Picture perfect Sunset Beach people watching!

Not bad, huh?

So I really did alot of research of the "dos" and "don't"

in Southern California.  And this was to be the oldest

hamburger shack and the best burger around.

I think "NOT" .  We opted for the yummy

delicious deli across the street!

Priceless.......this is "old" Calif.

The painted up VW van..

I bet this baby has a few stories to tell!

The world famous San Diego Zoo!  

Beautiful day, double decker bus tour,

loads of ice cream, etc!

It IS all that it is cracked up to be.

All I can is thank the Lord above

for the "buggy" (stroller)!

Saved out lives!

We covered every inch of that zoo today

and it was quite warm!

Baby, it's cold outside.................

With the holidays behind me, the Christmas tree and goodies put away, toys put together,

boys planning back to school schedules set, gadgets figured out (NOT), and many

other motherly duties under control............

AHHHHHH!

I have to daydream about the trip to California!

Beautiful weather, daily adventures, great food and sights,

treasures found..............

I must share a few pics before I post holiday!  I know, I know, this may seem a thing

of the past but I have to include it in my blog or I couldn't live with myself!!!!

Truly!!!!  The sights, surroundings and smiles are too good not to share.

So forgive me!   And hang on for holiday/Christmas magic soon to come@!

Carlsbad, California 2012.

Home of Legoland!

What a beautiful day to play!

Oh my!  We have got alot of territory to cover.

Where oh where to go first?

Dad is , of course, in the bathroom!

While Griffin and I map out a plan!

Well what can you say!  An October b-day 

pose if I ever saw one!!!!!!!!!!

So proud to be riding in the caboose!

Check out the lego carrots in the ground

what a place!

Lego Police!  Look out!!!!

Well Einstein finally meets Einstein......

Mark always call Griffin Einstein!

He is the smartest pre-schooler we know!

Very funny.......I think this Lego lady is loving Mark!

I think this Lego man loves Griffin!

Look just beyond the man in the middle looking around

for his "umbrella" drink....or maybe his wife, or maybe

his towel/book/chair...........

who knows............but the real prize is the "red roof"

of the Del Hotel on Coronada Island , California.

A true resort of it's own, much celebrity history and

the place to be!!!!!

Two happy fellas!

Coronado Island, California

2012

I love this place!

Coronado Beach was clean and beautiful......

and even though they were having record heat

the water was ICE cold........

Pre-School jitters...........................

So a few weeks ago, after we returned from our wonderful California

adventure  (this is yet to come!), we received word

that the Methodist Church was reopening their pre-school

program , aka, Caterpillar Corner.

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The 4-5 year old class is very limited.  So we jumped into

the application process!

Excuse me....

how could you deny this bright and beautiful

young fellow!

Go Griffin!

Jack Griffin Cypert

Age 4 yrs. 10 months

Applying for Caterpillar Corner

Tuesday - Thursday

So.........let me think about this!

Ahhh...yeah, I can convince

this preschool that I want

to be a part of it!

The "smile" is working it~

Okay, this is the real me....

all smiles and happy!

Even talented , standing on one

foot!

But don't tell them....my favorite things are my 

goggles and my nightie..............

So sad, realizes the peer pressure already!

Smart Tv? Smart Family? I don't think so......

Just in time for fantasy football season.........we

were able to replace our old big screen tv in

the den............not to mention the cool

"smart tv" features that we the "smart"

family can't possibly figure it all out!

 We did manage to get the new 3D Blue Ray

DVD to work and wow is this fun!

Come on Preston you are missing

the 3D movie!

Ch,Ch,Ch,Changes.........................

Our household is full of transitions........

Change is good right?

I know this is true.

Yes , I'll be okay,

Preston is a senior at TTU and we moved him into

his new apartment.

Bryce started his senior year in SHS.

Griffin is ready for a big boy room.

And Mom's head is about to explode with excitement and sadness

of everyone becoming so independent.

Why change a good thing?  Let sleeping dogs lie....

We have finally made the official decision......

Griffin loves his crib so much......

But it's time for the BIG BOY BED!!!!!!!!!!!!

  When we decided on this crib, one of the best things

about it was that it would make into a full bed later on.........who would hae ever thought these years would fly by so very very fast!

So here we go............................

FLASHBACK!  Titantic blue for the nursery...

Griffin is due in just weeks....in this pic!

First things first..........yes the wall had to be painted....

bye bye "titantic" blue!  I'll never forget you!!!

Headboard connected to the......side rails.......

So, quick story...........

Griffin wanted to paint the walls green.......so I 

compromised with him and went with a green 

comforter!

I found the wiggly number fabric on the front pillow in one of

my favorite spots on earth, Fredericksburg, Texas.

The vintage train lampshade came from an

antique shop in Colorado City named Dragonfly!

Wish it would always stay this tidy!

NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got to have a couple of trains in sight!

Ta Da!!!!  The big boy room is totally

clean and turned out great!

Happy b-day to you, Happy b-day to you.......

Happy b-day dear Bryce!

Happy b-day to you!

Can't believe my middle baby boy is going to be a senior

this year and turning 17!  

Where does the time go???? Oh I know,

all those fun filled ski trips, deer hunts, getting a new dog,

and a new truck.......

We love ya Bryce!

Seventeen and a senior!  Can't get any better than that?

Make a wish!

Bryce, we hope your wish comes true!

Oh sweet girl, Scarlett!

Griffin is more excited about Bryce's b-day than he is...

every little boy loves loves loves a party!

The fabulous foursome...waiting for birthday dinner...

Swim, swim , summertime....summer, summer, swimtime...

Seems as if the daily routine starts to fall in place after "Daddy" does work...
He opens the door, and Griffin pipes in, "Dad, want to go swimming?"  
Well of course, I do, he says and off they go!  How sweet....Griffin is doing the backstroke, swimming underwater (with goggles) of course, and can float for a while on his back out in the middle of the pool.  He certainly isn't an Olympian yet for sure, but I do believe he's pool safe!  

Come on Bryce, get in!  

The water is fantastic!!!!

He doesn't look too thrilled!

Happy and giving orders I'm sure...

Two fish for sure!

Headed to the pool.....

Hurry and snap that pic!

And away they go!

Their nightly routine!

Swimming everynight........so who could say 

no to this blond coppertone baby!

New Hibiscus flowers every day....

This one is a pale pink

From the Wildseed Farm in 

Fredericksburg..........

One of our favorite spots to visit !

Cotton Candy smiles........

Carnivals.................

A very very happy Big Brother

after taking his last Maymester class at Texas

Tech Univ...............is classified as a SENIOR!

One more year until College Graduation!

How can that be???????  Flashback!  It was just

him taking swimming lessons and going under

water for the first time.........

Swimming morning, noon and night!

We can go underwater, jump off the 

side (yikes)...and slide into the

pool!

Freshly painted chairs............

to lounge and drink those

ice cold beverages we all love

so dearly in the summer time...

Little boys on tricycles..........in swim trunks

no less, we live in our swimsuits

around here...........

Bryce's home away from home...

Middle worker bee!  He is all about the "big" machinery.

Here he fills up the CAT with diesel for more grubbing!

Ever since he was a little boy, he has loved tractors!

It's definately his passion!  And he's good at it!

It is noted he had the best looking winter

wheat in the county....