Last week Josh and I decided to take a break and get away with the family to the coast. It had been a year and a half since the last time we were there and before that it had been over 4 years. Having grown up on the coast of Southern California, the beach is a part of me and always will be. It was so good to go home. This was Maddy’s first trip to the beach. She loved the sand and surprisingly, I only had to tell her once not to put it in her mouth. Either she got a mouthful when I wasn’t looking and learned, or she actually listened. Either way I was amazed. To top off such a wonderful day we stopped at a restaurant called “Dooger’s” and on Thursday nights they roll the prices back to the 80’s. I had a huge plate of seafood for the low price of $12.95. Even the wine was at 80’s prices. I have to comment on the chowder too. The chowder was so awesome. I think they must have had the most tender clams and a ton of them in that chowder. I was so sad that I couldn’t pack all of it down. We really had such a wonderful relaxing day. I think in the future we as a family need to get out and away more. It brings such peace and relaxation. There is something about nature that always centers one. I have added a video and a few photos below of our trip to share. P.S. the video can be a little choppy at points. Jakob was learning how to work the video camera. If you want to view more pictures you can do so here.
So I haven’t posted any videos of the kids in a long time and thought I would do so. Maddy is 9 1/2 months now which I can barely believe. She is old enough now to idolize her big brother and she really loves when he plays with her. Jakob loves to put Maddy in boxes and “drive” her around. She also loves to take the ride. It is absolutely hilarious. Maddy is completely fascinated with making different noises and her newest we had to get on video. So I give you the below videos!
I cried all morning. I don’t think I expected to be so emotional today. It was years of release. I felt a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I cried tears of joy, tears of anger, I felt it all. The last 8 years have not served the people of this nation well. I have watched our country fall apart and cater to only the wealthiest and most powerful. I watched our politicians steal elections from the hands of the people and hand the important decisions in our nation over to the large corporations. I watched as more and more products came with a label “Made in China”. I watched my Dad and many others get laid off. I paid health insurance premiums for my family each month that were more than many mortgages and then still couldn’t afford to go to the doctor. I have had my right to trial by jury over ran by insurance companies who lobby our nation’s leaders to work in their interest instead of the peoples. I could go on and on. It has been a rough go. Today my whole world pivoted 180 degrees. Today is a new day. Today is a day of hope. Today citizens of all races, genders, religions from all over this wonderful nation came together to witness this historic moment. I then realized it was much bigger than just America. Much of the world is witnessing it and they too are thankful for this change and they too see the hope for a better day. I feel remarkable today, despite my weepiness. I am so excited for what is in store for our future. Although we all know it is a long road we have ahead, I think we all feel confident that Obama will lead us using the knowledge of only the greatest minds on whatever the subject may be. I believe he will make informed decisions on behalf of the citizens of this great nation instead of that of the greedy corporations.
I must also add that I felt Obama’s inaugural speech was amazing. I can’t help but wonder what was going on in the head of George W. when that went down. It was like an eloquent shame on you in front of the world. It was a great sign to me that our new President is already speaking on behalf of the people although I can’t say the people would have said it that nicely. Good riddance George W. Bush. The best thing you did is wake Americans up enough to realize the importance of our democratic process as well as the importance of protecting our constitutional rights both of which you violated. In the end we the people woke up and we are taking our rights back!!!! The best thing I have seen from you in the last 8 years is you departing on Air force One to go back to Texas for good.
So I thought I would go ahead and post my footage of the recent winter snow event that left us with a ton of snow. I know my brothers wanted to see it. What’s amazing is that even the video doesn’t really show the depth that we had. It was quite amazing and the most snow I have ever had anywhere I’ve lived. This has been some winter already! Now we are in the midst of slides (since most the snow melted and we have had a ton of rain/snow the last few days). We have had snow on the ground consistently for at least the last 3 weeks. I do think it’s beautiful when it’s fresh and untouched, but snow that has been plowed and walked in over a few days becomes brown and ugly and no longer does the beauty of a freshly frosted world exist. I really am ready for a beautiful summer day and the lovely smell of warmth in the air. I guess I will have to wait another 6 months for that!
ARCTIC BLAST – Well…that is what the news stations have named this set of storms. I think it’s so funny how they have to name each event.
Today is the first day of winter and I can seriously say that winter has officially hit us hard. We have been getting snow for a week now and we were absolutely pounded yesterday. We have so much snow that I don’t even know how much there really is. We have some snow drifts in our yard as high as 4 feet (from all the blowing snow) and other spots appear to be around 18 inches to 2 feet. I underestimated the depth last night when I decided to take a photo of our front yard. I am seriously impressed by the snow amounts. Unfortunately we were blessed last night with freezing rain on top of it all. I was seriously praying that we wouldn’t end up like my friend Earl Yorke and get left without power for days. We have been fortunate so far and now we are looking at a few more rounds of snow over the next 4 days.
Yesterday we all decided that we were going to build and igloo. It was to be so grandiose. So after getting a “How to Make an Igloo” education on YouTube we ventured out into the yard only to be devastated by the powder that would not pack. What a bummer. It’s not really fun playing in powder snow unless you are skiing. Oh well…maybe next time. It should be a White Christmas this year and for that I am thankful.
All in all it has been a very exciting week. We have been inside a ton this week and everyone is getting a little stir crazy so I hope the ice becomes manageable quickly. Happy Winter Solstice and Happy Holidays!
