

These are a few of my favorite things:

Play dates:





Mischief:



And Popsicles:

The last 1st

I can't believe my last baby has had his first birthday. No more will we watch a little chubby cherub smash cake between their fingers and into their hair. No more will I try to restrain a confused little baby long enough to politely open birthday presents. No more will we sing "Happy Birthday" and receive looks of bewilderment.

My precious baby has moved beyond his first birthday much sooner than I had hoped. What a blessing this little boy is in our family! Sweet Drew, you are the happiest little flirt of a baby I ever knew. Every stranger who meets you can't help but smile and comment on your happy disposition. You bring joy to our lives that we never knew. We are so blessed to call you "son". All our love on your special day...