¡Hola mis amigos, de Cabo!

The three of us are sure enjoying ourselves here in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico!  But alas, tomorrow we must return. 

I was blessed enough to win a stay at The Hilton Los Cabos at one of my travel agent conventions/seminars.  It didn’t include airfare so we were debating if it would be worth it once we paid for airfare (for all 3 of us), but it has been worth it for sure. We are really relaxing and enjoying the sights and the scenery.  Here are a few pics of us enjoying Cabo:

I call this one "Dinosaurs at LAX" (or "Waiting for the Plane)"

View From Our Balcony

The open air restaurant/bar at the hotel

The lobby fountain

The negative edge pool with the ocean behind it

Rescuing a beached puffer fish on the beach one morning

View of our hotel from the beach

Boarding the "Buccaneer Queen Pirate Ship" for our Snorkeling Tour

In front of the famous arches

The Pirate crew dancing for us

My pirates

My view for at least 70% of the trip. Amazing! (Yes, those are my feet. I had to include them so you would know I was really there!)

This is the life!

Back to the Beach

Today our play group went to Corona Del Mar for an end of summer beach day.  You may remember that we also went at the beginning of summer.  We had a great time enjoying the sun and each other!

Edward and Jackson dig a hole

Call in the reinforcements! (Edward's daddy helped to dig a BIG hole.)

"Kids In The Hole"

These Summer Days

So I haven’t been as good lately at documenting our outings.  Two recent excursions have been to the Discovery Science Center (mainly to see the Bob The Builder and Dinosaur exhibits), and a homemade Ice Cream Social for our fellowship class from church.  We also did Vacation Bible School At Church two weeks ago.  I enjoyed working with the 5th and 6th graders for the week and Jackson had fun at the VBS preschool program that the kids of those that volunteer for the week get to attend.  Enjoy our recent pics from these summer days…

Jackson driving "Muck" at the Bob The Builder Exhibit

Using a saw- just like Daddy's (sound effects and all!)

Maybe we need a little safety training...

"Tooling around" with Eli

Building a "rock wall" with Aiden

The boys in front of a dinosaur ("Thanks for making us look right into the sun, mom.")

Jackson loving his ice cream (and being at a table of girls!)

My decorated room ("Table Talk) at VBS

A group deep in discussion (okay, as deep as 6th grade boys can be)

Recreation time: water relays in the parking lot

Ending assembly time

The kids favorite time of the whole VBS week: watching their leaders get slimed!

Ikea… I love you!

It was a bit of a frustrating thing last Wednesday when Jackson and I drove all the way to Covina to go to the Ikea, only to see that it was closed.  (Okay, I know it’s not that far, but when it’s all for nothing it seems like a lengthy drive.)  Apparently, they were still cleaning up the mess and damage from the earthquake.  Since I had promised Jackson a fun time of lunch and looking at the fun toys there, he was a little disappointed.

So today, (after calling first to make sure they were open) we made the journey again, and this time we were not disappointed!  I was even pleasantly surprised.  It had been a while since I had been there, in fact so long that the last time I was there must have been before Jackson was potty-trained (at the end of last summer).  I had forgotten that there was a play land (Smaland) there where you can leave your (potty-trained) kids while you shop for one hour!  It was the greatest thing!  One hour of uninterrupted, relaxing shopping time while your kid gets to go in a huge ball pit and walk through giant twirling trees!  When I was done I picked Jackson up and he went on and on about how much fun he had.  Then we went to the Ikea restaurant where I enjoyed a whole wheat chicken wrap and Jackson loved the mac-n-cheese.  (Apparently if you go on a Tuesday or Wednesday, kids eat free!)

It was a good cheap date with my little buddy!  Speaking of dates…. I guess it would be a great place to go with your husband and drop the kid(s) off while you have one hour of uninterupted-conversation-while-shopping time…

Journey To The Land Of Legos

I have been so busy and exhausted from doing 5th & 6th grade VBS at church this week, that I have not yet posted about last weekend.  But better late than never…

This past weekend my parents came to town to take Jackson (and they let us tag along too) to Legoland!  We had so much fun.  He was really the perfect age for it and loved every second!  Thanks Grammie & Papa!

This guy gave Jim's camera a run for its money!

Grammie & Papa were great boat drivers...

...and Jackson was a great pilot!

Some delinquent parents weren't watching their kid and look what happened...

Our pirates on Splash Battle

Jackson takes on Darth

Thanks, Papa & Grammie for a crazy, good time!

To complete the whole “lego experience” Jim thought that it would be fun to order Jackson some legos so that they would arrive right after we got home.  He won 20 lbs of legos on e-bay for cheap!  I think Jackson is set with legos for the rest of his life…

Mountain-O-Legos

God Bless America (and Shamu too)

We enjoyed a fun 4th of July weekend at Seaworld.  We definitely got our fill of all things undersea.  Here are a few of the highlights:

In awe…

 

Great Shamu shot

 

Our excellent tour guide

 

The Eel Caverns

 

Mama and Jackson in the flowers

 

Jackson & Daddy (or “Tower Of Creamer At Denny’s)

 

Okay here is a blast from the past- the only other time Jackson has been to Seaworld was 2 years ago.  Here is the drive home from that trip 2 years ago…

And here is Jackson asleep on the drive home this time:

My, how time flies!!!

Wall-E

Those of you who know Jackson, know that he has been waiting on pins and needles to FINALLY get to see Wall-E.  He has been watching the trailers on the computer with his daddy, again and again.  We heard that it was going to be at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood and that they would have a stage show before hand featuring Buzz Lightyear, The Incredibles, Monsters Inc. (all Jackson’s favorites) and more, and that sealed the deal!  We went on Saturday and had a terrific time.

Jackson & his daddy In Front of the El Capitan

 

Bubbles on Hollywood Blvd.

 

Posing by the poster

 

                                  Having dinner at the Disney Soda Fountain, next door to the theater (Yes, that’s a Mickey Mouse grilled cheese)

 

Sharing a milkshake with Mommy

 

All ears

 

Jackson giving a coin to the “Golden Robot”

 

Before it all started, there was an organ player (notice the cool red shoes)

 

A view of the theater

 

Confetti…

 

and curtains!

A “heavenly” evening

Last night we were privlidged to go on a triple date with some friends.  First we went to an Italian restaurant near Hollywood.  It had singing waiters and great food!  Then we went to the Griffith Observatory.  Jim and I hadn’t been since it was reburbished and reopened.  I had forgotten how large and amazing it is. 

Dinner at Miceli’s

Hollywood & Highland

 

Almost sunset…

 

On the steps

 

View from the top

 

Cityscape

 

Planet models

“When I consider your heavens, the works of you fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”            Psalm 8:3-4

Beach With Friends

Today we had a lot of fun at Corona Del Mar beach with our playgroup.  The weather was nice and there were lots of boats out. 

Jackson and his good friend Molly venturing into the water

Splashing in the water with his friends Emma & Julia

And what’s a day at the beach without a little karate chopping action?

 

Our visit to “The Captain”

Over the weekend we went camping at El Capitan campground near Santa Barbara.  We took some great friends with us and enjoyed the company, the weather and the beauty of God’s amazing creation. 

 

As soon as we arrived, Jim set up a 1 man tent (the smallest I have ever seen) so that the kids could have a tent to play in.

 

Jackson, Riley and Emily “lunching” at the campsite

 

Glo-sticks- a big hit with the kids!

 

The campground had a beautiful nature trail.  Here are some pictures from the nature trail:

 

The campground also had a great beach:

 

Some animal encounters:

 

Nearing sunset at the beach…