Swiss Family Hermanson

Another gorgeous day up on top of Mnt. San Jacinto. It was a rough 75 degrees and nothing but blue skies. Perfect for hiking and a picnic. The kids had a blast climbing around on all the rocks and fallen trees. Wish ya'll could have been with us! Out.

Look out Federer!

Chloe and Ryder at tennis camp in Joshua Tree. Ryder still informs me everyday that he is "going to beat Federer!" At this rate, he just might. He is now able to hit the ball off the bounce when I hit it to him. Maybe in about 15 years or so he can represent America since Roddick and Blake can't seem to win a match to save their life.

Vacation Recap

So now that I have caught up on the laundry and other house cleaning duties my brain can focus on writing about our vacation.

We left on Sunday afternoon for the Mission Bay area in San Diego. When we got there the weather was perfect. We checked into the cheapie hotel for the night. The hotel located next door to "Les Girls". Yikes! Thank goodness this hotel is only for one night. The kids loved it however. Mainly because we let them jump on the beds. Sunday evening we went ahead and got the Chuck E. Cheese visit out of the way. It was lots of fun for the kids. Probably the highlight of the vacation for Chloe and Ryder.

On Monday, the kids were up bright and early just like every other day of the week. Everybody was excited to get to Sea World and we pulled in the minute it opened. They have a new section of the park just for little kids like Chloe and Ryder purely devoted to Sesame Street. Honestly, Chloe and Ryder could have stayed there all day and not see one animal and be okay with that. There was one ride in particular that Chloe loved and she rode it multiple times with Eden.

As you can tell they are pretty much like the Teacups at Disney World. Then Chloe and Ryder jumped in this bouncy house.

So after riding some rides we forced them to go to a few animals shows. And this is what Chloe looked like at each show.

So I'm supposed to be impressed that the dolphins can jump 30 feet into the air? I want to ride the teacups. I am not impressed that the sea lions can do tricks either. I want to ride the teacups. And what did I hear? We might have a remote chance of getting wet at the Shamu show? Get me out of here! I don't want to be here! I want to ride the teacups! MMMMMOOOOMMMM, I DON'T WANT TO GET WET! AAAGGGGHHH!!!!

And so it continued for the rest of the day. I did bring them back to Sesame Street land along with the other parents and their 8,000 children. We had to stand in line for a very long time to get back into the bouncy house for a 2 minute jump. After that the kids and I had to race back to the other end of the park to meet Aaron and Eden. Then the kids had a massive meltdown about everything: it's too hot, I'm hungry, I'm thirsty, I want to ride in the stroller, I want to ride the teacups! We had had our fill of Sea World. Time to check into the nice hotel. Yay!

Now let me sum up our beach experience. Basically, Chloe + Ryder + water + sand = misery. First, Ryder slipped on the pavement and scratched his knee which lamed him for the rest of the day. Here is the only picture of him from the first day when he wasn't crying.

Ryder slept for over an hour and a half on my lap. I got a lot of reading done but man, my hind end was numb! Finally, after about 5 hours of whining, crying and complaining Mama was done with the beach. But miracle of miracles, the kids didn't want to leave. Why are we leaving? We love the beach! We want to live at the beach! The beach is so much FUN! Why is Mom so grumpy?





If there had been a pier at the beach I would have jumped off it. The second day at the beach was much better. I finally figured out that if you stay on the beach you have to deal with the whiny kids. So Eden and I played in the waves. It was freezing but I loved every minute of it. And why do you ask are there no pictures of me frolicking in the waves. Well, Aaron was on the beach dealing with the sandy hands that still caused much anguish. DAD! GET THE SAND OFF MY HANDS OR WE ARE GOING TO DIE!
It really wasn't so awful. I just wish the kids loved the beach or vacation for that matter as much as Aaron, Eden and I. Maybe next year....

Here are a few more pictures that I really like.

We're back!

We arrived home this evening. I'll post something about our trip this weekend, after I sort through the 15 pounds of junk mail.

Celebrations!

Well,the Hermanson family have been busy celebrating the last couple of weeks. Aaron and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary on May 28th (woo-hoo), Aaron had a birthday on June 6th (36!), and Ryder was potty trained (yes sir-ee). This week Eden arrives for the summer and I will be celebrating yet another birthday (31, already?). Then, VACATION!

On Friday, Aaron and I, along with some good friends and family, went out to eat and to see a concert. We actually ate at the same restaurant where we had our first date. Awww, shucks! So to commemorate our fabulous selves I thought I would post a couple of pictures.

So this one was taken in February 2002, when we first started dating. Don't we look hot! I think we partied all night then slept in really late the next morning.


This one was taken on Friday, June 6th. Once again, we partied all night then got up at 5:45am with the kids. But isn't weird how some people just do not age!

So anyway, Eden arrives tomorrow and I cannot tell you how excited Chloe and Ryder are to see her. For the last couple of days Chloe will ask me, "When I get up in the morning will Eden be in her bed?" They can't wait to see their big sister.

Potty training Ryder had been on my mind for awhile but I was just plain scared! After hearing awful stories about how horrible it is to train little boys and I did not think I would be up for the challenge. But, good grief, it was easy. I would say within three days we were done. Accidents are very rare. I still can't believe it. No more diapers! YAY!!!!

We are headed for San Diego on Sunday for our family vacation. Sea World and the beach are on the agenda. Chloe and Ryder are pushing for Chuck E. Cheese. I'll let you know on that one. Looking forward to beach breezes!

Hog Heaven

Why go to Disneyland when you can....

...dig a hole?

We bought a peach tree and were planning to plant it when Aaron discovered that we were short a tree stake. And when living in a place where the wind can blow at hurricance strength, tree stakes are necessary. So the tree planting has been delayed. But, Chloe and Ryder had the best time putting their feet in the hole and then covering up their toes with the dirt.

They played for over an hour in this hole. Of course, we did need to squash the desire to throw the dirt into the air. We are really not ready to deal with a scratched cornea.

Aaron then asked, "So are you going to give them a bath tonight?" "Do you think they need one?" "Um, yeah Lyndsey, we're not in Georgia." You know I really don't remember running around as a kid with dirt smeared all over my body. In fact, my skin is dirt repellant. I did, however, on occasion have dirt under my fangernails, I mean fingernails. Anyways, after the bath and the teethbrushing, we tucked them into bed and they were sleeping in about 4.2 seconds. This morning the first question Chloe asked was if they could play in the hole again.