And then there is San Diego...

We had a Vacation!

While we have done a lot of traveling here and there, and moving across the country, and seeing new things, all in the past year, last week we actually took our first week long Vacation (with a capital V) that we have had in a VERY long time. (I'm not counting El Salvador as a vacation, I had the flu, and it was a family visit.) I'm not going to let that much time go again. Vacations are fun! I had heard that was the point of going on a vacation, but now I know!

We left Albuquerque and drove the first leg of our trip to a hotel outside of metro Phoenix. The stretch between Flagstaff and Phoenix is gorgeous. Except when you have three hungry, cranky kids in the back seat. But we finally did stop, got dinner and made camp. In the morning we did it all over again, and questioned ourselves more than once about what we got ourselves into "driving" again. While there is not a lot of "note" between Phoenix and San Diego, there are still some pretty crazy things going on out there. The desert is weird and wonderful.

  

But, just as much as traveling to El Salvador was a trip to another world, so is taking a road trip with 3 kids to Southern California!

The White Sand Dunes were super cool. But I guess we'll have to go check out New Mexico's version of them in the next month. And the boulder covered mountains are super crazy. But we had San Diego and the Pacific ocean on our mind, so we had to Go Go Go!

Driving straight to Sue and Donald's house. And while we were imposing our family of five onto their home, they oddly accepted us with wide open arms, great hugs and amazing generosity! They are just that sort of family!  Though when we actually got to their house, they weren't there, so we snuck in, snuck out and headed to the beach.

We didn't know how to get to the beach or even which one to go to, so I just picked one and we left.

La Jolla Beach, we here we come!

Such a great place. Apparently very high end, so I didn't step into a single store. We took one look at the ocean, headed to the tide pools to play, and immediately forgot that we had spent the last 2 days locked up in the car.

How does the ocean do that? Immediately frees your soul, lets your body breathe and your mind forget what it doesn't need to remember. I think I like that. And after about 5 minutes Elmer says "I think I could live here"

The tide pools were super cool. 

Sea Anemone,

 snails, 

crabs,

hermit crabs, 

 live clams, 

 tiny squid... 

and lots of Sea Lions!

We were Tidepool Researchers for the afternoon,

Botanists,

and Geologists.

Can't you smell the salt water in the air?

The Kite Runners

Yesterday was a perfectly windy day.

 

So we headed over the fields to catch the wind.

  

Prepare.

 

Take off.

 

Flight.

 

Freedom.

 

Happiness.

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

ROOOAAAARRR

The Natural History Museum of New Mexico has a fun little class called Prehistoric Preschool. Azalea and I got to take the class and then learn all about fun dinosaurs from New Mexico and beyond.

 

Occasionally transformed into a Dino.

 Became a Paleontologist searching for bones.

 

Created a Quad-clops Azaleaosaurus

Learned to walk like a Dino

Saw the world through bug eyes

 

Peered down on the Prehistoric World

 

And she was pretty darn excited about being a snake handler.

91

Gigi would have been 91 today. Her first birthday missed. She is missed but still being loved on.

She was the last direct maternal lineage that I had going. While my Aunts and older female cousins are still around, it doesn't seem right that I'm 35 and the oldest female in the direct line of my family. Of course I will carry this title for another 60 years, but still seems like a lot of responsibility.  But then again so is driving a car, and I can do that ok.

Gigi, Granmama, Gruhmama, Mom, Marie,

 

Four Generations of Love

 

Lola and Gigi in 2002

She was always dressed so festive for the holidays. Shiny too!

 

With some of her Great Grandkids in 2005

 

Azalea's first Christmas in 2005

 

Ok this is a Nutcracker. But she gave it to Tigo one year for Christmas and he absolutely loves it. Loves pulling it out each year and talking about how Gigi gave it to him.

 

Gigi, Sebby and Lola in 2007

 

2 of the 3 boys.

Ava Marie Bullock Brock

Crocus

While my friends and family are covered in snow in Virginia. I saw my first peak of spring this week.

 A sweet little yellow crocus poke through the grass while Azalea and I played.

 

There is a Robin in the bush.

 Even some eggs are beginning to hatch.

As the days are getting longer, little by little. The afternoons are more relaxing. Certainly more of a peacefulness around.  

The true Spring is still a ways off. But it gives me hope for warmth and sunny days to come!

Red

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

Love

In honor of Valentine's day tomorrow, here are some things I love:

The obvious:
My sweet mama
El Diablo
My angel
My munchichi
My angel baby
The crazy dogs
My layered up, always chatting dad
Sweet VA
Big bro
Aunt D
All the little cuzs out there and those on their way
Unca Huntie
All my family near and especially those that are far

I also love:
People who aren't afraid to try to do the worm in public
George P Funk Clinton
Stealing Arizona
Purple and Orange together
fresh air
reading alone in the sun on a nice day (like this ever happens)
listening to 4 year olds have serious conversations
Georgia O'keefe
Walking out into a burst of humidity from inside an air conditioned building.
Sweat
hardwood floors
warm fires
tomato soup
dental floss
the smell of snow before it comes
birds waking me up in the morning
mountain hikes
comfortable shoes
talking with old friends from years ago and it being like yesterday
sunsets
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Dr. Suess
raking leaves ( i actually do)
margaritas in the summer
traveling
Grateful Dead
seashells
sewing
anything hand made
rivers
hot tea
cool water
garlic bread
homemade burritos
green chiles
mutts
skipping
hammocks
painting
snuggling
the lure of the mountains
weddings
old friends
guitars on the front porch, or back
lavender
toothless grins
fresh start
gardening
real lemonade
sweet tea
dogwood trees

I'm afraid this list could go on forever. I may add to this with time. Why not.

I love you, too.