Beach Etiquette

As you all know by now, I LOVE THE BEACH!



We tried a new beach today, just for the heck of it. I will tell you all about our secret beach(if was fantastic), if you promise to follow some simple "beach guidelines".

1. If you plan on coming to the beach with your extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins...you get the picture) AND you plan on bringing a canopy, a grill, a playpen, folding chairs rented from a party store, and a collapsible table...
you don't belong at our secret beach:


YOU belong at this beach:


2. When choosing a spot on the beach look around you and determine if you are blocking the ocean view of the person directly (1 foot) in front of you, if you are, it is best to find a more appropriate spot.
This was not appropriate (the hole she is balancing on is where Daniel was digging):



3. Speaking of personal space...if you have to squeeze your family into a spot on the beach...YOU ARE TOO DAMN CLOSE!

4. Please determine which way the wind is blowing before you rambunctiously spray yourself (and everyone sitting within 1 foot away from you) with sunscreen.

5. Throw caution to the wind and jump off every sand embankment you can find.


6. Explore the tide pools.



7. Watch for seals.


8. Frolic in the surf.



9. Enjoy the view.



10. Give us a call next time you go....

I have kept you hanging on long enough...our secret destination beach is...
at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach. It is definitely worth the trek down there; you will not be disappointed. There is pay parking on Wesley Dr. or free parking on PCH.
See you there!

Summer Review

Hi, I haven't abandoned my post...my hard drive crashed and it has taken me a couple of weeks to get back up and running. I finally have almost everything restored; minus itunes and a couple of pictures.

Our summer is almost over. 2 more weeks until school starts. I'm not ready, I'm still in relaxation mode. I don't want to think about school supplies, new clothes, backpacks, new schedules. How long can I prolong the inevitable?

So, let's recap the last month, just so I don't have to think about 2 weeks from now. I won't bore you with all of the details of our truly relaxing summer vacation, but here are a few of my favorite pics from August:


Naughty girl


Catching some rays


Zack & Spencer riding the waves


Enjoying the view


Good friends; just hanging out


Ice cream at the Angels game

I love summer fun. I am going to have to cram more fun into the next 2 weeks. Wish me luck!

Confusion of the Senses

Let me set the scene…

I came downstairs to find Gary sitting on the living room couch; watching TV and playing online poker. Addy, our dog, was sitting under the dining room table; looking a bit surprised to see me. The boys were in the family room doing their thing…watching TV.

I sat down opposite Gary on the chaise lounge when we both heard Addy crunching on something.

Without stirring from his spot or even removing his gaze from the computer screen, Gary said, “What is she chewing on”? I could feel the roll of his eyes as he said it. We are accustomed to hearing that crunching noise…Addy is ALWAYS bringing in crunchables from outback. All through out the Spring she would bring in seed pods dropped from the trees and proceed to chew them up under the dining room table.

I got up to take the “seed pod” from her mouth. When I tried to pull it out of her mouth I caught hold of something warm and squishy.

My senses were confused…How can a seed pod be warm and squishy???

I pulled my hand out of her mouth and realized there was a little, beady, black eyeball staring back at me. OMG, I am holding an eyeball. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww!

Shivers ran up and down my spine. What is going on???? What is in her mouth?

I grabbed a napkin from the dining room table and wiped the squishy mass off my hand. Again, Eewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

Next, I went in for the kill…literally.

What I pulled from her mouth was a barely recognizable baby mouse.

It was at this point I started gagging and shrieking for Gary.

The mouse was now laying on the dining room floor (where I had dropped it in my delirium), wrapped in a napkin. Gary, my hero, came in and removed the mangled mess from my sights.

(I can seriously feel vomit rising in my throat as I write this.)

The kids come running in with glazed eyes (from watching too much TV) to find out what mom is freaking out about. I recount the story and they start cracking up.

Hello?!? Does know one else feel completely grossed out? (My life in a house with boys, ughhh)

It has taken me until now to re-tell this story; my senses were traumatized.

Addy turns 2 this week. I think I know what she wants for her birthday. Here’s a hint…it’s not pink and fluffy!

Follow this link for more "keeping it real" type blog entries:

Dos Pueblos Ranch...A Slice of Paradise

My family just got back from camping on the most beautiful stretch of beach in all of California. You may be thinking, "is it really the most beautiful beach in California"?

Take a look...



Thank you Moloney family for allowing us to stay on your property. Dos Pueblos Ranch is an idealistic slice of California coastline. Our family treasures every moment we have spent there.











I can still hear the sound of the waves crashing on the shore....total relaxation.