Just a few moments ago my sweet little girl came into the den when she was actually supposed to be asleep in her bed.
We've been talking a lot lately about space and dinosaurs and earth and meteors and apparently, the last part struck a nerve with my science obsessed girlie and she asked with a little quiver in her lip, "Will a meteor hit our house??"
I called Josh in because he is super SUPER good at not only explaining things in general, but explaining things to her, and being able to relate to her, being that they practically share the same logical, literal brain.
I sat there listening to the sweetness of Sera, asking question after question, and hearing Josh give logical, thorough answers, knowing she trusts him with her whole heart and he loves her completely with his.
Even after a long explanation about how we have telescopes to see into space with, and how we could prepare for such a disaster, and how most meteors are very small, etc. etc., she still paused, teared up and said, "I can't stop thinking about it!"
Now there's something mama can relate to.
Josh brought her back in her room... and now between the crickets and the silence of a house that is trying to settle in for the night, I can hear their sleepy voices chattering about rockets, and space and astronauts... and I love my precious family.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Day with Mimi and Nona
I took the girls and Mimi to San Simeon to visit my mom's (relatively) new place up on the hill.
It's across the highway from the ocean, close to Hearst Castle nestled far back on a large and rugged ranch.
We went down to Cambria to walk around the shops, and then on to Morro Bay to eat at the Haufbrau and visit the Sea Lions on the docs.
This was an almost weekly tradition when we lived here (Haufbrau) and it was so sad when we first moved to Nashville and Sera kept asking to go to the "Sea Lion Place". Yeah, there are none of those in Nashville. She was very happy to reunite with the water mammals.
The ranch
Mimi and the girls. Sera is wearing my award winning "Pioneer Days" costume, circa 1986.
Eli, the sweetest dog ever, who I rescued from the pound 13 years ago.
My mom, aka "Nona" and the girls. The ocean is just over the hills behind them.
Nona's "Little House"
Amelie is eating lemons dipped in tartar sauce.
Here's hoping she still has enamel left on her teeth.
Papa came to pick up Nona and the girls couldn't resist piling on the couch.
Usually they like to steal his cane and run away.
What a fun day with both the grandmas! We love you!
It's across the highway from the ocean, close to Hearst Castle nestled far back on a large and rugged ranch.
We went down to Cambria to walk around the shops, and then on to Morro Bay to eat at the Haufbrau and visit the Sea Lions on the docs.
This was an almost weekly tradition when we lived here (Haufbrau) and it was so sad when we first moved to Nashville and Sera kept asking to go to the "Sea Lion Place". Yeah, there are none of those in Nashville. She was very happy to reunite with the water mammals.
The ranch
Mimi and the girls. Sera is wearing my award winning "Pioneer Days" costume, circa 1986.
Eli, the sweetest dog ever, who I rescued from the pound 13 years ago.
My mom, aka "Nona" and the girls. The ocean is just over the hills behind them.
Nona's "Little House"
Morro Bay:
Amelie is eating lemons dipped in tartar sauce.Here's hoping she still has enamel left on her teeth.
Papa came to pick up Nona and the girls couldn't resist piling on the couch.
Usually they like to steal his cane and run away.
What a fun day with both the grandmas! We love you!
Avila Fish & Farmer's Market
A couple of weeks ago we hit the Avila Farmer's Market to score some Fish Tacos.
They did not disappoint.
We spent the afternoon playing with Mimi at the park, perusing the local goods, running from the bees and enjoying the only (mostly) predictably sunny beach on the Central Coast.
(Angry and not wanting her picture taken)
(in a better mood after talking to Daddy)
(Sera talking to Daddy)
They did not disappoint.
We spent the afternoon playing with Mimi at the park, perusing the local goods, running from the bees and enjoying the only (mostly) predictably sunny beach on the Central Coast.
(Angry and not wanting her picture taken)
(in a better mood after talking to Daddy)
(Sera talking to Daddy)
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Pebbles the Pony (Cayucos w/The Oakes pt 2)
What lucky little girls to have their own pony!
Grandpa and Grandma got her for the grandkids and she lives on the ranch where Dorothy, the horse expert takes wonderful care of her.
The girls have had a few pony lessons now, and some of the pics below are of them learning how to treat a horse, what side to get on, the names for the equipment, etc.
These photos are of their 2nd and 3rd visits with Pebbles.
Josh was there the first time they met her, and took these photos.
Grandpa and Grandma got her for the grandkids and she lives on the ranch where Dorothy, the horse expert takes wonderful care of her.
The girls have had a few pony lessons now, and some of the pics below are of them learning how to treat a horse, what side to get on, the names for the equipment, etc.
These photos are of their 2nd and 3rd visits with Pebbles.
Josh was there the first time they met her, and took these photos.
(A shot of the big horses for perspective. That pony is tiny!)
These were taken during our 3rd visit out there. After a few lessons with Dorothy, the girls were ready to take Pebbles out beyond the area and out for a long walk behind the house:
"Indian headbands" made with Abalone shell we found:
(baby snail)Flying Kites:
Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Dorothy. You are so special to us, and we love visiting your little Oasis by the sea!
Cayucos with the Oakes, Part 1
Grandpa (Josh's Dad - Frank) and Grandma Dorothy live in Cayucos when they are not working (and living) in Port Hueneme.
Right across the highway from the ocean, their place is secluded, warm, and absolutely beautiful. Across the highway the other direction (at the coast) is the Abalone Farm, where Josh lived from the time he was 10 until he was about 16.
Our visits usually result in the girls not wanting to leave and me falling asleep in a lawn chair.
So peaceful.
I wrote the blog in 2 parts since I got SO many great pictures during our many visits out to the Oakes' place.
Josh took pics of the girls collecting boysenberries and you can see them HERE.
Right across the highway from the ocean, their place is secluded, warm, and absolutely beautiful. Across the highway the other direction (at the coast) is the Abalone Farm, where Josh lived from the time he was 10 until he was about 16.
Our visits usually result in the girls not wanting to leave and me falling asleep in a lawn chair.
So peaceful.
I wrote the blog in 2 parts since I got SO many great pictures during our many visits out to the Oakes' place.
Josh took pics of the girls collecting boysenberries and you can see them HERE.
The property, yard and surrounding areas:
(backyard)
(Beyond the backyard - My mom's place is north, over the hills on the left)
Time in the yard with Grandpa and Grandma Dorothy:
Playing in the "tunnels" in the yard:
Makin' pies with freshly picked boysenberries:
The girls and the Beagles:
Picking Veggies in the Garden:
*Stay tuned for Part 2 - Pebbles The Pony
Catching up - SLO visit w/Josh
I arrived from tour in Ca on July 11th. Josh flew in the same day and stayed with us a full week.
It was really hard to say goodbye knowing I wouldn't see him for a month after that, but the days he spent out here were relaxing yet full, including trips to Josh's dad's house, Josh's birthday with friends, and the family reunion in Cayucos.
For Josh's 32nd, we had our best friends in SLO county come over for some pizza and home made carrot cake. The Millers - Ryan, Sarah, Hattie and newborn Tilly, The Rooks - Bret, Andrea, Natalie and the soon-to-be-born Naomi, The Lundeens - Karl, Erin, Sören and the soon-to-be-born Anika, and The Ingalls - Cameron, Anna, and Asher--who is still busy growing, and too tiny to be born just yet:)
We had the shin dig at Carson's (Josh's mom's house) and my mom and her husband Steven and Marty and Roxanne (my bro and sis-in-law) were all able to stop by!
The Millers and Andrea
Sarah, Amelie, and Papa Steven
My first go at Carrot Cake - Josh's grandmother's recipe
Josh and the girls, Cam and Anna in the background.
Bret and Karl
She's getting SO old.
Sweet Natalie Rooks
The next day we went to lunch with Ryan and his daughter Hattie. I had my favorite from Mondeo's - Asian Spa Salad and fresh Ginger Ale.
Amelie grabbing Hattie
More grabbing
I don't care where you are from, or where you have been, I can gaurauntee we have a better Farmer's Market in SLO. It's simply the best. I miss it, and I made sure to get 3 of them in on our trip so far, and will probably be there this Thursday night.
Erin, Josh, Sera and Bret, outside of Firestone.
My "best friend of 23 years" Erin, sharing strawberries with Amelie.
It was really hard to say goodbye knowing I wouldn't see him for a month after that, but the days he spent out here were relaxing yet full, including trips to Josh's dad's house, Josh's birthday with friends, and the family reunion in Cayucos.
For Josh's 32nd, we had our best friends in SLO county come over for some pizza and home made carrot cake. The Millers - Ryan, Sarah, Hattie and newborn Tilly, The Rooks - Bret, Andrea, Natalie and the soon-to-be-born Naomi, The Lundeens - Karl, Erin, Sören and the soon-to-be-born Anika, and The Ingalls - Cameron, Anna, and Asher--who is still busy growing, and too tiny to be born just yet:)
We had the shin dig at Carson's (Josh's mom's house) and my mom and her husband Steven and Marty and Roxanne (my bro and sis-in-law) were all able to stop by!
The Millers and Andrea
Sarah, Amelie, and Papa Steven
My first go at Carrot Cake - Josh's grandmother's recipe
Josh and the girls, Cam and Anna in the background.
Bret and Karl
She's getting SO old.
Sweet Natalie RooksThe next day we went to lunch with Ryan and his daughter Hattie. I had my favorite from Mondeo's - Asian Spa Salad and fresh Ginger Ale.
Amelie grabbing Hattie
More grabbing
I don't care where you are from, or where you have been, I can gaurauntee we have a better Farmer's Market in SLO. It's simply the best. I miss it, and I made sure to get 3 of them in on our trip so far, and will probably be there this Thursday night.
Erin, Josh, Sera and Bret, outside of Firestone.
My "best friend of 23 years" Erin, sharing strawberries with Amelie.Thursday, August 06, 2009
Family Reunion in Cayucos
A few weeks ago we were able to get together with most of Josh's mom's side of the family for an entire weekend in Cayucos.
We hadn't all been together in a long time, and definitely not since all of us have had kids, so it was great to see all of the littles interacting with each other!
The group included:
Josh's mom Carson, Aunt Donna, Aunt Mary & Uncle Steve (who made the beautiful engagement ring I managed to lose after only 5 years of marriage), his cousin Aristea, her husband Turner and their little boy Hudson, his cousin Thad & his wife Nicole and their sweet baby girl Maren, his brother & sister-in-law, Nate and Christina, and our nephew Xander, and us. MIA was poor Hillary (Josh's cousin) who had just had a tonsilectomy.
We missed you Hill!
Now you can Sera can have something to talk about at future family reunions;)
I only took pics at the park...and a lot of our nephew Xander because he is seriously SUCH a cutie.
Josh linked to his photos from that day HERE.
Thad and Nicole posted a cute video of Amelie and Maren HERE.
We hadn't all been together in a long time, and definitely not since all of us have had kids, so it was great to see all of the littles interacting with each other!
The group included:
Josh's mom Carson, Aunt Donna, Aunt Mary & Uncle Steve (who made the beautiful engagement ring I managed to lose after only 5 years of marriage), his cousin Aristea, her husband Turner and their little boy Hudson, his cousin Thad & his wife Nicole and their sweet baby girl Maren, his brother & sister-in-law, Nate and Christina, and our nephew Xander, and us. MIA was poor Hillary (Josh's cousin) who had just had a tonsilectomy.
We missed you Hill!
Now you can Sera can have something to talk about at future family reunions;)
I only took pics at the park...and a lot of our nephew Xander because he is seriously SUCH a cutie.
Josh linked to his photos from that day HERE.
Thad and Nicole posted a cute video of Amelie and Maren HERE.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Mini Update
Me and the girlies in Morro BaySorry for the lack of updates/pics.
We have been having a wonderful time gallivanting all over the central coast.
We left Nashville on July 7th, got to CA on the 11th and we have been here ever since, and we don't go home until August 20th.
It's so nice.
I have been taking TONS of pictures, so they will be posted soon.
Many of them are of the girls just having fun at the beaches and parks with Nona and Mimi, riding their pony "pebbles" at Grandpa and Grandma Oakes' and eating.
Yes. We have lots of pictures of food.
(fish tacos from the Avila Beach Fish & Farmer's Market)We have been away from Josh for 2 full weeks and we have about 2 1/2 left to go.
In the meantime, we keep up by video chatting. It's nice, but not as good as the real thing;)
Video Chat
Avila Beach Park - Sera on the phone with Daddy
Avila Beach Park - Amelie on the phone with Daddy
Cayucos
The reservoir on Old Creek Road halfway between Cayucos and Templeton.I'll post proper entries soon.....
Friday, July 31, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Port Hueneme with the Oakes
Soooo...the bulk of the tour shows ended on Sunday, July 19th and I had a week's break before the next show.
Josh flew out for that week and we had a whirlwind vacay together, visiting various family along the Ca coast.
Josh's dad and his dad's wife Dorothy live part time in Port Hueneme where they work during the week (near Ventura-southern California) and part time in Cayucos, on the Central Coast where we were from, and where most of our other family lives.
The girls had never been to their Port Hueneme house, so we stopped there overnight on our way up to SLO from L.A.
It was SO beautiful, and their house is walking distance to parks and the beach, so of course the girls had a blast.
Monday afternoon we walked to the park with the dogs, fed the ducks and geese, walked to the beach and then got soaking wet!
The girls couldn't resist being on the beach for the first time in a year without jumping right in, despite the fact that they didn't have their bathing suits on.
There are so many pictures, I'm just going to post them all and keep the words to a minimum:
Josh flew out for that week and we had a whirlwind vacay together, visiting various family along the Ca coast.
Josh's dad and his dad's wife Dorothy live part time in Port Hueneme where they work during the week (near Ventura-southern California) and part time in Cayucos, on the Central Coast where we were from, and where most of our other family lives.
The girls had never been to their Port Hueneme house, so we stopped there overnight on our way up to SLO from L.A.
It was SO beautiful, and their house is walking distance to parks and the beach, so of course the girls had a blast.
Monday afternoon we walked to the park with the dogs, fed the ducks and geese, walked to the beach and then got soaking wet!
The girls couldn't resist being on the beach for the first time in a year without jumping right in, despite the fact that they didn't have their bathing suits on.
There are so many pictures, I'm just going to post them all and keep the words to a minimum:
Makin' pancakes Tuesday morning:
At the beach in proper attire:
Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Oakes, we loved our time in Hueneme!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
More Tour Posts!
Go to the music blog and read about:
Tour Day Four - Phoenix, AZ
Tour Day Five - Bellflower, CA
Tour Day Six - Hollywood, CA
Tour Day Four - Phoenix, AZ
Tour Day Five - Bellflower, CA
Tour Day Six - Hollywood, CA
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
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