History

I am not one to religiously follow politics but I don't think I realized how much anxiety was caused by watching the news and reading the newspaper over the past 4 years, especially the past year. Watching Donald Trump was like a bad movie - it was appalling to see how he carried himself, spoke and what he stood for. At times is was just scary, especially a few weeks ago when his supporters stormed the Capital Building. I will never forget where I was during 911 and I will never forget where I was when that happened - sitting on the couch with my kids. 

Today was a good day, one filled with hope for the future. I was able to watch and experience Biden's inaguration with my kids, and hear him talk about unity and commitment and hope for the future and it really did feel hopeful. And sitting next to my daughter while watching the first female Vice President be sworn in was also a monumental moment. I have raised Emmy to know she can do anything she puts her mind to but today just really confirmed that. A very historic day that I know I will never forget and I hope the kids don't either. Just another positive of us being home together, another memory made together :)

Little Fuckers

 Josh and I have been talking about re-doing the backyard for a long time. Its on the smaller side and an awkward shape so we had some ideas on how to better utilize every square inch. After much discussion (and debate) we decided now was a good time to start the project. It initially started slowly with us taking the awning down and replacing the fence and then we jumped right in tearing the whole yard apart! Owen thought it was great to watch and there were only a few annoying days when it was too loud to work/do school in our normal locations. 

Ripping up the grass came at a perfect time because we had to been dealing with a gopher issue. Our good friends John and Michelle have also been dealing with gophers so they've been giving us advice since they've tried everything from flooding the holes with water and fire (John is a firefighter) but so far nothing has worked for them. Feeling a bit cocky, we opted for the easy route and spent $500 to lay down a screen before they lay the sod. Damn we are so smart. 

The backyard became (more than) a pet project for Josh. I swear he is going to be a professional landscaper in his next life. He would spend hours out there doing god knows what but it kept him happy and he loves the yard! He is very particular about where the patio furniture goes (I have learned not to touch anything!) and was so proud that he insisted on getting the gutters cleaned and fixed before anyone arrived for the Christmas holiday. He was able to get two guys to come out the same day he checked! They flooded the gutters, spilling heaps of dirt of grime on the new patio pavers. And then left it. I thought Josh was going to have a heart attach! He spent hours out there, looking very miserable, hosing it off and down the drain. 

A few days later he looked out the window and yelled " What the hell is that dirt?!". Those little gophers actually dug up through the new rocks we had placed around the trees! Smart little things. We thought we had that handled until we saw the little fucker poking his head out from next to the fence! Over the past few weeks there are more and more holes and it is as though the little fuckers are just tantalizing Josh each and every day! It is hard not to laugh because... Ha! :) So our gopher issue continues....

Before!

We sure enjoyed this swing set over the past 7 years! I can't believe it lasted that long. 

Owie stayed home for the big demo day!

Pretending his is driving a bobcat

Josh put the boys to work!

Ta da!

Owen even has a beach to play in :) 

Goddamn gopher hole!

Little fucker!

Hopefully we can keep the holes at least next to the fence (since we learned apparently they didn't place the screen all the way to the fence) because otherwise the backyard looks beautiful! Josh did such a great job planning and coordinating and we've already enjoyed it so much :)

 

My Owie

 Oh my Owie - I don't know what I'd do without him in my life right now. He is so full of personality and love! It hit me this morning that he will be 4 in about 2 months (sniff, sniff) so I am holding onto every single snuggle I can these days!!! For about the last year, he's been crawling in our bed in the middle of the night. He grabs the extra pillow from the ground, whacks me in the head with it and then crawls over me with his bubbie and Lemur and falls asleep. Last week he stopped doing it and I asked why and he said "daddy told me I need to stay in my bed".  (Sorry Josh) but I told him he can climb in our bed for as long as he wants, The next night he came running in at 1a and yelled "I am here for you!" and hopped into snuggle. It is the BEST. I just want to hold onto this age/stage forever. A few other things this sweet kid is doing:

- He uses the word "from" instead of because "I put on my jacket from I was cold"

- He likes wearing beanies but calls them "Be-geanies" 

- He insists on brushing his own teeth. He hoists himself up to the sink and counts as he brushes the teeth around his mouth. I should really be helping him but he really is doing a damn good job!

- He calls Ryan "dude" all the time. "DUDE its my turn"

- He will randomly say "I love you mommy. I love you all the time" and it absolutely melts my heart 

 I spent a lot of time last week reflecting on the past year and how I wanted to start the new one. We had so many amazing times last year and sure have a lot to be grateful for. I also wanted to focus on ways we can improve our attitudes and health and thought it could be a family exercise so we all listed out what we were grateful for, our challenges and who/what we want to do/be in the new year. We also came up with some family goals. Everyone seemed to be on bored and happily participated :) We also headed down to our favorite place, the beach our course, for a long bike ride and acai bowls. It was a perfect, mellow day/night followed by a nice mellow new years day (mostly because me and Emmy caught a nasty cold), a perfect way to start the new year - no expectations, together as a family smiling and laughing. It just doesn't get much better than that.

Owen loved watching the waves through the pier. 

Ice cream sundae bar!

Poor kid not feeling so hot

We got a new corn hole game for xmas so we've been playing  ALOT

It just doesn't get much better :) 

Owen playing in his new beach! 

Christmas 2020

 I feel so unbelievably lucky that I was able to spend Christmas with my parents, Marc, Kristen and Ferne! So lucky, I almost felt guilty telling people. So many people were alone, I felt so fortunate so we tried to enjoy every second. 

Marc and Kristen stayed in Encinitas so we got to see them lots over the past few weeks. My mom and dad stayed with us and the Lemoine crew even joined us for a few nights so we have 10 sharing 2 bathrooms! We are lots, drank lots, played, laughed and had fun. Memories we will all remember for a lifetime :)

Reunited!

Beach time!

Ferne really loved Owen - so much she ate his cheeks, quite literally. Ha!

My and the boys got to babysit Ferne one day = heaven!

Annual cookie making/decorating

I loved these few moments - puzzles and backgammon 

Lots of spike ball games 

My beauty

Merry Christmas Eve!

Owens "bat vehicle" from nana and papa

The Lemoine's first Christmas as a family! I hope the jammies are an annual tradition :)

Julie and Dan spoiled us with pounds of fresh seafood!

Emmy got fake nails for xmas...

Ryan's big present from Santa - a PS4

spa night with a new face peel 

The neighborhood chalk garage 

I love my boys 

We collectively worked on this puzzle but we finished it, after Ryan and Emmy hid the last pieces!

Science experiment day!

Tossing around tupperware and tin bowls was hands down my favorite day with Ferne :)

I love you brother - and am so excited for you and your family for your new adventure!