West Coast, Best Coast

"They" say the west coast is the best coast. The Pacific Ocean is better than the Atlantic. I'm not sure who "they" are but I really do like our ocean. As the days fall away on our departure calendar, our military family is trying to get in as much beach time as possible. Just in case, "they" know what they are talking about! 

Shoreline Beach area, Santa Barbara, California. 

February 14, 2016

Child's Play

 Do you ever get in a mood when you want to throw out all responsibilities and just have fun? I've been in one of those moods lately. I get a little restless with my Monday through Friday routine. I would love to devote Saturday and Sunday to doing whatever I please. But we all know it doesn't go that way when you are an adult and especially a parent. 

Last Sunday we did drop everything and head to the local skating rink. Yes, I said local skating rink. There aren't many of those around. When I was growing up, skating was Friday night entertainment. Everyone in town skated. These days skating isn't so popular. I love that our area is bringing skating back. 

Our local Murrieta roller rink is quite the experience compared to our 1970s dive rink in small town Iowa. I will let the pics speak for themselves. It's a beach theme. 

Food and games for those needing break. It's so Californian!

Nothing like our skating rinks growing up.
I can't leave out our family pics. 

Someone was struggling to stay on his feet. Although blurry it's one of my new favorites. I love the genuine looks of joy on their faces.

So proud I can stay upright all these years later. Ok... Really I fell down... On my child. But in this picture I'm upright! It's all that matters because my child is fine... now.

Insta-Adventures: Semper Fi Family Fun

In the land of blogging, pictures are always great content for a post. When short on time or energy ...always always turn to Instagram. I find it's the perfect social media site for keeping track of all our Semper Fi Family adventures!  I've made a goal to document at least one picture a day using the hashtag #semperfifamsummerbreak. Next month, I plan to make a photo book dedicated to our summer adventures. I can't wait to see them all in print!

Now let me share a little of what this Semper Fi Family has been up to this week!

Last weekend was the annual Military Picnic at our church- North Coast Church. We love our church. They do cool things like this. Father and daughter joined forces with another father/son duo to play water balloon volleyball. 

They dominated! Which means they end up 'on stage' with a microphone. *giggle giggle* Two introverts talking into a microphone in front of hundred or more people. Eek!

Gift cards always make it worthwhile. And ice cream.

We were party animals on Saturday. We went from the picnic to our friend's birthday party.

Where there was wine. And if you knew me in real life. After I have a glass of wine or two. I start to get a little silly. And before you know it, I think selfies are a great idea.

Random, cloudy, dim lit selfies.

Yeah.

 Ok, I take back everything I just said.

I don't have to be drinking to think selfies are a great idea!

I'm a shameless selfie taker.

There.

 Yesterday, we hit up our local library with the cool chairs? That is how we will now refer to our new library. Honestly, this is how you get kids to read. Seriously... Zac is reading Last of the Mohicans. What 5th grader reads classic lit??? A boy who wants to grab the nearest book and sit in the chair! Score!

Popsicles on a hot summer day. Of course!

But poor little Charlie. Always sitting and waiting for someone to feel sorry for him.

Usually works.

That's all. Check out more Instagram photos of our summer adventures @Semperfifam.

Have a great weekend! 

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Linking up: Life Rearranged, A Night Owl Blog, Mommy Moments

Spring Break {in pictures}

Balboa Park San Diego

InstaFriday: Chillin' at Home

We made it through another week. Yippee. Did the sarcasm make it through? Oh well, not important. This week has been a bit unpleasant. The kind of week you hope to never encounter during deployment. But nothing less than what you should expect to happen during deployment. One challenge after another.

And the award for "What Sucks The Most This Week And I'm Still Not Dealing With It"...the broken clothes dryer! Ding ding ding.  

Oh you should see my house. We are hanging everything to dry. Yes, my house looks awesome! 

Hmph! Ugh! *scream* *stomp my feet*
*sigh* *open bottle of wine*
End rant. 

Let's refocus on happier stuff, shall we? How about a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles manicure? You know you want one! Ky and I were having a little girl time last weekend. We decided to go off the grid of conventional. If you want to impress the tween crowd, then try this one. 

Another Pinterest find... 

I made three plates filled with blondie brownies and delivered them to the "new" neighbors. 

I'm overdue for introductions since most have been here for 2-3 months.

Better late than never. 

Everyone seemed genuinely appreciative of the gesture.

They were happy. I was happy.

Win win. 

This is how we watch The Biggest Loser. Once a week we gather around the computer to watch via website. Maybe we are the biggest losers?!?

Tuesday was hair day. 
Love hair day. 

Also love this girl.
She is getting way too old for my comfort.

Linking Up with:

1 Down, 29 To Go

It's InstaFriday linkup at Life Rearranged.

 Nothing much to report this week.

I'm more than happy to share I've crossed something off my deployment bucket list.

No, I have not finished the dreaded closet!

I bought my homecoming outfit!

Yay! 

I was trying so hard to not buy anything.

Then out of the blue, I just happen to find myself at the mall. 

Standing outside my favorite store. Coveting the above outfit.

Having this mental conversation with myself...

"I want a pair of red pants. I do. Those are cute. Maybe next month? Maybe never..."

Then it dawned on me, "I should look for a homecoming outfit!"

Yes! In the store I went, grabbed an armful of dresses, and headed to the fitting room.

First try...cute but too casual. I want this dress but crossing my fingers it will hit the clearance rack.

  

Next, this coral number. I almost went with this one. It was fitted and cute. It needed about three inches off the bottom. But it wasn't screaming "Woohoo! You're finally home! Call the babysitter!" 

So I tried the blue.

I sent out an Instagram request for opinions. Thank you followers! 

We made a good choice.

Let's see what else can I show you?

The kids?

These are kiss faces. Yeah, I wouldn't have guessed it either.

That is all for this lovely Friday.

I'm semperfifam on Instagram.

Hope to see you there!

InstaFriday

There is something about an Instagram/phone pic linkup which makes you realize how fast a week passes. My first picture was taken Friday afternoon as we said goodbye to my daughter's bestie. This Friday, Grandma arrives after a few days of visiting family up north. A lot happens in 7 days. If you want to see the full reel of our week, then you will want to follow me @semperfifam. 

FRIDAY

One last hurrah with my daughter's BFF before she flew out on Friday afternoon.

I love any excuse to get to the Discovery Science Museum.

And so happy we made it for the gingerbread exhibit.

Who does this?!? Absolutely envious of the crafty creativity!

I just want to eat it.

SATURDAY

Basketball. All. Day.

This guy plays some awesome defense.

His dad would be proud!

This picture never gets old. 

Lemon Drop Martini. Yum.

Saturday night I got to enjoy a nice dinner with my friend, Helen.

My mother-in-law stayed with the kids.

If closing down the restaurant is any indication of how needed this night was, 

then it was MUCH NEEDED!

I'm pretty sure I heard the lock latch behind us.

SUNDAY

Oh Charlie. Your sweet angel face is so deceiving!

As are my constant pet pictures on Instagram.

Truth is the boy gets on my last nerve some days.

I'm pretty sure he thinks he is human... or a princess.

TUESDAY

After dropping my MIL off with the family, I decided to pull off the freeway 

at a view point.

I love to watch the ocean. 

Every time I sit and look at it I'm drawn right back to Him.

The messages have been inaudibly louder and clearer lately.

Stop and Enjoy.