Our fishing/beach trip

Yesterday we drove up with Ed's family to Lake Cuyamaca in Julian to go fishing in remembrance of Ed's brother Richard. Richard loved fishing and his last fishing trip was at Lake Cuyamaca. Ed's mom and I made a bouquet of flowers in the shape of a fish to leave there, it turned out really cute. Anyway, we got there around lunch time and after a few snacks, it was time to start fishing! This was Layla's first time fishing and Grandma even bought her a cute Princess fishing pole to use. The weather was beautiful and even though we didn't catch any fish, we had a great time. And who knew that Julian was only about 40 minutes away from San Diego? We didn't. So being the fun, spontaneous person that my husband is, he decided we would drive the extra 40 minutes, find a hotel, and enjoy one last trip at the beach. Now, let me just remind you, all we had on us (minus fishing gear) was the clothes on our back and if you know me, you know that I am an over packer and can't go on any overnighters without a week's worth of clothes, hair products, and makeup. Well, I would just have to make due with what I had. So we started the drive up to San Diego but before we got there we made one pit stop at Target for bathing suits (which we didn't even try on, we grabbed them and took off!) and towels. And while we were in the car I was making reservations for a hotel room (and an awesome one at that, details to come below). These are the best kinds of trips! We ended up in Coronado (my all time favorite beach) at around 5ish, changed into our bathing suits in the car, threw off our sandals, and ran to the water! We spent about 2 hours at the beach, walking up and down the shore, finding huge sand dollars and sea shells, and getting in the water. Let me just say once again, so.much.fun! Seriously, I think this trip might have ranked in my top 5 favorite trips I've been on. Love! After the beach we headed for dinner at Chili's (Mmmmm...) where we ate a huge dinner and then went back to our hotel room so we could sleep after a long day in the sun. We had the coolest room too, it not only had a king sized bed, but a set of bunk beds! Yes, this was the only room available so we took it and I'm so glad we did. Layla loved the top bunk and slept there all night (I was surprised). This morning we got up, ate breakfast, and headed out back home. We had such a great time and I am so glad we got to go to the beach one last time before we move to Colorado and the beach becomes a faint memory. Thank you to my awesome husband for the amazing time!

Surprise!

That's right, Ed's home and not only did he come home a day early (the 16th), but he surprised us at his parent's house. Over the last few days before he arrived I had been getting this feeling that he was just going to show up without telling us and I was right! He dropped some hints without realizing it and he should know that I am a detective and knew something was up. For example, he didn't email me for over 24 hours the day before and he was just going to "wing it" at the airport and find a ticket when he got there. Good thing I decided to get Layla and I ready just in case he did show up. I got a call from Ed's mom around 2ish to come over and about an hour after we got there, his dad and him drove up. Layla and I ran to the door and gave him a huge hug (and a big punch in the stomach for making me stress and worry)! Layla is so happy to have her Daddy home and so am I. These last two weeks have been amazing, seriously, I can't even explain it. The movers came on the 19th and took away all of our stuff, we only have a few weeks worth of clothes and our hygiene products left at my parent's. Our stuff should arrive in Colorado any day and will be delivered to us on the 9th (plenty of time for us to paint and clean before we unload).

We celebrated Ed's birthday! He turned the BIG 26! I have been making fun of him since, telling him how old he's getting. Coloring Daddy's tattoos is always fun!We went to Build A Bear for the first time and had a BLAST! I didn't realize how fun it was, next time we're around one, we'll be going back for sure. Of course Layla had to pick out the pink teddy bear and put a Jonas Brother song inside of it (the dang thing goes off all hours of the night, not such a great idea). We got our toes done. We adopted TWO kitties! We're so excited. I am a total cat person, I cannot stand dogs and since I'll be the one taking care of them, cats it is. Layla is super happy with our choices. We don't actually pick them up until the day we leave but we've been visiting them on a regular basis and they seem to really love us too. Boots (grey and white) is about 5 months old and he is huge for his age. He is really, really playful which Layla loves. Butterscotch (blonde) is about 4 months old and she is such a sweetie. She just lays on us and purrs up a storm, I am the one in love with this cat! Ed's been enjoying himself and trying lots of different beers. He's so darn cute! And lastly, we've been RC'ing it TONS! And I mean TONS! We've been in Ontario, Palm Desert, and Valencia about half the time Ed's been home getting lots of RC time in. He's getting really good too! His first actual race he got 2nd place, it's only a matter of time before he gets 1st! So that's what we've been up too. We've been super busy but having a blast at the same time. We leave California on the 5th of September to head to our new home. We're driving straight through so wish us luck!

All packed and ready to go

Can you believe it? We're officially DONE packing our whole room. It's amazing the stuff you accumulate in a year and a half (and amazing how much you can actually fit into one room). It only took us a couple of days and some help from my mom and all of our boxes are in the dining room ready for the movers to come next week. I would say at least 75% of the boxes are labeled toys because, you know, the princess has to have toys (which is why she's getting her own play room in the new house). I can't believe it's already almost time for the movers to come get our stuff and for us to move on to our next duty station.

We're pig sitting!

While my brother is on vacation in Florida we took over as official pig sitters! When I told Layla we were going to get to watch Chops for a week at our house she was more than thrilled. She loves that little pig so much! Chops is seriously the sweetest little thing. When you call her name she runs over to you as fast as she can and jumps on your lap and sits there (or should I say she sleeps there) until you get up, then she gets mad and tries to bite you. LOL... Layla has been having a blast with her, reading her stories, coloring with her, picking her up, feeding her, making a bed for the both of them, basically everything you can think of, Layla has done. We're going to miss her when she has to go back to her real home, although aunt Michelle and cousin Layla will always be ready to watch her again! Can you spot Chops in this picture? And I can't leave out Daddy in this post. Today Layla got a nice surprise in the mail from him, a whole box full of toys, candy, and crayons. He's getting her all ready for his return in a week! She was so excited, she has such a great Daddy who never stops thinking about her!

Chuck E Cheese

Today we went to a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese and Layla got to spend some quality time with her cousin Dominick. He has always lived in a different state but him and his mom finally moved back to the desert so we've been seeing him lots and Layla is getting to know him really well. Between all of us, we won over 1500 tickets so the kids were able to get everything they wanted (don't ask how much money we spent on the tokens though). They even got to meet Chuck E, Layla was so excited, she loves him so it was a great night for her!

Have I told you we have a mermaid?

I am always saying what an amazing swimmer Layla is but have never gotten it on video. Thanks to my brother, this is our little mermaid swimming in the deep end. I'm so proud of her!

We have a house!

Okay, so technically it isn't ours until Thursday when we sign the papers but this is where we will be living when we move to Colorado! Everything is finally coming into place and working out how it's supposed to work out, I honestly cannot believe that we're at this point. 18 months of being without my husband and Layla being without her Daddy and in just a week it'll all be over. And in a little less then a month, we'll be moving and living in a new place. There is so much happening in the next month but everything is so exciting! Now, this house is plenty big enough for visitors so who ever wants to come crash at our place is welcome (but you may have to sleep in one of Layla's 2 bedrooms. You know she is the princess and has to have a bedroom AND a playroom)! More pictures to come once we're moved and settled in!

I'm a blog slacker

You know we're busy when I don't even have time to update my blog. Since Layla got out of school for the summer we've been really busy, having fun every day. It's been 115+ degrees outside so really if we're not doing something in the A/C, we're at the pool (which ends up being 80% of the time). So since I've been slacking on my blog lately, I am just going to summarize what we've been up to.
We've been going to the park and playing in the water (and yes, I even get soaking wet. Who would stand out in this heat just watching the girls get wet? Not me! LOL). Jumping like crazy at Pump It Up. Having craft days, making rabbit puppets (and pretty pictures). Shopping at Target when their clearance toys are an additional 75% off (we got such awesome deals)! Playing in the sprinklers.Making funny faces for Daddy (notice we're both matching too! Gotta love Matilda Jane). Getting presents in the mail from Daddy (he's such a great Daddy)!Getting our finger nails painted. Playing in her NEW big girl car seat (Graco Nautilus = LOVE). Having picnics on the floor. And of course swimming, swimming, and more swimming! And let's not forget about all the good movies we've been seeing. Toy Story, Despicable Me, and most recently (3 days ago, that is) Ramona and Beezus. We're staying super busy trying to make the time fly by knowing that Daddy coming home is right around the corner. So happy it's finally August!

P.S. Happy 29th Anniversary to my parents! They are in San Diego celebrating and having a blast!