First Full Hair Cut

When Isaac was a few months old he acquired what I called a "Friar Ike;" hair at the base of his head that refused to fall out. In April my sister, Ashlie, shaved it off for me and so that was Isaac's true "first" hair cut. Since then I haven't cut his hair and it has gotten longer and longer. Now, I hate cutting hair. There is too much subjective thinking going into it. My sister-in-law, however, is very use to cutting hair since she cuts my brother's and all of her children's. So this last weekend while I was in SLO, Auntie Kate Hasson gave Isaac his first full hair cut that involved his entire head of hair getting clipped.

It's fair to say that he didn't particularly like it, but he tolerated the grooming quite well. Jake and I LOVE it. I am a fan of a clean cut kid. Thank you, Kate!! They are moving to Minnesota next week, so we will have to make a trip out when it's time to cut Ike's hair again!

Thanksgiving Visit

There was talk that Jake, Isaac and I would be in Florida for Thanksgiving since he had training down there. However, with the stress of traveling and the attention that training would require of Jake, Isaac and I stayed back. With this new development, Isaac and I were able to drive to San Luis Obispo to spend the holiday with my parents. Thankfully, Jake was able to take an early flight on Thursday and made it to SLO by noon! Pretty lucky. Then on Friday my parents watched Ike so Jake and I could get some time alone. We went to Nautical Bean (a favorite coffee shop) and then drove out to Port San Luis to watch the sunset over the ocean. Such a beautiful and peaceful place.

My parents had a fabulous time playing with Ike and naturally he enjoyed himself too. He made circles on their floor, played with the popper and rang my mom's bell (a trophy bell she got for running a 5k back in the day). That bell is definitely the most multifunctional trophy. I remember enjoying playing with it when I was a kid.

Anyway, as always, the weather did not disappoint and even though our Thanksgiving meal was low key, it was nice to have it with family.

I didn't get any pictures, but I also got to see my sister and her family as they passed through on their way to San Diego for Thanksgiving. Jake and I also visited with Travis and Kate and played Spontuneous with the girls. :) 

Lovely time and the drive back wasn't too bad either. Here's a little video of our time with the Hasson Grandparents. :) wonderful memories made.

Point Reyes

Yesterday, Jake, Isaac and I took a day trip to Point Reyes. Jake has wanted to visit this spot ever since he use to fly over it while working for SkyWest Airlines. I simply love to travel to scenic areas and since Jake and I won't be traveling together to Michigan or Florida for Thanksgiving, this was our time to get away, even if just for a day.

This part of Point Reyes is at the "point," just a walk from the Lighthouse. It was very beautiful...

and WINDY!

Then we went to the visitor center and walked along a beautiful and manicured path- 4 miles to the ocean. When we got to the marker that said we had one more mile to go, it was already getting dark and Isaac was beginning to get cranky, so we turned around. It was still a marvelous walk/jog and being a person of completing goals, I am anxious to get back and make it to the ocean!

We don't have any hats for Isaac, but I found this bomber hat that I bought him awhile back. I got it because it was cute, but it thankfully keeps his head and ears warm too! win win.

SLO Visit

I needed an easy going visit, so this blog post is appropriately titled. I needed some time to just relax and not have to cook and not have to clean. Thank you, Mom. It was also fun and a nice break to have my parents entertain their grandson while I ate breakfast or got ready for the day.

Isaac's favorite toy at their home was the infamous popper. This toy has made its way around the family! A classic, forever favorite.

Ike also enjoyed chasing and shaking this little wind up toy...

The primary purpose of my visit was to meet my niece, Beatrice (as I mentioned in this post) and it was wonderful. As much as I enjoy babies and how amazing they are in all their newness, I have to admit that I am an older kid kind of gal, so I LOVED seeing my other nieces and nephews as well as their adorable little sister. Suzannah, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Atticus, Henry and now Beatrice, all hold a very special place in my heart and it was fantastic to see them all. I had dinner at Travis and Kate's on the 5th and I truly could have stayed there all night and played with the kids if sleeping wasn't required by all. Isaac also had a good time exploring their toys and interacting with Atticus.

As wild as Mr. Atticus can be, he has a very soft side to him. Not only was he great with Isaac, but he also welcomed my many hugs and laid on me while I read a book to him and the girls. Physical touch is my heaven!

One morning at my parents when Isaac woke up, I asked him to say "hi" to his Dad (I often send good morning videos to Jake when he's working). And to my surprise, Isaac spoke! ;) or at least he sounds pretty dang close!

It was sad to leave my vacation, but at least I had a good book on "tape" for the drive home. I am still working on it, Unbroken, but it is a fun working. I'll have to travel back down to San Luis or over to San Jose soon so I can continue the story!

...love my family...

Springsteen Grandparents

On Monday, the 12th, my mom left early in the morning, Jake got home at 9pm and then his parents got in at 10pm. Whew! It was kind of a crazy day.

We spent a lot of time hanging out at the house which is easiest to do with Isaac at this age since he's still taking two naps- one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Since Mike and Betty wake up earlier than Jake and me, they took Annabel and Isaac for a morning walks which both the human child and the furry child LOVED.

While Mike and Betty were here we got their professional help in decorating one of our walls with the walking sticks and family fish plaque that they had made for us a couple Christmas's ago.

When Isaac was born, Mike made him his own walking stick. Ike had a lot of fun with it (which was a little scary) before we got it mounted on the wall. 

The finished wall!

Later on in the week we made a trip out to my family's cabin at Fallen Leaf Lake. It ended up being kind of a dark day, but still lots of fun to show Mike and Betty the lake, have some lunch and take a little boat ride.

This is another one of those times when SO many pictures were taken that I decided to make a little video with them. It was so wonderful to have Isaac's Springsteen grandparents visit. He is a lucky little man. We look forward to seeing them again!

Travel, travel, travel (Part 2: Fallen Leaf Lake)

After our time in Colorado (ending August 11th), I drove to Salt Lake City and picked up Jake and he continued the drive with me and Isaac to Elko, NV. Along the way we stopped at the salt flats in Bonneville and had a little photo op.

The next day we left Elko, NV and made it to Roseville, CA to sign the lease for our new home!

On the 14th we drove to Fallen Leaf Lake (near South Lake Tahoe) to spend the next week at my extended family's cabin with my Mom, Dad, sister's family (Ashlie, Adam, Josephine (3) and Eleia (1 (2 on the 19th!)), and my niece, Charlotte. My sister-in-law is 8 months pregnant, so she and the rest of my brother's family was unable to make it up this year, but the brave Charlotte still wanted to come, so she drove up with my Mom and sister. My brother and his family were missed, but it was nice to have Charlotte representing the clan. I rarely get to spend one on one time with her, so it was quite a treat. We had a marvelous time and the weather was spectacular.

Ashlie kayaking with Eleia

"Mother may I?"

Isaac didn't sleep the best at night, but he was a good baby during the day. We kayaked, hiked and did a lot of hanging out. :) In the evening we played cards and drank tea. It's always a good time at the lake.

My sleeping babies as we leave Tahoe