California Love

We just returned from our family vacation to San Diego. It was nice to have some quality time together and the boys loved being able to hang with dad for 9 days. We also were privileged to be joined part of the time by my sis and her husband, as well as Scott's parents. The boys were really spoiled with all of the attention and Scott and I were spoiled with all of the help. Needless to say, we had a great time and fit in a lot of fun things.

One of our favorite things was a kayak tour that Scott and I got to go on together. It was in and around the caves off the shores of La Jolla. We had an amazing tour guide who grew up in San Diego and therefore knew everything there was to know about the area. We kayaked alongside a seal, many sea lions and lots of small sharks. The guide showed us where Dr. Seuss used to live and pointed out many of the inspirations for his books. Scott and I were lucky to be able to go in through the backside of a really large cave. It was against the rules, but since it ended up being a private tour and our guide was cool, we got the VIP tour of the cave. Unfortunately, I have no pictures because my camera is not waterproof, but you can take my word that it was incredible. Scott and I hung on the beach after to watch the sunset.

During the remainder of the trip, Scott managed to fit in a baseball game and I managed to fit in a movie. The boys took almost daily trips to the park and we hit the beach as often as we possibly could.

I think Scott and I might have been a bit crazy because we thought it would be a great idea to fit in 4 major attractions in 2 consecutive days with 2 small children. The boys were real sports and we all had a blast, but at the end of the second day and the fourth attraction, here is how Tate and Miles ended up. Don't ask . . . . . .

Here is my tribute in pictures to our incredible vacation:

Wild Animal Park and San Diego Zoo

They had a special feature at the Wild Animal Park this summer called "Dino Mountain." Miles went crazy for the T-Rexes.

"Otis" the hippo. He was a favorite of both boys.

I desperately wanted to take this adorable baby panda bear home with me.

Not sure how cute he'd be as a pet though.

Scott in blue, while smiling and posing next to a cougar.

The day has finally come. :)

Miles' version of rhinoceros horns.

Legoland and Sea-Life Aquarium

This is one of my favorite pictures of Tate.

It just seems to fit his personality so well.

Times Square created out of Legos. Amazing!

General rule of thumb: at least 2 hands on Tate at all times.

Pool Party

Beach Bums

Scott's tribute to all of the Europeans on the beach.

The backside of Scott's Euro tribute.

My handsome boys. Such a fun time!

Lucky #7

Scott and I celebrate seven years of marriage today. Scott surprised me with a little getaway to a bed and breakfast in Midway over the weekend. It was really lovely to have a little time for just the two of us, and it was fun to be able to look back at how much our lives have changed since we got married. We have been through many challenging times and have enjoyed more blessings than I could ever begin to count. It is such a privilege to have someone to go through life with, who is a wonderful provider, a fabulous husband and a really cool dad.

Over the last seven years, I can say that I gained a best friend who would hold my hand through difficult times and who would make me laugh harder than I ever imagined I could. Someone who knows how to handle my moodier moments (rare as they may be) and who supports me in whatever my wildest imagination can dream. Someone who is not afraid to be goofy, to appreciate the lighter moments in life, or to be anything less than his most authentic self. Someone who is completely comfortable in every situation he is placed in, someone who makes everyone around him feel at ease and someone who brings out the best in me.

While it seems difficult to wrap my mind around 50 years together or sitting on our front porch, gray and happy in our rocking chairs, I will gladly take what we have today. Happy Anniversary babe. I love you!

Montana

We're back! Our trip to Montana was really incredible. And for those of you anxiously awaiting all of the vacation highlights, your wait is over.

It started with a road trip that I thought would take 12 hours with all of the stops we would need to make for the boys. We made it in just over 10. The boys were little rockstars.

In addition to getting to see my parents, I also got to spend time with my sister Heidi, my niece Sierra and my brother Shaun, whom I had not seen in over a year. The boys absolutely loved Uncle Shaun.

We did so many fun things. We did some shopping, saw a couple of movies and went miniature golfing.

My Dad helped out a lot with the boys. I think he has magical grandpa powers.

We spent one afternoon at Gibson Park, one of my favorite places in Great Falls. Miles and Tate got to feed the ducks and climb on all of the play equipment.

My sister and niece have both fallen into this pond when they were preschoolers, so we thought it best to keep Tate contained in the stroller.

Sierra was really cute with the kids and helped them navigate all of the swings and slides.

My parents have a big swing on their front porch. Miles kept requesting to go outside and play on the "swingset".

Miles' favorite highlight was probably getting to go to the Electric City waterpark. I think it sounds like a dangerous name for a water park, but since electric city is the nickname for Great Falls, I guess they went with it. Regardless, we all had a blast.

Scott joined us for the weekend of the 4th, and managed to squeeze in a golf game with my brother. We also got to take our date night Great Falls style and went down to the river and sat in a great big swing that overlooked the Missouri. It was really beautiful.

We took the boys to see the falls, which were really flowing due to Great Falls and surrounding areas receiving so much recent rain.

Another favorite spot of mine is Giant Springs. The water is crystal clear, there are lots of fish and it is really stunning. It is also home to the Roe River, the world's shortest river.

We ended the trip with a yummy Fourth of July barbeque and a fabulous fireworks display put on by the city. It was an unbelievable time and I am hoping we get to go again soon. Thanks for being such great hosts Mom and Dad. We miss you!