FINN'S TURN

Here we are approaching the middle of August and it doesn't even seem like Summer has hit Southern California.  Where's the sunshine?  Where's the heat?  Should I be careful for what I wish for?

Everywhere I look I see Back To School ad's and I can't help but feel shorted on Summer.  Even AYSO/Rec soccer has begun, which only means one thing....Fall is around the corner!

The 2010 Soccer Season is extra special for Todd and I....Finn finally gets his turn.  His own team, his own uniform...his own ball.

Saturday we took Finn shopping at the local Sporting Goods store for cleats, shin guards and a size 3 ball.  I wish you could have been there too see him trying on cleats, running up and down the isles trying to find the perfect fit. 

Finn wanted to wear the cleats & shin guards out to the car.  Why not I ask you....when I turn around on the way home and see this happy little face smiling back at me!!!  Worth every dollar spent.

Finns first practice and Team meeting was Tuesday.  He met the Coach/Assistant Coach and the other members of his team.  This also gave us the opportunity to meet the other parents and our Team Mom.  Uniforms were passed out (Blue) and a team name was chosen democratically by the boys.........want to take a guess?

BLUE SHARKS!!

When the actual practice began, I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.  Was this really my little boy?  How did we get to this point already?  It just seemed like we did this with Kirra 8 years ago....

The boys listened to directions & practiced vigorously.  I was amazed by how well the Coach/Asst Coach kept ten 4 & 5 year olds in line.  It's hard enough with just one.

Isn't the ball supposed to go into the goalbox?

Finn didn't know one other boy on the team but by the end of practice they were fastly on their way to becoming friends.  I was so proud of Finn and amazed at how quickly he adapted to the new boys & coaches!  May this be the beginning of many years of fun-filled soccer ahead.

MOVING DAY!

What did you do Sunday? 

This is what we did....

What happened to Sunday/Funday?

 It was a family affair!

All participated, including Finn.

"It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things" - Theodore Roosevelt

BREAKFAST

MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY

This Morning

As often as we can, we like to start the day around the table......Finn has even gotten involved and will ask me what I am going to do at work with Bob & Jessica (he loves my office).  I treasure these mornings , even if in the moment it tends to be a little chaotic.  I always appreciate it later. 

I-PAD

Today started like any other day....

Breakfast

Prepare lunches

Drop Finn of at school

Work

Check emails

Arrange shipments

and then...

WILL walks in with an I-PAD

"The Real Deal"

Apple supporters all around....

must admit the I-Pad blows the I-Touch out of the water,

not only in size but clarity and functionality!! 

You should hear the speakers.

At my desk, in my hands....

can this day get any better?

Poor Will,

all he wanted to do was find the golden eggs in the app "Angry Birds" ....but I couldn't stop touching the I-Pad.

SIZE COMPARISON.....

MY LITTLE OLE' I-TOUCH DOESN'T COME CLOSE.

Thanks Will for passing your I-Pad around the office.  Your father is very lucky....this was Dave's father's day gift!!  If I recall correctly, he is the second father I know that received and I-Pad on Father's Day.........just on the opposite side of the country.

OKLAHOMA

Chicks and ducks and geese better scurry

When I take you out in the surrey,

When I take you out in the surrey with the

fringe on top!

come on everyone....sing along!

It's Oklahoma

at the Moonlight Ampitheater!

Season Ticket Holders

We arrived right before the gates were opened, it was a mad dash to claim your spot on the lawn.  Our seats were the best yet!!

Have a grape....go ahead,

you know you want one.

I have only seen Oklahoma once, it was a high school prodution so you can imagine my surpise and amazement at the level produced at the Moonlight Ampitheater.  The cast held their own against the multitudes of recorded Oklahoma scores that are available today.

Another beautiful evening under the stars....ughhh...let me reprhase that....under the ominous clouds that have continued to linger in Southern California for most of July.

Welcome Larry the Lobster

Update on my lobster:  He is right at home on our front steps.  Finn says hello to him every morning as we head off to school/work.

Who would have thought we would end up with a lobster from Utah?!?!?!?!?

Where in the World....

I am sure you are all wondering.....where in the world has Tiffiney been? 

Nevada - Arizona - Utah

Yes, I was on a road trip to Salt Lake City, Utah to visit our family friends Goodie & Debbie.  This was Finn's first road trip and I was a bit aprehensive to how a 11 hour journey would be for a 4 year old who can't read or watch dvd's due to motion sickness.

He was FABULOUS!

Sunrise in Nevada

Rest Stop

We had already covered about 575 miles when we hit Cove Fort, Utah.  Finn and Papa made a joint decision to pull over to see what it was all about.  It was an ideal location which enabled us to stretch, learn some history and enjoy Utah.

 

Cove Fort, Utah 1867

Cabin circa 1860's

Post Office/Telegraph Station

Pioneer Finn

Wagons West

Yes....you are seeing Gus driving 90 mph!

We arrived in Salt Lake City Friday evening, we checked into the Salt Lake City Hilton, dropped our bags and headed over to the Goodwins home which was about a 15 minute drive from Temple Square. They had dinner waiting for us, Dorado (caught by Goodie) and a Cranberry Jicama Green Salad (fresh greens from Debbie's garden). It was the perfect way to end our first day in Salt Lake City. 

The next morning Finn was up bright eyed & bushy tailed as usual so Todd, Finn and I had the hotel valet arrange a taxi to take us to the Capital Building & the City Library.  We had a little time before Goodie & Debbie were going to pick us up for lunch.  

Utah State Capital Building

Size Perspective

The Capital was BREATHTAKING

(Check out Finn & Todd's feet....no DNA testing necessary)

Can you honestly expect me to visit Salt Lake City without going to the library.  I had heard the building was an architectural wonder and not to miss it.  I didn't want to leave......they even had all glass elevators.  Todd had to drag me out.

Library Courtyard

Debbie & Goodie picked us up at our hotel at 12:30 for a journey to Emigration Canyon to visit the famous Ruth's Diner. It lived up to it's name....the Mile High Biscuits were heavenly, but must say the company was even better!  One of the things I love best about Debbie & Goodie is just hanging out and enjoying each other.  Good ole family fun!! 

History of Ruth's Diner

Ruth's Diner - 1930

Don't we look hungry?

World Famous Mile High Biscuits

There goes my diet!

Debbie * Goodie * Todd

One of my favorite photos of the trip! 

Happiness

Goodie & Todd leading the way

into East County Scenic Drive

After lunch and a Scenic Drive the boys headed to a Gun Shop in Temple Square that Todd and I had found on our morning walk through downtown, while Debbie took us off for girl fun, we visited her grandmothers home, and shopped till we dropped at Tai Pan Trading.....aka: Violet's Disneyland. 

Debbie's Grandmother's home.....

Iron Creations handmade by Debbie's father Larry. 

I fell in love with the lobster.

I soon learned from Abby that it was a scorpion...

to me he will always be  a lobster.

Tai Pan Trading Wholesale Warehouse

Carefully wrapping Violet's purchases for the trip home

After Shopping we all met back up at Goodie & Debbie's for dinner...conversation...margarita's. 

Backyard Patio Fun

Saturday night, Whitney's boyfriend rode over on his new bike.  He built it himself, we were all impressed especially Finn & Papa.  All good things must come to an end...so we said goodnight to the Goodwins and headed back to the hotel for a late night swim....and I mean late night...we didn't get back to the hotel till 10:40pm.

Finn swimming with his grandparents.  Can you see the pool depth marker? 4' 1/2" This means Finn can't touch the bottom.  See Finn?  He is swimming on his own to the side.  Woo Hoo!  Swimming lessons are paying off.  We closed the pool down at midnight.......

This is what you have after midnight swims.....a sleeping 4 year old boy!  Now I am going to take time to brag, I am his mother so I am allowed.  I had no idea what to expect with Finn as we embarked on this journey, we knew going in that it was going to be a whirlwind....he exceeded all expectations!  I have one special little boy, he humbles me and makes me a better person.  He handled each and every situation on this trip like a pro.  You would never guess he was only 4.  I am honored to be his mother, blessed to be in his life and thankful to God for giving him to Todd and I.

Sunday morning after hotel checkout we headed over to the Goodwins for Breakfast and our last visit before heading back to California.  You would never believe what was waiting for me in their frontyard......

MY LOBSTER!!

Thank you Goodie & Debbie....

he is already happy and content on my front porch. 

Our last photo before we left.....why are goodbye's so hard?  Todd fell in love with Utah.  I know we will be back soon to visit the Goodwins as well as my cousins who live nearby.  You haven't gotten rid of us yet Goodie & Debbie!

Homeward Bound

Lavender Fields as we were leaving Utah

Sun setting in California

For those of you who would like to see more photos of this journey, click on the Smilebox link below.

Photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

WARNING!!!

Before inviting your sisters over.....

hide the chalk!! 

If not...you will be sorry. 

Do Todd and I really look like this?

Wait....don't answer,

not sure if we can handle the truth!