Our first Fourth as a foursome

I'm coming down from my vacation-induced high and it is such a bummer. I haven't even started unpacking the trailer yet because it means that it's really over and we have to go back to packing lunches in the morning and shuffling to and fro, work and school and groceries and...blah.

It was a crisp 69-75 degrees at Silverstrand this week. When I got home? 97. It felt much hotter in contrast to the cool weather from vacation. Most of the days were overcast and several of the days we spent huddled in blankets, cozied up in sweaters around a fire. I was barefoot pretty much constantly during the week and had beachy, wavy, tangly, awesome, covered-up-in-a-hat-because-I'm-at-the-beach-and-don't-give-an-S hair all week.

Go figure, though, Jonas started teething the day we left. The first several days of our vacation, his fussiness was reminiscent of his first three months of life, but by the end of the trip we fell into a steady, relaxed rhythm. It was frustrating at times but we made the best of it. [I know we're going to wake up tomorrow or something and there the tooth will be, because that's just how it works.]

The 4th was by-far the best day, which means it was awesome because we had some good days. Between my large family, in-laws and extended family, we probably had about 40 people or more. In the morning, we sipped on mimosas and cucumber spa waters, played cards, listened to Toby Keith and relaxed. By the afternoon, all of us had gathered on the beach to play beach volleyball until dinnertime [much needed exercise after a week of eating and drinking!]. We reconvened on the beach to watch fireworks, roast marshmellows, play silly games and listen to scary ghost stories. 

This week of vacation quickly nudged its way into my top five favorites ever. It was great to spend time with family and an amazing way to ring in our Fourth of July as a family of four.

And now I'm about to photo bomb you. Sor.

Brothers

  

The spread.

My pinspired "dessert" was a patriotic hit.

Best friends.

What did you all do for the Fourth? How has your week been?

Let's catch up!

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Peace out, see ya in a week!

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I'll be doing these things until next Thursday.

Miss you.

See you next week!

Another thing to check off our summer bucket list and...random stuff.

On Tuesday, we checked more summer fun off of our list. We visited the historic Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad with some of our friends. It is such a peaceful place, little trails wind all over the grounds, a little pool, tons of peacocks wandering around and shade trees to sit under. Gabriel was the oldest child there and it was so sweet to see him sharing his goldfish with Ava and chasing after her and Raeley. It makes my heart melt to know that he will be (hopefully!) just as sweet with Jonas as he gets older. We had a great day and I'm looking forward to seeing them tomorrow for some water play at the park in Rancho San Diego!

I wish I could say that I'll be relaxing today, but since yesterday was completely unproductive since we had to go to San Diego for Gabriel's doctor's appointment, I have soooo much packing to do. We will be heading to the beach from Saturday through Thursday so it's likely that all will be quiet on the blogger front. I'm looking forward to signing off and out for a few days and relaxing with my family at Silverstrand. 

My parents go every year and last summer, Gabriel and I stayed with them while Adrian was partying it up in Vegas at a bachelor party. I was puking my guts out literally the entire weekend, in the throws of horrific morning sickness. This year will be the first time we're taking our own (loaner) RV, so we'll have plenty of space to be nice and comfortable. I am so excited! We'll be right on the beach for the Fourth of July fireworks and I know Gabriel is just going to have such a blast!

For those who sweetly emailed or commented about Gabriel yesterday, he is thankfully okay. They officially diagnosed him with asthma, so that and a combination of allergies and a lingering cold is what has been making it hard for him to breathe. I'm just it's not anything a little more serious (not that asthma isn't serious, but his case isn't), like I was previously thinking!

Okay...I can't prolong the packing anymore. I'm getting hate texts from my husband to get on with it...

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Sicky boy

I had intended to share pictures today from our playdate yesterday with two friends and their little babies but we're going to have to hightail it back (again) to San Diego. We had a total blast and I probably talked their ears off because I was just so excited to be around humans that were not related to me by blood or marriage [I swear I don't talk as much normally, I'm just starved of adult interaction].

Anyway, we're back off to the city because my poor baby's cough is starting to make me very nervous. I'm convinced it's walking pneumonia or RSV or whooping cough. It's hacking and phlem-y and painful sounding, and I just can't wait any longer to take him. He's supposed to have school today, but instead we're snuggling in our pajamas watching Lady and the Tramp until I can get a hold of Kaiser.

Telling me he wants to snuggle, eat cereal in my bed and NOT go to school.

Last night he snuck into our bed. Normally we take him back to his bed because otherwise, he'd do it every night. But this time, as soon as he got close to me I could hear him wheezing. Up to this point it had just been a nasty cough, so this freaked me out. When he climbed into my bed and snuggled in, I could tell he was short of breath. I gave him a couple puffs of his old inhaler and that helped a little but he was still uncomfortable and having a hard time sleeping. Of course after hearing how uncomfortable he was, I couldn't sleep because all I could hear were his short little breaths and tossing around.

So, we're off. Appointment at 11:15. Back to SD we go!

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

I'm off to San Diego today to go to Leo Carrillo Ranch with some mommy friends for a little play-date so I don't have time for a full on post. Gabriel and I thought it would be nice to make some cookies today and since we were given a huge box of lemons from my mother-in-law, lemon it was.

Obviously I found these Lemon Crinkle Cookies on Pinterest (because where else do people find recipes these days?) and they are hold-the-phone good. Seriously. I generally have the philosophy that fruit desserts are not desserts, but lemon is the exception.

Our batch made exactly 2 dozen. It probably would have made a few more but...well...we couldn't stop eating the dough. And I had to beat Adrian away with a stick so that we could have some for today. Seriously. Go make these right this second.

Waiting (im)patiently for our cookies to be done.

Please ignore my nasty chipped nails.

Dare I say this recipe has made it into my "must-always-make-because-they're-amazing" list?

What's your favorite dessert recipe?

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