Back at Home

Vacations ... sure make us become more grateful for our home once we're back from travels, especially for our own beds. Routine brings a sense of familiarity. I do miss it when I've been gone on vacation for several days.

Our first outing after we got back was to the Aquarium. It's always a fun visit. Sea urchins are my favorite to touch. I like it when their long spines wrap tight around my finger. I would have never thought to eat one though. I've seen them being prepared to eat and they don't look good to me.

Riley got a cute blue eel on his arm.
Since this was a year ago, looking at Riley in this picture I can't help but notice how smaller and thinner he was.

Last year was Riley's first VBS experience. I was impressed at how cool they decorated the inside of the church.

He had a fun time and it was good to see him participate.

Riley hung out at the YMCA several times during the evenings last summer. He really likes the activity pool. This is a newer YMCA so it's really cool looking.

Attended a family gathering. These two older kids of mine are hardly available to photograph so since we were all in the car I took the opportunity to snap a picture.

My parents came for a quick visit. I wish they would visit more often but they're just not into traveling. We took them down to the waterfront and also took them to the Aquarium.

We then had lunch at Red Robin then we took a ferry ride over to Bainbridge Island and had ice cream at Mora.

My mom made menudo the following day. This time I made sure to observe as I wrote down the recipe. Menudo is not for everyone. It contains hamony and tripe. Nathan will eat it sometimes but not Jacob or Sydna. I love it.

And of course, it's never fun saying goodbye. Riley gets so attached so whenever someone visits and it's time for them to leave he always has a hard time saying goodbye. He was fine once we were halfway home.

July seems to last so long. And this is around the time when it starts to get hot here in the PNW.

Everything in life requires balance. 

Too much of anything is never good.

Summer 2018 Road Trip - Day 7

We walked in downtown Santa Cruz on our last day. There are some cool shops. I came across a sock shop that sells all types of novelty socks. I got myself a pair of floral socks and another pair with cats and books on them, so cute! They also had a very cool selection of sandals and clogs ... brands that I hadn't known existed! I ended up getting a pair of grey sandal clogs, they're very pretty.

We visited The Mystery Spot. It's such an odd place. Definitely NOT recommended if you suffer from vertigo. This place is like an optical illusion. I really don't think there's anything mysterious about it. It's set up to make it appear as if objects defy gravity but in reality it's a tilt induced visual illusion. I left this place with a headache and felt nauseated. Not visiting this place again.

Riley wanted to go to the beach so we stopped by Seacliff State Beach. This beach is known for the concrete ship SS Palo Alto lying in the water.

Here's a bit of info on the ship: The Palo Alto remained docked in Oakland until 1929, when the Cal-Nevada Company bought the ship with the idea of making her into an amusement and fishing ship. Her maiden voyage was made under tow to Seacliff State Beach. Once positioned at the beach, the sea cocks were opened and the Palo Alto settled to the ocean bottom. By the summer of 1930 a pier had been built leading to the ship, the ship was remodeled. A dance floor on the main deck was added, also a cafe in the superstructure was built, as was a fifty-four foot heated swimming pool, and a series of carnival type concessions were placed on the afterdeck. The Cal-Nevada Company went broke after two seasons -- then the Palo Alto was stripped, leaving the ship and the pier to be used only for fishing. It is now permanently closed to the public. In the 2016-2017 storm season, a section of the ship overturned, and the pier was damaged.

We went back to our hotel room to freshen up and rest for a bit ... the sun can be so draining. We headed back to Capitola for an early dinner.

Riley and his silly faces.

It's not everyday one sees pastel colored homes. This is definitely Capitola's focal point.

Santa Cruz is definitely a place to have fun ... and Capitola is definitely where you want to go to wind down. Good thing they're so close in distance. However, we haven't found a good Mexican food place here. You would think they would have them in abundance but the ones we've stopped by to look at their menu haven't looked appealing. Next time we're here I'll definitely ask some hispanic locals for recommendations. I hope to visit soon.

Kayaking into Fall

Jacob requested the day off and so we made plans to go kayaking on the first day of Fall. For someone who loves Fall, I wanted to plan something fun to do especially during a school day.

I must say, I was a bit nervous initially. We've been canoeing before with both of us in one canoe so this was our first time using a single kayak. Once I got on and after a few paddles I felt confident and ready to explore.

We kayaked in Lake Union which is between the space needle and the university of WA. It's a bit busier with a lot more boats and rowing practices happening (than Lake WA) which we were told to yield to. But, given that school was back in session and the summer crowds had gone it was quite calm and had a pleasant time with us being about the only ones out kayaking at the time.

Seattle in the background.

That is Gas Works park. We actually haven't been to this park yet but it was cool to see from across the water. It is a 19 acre park on the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant.

The lighting was horrible given our backs were to the sun so the quality of it is not great.

We do prefer the sit on top kayak over the ones where you have to slide your legs in. It would make me feel claustrophobic. Jacob feels the same way. I want to be able to reach the surface quickly if I happen to flip over.

This is the Aurora bridge that you take from Seattle/Queen Anne into Fremont.

There were several big yachts and other different size boats and it was actually pretty cool kayaking past them. I mean how often does one get to do that?!
This is such a relaxing and therapeutic activity. You need to set up a timer for an hour because it's so easy to lose track of time. We were out here for two hours and it didn't feel that long at all. If we didn't had to head back home at a certain time we would have been out here longer.

Some of these house boats were very cute however I wouldn't want to live in one permanently. I would love to have one as a vacation home near the San Juan Islands though, now that would be fun.

Given it was my very first time to get on a kayak I immediately became comfortable and really loved it. I got a hold on the paddling technique very quickly. At one point Jacob tried to race me and I clearly left him behind. He's always trying to turn everything into a competition. I usually don't like to participate because I'm not into competing BUT if it's got to do with something that I really like or am passionate about then I will give it my all. My family gets a kick when I surprise them with my hidden skills since I don't often show them off. This was a lot of fun and I hope to do this many more times. Now, the next thing for me to try is zip-line. I just know that's going to be exhilarating.

We had such a great time out on the water and such a fun way to welcome Fall. The weather was nice. There were a few clouds with a cool breeze which was very comfortable to me. The ideal thing would be for us to purchase our own kayaks that way we can kayak from anywhere along the Puget or the lakes. Time to save up!

Being out in nature stirs all your 

senses, awakens your soul, and allows you 

to  feel present in the moment. 

Keeping Riley Busy

I don't think I mentioned this in my last post ... so, the second best thing we purchased this summer was a portable a/c unit that comes with a plastic hose window attachment. It's right there in front of Riley. I like it better than those small window units that stick out which are somewhat unsightly. The unit actually kept our downstairs quite cool and I was so thankful for that because we did have several days of high 80 degree weather.

Riley working on crafts while I watched from the couch and Sophie kept watch from my lap. She constantly has her eye on Riley, lol. Kinda funny to see because most of the time whenever he gets too close to her she runs upstairs.

Um, not quite sure what he was watching or maybe we were listening to music but here he is being silly per usual. He sure kept my spirits up and helps me get distracted.

I took the boys to the movies to watch The Secret Life of Pets. We liked it. I was surprised that the movie was actually good. I was expecting it to be different than what it was. I know that popcorn isn't really healthy but boy is it super yummy especially with extra butter! Good thing we don't go to the movies often and good thing we don't ever buy popcorn from the grocery store or else we would be in trouble.

My favorite thing about cats are their paws. I LOVED Libby's paws. They were so furry. Seeing fur stick out from between her toes was the cutest thing and I liked smelling her paws too, smelled like stale popcorn, lol. I miss my Libby girl.
Sophie is short hair so her paws aren't as cute cause fur doesn't stick out from between her toes but I still like to mess with her paws and I'm trying to get her used to me touching or squeezing them. That's my way of showing her that I care about her. She's gotten somewhat used to it now that she's been with us for half a year but sometimes she'll try biting me or just runs away.

Riley helping his dad with dinner. His little sous chef.

Visited an aquatic center. Thought it was pretty cool even though it was so stuffy and humid. Good thing I found a spot by some doors that lead out to the big swimming pool and where cool air was blowing, life saver for me. Riley enjoyed himself so much. He yearns to do things on his own but to no avail because his dad is somewhat overprotective which didn't let him off his grasp.

Jacob was standing right next to him in this picture. I had to crop him out, lol. This place was a lot of fun. It even had a snack bar and eating area, lots of restrooms and very spacious. It's just too bad that it's very far from where we live.

So I've mentioned that Riley's a picky eater. Well even though he did eat a hamburger for the very first time ever he hasn't had another since so I don't think he was a fan of it, at least not yet. Well, we got KFC one day. We had him try a piece of chicken and he liked it ... just as long as we have ranch so he can dip the chicken in. So we're slowly {and I mean very slowly} incorporating chicken into his diet. Gosh, what a stubborn picky child {just like me, lol}. Oh, but he got upset because I gave him mash potato and gravy, lol. Oh well.

He was so due for a haircut and he finally got one. Doesn't he look super handsome?! What a cutie pie!!!

Countless Reasons to Rejoice

August 26th marked our 19th year anniversary.
It's sure been one heck of a ride. In our nineteen years together we've lived in four different states. Lived away from family for a long time. Had quite a bit of health scares. Been blessed at work. Of all the problems that a marriage can go through I am so very thankful that our love for each other has not been one of them. Yes, we've had our highs and lows but we have worked through them and stuck together ... however, it wasn't until my awakening that our marriage, our love for one another took a major turn for the better. My relationship with Jacob became that much more deeper, a lot more selfless and loving. This wouldn't have happened without God's Grace. Sometimes it takes one going through trials to allow change to happen. I am thankful for what I went through ... it has blessed me, my husband, our marriage, and our family.

For this year's anniversary we decided to treat ourselves to a nice breakfast {than the usual anniversary dinner}. Sydna and Nathan watched Riley while we headed over to Seattle to eat at Lowell's at Pike Place.

We had a great view of Puget Sound's Elliott Bay.

This is what Jacob got. He wanted just one pancake and they brought out this, lol. He really liked the gravy.

I got this. After eating my eggs, bacon and hash browns I ate two french toast. I thought my breakfast was yummy!

After we were done eating we walked through the market. Jacob bought me a gorgeous dahlia bouquet. As part of my anniversary gift, Jacob also got me a new perfume {new to me that is}. I like the way the perfume Guilty from Gucci smells so he got that for me. Haven't put any on yet but I hope it stays on me all day long.

He's such a great guy!

We have been wanting to go canoeing for some time so we went for it!
Cloudy skies and slightly breezy. Perfect outdoor weather! Of all the places one can do water activities we chose Montlake. I believe this area to have the calmest water with no risk of encountering large sea life or fast moving boats. Great place for beginners like us especially since we brought Riley along.

He was happy to wear a life jacket and to have his own oar ... and he couldn't wait to get in the canoe.

I've got to admit that I was very nervous at first. The feeling of being inside an unsteady vessel kinda freaked me out a little but as we began to move the nervous feeling went away. I got the hang of it super fast. One can glide through the water so fast and any movement from your oar will change the canoe's direction fast. We were able to maneuver the canoe quite easily. I loved it and felt like a pro, lol.

I wanted to get close to the water lilies but Jacob didn't want me to because he was afraid that we would get stuck and tangled up on the reeds. I wasn't scared but I moved us away from them anyways, shucks!

Riley had a blast. He wasn't nervous or scared at all. At one point he tried to lean over to get a water lily but Jacob quickly told him to sit still. He could have tipped us over. Geez!

I wanted to get as close to the houses by the water as we possibly could without intruding too much. Gosh, these people are so blessed to live right on the lake. Such beautiful views and so calming.

We would stop and admire the houses, the ducks and geese that were floating close by and enjoying the feeling of just being out on the water. I was telling Jacob how I have been wanting to do this for years and how happy I was that we were finally experiencing it. I was overwhelmed with gratitude at the fact that I live here! He was also happy about being out here and thought it was a lot of fun.

As we were making our way back, Jacob accidentally bumped Riley's head with his oar. It wasn't a hard hit but he felt sorry for the little guy anyway. I couldn't help but laugh because honestly, it was funny. When it happened Riley looked back at Jacob with a mean look and said, "why you do that for!!". Jacob told him it was an accident and said he was sorry.

Once Riley realized that we were getting closer to the dock he began to cry. He wanted to stay out on the water. Poor thing.

We left Montlake feeling happy, relaxed and with some experience under our belt. It was a lot of fun and very enjoyable. This is something we hope we get to do often in our lives. Next time we want to bring Sydna and Nathan, they'll love it too!


This anniversary sure was different and we truly enjoyed ourselves. Thanking God for His many blessings and thanking Him in advance for the many more happy fun loving years He is going to bless us with.


Father,
I thank You for today. I thank You for our lives and for our family. I thank You for the love we share. I ask that my character and my husbands character reflect Your character. Please guard our marriage from the snare of the enemy. Thank You for all of it. The whole package deal of good and bad, and highs and lows. Thank You for being the One who helps us, counsels us, and encourages us. May Your power lift us up, may Your Holy Spirit guide us. Fill our days with peace and joy regardless of our circumstances. I pray that our love continues to grow, mature and deepen as we continue to remain passionate to each other. I pray that I would be an encouraging wife. That every day I would take the time to affirm my husband through my words, body language, and attitude.
Thank You Lord for our marriage. In Jesus' name, Amen!