Kitchen demo has begun!

Ill let the pictures do the talking...

What did the groundhog determine?

It is without a doubt spring around here. It is an early one, with many blooms happening about a month early. The iris just peeked out yesterday, the lilac is starting, and the weeds are full force by the raised beds. I hope it will be a mild spring with some non freezing temperatures and a few good rains. I always remember the way the property looks this time of year, as we are now coming up on our 4th house key day 5/8. A lot has changed since then... Pretty much everything!! A big house change is coming up the next month or two... Kitchen demo starts Friday!!!! The purple tubs contain about 1/3 of the pantry contents which means I'm 2/3 behind... Stay tuned...

So long, Kaiser!

I am sad to report (but a little happy too) that my last day at kaiser was yesterday. After 4 years, 3 positions, and on-call work we decided it would be best for our family to move on from that position.

I truly loved working for kaiser. I learned so very much, made some great friends and contacts, and gained invaluable experience. The nature of the on call job with a kid who doesn't go to day care is quite challenging. Increasingly I felt like I was letting the staff down when I couldn't find a sitter the day of. That stress just wasn't good for me, and I had also recently started another job locally. Can't beat a 20 minute commute of all prescheduled days.

I will miss working in the hospital, it was so neat to just show up and use a portion of my brain in a specific way, and then turn it off again until my next shift. Hopefully my current job will keep those skills up on some level.

Here's to keeping it local and reigning it in as well!

Cousins!

Chris and brother in law Dave went up to Tahoe for 2 nights for a dudes trip and Wynter came over here with the girlies. Mom came over too for some corned beef and cabbage. It was a wild and fun night. Owen kept saying "I'm so happy!"

Pictured the kids are all eating apples while grandma reads them a bedtime story- precious!

Seeds have been ordered!

I didn't order as many seeds as the last few years, as I'm **trying to cut back on the amount of seeds that hit the dirt around here. Of all things to try to restrain it is actually hard to do!

 The zinnias were such a success last year and being the first year I had harvested quite a volume of flowers I wanted to do that again this year. And more! I only ordered 10 seed packets, and half were zinnias.

 The Green Envy Zinnia from Baker Creek Heirloom seeds is quite pretty. They last for a week in a vase changing the water every day. Last season I planted 2 seed packets and had a bouquet like the one below every other day from June-October!

Can't wait to see what the zinnias will do this year! I also ordered the same clemson spineless okra as last year, the royal purple carrots, and the early wonder beets.

What's growing?

Radish, mesclun mix, broccoli, and lots of tulips!

Pismo Beach Dunes Camping

Since the Collins Lake trip went well as our trial run, we were ready for bigger pastures. We headed to Pismo Beach last week. It was a 7 hour drive pulling the trailer. Owen watched 2 movies, and took a nap. 

 The drive along 5 is quite boring, but once the crops start popping up it is very pretty.

 We made it to the beach. Little did I know the process that needs to happen in order to drive into deeper sand. The tires and trailer need to have some air let out to increase the surface area to grip better and prevent getting stuck. It was pretty windy that first night, especially right when we drove up. Owen and his cousin Mat played in the sand while the guys aired down the tires and the women watched.

 Beautiful sunset that windy night.

 Once the tires were aired down, the trucks and trailers pulled into deeper sand, away from the tide a bit. It seemed like a safe distance but that first morning I woke up and the tide came up to about 30 feet from the nearest trailer... A little too close I would say! There were 9 trailers in all, almost all were toy haulers where the toys drive right on into the trailer for transport. Chris's parents and their long time friends Paul and Sharon came, and a lot of Chris's sister's friends came as well.

 Randy and Dan came for a day, as well as their fur child Molly. We loved spending time with them, and they had fun checking out the sand toy camping situation.

 Uncle Josh, Owen, and Amanda goofing around. You can see the dunes in the background.

 The kids had endless entertainment just with the sand alone. It was very relaxing to pull up a chair, watch the waves, read a book, oh yea and watch the kids too!

 Cousins!

 On the way home sunday we stopped at the best rest stop ever!!! Our friends live in Coalinga and we were able to see them for about an hour. We met them in the Ronald McDonald house, and have been friends since. Her and I would email each other all the time since we were both pumping as both kids had nasogastric tubes. It is funny because we have only seen each other 3 times since we have been friends but we know each other very well through our weekly checkins. The boys had a great time and we did too, what great hospitality!

 Pictured above P & P repair company. Paul and Paul helped fix a few things between the 9 trailers... a water line, a Razor motor, a trailer's electrical system. They offer quite a service!

 Owen is getting ready for a ride in the Razor. Between the carseat, and the 5 point restraint he wasn't going anywhere!

 The sweet view from the Britton's trailer

 Look at that smile! Loved the ride! Would tell Chris "faster daddy, go up that hill!"
 Here is Case /Zorro

 We went on a family ride, it was fun hearing Owen chat it up on the ride.

Owen and Case playing in Case's room

 Zorro

 Dr Case- we have the same stethescope from UCSF.

Mama Ty and I out front. It was a wonderful trip all around!