College bound!

Today was Elissa's first day of college!! Can you believe it? She called me this afternoon to tell me how kind of crazy her day was. First of all, she's overwhelmed by how big the school is, finding her classes has been an adventure. Apparently, one of the classes she registered for online, is at a satellite campus about 40 minutes away!! Oops! So now she's trying to switch into a local class, and guess what? They're all full! It's a learning process for sure! Other than that, things are going pretty great for her. She's still job hunting, she's been waiting for a second follow-up call at a bank that wanted an interview with her...cross your fingers. That would be a great job for her school schedule!

Anyway, I wanted to say that I've thoroughly enjoyed this transition that has taken place between me and my now adult daughter, as of late. We all know the trials and tribulations of raising a teenager, it's almost heart breaking at times. But it has felt so good to have crossed over to the "friend" stage with Elissa, now that she's grown and living on her own. I probably spend more time talking to her on the phone since she's moved away, than I spent talking to her face-to-face her whole senior year! It makes my heart happy to know that she talks to me now because she wants to talk to me! My mom has been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and I know that Elissa and I will be one day too!

These are some pics of Elissa's new place! (She's renting a room in my sister's condo - thanks Kim for giving Elissa a home-away-from-home!) It's so relieving to know she's with family - and safe! And it's adorable, cozy, homey, and huge for a college girl! Good job Aubs and Jacki on the decorating! (Some of Aubs' early work, I presume!) Top left - Elissa's room - we helped her get it all put together and decorated!; top middle - Elissa doing what she does best - MySpacing!; top right - Elissa's/guest bath; middle left - family room; middle - me and my girls!; middle right - more family room; bottom left - the "huge" kitchen!; bottom middle - dining room; bottom right - the fam! (Jared ducked out and Rich took it!)

We love and miss you Elissa! Have fun in college - we're proud of you too!

Back To School!

Is summer vacation really over already? Oh my gosh, how did that happen so fast!? Well, like it or not, it's time for back to school! And today was Parker's big First Day of Kindergarten! He was so cute! And soooo excited! When we got to the parking lot, he told us that we could just drop him off because the school gate was already open!! Wow - not even a little apprehensive about being away from mom and dad! I guess that's good, he'll be independent - but I have to admit to being a little sad that he wasn't going to miss me at all!
He has a couple of friends in class, Grant and Tucker - yes, someone named their little boy Tucker! I just hope he doesn't spend the whole time chatting and getting in trouble on the first day!

Way to go Parker!! You're in school now!! I just wish they would keep this excitement about it all the way through High School! Although, I think Brendan was pretty excited to go back today. He's not a little Freshman anymore!

And speaking of not a little Freshman anymore - today Jared goes for his Senior pictures! Can you believe it? When Rich and I first met, he was only 9! Wow does time ever fly!

Enjoy the pics - I'll post the rest of our end of summer updates soon!

Day 10 - the end of the road

My creation
Originally uploaded by heather_n_lv

Yeah!!! I caught up with posts about our trip!! And just in time to head home tomorrow! (OK - today, being that it's after midnight as I type this!)

Today we took the little ones and Elissa for one last excursion to the beach. The big boys went with my nephew, Scott, who took them skim boarding with some of his friends.

We took some fun video and pictures to remember the last day of our summer vacation of 2008! It's been so much fun, and I'm so grateful that we've been blessed with the means to make these memories with our family. I have so many fond memories of family vacations when I was a little girl, I hope my children are able to look back on our trips and smile. Not to mention that this may be the last time Elissa will be able to accompany us on "family" vacation, she's off to college next week, and who knows what the future holds for her.

Thank you for coming along on our trip with us! I love all of your comments, and I love you all!

Day 9

La Jolla Coves
Originally uploaded by heather_n_lv

Sunday August 10, 2008

Today we decided to head out on an adventure. We weren't 100% sure where we were headed, but we headed south toward San Diego and decided to go where the road took us.
Originally, we thought we'd go down to SeaPort Village and walk around and window shop. But while we were driving, I remembered these cool sea caves I'd seen years ago in La Jolla and asked if anyone wanted to go check them out. Everyone seemed game, so we went on a little tour of downtown La Jolla in search of the caves. After stopping for ice cream, and to ask diretions, we finally found them! They were soo cool! And there were sea lions all over the place! Brendan and Parker got within a couple of feet of one sunbathing on the rocks! Then we decended the 145 steps to one of the caves known as "Sunny Jim" - apparently the opening, when viewed during daylight hours, forms the silouette of an Indian. It was a cool adventure. And apparently you can go on Kayaking and snorkeling tours through all 7 caves - maybe when the llittle ones get a bit bigger.
So, on our way back to our car - we passed a beautiful, red, Ferrari F40 parked in front of one of the hotels, so we decided to take a picture for the testosterone factor.
When we got back to Kim's, they were surprised to hear that such caves even exsisted! Imagine, they've lived here their whole lives and have never been. So now they're planning a trip down with some friends!
It was such a fun day!!!

Day 8

Saturday August 9, 2008

Day 8 found us at yet another beach! We headed just south of my sister's house and found ourselves in San Clemente, so we thought, what the hay, we'll stop here today! I just love being on vacation...no schedules, no timelines, no agendas, just go with the flow! I have to relish it while I can, because I know it's coming to an end - and all too soon! :(
So, we're sucking up as much of this beautiful California sunshine and ocean air as we can while we still have it to enjoy.
After the beach, my sister, Kim, and my brother-in-law, Kenny, took us out to a birthday dinner. It was nice to visit, and a great meal too! Thanks you guys, so much, for the dinner, the hospitality, and all the love and friendship you've extended our family while we've been here. I said recently, that the older I get, the more my family means to me, and the more time I want to spend with them.

Happy Birthday Courtney!!!

Happy Birthday Dear Courtney!!! You're a big 10 today - double digits baby! We miss you so much on our trip, we really wish you could've been with us. I hope you're day was everything you hoped it would be! See you soon - WE LOVE YOU!!!

Days 5,6,and7...

Since I'm getting really far behind pictures and events of our trip, I'm going to have to throw a few days together!!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008 found us packing our bags to head up the coast to Laguna Niguel where we are now enjoying the hospitality of my big sister at the Casa de Messick. The kids immediately jumped in the gigantic pool and were in seventh heaven.

Thursday, August 7, 2008 we took the crew to Knott's Berry Farm. Camp Snoopy was a huge hit for the little ones, and the older ones loved all the roller coasters. Parker got to ride his first roller coaster, but was sad to discover that he was too short to ride the bigger coasters with the kids. The best part was the short lines!! You've gotta love Knott's Berry Farm!!

Parker and Hailey got to meet Snoopy!!

Hailey has no fear of anything!!

Friday, August 8, 2008 was the end of the trip for Elissa's boyfriend, Zach. He had to head home to Utah to move into his apartment in preparation for college at the end of the month. We dropped him off at the Santa Ana airport then headed up the freeway to Westminster for a day with Rich's dad and step-mom. Grandpa Joe and Grandma Sharon were great to put up with all the kids. We had fun playing in the backyard and looking at pictures of family members that we don't get to see very often. After a nice dinner to celebrate Rich's and my birthday, we headed home to my sisters to get some sleep!! It was a great visit and we're grateful for the times we get to share with family. Thanks grandpa and grandma, for everything. We love you so much! We miss you when we're so far away, we look forward to seeing you again in October ,when you come up for Rich's Navy Retirement Ceremony!

Day 4 - Back at the beach!

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008


Back to the beach today! Parker decided to test his skills on the boogie board. He caught a couple of small waves, and took a few rolls, but he loved every sandy second of it!! It was a nice relaxing day in the sand and the surf. We took it easy today because tomorrow we pack up all this sandy stuff and head up to my sister's house in Laguna Niguel. Can't wait to see the fam!!

Day 3 - Sea World

Monday August 4th, 2008

Once again, Shamu did not disappoint. It was hotter than blazes, and really humid, but the show was phenom. Hailey loved every second of it, especially because her big brothers and sister sat with her in the "soak zone" so she got splashed and thought that was great!!
We managed to hit every show - except the 4D theater - oh well. The kids also explored the tide pools, where the sea stars live, the bat ray pools, the Manatee Rescue, the Arctic Zone - where the Polar Bears, Beluga Whales, and Walrus' live, the Penguin Habitat and the Shark Encounter.
Parker said that the Cirque De La Mer was the best show at Sea World, but Hailey LOVED the dolphins. Elissa likes Clyde and Seamore - the Sea Lion and Otter show, and the big boys just liked the girls that worked there!
Personally, I love Pet's Rule, and Rich loves the Belugas whales in the arctic zone and the funnel cake!!
We closed the park down - stayed for the fire works and all. Hailey and Parker ran to their little hearts content in the new Sesame Street play place, then immediately passed out almost as soon as their seat belts were on!
Another summer, another trip to Sea World - we love it!! It never gets old - expensive, yes, but not old!
Tomorrow it's back to the beach for a little r&r.

Day 2 - Beachin' it!

So Hailey didn't want anything to do with the sand when we first got to the beach, but she quickly got over her little phobia!!!

Hailey before liking the sand.......and after getting used to it!!

She and Parker both took sand baths, they were covered in the stuff from head to toe, and loving every second of it!
A good time was had by all, the water was perfect, the sun was out, we couldn't have asked for a better day.

After the sun and the sand, we came back to our hotel for a quick dip in the pool, then we showered and headed out for dinner at our favorite pizza place in Carlsbad, "The Pizza Port".

It was as yummy as ever. After pizza and beer buddies (their name for their yummy garlic bread), we headed over to "Cessy's" for the best soft serve ice cream on the beach. We then loaded up the little ones, with their ice cream cones in hand, and headed over to Frazee park to watch an absolutely amazing sunset, along with about 50 other Carlsbadians. After watching "Robert the fire juggler", we headed back to our room to get ready for bed.

Tomorrow - SEA WORLD!!!

Day 1 - Carlsbad or Bust!!

The only thing I wanted for my birthday was to watch the sunset on the beach...well, this was as close to a sunset as I got - the marine layer had settled in. But at least I was on the beach!! It was beautiful anyway, and it was only 71*...a far cry cooler than the 109 that it was in Vegas. We packed all our suitcases into the Burban and piled in all 8 bodies for a trip to the beach. We made it to San Marcos by dinnertime, so we got to eat at our favorite restaurant "The Old Spaghetti Factory". It was so yummy, we wish they would come back to Vegas.

Then it was off to the beach to watch the sunset, and finally we made it to our hotel to settle in for some rest. It was a wonderful birthday - frusterating teenagers and all!! Thanks, babe, for a picture perfect day!

Our home away from home.

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday babe! Still adorable after 42 years!!

(OK-so it was yesterday - I'm a bad blogger!!)