Santa Cruz Staycation

We had so much fun in Napa that we decide to do another local weekender and hit up Santa Cruz, home to the world famous Boardwalk. It didn't disappoint.

We booked a hotel on the beach, which is good and bad. Good because it's so close. Bad because it's "good" for Santa Cruz. We lucked out and had amazing weather the entire time. Sunny and no fog. Amazing!

These two gave the trip two thumbs up!

B is a total Norcal beach baby. She knows what's up. She was talking about the ocean, beach, sand, waves, sandtoys, and boardwalk all weekend long. She had a blast with us.

We had quality family bonding time. We built castles, played in the waves, and lazed in the sun. B chased seagulls pigeons, and barked at the sea lions.

Since we were in SC, we had our fair share of weirdies and burnouts. This one guy was innocently trying to enjoy a day on the beach with his son, and their kite.


But Drunkie McBurnout had different plans. He bugged the family for a solid 20 minutes before the dad came up with a solid plan. He tilted his head to the side, and with a disguised voice, yelled "Go away! You're bugging everyone!"

The drunkie was totally confused, but heeded the advice and scrammed. Lance put this trick in his back pocket. On Friday night, Flock of Seagulls was playing a free show on the Boardwalk. A different Drunkie kept asking if the show was over. We ignored him, but he kept asking. Finally, Lance turned his head and yelled "Go away weirdo!" GENIUS! The guy hit the pavement.

On the way home, we hit up Big Basin, and spent the day hanging out with the majestic trees. We had never been yet, and I'm glad to have it checked off my CA list. It's worth a visit.

B walked tall and carried a big stick

I can't believe we're in August! I'm hitting the rest of summer hard, and not stopping until it's time to bust out the leaves and pumpkins, and put Ashley to shame again.

Gizdich and Tilden

We've been enjoying the great outdoors. We started out with Tilden Park. This is a hidden gem of the East Bay. It's great because it can be everything to everyone--farm, lake, carousel, steam train....what doesn't this park have?

The Lake

The Carousel

The Farm

You can bring celery and lettuce to feed the animals. We hit Safeway on the way there and grabbed some. Speaking of Safeway, you should never order the pulled pork sandwich from their deli. I saw mine being assembled, and left it to rot in Lance's car for 2 days. Sorry for the smell, babe!

We stopped outside the farm to have a relaxing picnic lunch. B snacked, climbed on rocks, and used Lancer as a jungle gym.





After visiting Tilden, Blakely said her first independent prayer: "Animals. Toys. Amen." Short and to the point. I like it.

We also hit Gizdich Ranch with Carly and Kai Kai.

B got her first timeout in public for hitting Kai Kai in the tunnel. If you see her in the next few weeks, you will also know this. She wears it as a badge and can often be found recounting the tale: "I hit Kai Kai in the tunnel. I got a timeout." She beams with pride. I'm ordering "Hands are not for Hitting" on Amazon tonight.


We intended to go berry picking--but a necessary bathroom stop (thanks Mcd's Large $1 DC!) landed us at the farm, and we never left. It was just too shady, quaint, and charming.

I hit people in hay tunnels!

Despite B's violence, Kai Kai enjoyed his time with her atop the famed hay tunnel.

We ordered lunch, which is a killer deal for around $6. Sandwich, chips, drink, berries, and a cookie.

Since I can't eat the cookie, I opted for the strawberry sundae. It eased the pain. Poor Lancer worked all day, so we eased his pain with a piece of ollalberry pie that he claims also eased his pain.

Then we lazed around while the kids played on the tractor, dug in the sand, and ran around enjoying the fresh air.

B charmed a gaggle of 10 year olds into playing with her. She looked like a little tween hanging with the girls. I think they were talking about finding each other on Facebook and hitting the Bieber concert in October.

"I'll totes call you. We should totally hook up again!"

B set up a crab apple shop, and spent a chunk of time organizing her merchandise. Daddy's genes.

I'm glad to report that we spent the majority of last week playing in dirt. B's bath water has been so gross, which is always a good sign. I'll take my lil Pig Pen just the way she is!

I Heart Summer

What's not to love? It's warm, it' s lazy, and it's filled with outdoor fun. Here's what we've been up to so far!

We had a Friday Night Fiesta. I think I'm going to make this a summertime tradition. I picked out a few new recipes I wanted to tackle, and went to town. I usually reserve Fridays for pizza, but I will make an exception because this turned out so fun.



We did everything on the grill--everything! Beef, peppers, tortillas. The meat was a lime marinade, and it was TO DIE FOR.

Candace cut the beef up for us, and I wanted her to show off her handiwork. Somebody chose to use the photo as an opportunity to show off her self proclaimed white hot summer hair. Hey, if you've got it, flaunt it.

I also made this DELICIOUS bacon and tomato guacamole. Add this into your rotation. You won't be sorry. Recipe HERE.

The spoils

We spent the cool summer night hanging out on the patio pigging out and chatting while the kids ran around and wore themselves out.



In keeping with the grilling theme, I decided to do an oldie but goodie--grilled banana splits. You basically get the bananas, slice them open, shove them full of chocolate bars, and then wrap them in foil and throw 'em on the grill.

The end result. Don't be scared by the brown peel. They were delicious. Ashley pointed out that a sprinkle of cinnamon would have upped the Mexican factor, and made the dish more appropriate for a fiesta. Duly noted.


We had a fun pool and water day with Team Gray. Kristine, in all her free time, was perusing Pinterest and decided to make a water blob. It's basically a gigantic waterbed on the lawn. I feel like every kid has the right to roll around on one of these in their lifetime.

It was warm and breezy, and the kids had a blast.

Bathing suit tukki. Love it.

We also went on a field trip to Petco with our summer school class. B got to pet a Hamster, iguana, parrot, and turtle. She ate it up.

Colin is our classmate.

We had a picnic dinner in the park with Ingie and Colin. The kids ran around and got their energy out.

But not before laying around on the ground and smooching like nobody's business.

We've also been logging in hours at the park running around with Lancer after work. I'm going to start packing up dinner and taking it with us at least once a week.

B is a total monkey. If there's a bar, she's hanging from it.

We also visited our favorite statuary in HMB. B is interested in the outdoors and gardening. She tags along in the backyard while Lancer is working, and even has her own little set of tools and a wheelbarrow.

It totally has dinos

And fountains

And pots

B was wandering around and found a cute "little boy" that she fell in love with. It was weird.

At first, she just sidled up next to him in the gravel and enjoyed his stone cold company.

Then she started feeling a bit more amorous, and decided to see if he was game fro some smooching.

He was

Atta girl! You're carrying on the time honored tradition of kissing cute boys made of stone. Well done.


UPDATE: Beef Fajita Recipe

1.5 lbs skirt steak
1 tbs chili powder
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp coarse salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 limes

Place steaks in nonreactive dish. Combine the spices, and sprinkle over the meat, patting it on with fingertips. Let stand 10 min. Squeeze 2 limes over the top and let marinate an additional 30-60 minutes. Grill 3-4 minutes per side for medium rare.

Update: Water Blob Tutorial: http://www.clumsycrafter.com/2012/05/water-blob-tutorial/

If Kristine can do it with twins and a toddler, you can do it!