Nursery Saga

Winston was whining in sacrament for "bubble" (his word for gum) and threw a fit when I told him no gum, so Matt took him out. When Matt came back 20-30 minutes later, Winston was sleeping on his shoulder. That never happens! He looked so cute, I wished I could snuggle him. I was a little worried how nursery would go though, he sometimes wakes up very grumpy from a nap.

At first he didn't want to go, and the window trick wasn't cutting it. Finally with both Matt and I in there, he started playing and we snuck out. He looked a couple times at the window, then I sat outside the door all through Sunday School, and he never came to the door or cried.

I decided to take the chance and leave. I was actually able to go to Relief Society, which was a combined meeting being the 5th Sunday, so I even got to sit with Matt.

His teachers said he did great! He was fine the whole time. Yay Winston! And yay me, I finally get to go to class!

Late Night Dinner

On a lighter note...

The other night Matt was studying late to get ready for his test the next day, so I decided to forget about making the shepherd's pie I was planning and let the boys choose something. Malcolm picked ramen, so ramen it was for them. I ended up not eating before Matt got home at 11pm. After a little snuggle and talk about our day, Matt went off to bed to study some more and I really wanted to eat. So nachos at 11:30, why not! Nothing extravagent, just cheese melted on tortilla chips, some sour cream and salsa, sounded delicious!

Just needs a little salsa!

Crap! Good thing I had another jar in the pantry.Guess what, I ate my warm nachos before cleaning up the mess. Haha!

Uncle Wallace

My last post was very vague, but if someone in my family so happened to look at my blog and not get the news yet, I didn't want them to find out that way. Yesterday was a very hard day. Today I feel better, still in shock, but comforted.

My mom called me yesterday and told me that my Uncle Wallace had passed away. I was in complete shock, and total heartache. She didn't know much, so I had to call my aunt and brother to get all the details. He died in a tragic accident at work early yesterday. They aren't sure if it happened because of health or from falling, as he was by himself at the time, and have to to an autoposy to determine the real cause.

I'm devastated for my Grandma, my Aunt Jeanie, my cousins and 4 of my younger brothers that they took in 8 years ago after my dad died. I'm so sad that Aunt Jeanie has to lose her love. I'm sad that grandma has to lose another son so tragically. I'm so very sad that my cousins have to go through the pain I have of losing their father. I'm devastated that my 4 youngest brothers have to lose their uncle and "second" dad.

I stole this picture from my cousin Maria's facebook.

My Uncle Wallace was and is still a wonderful man. He's the uncle I always grew up with, and that worked on the farm with dad and grandpa and lived just a few miles from dad's. I saw him all the time when I lived with dad, and stayed at their house a lot as well. I have great memories with all their family.

Since dad died, he has always been so loving and supportive of all us kids. He took in my brother Carter, Spencer, Trever and Tanner and provided and cared for them along with Aunt Jeanie. I am so grateful for all our family that helped care for my siblings. Uncle Wallace always made a special effort to know that he was their for us kids, he couldn't take dad's place, but he was always willing to do whatever we needed of him. He gathered all us kids together several times so that we could be together as siblings.Those are such great times for us.

I can't picture the Bushman family without Uncle Wallace there. I miss him so much already and love him so deeply. He was a wonderful uncle that I loved. I always loved his warm loving hugs and words of comfort and advise since dad has died. He was a humble, humble man with a strong testimony of the Gospel, that would never waiver.

My heart goes out to Grandma, Auntie Jeanie, my cousins and my brothers as this will be hardest on them. I know families are forever through the Gospel and that we can be together again. I know that through the Spirit we can all be comforted and feel our Saviors love for us.

My mom made a comment on my blog yesterday that really made me cry with the thought of joy. How great the reunion must have been for Uncle Wallace, Dad, Grandpa Bushman, and Uncle Milo. I'm sure my brother Nathan and my sister Jacquelyn were there along with our cousin Talise. What gratitude dad must have to Uncle Wallace for taking care of his boys when he couldn't be there. I'm sure my dad thanked him several times for that, and I'm sure tears of joy were shared. What joy that brings me of that reunion, and the comfort of know they all had a purpose for leaving us all too soon!

Uncle Wallace leaving us has brought back a lot of the emotions from losing dad. It made the emotions so raw again. Though I cry for dad a lot still, especially on hard days, it just made the lose of losing his brother hurt so much more. My uncles give me glimpses of my dad, and Uncle Wallace did that a lot, since I also have a lot of memories of them together.

I'm sad that I live so far away right now and won't be able to make it back to be with my family. Although it's a sad occastion, it's always a great joy to be surrounded by family. We know mourn, but we also know how to laugh, smile and enjoy the time as a family. 

I love this picture, so Aunt Jeanie! Another I stole from Maria.

A few memories I have of Uncle Wallace. When I was a little girl, he used to sit on me and tickle me until I wanted to cry. His smile, not something I will forget, the way he smiled whenever he would see me and be ready for his hug. I have a memory of Grandpa Bushman, Dad and Uncle Wallace all leaning on their shovels on the farm, talking away. I remember when Grandpa and Uncle Wallace would take of their hats, their comb-overs would flap in the wind. Oh how that memory makes me smile!

Something that I always loved about Uncle Wallace was how warm, loving, kind and welcoming he was to my mom. He always invited her to family functions when he saw her and always says she was still family and she is, because she's my mom. I'm thankful that he was that way, and that I could have all my family together at times, instead of having "two" families. Everyone in this world should follow his example and it would make divorce so much easier. I'm thankful to Uncle Wallace for loving all my family. 

I love you Uncle Wallce so much. My heart breaks knowing you are no longer here and I will never get to see you in this life again. I will miss you. Please give my daddy a hug for me!

Families are Forever!

My heart is breaking and aching today! I can't stop crying and I can't concentrate and get anything done. I just keep pacing. I wish I was home to be with my family! Trails are hard, and my family has been given a lot of hard ones. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me, loves my family, and gives us these trials to grow and become stronger faithful people. I know I'm the person I am today because of all the trials in my life, and although they've been hard, I'm thankful for them. I thank my Heavenly Father daily in prayer for all my trials that have made stronger.

How thankful I am for the loving, humble family I come from and get the opportunity to be a part of. I'm thankful that they all come together and support in these hard times.

My heart and prayers are with all my family today! I know our family is eternal and I'm so thankful for the knowledge of eternal families. This knowledge is what gets us through these difficult times. I'm sad that others in my family have to go through the pain that my siblings and I have gone through with losing our dad!

I have a strong testimony of the Gospel. I know it is true with all my heart, and know without a doubt families are forever. I've had that reassurance several times in my life. I'm grateful to have the truth in my life!

Weaning Winston from Me to Nursery

 My kids do not transition to nursery very well. I don't know why, it's not like I'm constantly holding my kids, or having them sleep with me, or anything that makes them overly attached to me that they never want to leave my side.They just don't like it. I finally got Quinn to go to nursery and not cry like a whole month before having Winston. Our ward in Pullman had one of those doors you can open just the top, so they kept their nursery doors always open like that. I got him used to it by staying outside the door but where he could still see me, then I had him help me get a chair, and told him I would be sitting in the chair outside the door. If he cried I would just pop up and show him it was okay, I was still there. I tried to build the sense of security and that I would come back. It worked and I had that little month break enjoying my classes without a child to tend to.

Winston has been ten times worse. He does not give up when he's crying and upset, so there is no leaving him there to let him cry it out, like everyone wants you to do. I served in our nursery in Moses Lake, and he would cry every week when it was time to go, and I was in there with him. Then he would cling to me and not want to leave my side half the time. It was a HUGE nursery, and I think he didn't like that many kids around.

Since we've moved, he's better at playing in nursery and he doesn't cling to me, but I still haven't been able to leave. I have not yet gone to Relief Society in our new ward, which is so very sad. I don't barely know anyone still! I'm sooo tired of sitting in nursery and not going to church so that I get to be uplifted, besides by all the cute kids, which I do enjoy them, I'm just need some grown up time. The nursery has a very little window on the door. I decided that I would try the same concept I did with Quinn. While Winston was distracted I snuck out. Just a few minutes later, well probably seconds, he was crying for me. I opened the door and showed him where I was. He didn't like it, so I showed him where I was looking. I shut the door and showed him that I was going to stand right there at the window and watch him, let him look through the window and pretended I was waving at him and saying "Hi Winston". He eventually decided he'd go back in.

(Taken with my lovely high quality camera phone)

I stood with my face at the window for like the first 45 minutes. He was totally checking up on me and would look to see that I was there. He came crying once to it, and I showed him that I was just outside and had him look through the window again, than he went back in. I eventually stepped away, and stood by the door. At one point he started crying and his teacher brought him up to the door, knocked and I waved at him, then he was good. After standing for nearly an hour, I got myself a chair and sat down. He still had to check up a time or two to make sure I was keeping my promise of being there.

I was at least able to read a lesson out of the Gospel Principles book on my itouch. I'm sure everybody that walked by thought I was playing games or texting on my cell phone, but it was great to have some peace and quiet to be able to read it. At least I could take away something from church. I had several people try telling me to just leave and go to class and he would be fine and was doing fine, but I know Winston. If he figured it out, I'd have to start all over. I wasn't going to break his trust and security the first time. I think I'll do it one more week like that, and then go to class. I'm glad I finally figured out what I need to do to get him comfortable with it. He did such a great job and such an improvement in just this week. I know in no time I will be able to enjoy sitting with Matt in Sunday School and meeting new friends in Relief Society. 

It Came Out

Malcolm's other tooth has gotten more and more loose throughout the week. Sunday night wanted Matt to just wiggle it over and over to help get it out. He's not like me as a child and enjoyed inflicting my own pain. I loved pulling my own teeth.

By the end of the night, it was just stuck to the middle part of the gums. He wanted it out, but he didn't want to just yank it out. I tried it once, but it was just really attached, so Matt wiggled and loosened it some more. Matt then made Malcolm let me pull it. It came right out, but he cried after Matt tired putting a paper towel on it to get the blood. He said it really hurt so Matt gave him a small bowl of ice cream, even though it was bedtime. The other kids weren't happy about that!

This is the new look of our little 7 year old, first grader! I had him say "all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth", I just had to hear him lisp! It was so cute. I will miss those cute little teeth and that cute little boy look!

Shearing Day

It was time to get the shears out and cut the mops on my kids. My sister-in-law Mel is a hairdresser and taught me how to cut the boys' hair long ago when we lived in Pullman. I feel like I know how to do it, and I do a fine job, but I DREAD cutting their hair. I love when they are clean cut, but I hate the time it takes and the mess it makes. We love Winston with longer hair, but I'm just not good at trimming it, so he was in need. The other two looked like the had 70's sideburns, so they needed theirs done as well. Saturday morning after Matt left to study, I put the portable DVD player in the bathroom, chair and booster, and got to work.

Winston was first up. I made sure I got before and after pictures. I could post like 20 pictures just of him. He was being such a ham and totally posing for me.

He was really happy and willing to be all cute, until he knew I was going to cut his hair. Then he had a fit. A little candy, apple juice and the movie did the trick and he was a pretty good sport. Way better then my other boys at this age.

He looks so different! Sniff. When his hair is short, he actually seems more like a baby to me, since he always had a fohawk when he was little. He was mad at me for some reason and had a little fit and didn't seem to like his hair. He's sporting some M&M drool here.

Ah, pretty darn adorable I say! He seems like a whole different child like this, but I'll take him! Funny how after I got there hair off his forehead, I notice a few bruises. One above his left eye, and one on his right eyebrow. Wouldn't be Winston without some bruises. Crazy kid I can't get enough of!

Quinn cracks me up with his big eye look here. He has a little wave to his hair, so when it gets longer, it get big, just like his mamas.

Matt wanted to keep it long, so I was going to just trim around the ears, but he wanted it like Winston's. He looks really cute with longer hair, but I let him choose. Of course he messed up his hair before I even got this pic, like a whole minute after I styled it.

Leave the crazy one for last. I had to pick the pictures that he was giving me the crazy faces in. He's such a goofball for pictures. I wanted his hair cut most of all, so that he can start school looking like we take care of him. I only trimmed around his ears and neck though. I'll show you why.

The day after we moved here, Malcolm tried to do a flip into the pool, but he didn't push out far enough and came down on his head. When he came in crying, he had a hooded towel on, and the bump was so big, that I could totally see it under the towel. I bet he had a headache! Well a few weeks later, I noticed that the bump was still slightly there, and he had a total bald spot there. I felt so bad, it's like the size of a quarter. He is embarrassed and doesn't want anybody to see his bald spot, probably because we keep checking it. We are hoping the hair grows back. He has some coming in around the edges and a few in the middle, so hopefully it's a start. Matt told him that if it doesn't all come back, he can get hair plugs someday! Ha!

It at least looks a lot better with it trimmed around the ears and neck. Gives it a fresh look. I'm not brave enough to trim the top yet, I don't like using the scissors, but I'm going to have to get brave, because I don't think we'll be cutting his hair short for a while. Mel might need to come down and give me lessons with scissors, because I need my bangs trimmed too! Are you up for it Mel?

Yay For Me!

This month alone, I've posted almost more than I have this whole year! Yay me! Counting this little post, I've posted 8 times these last few weeks, and 9 times before that. So sad!

I've missed blogging! I love writing blogs and coming up with pictures to share. I usually love sharing lots of pictures, and sometimes write way too much, but I just have to remind myself, it's my only journal and I don't want to forget anything.

I've really missed reading blogs as well. I'm excited to start reading them again, now that I don't need to be reading textbooks and packing and unpacking. Life has been crazy this last year for me. I love being back to my full-time mom days, instead of the full-time mom and full-time student!

For the time being, I'm on a facebook vacation. I've wanted to be on one for a long, long time. I was finally ready for it. I was so tired of so many things about it, especially how I like to go there just to waste time when I'm bored, or putting off my housework. I would rather spend that time blogging. Yay for me!

So there's lots to catch up on, I plan on back posting as well. I know it might be pointless, but not for my journal and family memories!

One More Gone

On Tuesday Malcolm lost his top tooth. It's only his 3rd he's lost and the first top one. His other tooth is really loose as well, and I'm sure it'll be gone in a few days as well..

It was very loose and ready to come out. I tried pulling it myself, but I just can't ever get a good grip on them. So Matt had to do it. Mack get ready to endure the pain. Can you see he's a little nervous, but he wanted it out.You can see how it is going crooked and pulling away from the side teeth, it was so ready

It was really connected to his gums, so Matt just gentely wiggled it back and forth for a while. He's so nice about it, I just try ripping it out! Ha! That's how I always liked doing it as a child. I would pull as hard and push on it as hard as I could. I always liked the pain! Ha!

His new look, at least for a few more days until the other one comes out. I guess he's starting first grade with no front teeth, and he'll be singing "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" during Christmastime. It makes me sad to see these teeth go. Then they start looking too grown up...AND start in on the awkward stage with their new teeth! Sniff! Why won't my babies stay little!

Weekend Fun

This last weekend the boys and I had the opportunity to drive north to visit my little brother Tyler who lives with my Uncle Max and Aunt Reaka. It was a 7 hour drive and the boys and I made it safe, sound and sane. Thank goodness for food and entertainment. Matt had the joy of staying at home and studying for a test. We missed him so much, but his focus has to be on school.

Tyler was being ordained an Elder, so I was able to be there for the ordination. He also finished his Duty to God award, so I was able to see him work on his last project and get his award. I'm so glad that I can live close enough to be able to support him. He is all grown up and moving away this weekend to attend BYU before going on his mission. I really can't believe he's already old enough to do all these things. I still remember him as my little buddy that I would read to at night and he would sleep in bed with me sometimes. I remember when we moved away from dad's to live with my mom and how much he missed me. He would send me pictures and notes, that someone had written for him, to me. He was a cute little guy!

He's grown up to be a wonderful young man. Uncle Max and Aunt Reaka have been wonderful parents to him. You can see what a good example he is for others around him and that he has a strong testimony. He's so good with my boys and is fun to be around. I sure love him!

I'm so mad at myself, I always do this, I wanted to get a picture of the boys and I with Tyler, but it never happened!

This is the only picture I got of Tyler, I know it's an amazing picture of him, right! He's working on his last Duty to God project. Nothing like doing it the last minute! :) A coat and purse hook for the nursery. I thought he did an awesome job.

While Tyler worked on his project in the garage, we played outside in the road! :) The boys had a great time playing with the marshmallow bow and mallow. It's cool, it shoots miniature marshmallow. Something any little boy would love!

The only picture I got of Malcolm, so I had to add it. Seems mean to leave one of the boys out.

Winston out in the cul-de-sac picking up the marshmallows, and showing me his big belly. He likes to call it his baby, thanks to his Auntie Stephanie!

This is my little cousin Channing. She's showing me her skateboarding skills. She was in a community play of the "King and I" and was one of the kings daughters. She has her hair in a bun and painted black, with her blue eyes! She is adorable and was so good with the boys. I could have brought her home with me.

Quinn trying to jump rope. Doesn't look too successful the way the rope is wrapped around his arm! :)

Just love Winston's little converses. He's obsessed with shoes and always has to pick out his own. I wish he would pick these everyday.

Aunt Reaka's dad came up Saturday as well. He was such a cute old man. They call him Opa, grandpa in dutch, since he's dutch. He moved over from Holland when he was 19 after his parents joined the church and wanted to go to the temple. He wasn't a member at the time they moved over, but later joined after the war. He was sweet and took us all out to dinner, including my family. Thank you Opa!

Channing and Uncle Max were in the community play "King and I", so Saturday night, we were lucky enough to see them in it. They did a great job and it was a great play. I sure wish you could take pictures during it. Uncle Max was one of the priests and had his head all shaved bald. He looks really good that way! I think he should keep it. The play started at 8pm and went until 10:45pm. I was nervous taking the boys that late, but I risked it. They did really well during it. Opa bought them all candy for during intermission. He was so sweet to them. Winston fell asleep toward the end, and so did Quinn. I look over at Quinn and his head is down on the hand rest with Aunt Reaka's hand under protecting it. It was so cute.

It was awesome to go spend some time with family. They made me feel so welcomed and so loved. They loved my crazy, rambunctious boys, and didn't seem to mind their wild ways. Thanks Uncle Max and Aunt Reaka for the fun weekend. I love you so much! Thanks to Channing for giving up her room to us!

The Nobodies

The great thing about living somewhere you don't really know anyone, is I'm not as embarrassed to go out in public all frumpy. We go swimming nearly everyday, and I learned really quick, that my hair gets ruined no matter what. So it's been in a ponytail, bangs pulled back a lot of afternoons.

So yesterday I needed to go grocery shopping (my thirst needed quenching) so after the boys were in bed and Matt was home I went. My hair was pulled back from swimming, no make up, my pink free glasses on, a cute sweatshirt and leggings. I actually went out in leggings and no makeup, but I did put on some lip gloss to give my lips a nice shine.

It's easy doing this when I feel it's unlikely I'll be seeing anyone I recognize, and if I do happen to recognize them from church, they'll probably have no idea who I am!

I had to go out in the same manner again this evening (after being in the middle of making dinner and not having the key ingredient, ugh!), but with three kids in tow and all in jammies. I bet people thought we were looking good, a little white trash as my two oldest just happened to be wearing the jammies that are getting too small! Lucky for me, they don't know who I am. We're the Nobodies!

On another note, why don't they make all cans so the bottom fits in the top of the other can below it. My cans of corn are stackable, but french style green beans aren't. Hello people! Consistency! Preferably the stackable consistency!

Thirsty

So I love cold water. I love having a fridge that has the water and ice dispensers, but unfortunately apartment living isn't that high class! You know how you move somewhere new, and the water always tastes weird!?! Well the water here tastes really weird, to the point that I pretty much refuse to drink it. So I buy bottled water and keep them in the fridge. There is nothing more refreshing then pulling one out and drinking it. Plus it's convenient when you are on the go and want to take one with you, and the kids love having one of their own, that I write their name on.

Monday I ran out of my beloved water. I never made it to the store. So Tuesday, I suffered gross water during my work out, because I have to have something to drink during it. The rest of the day, I refused to drink the water. I didn't have anything else to really drink, so by the end of the day, I was dying of thrist! So at about 7:00pm, I pulled out the only cold drink in the house, a mountain dew, and downed it.

This little mountain dew didn't do the trick, I was still thirsty, but it sure put me on overdrive and woke me right up. Matt went to bed about 11:00pm, I played on the internet for an hour, stalking some blogs, looking at clothes I can't afford. Then I started a load of laundry, folded laundry, unpacked the suitcase from the weekend trip, scrubbed my kitchen, shined the sink, swept the floor and lastly mopped it. Matt got up about 1:00am, wondering if I left him (which I was tempted to go to the store for water), and then he woke up at 3:30am wondering what the heck I was still doing up. Well I'm scrubbing the floor of course. What else do you do at that hour. Needless to say, that mountain dew that did not quench my thirst, kept me company until 4:00am when I finally got in bed.

I finally went shopping tonight!

Tantrum

This is what I'm about to have! My computer is driving me insane. It will randomly restart on me, freeze up when I open a picture to Photoshop, and is just plain annoying. I want to take it outside, throw it as far as I can (which wouldn't be far), maybe down a hill for more effect, and then jump on it until it's in tiny little pieces (which would hurt me more then it, I'm sure). I'm convinced this would solve all my problems and make me feel so much better. At least until I realize I no longer have a computer and no money to replace it. I guess I'm stuck with it until my dying days.

White Coat Ceremony

Since it's been a while since I blogged, I've never really had a chance to talk about the school Matt's going to. Matt is attending school at Western University. He's in a dual degree program where he'll get his Masters and his Doctorates. So this year he is working on his Masters of Science in Medical Sciences. It's the first year they've offered this program, and Matt was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to get in last minute, thanks to all the help of so many people on campus. After this year he will then be in the medical school program. They are opening a new campus in Oregon next year, and we are possible going to be moving up there to do med school there. That way Matt can do his rotations, and potentially his residency in the Northwest. So if you want to visit us in SoCal, you might only have a year to do it!

Matt's white coat ceremony was today. The kids were so excited to go and see him get it, for some reason. I was afraid we weren't going to be able to go, since Malcolm was sick the day before, and I'm just waiting for Quinn to get it as well. Matt left before us and went to the convocation ceremony without us. It was at 8:30am and I really didn't want to push my luck with three kids, especially not knowing if they were going to be sick or not. Luckily they all woke up feeling good, after all sleeping in, which I thought was a bad sign. We quickly got ready and were there in the nick of time for the white coat ceremony.

It was so wonderful to hear all the wonderful things the staff had to say of this class. They've already been working hard through the summer, when most programs didn't start until this week. Matt has been doing incredibly well in his classes. He never ceases to amaze me with his knowledge and ability to learn. It comes so natural to him.

I pretty much ruined the pictures of the ceremony. That's what you get when you get there right before it starts and you don't get to really test out the lighting before hand.

I'm so proud of him. He looks so cool in his white coat. It looked even better since I made sure it was all nice and pressed for him! I love ironing!

This is all the students in his class. He's basically the only one looking at me, but they are all paying attention to the pro photog.

I just love this picture, he looks incredibly handsome and so professional.

Matt and the boys. Winston was so loud during the ceremony when Matt was going on stage. He kept calling Matt and wanting him to look at him. I swear everyone could hear us. What can you do with a two year old.

Some nice lady offered to take a picture for us. I'm glad, because I hate asking people to do it, even though I want them. I'm such a proud little wife of my handsome husband. He's worked so hard to get to this point. I'm grateful for his perseverance to meet his goals. I'm thankful that everything led us here to Cali. It has been such an easy transition for me, and I love it here. I really don't know if I'll want to leave!

Beach Boys

Matt's summer classes ended last Thursday, so we had him all to ourselves for 6 whole days! It was so nice having him around again. On Friday, we decided to hit the beach. We hadn't been since moving to California. We heard that Corona Del Mar was a nice beach, so we went there. It's about a 45 minute drive from our place, not too bad, but not something we could go do everyday.

It was quite overcast, go figure the weather would be overcast that one day we decide to go. It seemed quite chilly at times, in fact at one point, I wrapped myself in a couple towels. The sun did make an appearance, and I just layed out on my towel and enjoyed the warmth. The water was way too chilly for me that day!

The boys had a blast though. They didn't swim the whole time, they did a lot of digging and rolling in the sand. Luckily we didn't bring the whole beach home.

I forgot a swim diaper for Winston, but I figured oh well. It's sand! Ha! I was going to have him go potty while we were changing, but he was being impatient while I changed. So shortly after changing into his swimsuit, he comes up to me crying and had it running down his legs. Ha! So I walked him into the water and made him get wet. It was so cold, and he was so sad I made him get wet. Matt captured the perfect picture of us walking back from the wash off. (Matt took the next four pics or so.)

He did not like the cold wet swimsuit and just wanted to take it off. I did convince him to keep it on, since we weren't at a nude beach.

Malcolm cringing from the cold water.

Run for your life, the wave is coming. Love Malcolm's expression in the picture, it's totally him!

 

Don't you worry Malcolm, Quinn the green winged lifegaurd will save you. (Lifegauding runs in our family, just ask my Auntie Cara!)

I was just able to kick back and relax and enjoy the sand between my toes. It was great, although I had really wished I would have thought to bring my book!

 Mack attack starting a sand castle.

Quinn doing his own thing. 

There's nothing like some powdered sugar donuts for the day at the beach! Winston sure liked them. I don't know if you could tell. 

Matt helping the boys build a said castle. It was so cute seeing them all play together. 

Even better watching it while sun bathing, or cloud bathing at this point.  

Someday this is where I will live, actually I'll just have my second or third home there! Haha!

One of my favorite things about Cali are the palm trees. They fascinate me and all the different kinds you see. I think I need to do some research on them. 

The finished product of the sandcastle. Winston lives inside it. He thought it was pretty cool stuff. 

This is how you keep a two year old contained at the beach. 

What a great day we had! I wanted to go back and spend another day there before Matt went back to school. Unfortunately, I got very sick before we had a chance to go back.