California for the 4th

While Tally was gone for 3 weeks on business, I went to California for 2 of them to spend time with my family. The kids and I drove with my Aunt Shari (in Tiffany's car). I wasn't sure how it would be, driving over 8 hours with SIX kids but it was a breeze. Aiden had a few outbursts, Kelsey did NOT want to go pee when we woke her up at one of the stops, but other than that, it was good. Shari and I had some good talks...and ate WAY too much junk. Is that a LANG trait? For the record, she did WAY better than me - I need some of that willpower.

On the morning of July 5th, we went to the 4th of July breakfast held by the ward I grew up in and my grandparents' ward. It was so fun to have SO many family members there and to see old friends.

Then we went over to Grandma & Grandpa Lang's for a party. We also celebrated my Aunt Shari's birthday. 

Me and my Grandma - twinners

We did lots of other random things...like BEANSCENE. Here's Kelsey wearing Grampi's hat.

"I'm so glad when Grampi comes home... (or not, in Aiden's case)"

Julia came down for a few days and it was so fun to be together. 

Kelsey LOVED her guitar and danced as she sang and played. 

We went ROCK CLIMBING with Julia and two friends (Spencer & Nathan) in Malibu State Park. Imagine this: Julia and I taking turns pushing the Graco Duoglider stroller with one bum wheel (a front and back "strolling" stroller), two babies, lots of dirt, rocks, ravines, heat and hills...a 20 minute hike in took us an hour! At one point, I honestly thought of the pioneers and what they went through.

We finally made it and I got to go climb! It was fun, challenging (I'm not so good), and a nice change from the norm. Sadly, I did not make it to the top. I couldn't find another hold and my arms were shaking!

Here's Juju

Aiden sitting below us, eating dirt and trail mix

 

On the hike out we saw a few deer.
Some people coming the other way warned us of a rattlesnake on the path but we never saw it.
 

Back at home now, here's Grampi hanging out in the backyard with the babes.

My dad is giving Aiden some sound advice here, no doubt.

On July 10th, my birthday, my mom told me she had an activity that was bound to be the funnest part of my birthday. When I heard what it was, I said, "I hope not!" What was this event? A butterfly release ceremony that her hospice work was putting on. Really mom!? First we listened to depressing stories of how people had lived good lives and died and then we all got an envelope with a "frozen" butterfly in it. Don't worry, they thawed them out a bit before so they could fly. Here's Julia apologizing to the innocent little butterfly, reassuring it that it would soon be set free.

And the release...

Kelsey's flew right into my face and then semi-flew to a spot on the grass. That's how frozen it still was!

They were so pretty to see and Kelsey loved that it let her touch it.

We had to be careful not to step on them.

There was face painting accompanied by a long line. Luckily, there was also a spot open for a face-painter so my very artistic sister stepped in and gave her little niece a beautiful butterfly face. 

Isn't she amazing? She had the best butterfly face around. 

There was also free ice cream, always a hit. It was soon melted ALL over her. Yuck. 

Our good family friend of a million years, Brian Drewniak and his daughter Katie came and stayed with my parents the night before, since they were in town for a soccer game. Kelsey couldn't stop talking about them, they had so much fun together. 

However, Kelsey was NOT happy about the balloon. I think she was all funned out. 

After a fabulous butterfly release ceremony it was time for the REAL birthday fun to start. We headed up to Paradise Cove to have lunch on the beach.  Here are some pics from our drive.

Feet on the table?

Aiden was NOT okay with the feeling of sand on his feet.

A kind stranger handed us a towel, he was only slightly happier.

And then VERY distracted when he saw the seagulls.

A family pic, that was so fun I just couldn't keep my eyes open.
I wish Jenna was in this pic! We did get to see Jenna for a few days, I just love her.

That night, Julia stayed in town extra long to go to a birthday dinner with me and one of my closest friends from high school, Chelsea. We skipped out on Mexican in favor of Thai. Great choice. We ended up at a European chocolate/gelato store that Julia's friend Nicole works at.  They sang to me and brought me out some free chocolates. So sweet!

On Sunday, we celebrated mine and Aiden's birthdays. Kelsey blew out my candles for me. I hear that's good luck. It was fun celebrating my birthday with my parents, grandparents, and even cousins - just wish Tal could have been there too. 

One of the days, we went over to Amber & Ry's and played with James and Emily


On the 14th, we went to Leo Carillo Beach and had a blast. Please excuse my out of focus, black-dotted photos. My P&S is dying...I need a new one ASAP!

We forgot a sun hat for Aiden so we used this instead. That lasted for a half a second.

I love the beach...

Kelsey and I building a sand castle. She loved watching the sand crabs.

Kels with my mom...Kels was so happy there but not to take pictures. 

The last day we were there, we cleaned out the garage (yes, my choice of activity). See this post for the before and afters. Unfortunately, I found this spider/bug thing...I have NO idea WHAT it is, do you? It had a see-through body and gave me the heebejeebies.

After having been out in the garage for awhile, I came into the house to find Kelsey doing this:

I guess she'd found a box of packing popcorn and decided to help herself.

The kids LOVED being thrown in the air by Papa, though I think Aiden's delight is mixed with fear. 

We had such a great time and it makes me sad we wont be back until December...

My husband has a fetish... {and so do I}

...collecting hotel toiletries. After his 5 weeks in Zurich and then London, I was horrified to find all this:

I am an organizer and things like this send me into "problem solving" mode. I quickly doused that organizational pitfall with a big white basket. Now we have plenty of toiletries for our guests and in case of an emergency. And luckily, enough bathroom storage space for it. 

However, there is a constant organizational PROBLEM in my house: 

Junk mail, coupons, invitations, thank yous, nursery coloring pages, etc. This picture doesn't do it justice and it got way worse than this only days after this picture was taken. I have such a hard time keeping my office clean and orderly! Any tips? In Switzerland we never got junk mail and hardly ever got mail to begin with. Now I can't keep up with the daily influx!

I think I do better in other peoples' houses...like my parents for example. Whenever I'm there, I am organizing (whether they like it or not). The kitchen drawers, no before pic, but imagine chaos.

My dad and I spent all day Saturday cleaning out the GARAGE. My parents still had about 30 unpacked boxes from their move. We found some priceless things whose whereabouts were for years unknown - SO rewarding!

BEFORE{Left/middle}

We had actually done a LOT of work before this, there used to be about 30 boxes where my dad is. We went through all those and sorted through them. We ended up with a HUGE donation to ARC. 

AFTER

The chair, toolbox, extension cords and others will be moved by the time I come again, right guys? ;) My dad's plan is to build out shelves along those walls for all the food storage, camping gear, tools, etc. to go in. 

BEFORE {Right side}

There are still LOTS of building materials on this side of the garage (behind the car) that my dad needs as he continues to build things out. I have a feeling some of them may never leave. I guess that's the nature of the business.

AFTER

There are still some more things to do - stuff to hang on the walls but we got so much done in one day with two little kids running around! My mom also sent me SEVERAL boxes of my old stuff to my new house. Thanks mom...now to figure out a place for that STUFF. The sad thing is, this is what I WANTED to do with our Saturday. I know, I'm weird, but it gives me SUCH a big sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.