Camping in Carpinteria

We had our first successful camping trip to Carpinteria State Beach. We rented a travel trailer, and it made it so much easier with Brock (10 months). My brother, Richard, and his family all shared a campsite with us. Brock really enjoyed the beach and getting dirty with the help of his cousins, Blake (5) and Logan (3). Brock has his dad's skin tone, as just a hour in the sun and he had darkened up real good. His hair is starting to get curly and is lightening up with a little blonde. I am anxious to see how it will be by the end of summer. The camping turned out great and Scott was a good sport. I know Scott would rather camp at a hotel with ESPN and Internet access. I have such great memories camping with my family while a youngster, and I wanted to share that with my son. My friend, Cheri, lives in nearby Ventura, and her mom was camping there at the same time. Cheri dropped off her two youngest boys, and Blake and Logan were in heaven to have friends to play with. My sister-in-law, Julie, is six weeks away from delivery of her first daughter, Sadie. She was such a trooper and she didn't even complain once. Her two boys kept her BUSY, to put it mildly. The campground was quite empty, but quickly filled to the max by the weekend due to the Memorial Day holiday. We went to meet my brother, Jay, on the way home and went to lunch. I am glad to be HOME to sleep in my own bed and relax from our vacation.

Brock & I and the "fire"

Scott (notice his new "botched" hair cut) & Brock


Playing in the trailer after his bath.

Playing on the beach with cousin Blake and his new hippo pool.

The baby surprisingly loved the water. He made all kinds of "woo sounds" as the waves came crashing toward him. Notice the claps of excitement.

Richard took him on a bike ride. Notice how cute they look! They stopped by the campsite for a real quick photo-op. At the end of the ride, Brock fell asleep on my brother. I think he had a good time.

Blake (5) holding the baby.

Cousins and Chuck E Cheese

Brock was anxiously awaiting his cousin Allison's 7th birthday party. He was ready real early and anxious to smile for the camera. She had her birthday bash at Chuck E Cheese, and it looked like the kids were having a blast.

Waiting to go with his favorite teddy

Brock and his cousin Trevor (4 months) with Grandma Epi. Trevor looked so cute in his little vest. Brock was wearing his new aloha shirt grandma brought back for him from her recent trip to Samoa.


We took photos with Grandpa Richard in the photo booth.

Pepsi-Cola & NORMS

After shopping at three different Targets, I found what my husband wanted -- the limited offer of Pepsi-Cola Throwback. It is made with pure cane SUGAR in lieu of corn syrup. Pepsi stopped making their sodas with sugar in the 1970s, as American soda manufacturers in general made the switch to corn syrup because of its lower costs. The sugar makes for a more sweeter, less bland, soda. Ah, the simple things that make my husband (and his dentist)happy! Target had a sale of four 12 packs for $10.00. I am not a huge Mountain Dew fan, but they also have the Throwback available for a limited time with it. Sam's Club carries both in bulk.
I suppose I am not the only one who does not like NORMS. Scott, however, swears by it, as he's been going there regularly since high school, and has probably put many a waitress' kid through college just by the tips. I just don't get it. I think the food is disgusting. Now Brock joins in my opinion. I was feeding him pancakes and eggs and he proceeded to throw up right into my hand. I must be getting this mom thing down pretty good. I didn't panic and I caught it all in hand. I knew he wasn't sick; he thought their food pretty much stinks.

Happy Mother's Day 2009

We have been missing Scott's mother who went back to Western Samoa to visit her family and mother to celebrate her 86th birthday. Epi is one of 16 children. WOW!!! She has been gone for 3 plus weeks and we anxiously await her homecoming. She then went to visit with her Aunt Dorothy for the remaining of the trip and I hear she put a offer in on a house. We can't wait to hear of the details when she comes home tomorrow. Happy Mother's Day Epi. You are a wonderful woman.
I found this poem and I thought I would share.

You can see it in their eyes, in tender hugs and long good-byes, a love that only moms and daughters know.
You can see it in their smiles, through passing years and changing styles, a friendship that continually seems to grow.
You can see it in their lives, the joy each one of them derives, in just knowing that the other one is there...
To care and to understand, lend an ear or hold a hand, and to celebrate the memories they share.
Once upon a memory Someone wiped away a tear Held me close and loved me, Thank you, Mother dear.

Author Unknown

We spent the first part of our day attending church. All women were honored with red roses and See's candy. We then renewed our temple recommends and headed over to my mom's house. We had a family dinner at my sister-in-law Olga parents house. There was over 40 people there. It was CRAZY and chaotic with over 20 something kids running around. We ate BBQ carne asada and chicken in the back yard. The food was to die for and Erica's cake was the big hit. It was such a beautiful day.

Happy Mother's Day to my over-the-top Mom!!!

Brock is crawling...well sort of

My little cutie pie started doing the army crawl last week. He watched his cousin do it but really had no interest and 2 days later he started up on his own with the help of Scott dangling some keys in front of him. He is entertaining himself by chewing on electrical cords or pulling them out of the wall. We quickly had to baby proof the house. We also now only let him sleep in his crib since he now rolls himself off the bed. It is so strange how quick the transition has been. We have to be extra careful now that he is mobile.This is a quick shot of him doing his army crawl.