goodbye america

the view from the house we stayed @ in Santa Cruz for 6 weeks!

Yes, that is the ocean!

Yup, that time has come. We are mostly packed, doing last minute errands, cleaning, and spending every waking moment with loved ones...before we board that huge airplane and fly across the Pacific. It doesn't feel completely real yet, but I can tell that my emotions are often guarded, or the other extreme: RAW! I am tired of saying goodbye. I think we have said more 'goodbyes' than any normal person has done in their lifetime...and I'm young!! This is most likely the hardest part of living overseas. I love my life, but it has its hard parts too. Just keeping it real!

the view of the terraced garden! = so peaceful!

I find myself taking lots of pictures, wanting to capture those last moments just sitting around, being together. I definitely feel surrounded by incredible love and encouragement and support. Then my mind is racing with thoughts of items I still haven't purchased to stock up on... but I need to just relax. It will all come together with time to spare, right?? Being with people is most important. :)

So many people have gone out of their way for us this trip! Gift cards, food, gas money, a beautiful home, a minivan to borrow, hand-me-downs, homemade gifts!, chiropractic visits - just to mention a few! Thank you to a community of friends that are really family. I will miss you dear friends: for seeking to know me deeply, asking hard questions, and taking the time to be real. I will miss you too, California: your fresh ocean air, healthy foods, variety, green open spaces, sandy beach, and so much more. But I shall see you ALL again in a few years. (sniff sniff)

day o' love 2011

For the love of all holidays and celebration: we (as in Ali, the momma) tend to go all out: for the memories, for the traditions, for the pure joy of celebration. The girls love it too. We made 21 Valentines for other kids. We drew, cut, wrote loving notes, and drew pictures all morning. It was fun! We chose our favorite party clothes in all shades of pink...for a sweet Valentine Party with friends.

The girls loved every moment. The strawberries, the cupcakes, the crafts & fruit loop necklaces, the book exchange, the Valentine mailboxes....every detail was so perfectly planned.

Thank you Jana (and Matt for planning the man-date) for such a special day!! As we get nearer to our departure, we try to bask in each moment with friends - not wanting to miss anything. Only 5 days before we depart....and we are so FULL with love for our amazing friends. We miss you already.

(and now we must start packing!!)

bowling with buddies

I like bowling mostly for the shoes. :)

.....AND it was fun to take the girls to the Boardwalk Bowl where I have bowled many a game over the years. The girls used the bumper's which makes it more encouraging. They all enjoyed rolling their huge balls down the alley, except E. She was not happy about it one bit. Bowling might not be her favorite sport, but everything changes so fast when you are five. At least she tried!!

Even with all their effort and nifty bumpers....the littlest one won!! Here's the proof:

When we first started bowling - A said, "I'm really good at bowling cuz I've done it since I was three." :) Actually, the first time she ever bowled....she was three. I don't think she has done it since....well, maybe once. Time flies!!

the dentist!!

Why do dental cleanings get put off till the last minute?? Ahhh...

Thankfully, we have an incredible dentist who understands our time constraints and is so helpful to get all three girls in together. They all get a bit nervous but our dentist is so patient, calm and talkative with the girls as they sit in her chair. She explains everything before she does it, which really helps! We are very thankful!

Sydney had a small cavity in one of her teeth that had chipped last year. It was so small that the dentist drilled it out without any Novocaine, and filled it so fast. Sydney was holding her breath and squeezing daddy's hand...but she stayed so still & calm during the entire thing. It was amazing to see such a little girl being so brave in that huge chair, with equipment being shoved into her tiny mouth. She's a trooper!

All the girls got to take home new toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss of course! Ever since the visit, Asia reminds us ALL to floss almost daily. She is our little rule-keeper and reminder of all things important. She is wonderful. They all are...and now they have clean-cavity-free teeth for at least 2 years. :)

We love you Dr. Torres!!

big slides @ Oceanview Park!!

Yes....that is little Sydney up at the top. I was so nervous she would hit the bumps and fly off. But she made it safe. She must have gone down about 20 times....even with some wax paper to speed up the ride.

She loved it.
As did Eden, Asia, mommy, daddy & Jamma.
It was just too fun to miss!

These slides have been here since I was little, maybe even older than me?? This is one of our favorite parks to play at - so peaceful with shade, trees to climb, swings, wonderful climbing structures...and grass all around. Maybe next visit we will make a goal to visit every park in Santa Cruz, and choose our top five. I am pretty sure this would make the cut!!

petroglyph

The girls loved spending half a day at this lovely art studio downtown, where you can paint pottery any way you please. It was actually very therapeutic...sitting quietly with our paints, creating masterpieces. Another peaceful day in Santa Cruz!!

Syd painted a butterfly for Jamma

Asia painted a small heart box for Nana

Eden painted a shark with jewelry for Poppa.

I loved watching the girls create their own treasures...carefully choosing paints, brushes, and learning to be steady & consistent as they had to paint 3 coats! This takes a long attention span for most 4 year olds!! Also - Tuesdays are half off for all studio fees!!

I painted a bright bowl for a birthday gift.

Now our pieces are off to be glazed & fired in the kiln @ 1800 degrees!
...and everything is more fun when Jamma is around!!

thankful for friends.

Too many to count : we are so blessed.

taste-testing

Any trip to California is not complete until you have visited Marianne's Ice Cream at least 5 times, right?? Well, we have lots of reasons to continue our "market research" for the best ice cream in the world. :) J also got to meet Sam, the owner of Marianne's - and ask him lots of questions and take a guided tour of his production site. It was so amazing to sit in the presence of someone who has mastered so many flavors!! Still, my trusty favorite will always be chocolate & peanut butter.

nanpop

Nana + Poppa = Nanpop. We weren't able to take another trip to visit their home in the hills, so they came to us!! We tried to fill our 48 hours to the brim with leisurely fun, playing together outside, and laughing as much as possible. It worked!!

We spent one day @ Wilder Ranch climbing trees, fences & tractors and also petting the Clydesdale horses. It was such a gorgeous day....the weather was perfect.

We then went north near a small town called Costanoa, to play at the beach...and the beach was empty, just waiting to be discovered. We were surprised to discover 2 beached elephant seals, resting from the winter waves. It was incredible (one was injured and hidden in a rocky cove, while the other one was shy & sleepy up the creek)! We definitely kept our distance.

...waves were waiting to be jumped.

...rocks were waiting to be appreciated.

...cliffs were waiting to be scaled.

...and Mr. Elephant seal was sleepy.

The next day we all went to Roaring Camp for a picnic. It was so peaceful...just the rustling wind in the trees, and the occasional chug & whistle of the train. Its good to find times of pure quiet. I know I will miss this when I am back in noisy China. We fed the ducks, played tether ball (Nana has major skills!) and ate delicious picnicking foods in the sunshine. E&A loved playing with their new walkie-talkies, like they were spies. It was just plain FUN.

Thanks for making the drive here to spend with us!! We all had such a wonderful time together, and we cherish you!! Maybe our next big reunion can be on this side of the globe??