One Epically LONG roadtrip

We started out our biggest summer trip last Thursday when we dropped the dogs off at the boarder and headed out bright and early.  Our first planned stop was the waterslides in Redding and the boys were super jazzed when we got there.  We had a few pit stops along the way, including a side of the road potty stop complete with a buffalo sighting!  The two hour break at the water park was just what we needed to rally through the rest of the drive and finish up our day in Grant's Pass.  Uncle Sam joined us for dinner and the night (including swimming) and a delish breakfast the next day...note, yummy yelp reviewed food was a true staple of this road trip!  We headed out the next morning and went about 3 hours before coming to wild bird sanctuary of sorts which was a perfect one hour destination stop to stretch our legs.  The last leg of our driving journey that day ended when we arrived in Portland and unpacked for a few days.  The hotel wasn't quite what it appeared to be online, but it was perfect none the less.  We hit up a Nelson sister family party to celebrate Vince and Chelsea's upcoming wedding and then Daddy hit up the local steakhouse for what he claims was a phenominal dinner.  We played at the most awesome Children's Museum and enjoyed an authentically loving and intentional wedding with all of Daddy's extended Nelson family.  The boys loved exploring the woods and playing with second cousins they rarely see.  Apparently the weather was exceptionally warm while we were there, but Daddy and I are almost positive we could move to Portland tomorrow and be happy.  The next morning we headed out for part two of our vacation and enjoyed a VERY scenic trip across Oregon to Bend.  I am pretty sure I have NEVER seen that many trees in such a dense area, it blew my mind.  After a quick lunch stop at Spork, we were off to the Santopadres and SUNRIVER!!!!  First stop, the SHARC!  Sunriver did not disappoint this year and as nervous as Heather and I were about all of us sharing one house, it worked out perfectly and I think everyone had a blast...especially the mommies and daddies when we were able to kick back in the hot tub or play cards after bedtime!  We had some firsts this year including riding the ponies (only Wesley and Emmeline did it) and family rafting down the river.  We were the absolute two dead last boats to arrive, but with only one paddler (thanks dads!) we still managed to have a blast!  Wesley had a run in with the largest horse I've ever seen and he learned you can't feed grass to a huge horse with a closed fist.  Wyatt rode the train 8 times, we all played mini golf, and mommy left with a coveted hydro flask...Daddy even found time one morning to bike to the golf course and get a round in before we all went swimming.  We ended our stay with a family fishing trip at East Lake- I think Daddy was hoping it would be a little better fishing, but the littles had fun swimming in the ice cold water and Emmeline enjoyed reeling in five fish that day.  We made it home with only one stop in Dunsimar for dinner and tucked everyone in around 9:30 Thursday night!  We made it through leg two of the journey and with time for one quick round a dishes and laundry, we were back on the road at 10 am Friday morning!  We headed off to Carmel to hit up Dennis the Menace Park, the beach, and the aquarium.  I think we can all agree that the trip was a blast but everyone was slowly losing steam and kiddos trying to rally after a week and half on the road can lead to some meltdowns in restaurants or pools or parks....The Medinas joined us for our weekend away and watched our kiddos so we could celebrate Jerod and Courtney's wedding that my dad was officiating over and my uncle was DJing.  We got to hang with Mark and Katie and my parents and have a nice mommy and daddy date night.  Gigi and Papa met us at the aquarium the next day (what a nice break that is for me when they're around!!) and then we headed home....after 11 days of almost pain free driving, we sat in traffic for more than half our drive home.  I can only hope the garlic festival is actually that  great that people aren't disappointed after the drive!  After a dinner by In-N-Out and a reunion with our pups, we all headed to bed with happy hearts full of memories and bodies ready to sleep in our own beds! With seven weeks left until baby #3 comes, I think it's safe to say, we'll be staying close to home now...expect for our last little adventure to Yosemite next month, heaven help me now!

 

 

 

 

 

Lake Tahoe

We headed up to Lake Tahoe for the annual DeTar Family reunion of sorts and as usual, it didn't disappoint.  We were only able to stay one night as we are gearing up to leave again in a few days for a longer trip to Portland and Sunriver.  It was great to meet baby Hudson and see Leslie as she's knee deep in chemo and doing really well rocking her awesome wigs.  It's fun to catch up with family we don't see a lot and the boys were old enough this year to appreciate the lake.  Wesley kept telling us how much he loved the cabin and Lake Tahoe, I think we've got a nature buff on our hands.  We can't wait to see where we're staying next year...with 8 kids in total plus all us adults, it's going to have to be a pretty big cabin!

Three Year Old Musings

Today Wesley informed me he wants a horse and donkey when he grows up and he wants them to sleep in Olive's igloo.  He also wants to drive a fire truck, a back hoe, a garbage truck, and a race car.  Inspired by Papa Tim's garage, he would also like to ride a motorcycle standing up on the seat and holding the handle bars...thanks Evil, I think we have a dare devil on our hands.

What are you thankful for?

We like to say what we are thankful for each night at dinner.  It's usually just me, Daddy, and Wesley, but lately Wyatt has been getting in on the action.  Tonight Wesley was thankful he got to sit next to Noah at the movies, and Wyatt was thankful for Mommy....that's his standard answer and while it warms my heart, Daddy was probing for something more.  He asked if he was thankful for anyone else and after a few seconds contemplation, he replied "Papa Tim"..."and Gigi".  I could not stop laughing, the timing was just priceless.  Don't worry Daddy, we're thankful for you everyday!

7 Years and Counting

Seven years ago I married this man....and ever since then it has just kept on getting better...I can't believe that the man I met 13 years ago in a beer tent in Germany would end up my husband and father of our soon to be 3 kiddos...crazy how fate has a great way of working.  We decided to celebrate our anniversary with our first ever overnighter without the kiddos.  Gigi and Papa stepped in to stay the night and while it was weird to not be taking them with us, we were both ready for a great staycation in Napa.  The Santopadres were celebrating 10 years as well so we decided a couples trip was the way to go.  I think they would have prefered something a little more exotic, but I wasn't ready for that yet and at 30 weeks pregnant, my stamina for exotic isn't too great.  We had a blast eating and drinking our way through Napa (don't worry, I drove) along with relaxing with reflexology and some time in the adults only hot tub.  The dozen long stem roses from my hubby and room service sparkling cider from my sister only made the day that much better.  From Boon Fly Cafe to "Q Hung" winery, Bouchon, Grace's Table, and Don Giovanni's, we had a deliciously fun time!

Birthday Bash

We celebrated this sweet two year old today with a red, white, and two bash on the 4th of July.  It's been so fun planning this party with Wyatt getting more and more excited to have cake and tell everyone he's two...I honestly couldn't imagine that he'd be telling people his age by his second birthday; I feel like he's still my sweet two day old baby that celebrated his first 4th of July hanging on the lawn chair with his very exhausted mama.  Oh how fast the years go and what better way to ease the pain of them growing up WAY TOO FAST than to celebrate them with a birthday bash fit for a king?!?!?  Here are some shots from the day, it was a fun one for all as we swam, ate, played, and enjoyed that yummy cake!

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Boy

Today our sweet little Wyatt Bear turned 2.  I am honestly not sure where the last year went, but it flew by, and now we have one smart adventurous two year old on our hands!  He recently took a keen interest in his birthday and mastered telling everyone he will be 2 and he's going to ride the choo-choo.  Not one to disappoint, we decided to hit up Tilden to ride a legit choo-choo and invited our friends to come along.  We started our morning off with presents and a room full of balloons and streamers- Wyatt was stoked!  Next we headed to donuts and to grab Gigi before hitting the train.  The train was such a success, we rode it twice and then hit the merry-go-round, a picnic, homemade cupcakes, and the Little Farm.  Gabe and I both commented that we're not sure if Wyatt has ever had a better day- he was so happy everytime you looked at him and just couldn't get enough of the celebration!  We rounded out the night with hamburgers for dinner and much needed birthday bath.  Mr. Wyatt Bear, we hope you loved your special day as much as we think you did.  You bring us all so much joy and we couldn't have imagined a better way to celebrate.  We love you!