California Adventure Continued - San Diego

After we finished up our seven days in Oceanside, we headed 45 minutes south to see Mom and Dad Robinson in San Diego.  We were excited to spend time with them since we hadn't seen them in two whole months.  We are glad to have a grandma and grandpa on a mission, but boy, do we miss them!

We spent a day at Sea World.  I had a minor moment of losing gusto in the morning, but I got over it and regrouped by sitting in the shade.  The kids were happy but tired.  I thought McKay was going to fall asleep during the dolphin show.  As a side note, you'd think with all of the money they are bringing in they could build some a canopy or something over those big stadiums that you sit in for 30 minutes baking in the sun.

This sweet random lady saw McKay waiting patiently to pet the rays and I looked over and she had him all hoisted up and leaning over.  She spent several minutes helping him.  That was sweet.

A San Diego highlight was certainly swimming in the pool at g&g's apartment complex.  Apparently they hadn't seen a soul swimming since they got there.  We got several comments from the missionary couples that it was fun to see the kids in the pool.  Brian got in with them and threw them around in the frigid water.  The cold didn't phase them one bit.

We spent the next day at the pier and at Old Town.  The boys enjoyed watching people fish and loved the wagon ride and lunch.  I've never seen them so well behaved at a restaurant!  A few crayons and pennies and they were set for an hour.

It was totally worth the extra drive and extra time to be with mom and dad.  We were sad to see our trip come to an end.  But again, so so glad that we made the drive.  Brian and I have talked over and over about how these are memories worth making.

Woolf/Terry Reunion - Oceanside, CA

I am in love with Oceanside. Like really. If I could have stayed there forever, I just might have. We spent 10 whole days on our California adventure. The ride out was quick - minus that last 30 miles that took an hour or two. We were missing Mark and Jenn, Britton and Lane, and Paul and Addison. Everyone else was there and it was a total blast from beginning to end.

We stayed just a block away from the beach in two huge houses that were perfect for all of us. We got a room and a bathroom and each night the boys were pooped beyond belief and fell asleep before Brian could finish his stories.  Jonah rocked his first trip. At eight weeks old, he only woke up once a night and totally just went with the flow the entire time. Love him.

Cousin Time: Plenty of it.  The boys were in heaven and we hardly saw them.  They were happy and entertained and minimal whiners.  Since we are the only family in UT, cousin time is precious and it's always nice to see these friendly faces.  Especially the ones who live far, far away.

Lego Land: The boys, again, were in heaven.  This was our first official theme park experience.  They are still talking about it and say it's the best place they have ever been.  We hung out with Nate, Lynsey, Dave T, and Anne's families for the day.  McKay was not quite tall enough for the big rides, but he was a good sport and there was plenty for him to do.  A wonderful day to spend with our little family.

Beach Days: I have never in my life hung out at the beach for an entire day, let alone four.  I now understand how people can stay for a day and keep going back again and again.  The kids played and played and played and played.  And played.  They never tired of jumping in the waves, boogie boarding with dad, playing in the sand, searching for sand crabs, and hanging out with cousins.  Gavin was nervous at first and didn't want to go in the water, but it didn't take long for him to be a daredevil in the water.  Jonah napped in a play pen in the shade and we could easily walk back and forth to the house if we needed to make lunches or whatever.  I will be going back.

Oceanside was worth all of the time, money, and planning.  Keeping good relationships with my parents, my brothers and sisters and their kids is pretty darn important to me.  Can't wait until next time!

Jonah's Blessing Day

Jonah's blessing day was special because we were able to do it at our Woolf/Terry family reunion. Besides my parents, none of my family members have been at our children's blessings. We decided with Brian's parents on their mission in San Diego and all of us headed to Oceanside for the reunion, it would be perfect to pair them together and allow for everyone to be there. Jonah is a special baby. We waited for him to join our family for longer than we had hoped. I am so grateful for his easy going personality. He is so easy! He is happy and content and pretty predictable. During his blessing, I specifically remember Brian referencing Jonah's name that means peace and blessed him that he would be a peacemaker. Also, that he would not settle for mediocrity in his life. I appreciate my sweet husband, my dads, and my brothers who were there to give Jonah this priesthood blessing.

Gavin is 5!

Doesn't FIVE sound so big? Geesh!  This boy has been ready to be five for a long, long time.  So the day finally arrived.  He woke up to a cool bike from mom and dad.  He was pretty pumped.  When we tested it out that morning he was a little hesitant because starting and stopping was tricky with it being taller, but after a quick lesson and refresher from dad, off he went and he hasn't looked back since.

Grandma Woolf sent a box of Skylanders and Grandma Robinson left a birthday package before they went on their mission.  In it were a few things, but the small guitar was a hit.

Unfortunately, Gavin's birthday morning was spoiled when I discovered gallons of water in his bedroom carpet that had been leaking from the fridge for a few days.  We did gymnastics class and then I dropped the three boys off at Shauna's so that Brian and I could get the flood cleaned up.  Timing was tight to make cakes and get ready for his party and clean up this mess, which was frustrating.  But we set the disaster aside long enough for me to frost a Death Star cake and have a water party with a bunch of little boys.  Although we felt bad that his day was tainted, he didn't seem to notice or mind too much.

He has good little friends in the neighborhood.  Attendees were: Luke from preschool, Rome Clegg, Chaseton Pearson, Ben Kinder, McKay, Ander Lovell, and Aidan Albrethsen.  They played water guns, noodles, and jumped on the tramp with sprinklers.  Add some cake and ice cream, and walah - a birthday bash fit for a big five-year-old.

Gavin,

You are such a good boy.  I am proud of you and what a good big brother you are.  You are kind and aware and have a good feel for what is right and wrong.  You beat yourself up when you make a bad choice - it's cute and sad all at the same time.  You don't have to be perfect.  Hopefully we don't put too much pressure on you.  But that may just come with the territory with being the oldest and all.

You help me so much around the house.  I can give you directions or ask you for a favor and you are willing to help.  You make your bed everyday, clear your plate, and ask how you can help.  You love watching Barney and Daniel Tiger, which is a switch from the justice league boys and Power Rangers. (I had to nix the Power Rangers because you and McKay were getting a little too violent for me...)  You are a pro at navigating the ipad and games on our phones.  You teach me how to work the thing!  Crazy.  It makes me wonder what the world will be like when you are a teenager.

You are going to start Kindergarten and are getting so big.  I will be sad to let you go, but know that you are ready.  I keep telling you to not grow up, but you tell me that you can't help it.  And you will love it.  I know that you are going to do great.

At night you have started hugging us super tight to show us "this is how much I love you."  You love bedtime stories and playing with your friends.  You want so badly to be one of the big kids and whenever we are with older cousins or friends, you jump right in and want to be with them.  "But I'm a big kid!!"  Don't want to be associated with the littles anymore...

I look at you all the time and think of how grown up you are getting.  That's just how it goes...  Even though sometimes I don't feel ready for you to get big and leave me.  There are worse things in life than being loved too much.

Smooch,
Mom

Two Month Jonah

Looking back on these pictures...wow. Babies grow so so fast!  Jonah's binky days didn't last too long. I tried and tried, but he just didn't like it.  Just like his brother McKay!  This month Jonah woke up and we heard him a little more.  Just protests to know that he needed attention.  But once he got what he needed, he was fine.  He is pleasant and gave us his first real smiles.  I left him for the first time with his Aunt Shauna and went to Summit graduation.  He was a champ.  He loves to be held, snuggled, and bouncing in his frog chair or swinging in his swing.  He is consistent at eating every three hours.  Obviously!  He is sleeping longer stretches in the night, but I usually feed him around 1:00 and 4:00 am.  What a sweetheart!