April 2016

April was all about discovering our own city, San Diego.  We were tourists in our own town and we had so much fun doing things out of the ordinary.  Some of our adventures included hiking in Mission Trails, Point Loma Lighthouse, Spanish Village in Balboa Park and Lego Land.  We also had a great visit from Grandma Olson.  April was such a great month that looking back on it has made me miss it!

Mission Hills Trails

We went to Mission Hills Trails with the Thompsons and had so much fun hiking around and learning about the animals that are native to Southern California.  The kids so stuffed coyotes, raccoons, bobcats and mountain lions.  They couldn't believe that these animals live where we live.  It's so much fun going on these adventures with my boys.  I am enjoying every minute because I know in a few short months things will be different.  James will be in full-day kindergarten and won't spend his days with Foster and me.  I feel like I miss him already.

The kids loved this tree, they could have played in it all day.

Leah teaching Foster all about bobcats.

James loved learning about all the native bugs!

We hiked 3 miles that day and the kids did a great job keeping up!

Balboa Park

We went to Balboa Park with the Warrens and spent the entire day discovering the park, Spanish Village and the Zoo!  We were gone for 6 hours and had such a fun day!  It's rare that we spend a leisurely day walking through the park, stopping at each fountain and enjoying the beauty it has to offer.  It is a great reminder of why we live in this wonderful city.  And it was fun being with the girls, all the kids got along splendidly!

Beautiful Balboa Park

Spanish Village....these two are the cutest.

Point Loma Lighthouse

We took Grandma and Grandpa with us on an adventure to the Point Loma Lighthouse.  I can't believe I've never been to this spot before, it's a little piece of heaven on earth.  The views of San Diego are spectacular from the Lighthouse and it made for some beautiful pictures.  After the lighthouse, we had lunch at The Corvette Diner and it was so much fun.  I have not been there in years and the boys loved it.  We had shakes, balloon animals, burgers and lots and lots of fries.  The winner was dad's pineapple shake.  His peanut butter burger....not so much! 

Grandma and James had fun exploring the lighthouse together.

Cabrillo Monument

Happy boy at The Corvette Diner

Lego Land

Grandma and Grandpa treated the boys to a trip to Legoland.  The boys talked of nothing else the entire month once they got word that we would be going.  They had so much fun looking at all the Logo displays and riding the rides.  James went on his first rollercoaster with his mama.  I couldn't believe he wanted to ride it and I kept anticipating him to be afraid but he laughed and smiled through the entire ride.  It was something I'll never forget.  They even got to buy a lego set, talk about some lucky boys!  My favorite moment was watching my parents and the boys go on the storybook ride.  The boat ride takes you through a forest of storybook characters and is really charming.  As I was standing along the bank, I could see the boys and my parents through the trees as they admired the ride.  It was a sweet moment to witness their special bond.

The boys loved the Star Wars exhibit at Legoland.

My silly boys.

Storybook ride with Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma Olson comes to visit!!!

We were so excited to have Grandma Olson come for a visit.  The boys never left her alone for a minute and loved all the attention she gave them.  I forced her to look at homes in the area in the hopes that one day they will call San Diego home!  A girl can dream.  It was a rainy few days so we spent the time visiting at the house and driving around looking at homes in the rain.  Her last day here we escaped the rain and went to Sea World.  It was such a nice visit and we can't wait for another one...we are getting greedy

Happy boys and Grandma Olson

Farch 2016

The last couple of months have gone so quickly that I can barely believe Spring is coming to an end.  I have neglected to blog because I was doing everything else on my to-do list so I am combining February and March in an effort to get caught up on all the goings on of the Olsons and I'm titling this post Farch for obvious reasons.

F stands for February

We played up Valentine's Day big time this year.  And when I say big, I mean we went to Target and picked out Valentine cards for James to give to his friends from church and school.  Okay, okay, we did a bit more than that.  I hosted a little Valentine party for James' joy school friends from last year.  They decorated sugar cookies, consumed gallons of frosting and exchanged cards and candy.  This little foursome is about the cutest thing you've ever seen and I wish so badly they were all headed to the same elementary school.  Sadly, the group is breaking in two next year and the girls are going to Chapparel while the boys will go to Painted Rock.  We might have to make this Valentine's Day party a tradition so they can follow their mother's master plan for a double wedding.  Fingers crossed.

February was unusually warm this year, like temperatures into the 90's.  So of course we headed to the beach where my friend Julia and I, plus all of our kids, were filmed by a channel 8 news crew.  The interview aired later that day and evening and I recorded the episode for my posterity to witness.  By doing so, I have ensured that my children and their children will always know I had accurate weather forecasting skills.

In other news....

Mom took the ladies to lunch at Mel Fluers to celebrate Ani's birthday.

The boys finished winter soccer and as you can see they have some major street cred.

Arch if for March

March was all about Easter.  We celebrated with our annual traditions like the Ewell Easter egg hunt, church and dinner and easter egg hunt at Mi Ani's house.  I love Easter.  It is such an important holiday and one which I wanted my boys to understand the significance. They seemed to really understand Easter and how Jesus Christ died for us. I'm always amazed at how much they know and how eager they are to learn. But then again, they're geniuses...obviously. 

A successful Easter egg hunt at the Ewells.

Easter Sunday

The boys in their Sunday best.

Lemon curd cake with berries for Easter dessert.

Easter egg hunt at Mi Ani's.

Foster picked up a camera and would not put it down.  Some of his photos turned out pretty good, especially this one of Boo.

Talk about SCORE!!!!

It was a fierce hunt.