Stay-cation Adventures

Life lesson #57: "Life with 3 kids is expensive. Vacations shouldn't be."

With that in mind, we decided to do a stay-cation for Spring break. Thankfully, we live in an amazing area so we aimed to stay within San Diego county and do things we normally do not do.

We started last weekend camping in the Anza-Borrego Desert. The flowers are in bloom in the local mountains and the drive was gorgeous!We didn't do our traditional camping this time. We "roughed it." The Bureau of Land Management allows you to pull off a dirt road and camp where ever you want to. Did you know that? I didn't! We chose an area near a dry lake bed where the kids could climb rocks, have fun.... ...and giggle...We really were in the middle of nowhere!It was warm camping in the desert and the stars were AMAZING! (psst... love my new iPhone app called "Star Walk." We were finally able to figure out the constellations!)

On Day #2 Brentt said, I know these cool mud caves not far from here, let's go! Ok, I'm up for the adventure. An hour later after driving on dirt "roads" like this...I started doubting our destination (and the ability of my minivan!). Even looking through the informational book about the desert, there was no mention of this place.

This is it: Really? What?!? Not so cool until you get in there. Here is a video from inside the caves. I can't believe there is something like 3 million people who live in San Diego county and there were only a dozen or so people out here the whole time we were there. Well kept secret I suppose?

The caves were not "Max-able" but he still had fun. He makes his own adventures; usually by running away. Don't worry though, he charms and kisses his way out of trouble every time! On the way back to our campsite, we stopped at Hollywood and Vine Street. Maybe not the one you'd expect to see in Southern California...So weird!

Alas, Spring Break is not over yet. Check back for Stay-cation adventure #2.
Have a great day!
Christy

Ahhh.... scrapbooking.

I always feel my stress level come down and my sanity level go up when I get a little time to scrapbook. Its just a miracle if I ever get a chance to share it!Since my time is so limited, I've been trying to chose pictures that are meaningful or that have a story behind it. But I have so many meaningful pictures that I doubt I'll ever be done! I've only just started Christmas photos!Another lesson I'm learning with limited time to scrapbook is that everything doesn't have to be an "artful masterpiece". Sounds simple but I am a bit of a perfectionist and I have a hard time getting to "good enough." It is more important that it is done, than done perfectly, right? (I'm still trying to convince myself of that one!)
Thanks for checking in!
Cheers,
Christy

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Catching up

Now that we are (mostly) all healthy, I am starting to catch up on life. All the snotty and vomit covered laundry is done, I've Lysol-ed nearly every space the kids have touched, homework is caught up and we even have food in the fridge! Life is good! I'm even having a bit of time to scrapbook! (but I'm sacrificing my sleep to do it.)

We've had some nice moments in the last few weeks too. Here are a few pics I wanted to share.
Sam wrote me a love note all on his own. His first one too! I love it! Expect a scrapbook layout on this soon. ;)
Here are the kids when we went down to the bay for a picnic one night a couple weeks ago.
The morning after that, Max had a good soaking in the kitchen sink. We rarely bathe him there but he had so much fun, I couldn't resist the naked baby photos!

Then, just this morning he fell asleep in his car-seat. I think it is so cute how he sucks on his little lovey when he falls asleep. So angelic...
Thanks for checking in!
Getting crafty this weekend... ;)
Cheers,
Christy

Butternut Squash Soup

Hi there-
Last night I discovered a new favorite recipe and I just had to share. It is healthy, easy and best of all, filling. (Not something I usually experience with a veggie based soup.)

But I had 2 problems with making a recipe like this: First, Brentt likes things with meat. This soup didn't have a speck of meat so I fried up some bacon and let him top it with it. After all, the best way to a man's heart is bacon... Or maybe it was "baking"... Either way, he loves me and we both loved the soup!

Second problem was my kids make a big mess with soup. (Sam just won't eat it unless the noodles are in some fun shape anyway.) So, I made up some penne pasta and used this soup as the sauce. The kids gobbled it up and everyone was happy.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Butternut-Squash-Soup-II/Detail.aspx

Anyway, thanks for checking in. I hope you try and love this new recipe too.
Cheers,
Christy

Peek - a- boo

Today, I really am blogging to hide from the laundry. ;) Last week, I had a laundry helper who was playing peek-a-boo. He is such a ham!

Here is a video. (Sorry I don't know how to turn it right side up.)

Its sunny and 75 degrees today so I'm feeling guilty that I am inside. We're off to the beach for a BBQ soon. Thanks for checking in!
Christy

"The Happiest Place on Earth"

Sadly, I haven't been hiding from my laundry as my blog button on the right says. But that's not why I haven't been blogging. Honestly, I feel like we are still in "holiday recovery mode." But how long can I say that? It has just been really busy!!!

Most importantly, we celebrated Madeleine's 7th Birthday! I can hardly believe our little girl is 7. She went from thisto this

and now this.We had a terrific time celebrating her birthday at Disneyland. Just she and I had a "princess trip." And it was all about girly time, Princesses, and Fairies. She got to meet SO many characters.Well, there were a couple guys there. ;)As you can see, she had a terrific time.

Thanks for checking in!
Cheers,
Christy