Our 10 Year Anniversary and Trip to Cape Cod (8/22-2/26)

On Wednesday August 8th Keith and I took the day off work to spend together. Rubix was at Angela's and Camryn came to watch Axel and Phoenix while Keith and I went for a bike ride and coffee. We stopped at a very fancy Coffee shop and I enjoyed quite the latte and cinnamon raisin roll. 

 We had Camryn take a picture of us after our ride before we dropped her and the kids off at the library. Keith and I then enjoyed a nice long bath and good conversation together for the next hour before we had to pick them up at the library. We enjoyed dinner out on Tuesday night at Cascal, the restaurant, where we had our first date at. Although the tapas were not as amazing as we remembered them being 12 years prior it was still a lovely evening out. I was able to enjoy a slice of Tirmasu at a little coffee shop afterwards while Keith enjoyed a decaf latte.

 I picked up Grandma Susan at the train station on Wednesday night. I headed to St. Louis, MO for my first weekend of my fellowship. It was a great weekend. We were "in class" 10 hours a day except on Sunday where we got out after 8 hours so the 5 of us could catch our flights. Here is a picture from the PT lab room where we were much of the time. You can see from the window that St. Louis is a cute city. I wasn't at all sad about not seeing it as I had a blast learning and refining my movement assessment skills.

 The following weekend Keith took off for Boston for work. The kids and I were solo from Sunday morning until Wednesday night when we arrived at the Boston airport. Each night the kids and I enjoyed some park time as the weather was beautiful and we were all itching to get outside and enjoy it. Here is a picture of Axel being silly!

 And another one of all of them swinging.

 Phoenix is such a good little mother and helped out with Rubix one morning while I was making breakfast.

 We had an early morning on Tuesday with both kids in my room before 6 am. We had another rough night on Tuesday night with Rubix screaming and Phoenix getting up scared. With all of the sleep deprivation on was worried how the kids would respond to the 12 hours of travel that we were about to embark on Wednesday morning.

 The Lord was awesome as always and despite being in the car by 6 am we safely and quickly made it to parking and then to the airport and then on our 5 hour flight. Rubix actually slept for an hour and a half!

 Phoenix and Axel entertained themselves until the very end where they were able to watch Wild Kratts by looking through the seats at the boy's computer in the row in front of us. Everyone did great until about 30 minutes from Cape Cod. The 2 hour drive from the airport to the Cape was almost too much. We somehow made it and got everyone to bed just before 11 pm which was equivalent to 8 pm our time.

 The next day we headed to Brewster where Josie and Hannah were staying. They were a short walk from the beach. Grampy Kevin and Little Grammy arrived after lunch.

 The kids had an amazing time spending the day together and playing in the long beach that comes with low tide.

 It was spectacular. I have never seen a beach like it!

 We went back to the same beach on Friday and enjoyed a few hours of play time before headed back to where we were staying in South Dennis, MA. Grammy got to play with football with Rubix in the water during high tide in the morning.

 Rubix actually played in the sand for a little bit. This was his only time during the entire trip. He really is not one for sand, unlike the other two who can play in the sand for hours.

 On Friday evening we went to a park and played, played, played. The kids really needed to run around, climb and have fun and that is exactly what we did until the mosquitos came out in full force around 6 pm. We then headed to the store to pick up food for dinner.

 On Saturday we headed to the Atlantic side of Cape Cod down south. The beach and water is much more like what we are used to in San Diego. Rubix ended up loving the water after Daddy coaxed him in the days prior. He went in several times while we were at the beach and loved every minute of it.

 Little Grammy and Grampy Kevin met us at the beach again as well.

 Daddy was able to convince both Axel and Phoenix to get in the water. Here is a picture of them both waving at me.

 Phoenix actually put her head under water, but apparently didn't enjoy the salt water feel.

 Afterwards we went to lunch. Phoenix and Grampy ordered hot dogs and this is what was served. As much as Phoenix likes pink she would not try them for the life of her. It took a lot of courage for me as well, but I did try them. They tasted okay, but not great by any means.

 After lunch we all headed to this massive mini golf course.

 Rubix slept in the car while the others played. They were just finishing up when he woke so he did a quick round himself with Axel and I in tow.

 On Sunday we headed to Plimoth Plantation and Plymouth, MA to see the famous rock.

 We all thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Indian reservation area and then the small pilgrim village.

 From the lookout where the cannons were stored was an amazing view of the small village and ocean. It was breath taking!

 At the end of the village was a cute little play house that the kids got to play in.

 We were all surprised to see how small Plymouth Rock was, but apparently since its preservation in the 1940's it has no longer shrunk in size although it is twice a small as its original size.

The walk over was absolutely beautiful as you can see below. 

They have a great park area and stage that the kids were able to play on and jump off of. 

We even managed a family photo before we headed to the airport for our long journey home.

 Like always the way home was significantly harder with all of the kids sleep deprived. Here is the a picture of the calm before the storm. We didn't get home until midnight which was equivalent to 3 am in MA. We were all exhausted, but the trip was well worth it. I think everyone enjoyed our short vacation and Keith had a very productive 3 days of work before we arrived.

End of Year Swim Party, Good bye to Aunt Susan and Little Grammy comes to visit

On Sunday July 22nd Axel had a play date with Kristin at the pool. They played for almost 3 hours until Kristin had to leave because the pool was closing early for the end of year swim team party. They had so much fun! They didn't want to say good bye!

 The pool party started at 6 pm with an hour of pool play before the awards ceremony started. Here is Phoenix getting her swimming award.

 Such a big girl!

 I wasn't able to see Axel while he was receiving his swim award, but here is a picture of the 9/10 boys.

 This was the first year I was able to stay the entire swim party. Keith generously offered to take Rubix home, so I could stay and enjoy the video. Here is a picture of Keith with Rubix as they were leaving.  Rubix was quite the trooper. He wanted to leave much earlier, but managed to stay until just before 8 pm. The video lasted until just before 9 pm, so it was a late night for all of the kids.

 This Friday, the 27th Elisa, Max, Sophia and Christian came over for a visit. They were in town from Singapore visiting their new baby cousin who was just 10 days old. It was so nice to catch up with Elisa and Max and Axel had a great time playing together.

 On Saturday, I drove to Uncle Dave's house to celebrate the life of his wife, Susan, who passed 3 weeks earlier. It was emotional seeing pictures of her when she was much younger and healthy. She fought a good fight for many, many years. I am glad that she is no longer suffering. Here is a picture of Uncle Dave, my mom, GG and Aunt Cindy. I don't think I have any pictures of the Goldstein's all together, ever! Too bad I didn't have enough light!

 On Friday night, very late, Little Grammy arrived from MA. Keith took the kids to the Harker play date in the park on Saturday and Sunday we spent time at the pool. Monday we went up to Castle Rock with Axel, Grammy and Axel's friend, Alex.

 We had so much fun hiking and playing on the rocks.

 I felt like a kid again. I didn't realize how taxing climbing rocks can be until the next day!

 This was the most beautiful tree I have ever seen. I can't believe how pink it is! I had to take a picture to show my little princess Phoenix!

 These rocks are awesome!!!!

 On Tuesday we went to Santa Cruz to go whale watching on the Monterey Bay. We had 3.5 hours on the ocean and over an hour watching the hump back whales. Keith loves the "before" and "after" photos. The one on the left is before Phoenix and I got sea sick. The one on the right is after being sick for over a couple of hours.

 

Axel, Daddy and Grammy got to see quite a few different water species. Phoenix and I were able to see the sea otter and hump back whales. We were limited by our sea sickness and were not able to move around the boat. 

 It was pretty cool to see the whales, but I was done after seeing them once.

 I was shocked to learn that we were going to hang out watching them for an hour!

 Axel had a great time at the very front of the boat!

 I would have been a bit nervous seeing Axel at the front of the boat with how big the waves were, but he was a real champ and Keith was confident that he was safe!

Wednesday was "recovery" from our sea adventure the day before. In the afternoon, though, Keith took Carol wine tasting. That went to Savanah Chanelle Vineyards. 

As you can see in these pictures, we had a happy customer! I am so glad they had a good time!

Thursday was all about the zoo. We had planned a day in San Francisco, but we just didn't want to deal with parking and traffic. So Keith, Carol and Rubix went to the Oakland Zoo for the first time. 

 The Baboons were the most entertaining today. They were playing quite the plastic bottle chase game until one of the adult Baboons put the kids in order.

 We went on the Gondola for the first time and saw an entire other portion of the zoo that we hadn't explored before.  The California Condor was awesome!

 Rubix was in absolute heaven. He was full of energy and walked everywhere the first 2.5 hours until.....we hit nap time. At 12:45 pm he asked to be held and then he took a quick cat nap in the stroller before getting up and having a blast the last 30+ minutes of our visit.

 Love this smile!

Look at that face! Such delight!

 Our little jumper!

Lets not forget Phoenix!

Look at how mature this girl is looking these days!

 The beautiful view from the look out. Bison and San Francisco in the background!

 Here is Axel, Rubix and Alex. What I didn't mentioned is that we ran into Alex last week at the library. Alex was Axel's best buddy in second grade. We thought he had moved, but he hadn't. He actually moves to Los Altos at the end of September, but he is still a half a mile away right now!

They played together last Thursday and all day Monday. Axel slept over at his house on Tuesday night, they spent all day together Wednesday. Alex then spent the night at hour house Wednesday night and then he spent the entire day with us on Thursday! After dropping Alex off, Axel said, "when can we play next?"
 Rubix couldn't get enough Alex time either!

When we got home from the zoo Phoenix decided to make a list of all of the animals that she remembers seeing. I just love how neat her hand writing is and at how she is not afraid to try to spell. The only one I couldn't figure out was bummne. She accidentally put m's instead of n's, but it is suppose to say bunny.

On Friday we dropped Phoenix off for her last day at Challenger. We will really miss Challenger, but will be back in a year or two when Rubix starts there. 

 While Phoenix was at school we took Rubix to the Bobcat train in Vascona park for the first time.

 He was really excited before we got there, but was a little afraid while on the train. The whistle was a little loud for his liking.

 After the train ride the boys rode the Merry Go Round, while Granny and I watched.

 Rubix really didn't want to go on this either, but he had a great time by the end. Good thing Daddy is so much fun!

 We had to capture a picture of Axel's authentic play doh spaghetti and meatballs.

 Yesterday we went over to my friend Tiffany's house. She moved back to the bay area and we were all excited to spend the evening together. Grammy enjoyed herself but was anxious to head to the airport.

 We all played in the very nice warm pool before dinner.

 After dinner Avery and Axel played a game of pool (as they now have a pool table) and then had play doh fun.

 Charlotte and Phoenix played dolls and Rubix went back and forth to trying to play pool and play with the other girls.

We got back late last night. Today we had over Axel's best buddy Lucas and his family. They came over for lunch and are now at the pool. Rubix is napping so I decided to catch up on the blog.

We had such a great visit with Grammy and are looking forward to seeing her again soon as we head to the Cape in a couple of weeks.

This week Keith and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary and then I fly out to St. Louis for my first weekend of the year long fellowship I am doing. I am so excited and nervous! My mom is coming in on Wednesday so she can watch Phoenix and Axel on Thursday and Friday. I feel so very blessed for all that we have and our wonderful family and friends.

Hopefully I will get a change to post again before our trip to the Cape, but if not check back at the end of the month!