The Flower Fields

I'e been wanting to visit the Carlsbad Flower Fields with my girls this season, and was reminded of them when I went to a friend's baby shower down the street from them this past weekend. The fields close on Mother's Day this coming weekend, so Mom and I took advantage of her day off 

(and her anniversary today! Happy anniversary Mom and Steve!!)

to take the girls today!

I took some pictures of the girls, which are mostly side profiles since it's set up so you cant get in front of them unless they face away from the flowers (and come on, they're one. They wanna touch the flowers. Don't tell the flower people we touched them!). But I of course with my completely unbiased opinion ;) think they are so cute, so I'll share them with you too. Just because it's fun and I can!

Thanks, Grandma, for joining us! And thanks, Grammy, for the adorable outfits!

This girl was miss independent!

Maddie: there's a man sitting on that bench...

...I don't want that man to sit on that bench by me!

my precious Rachel Claire

typical photo attempt these days!

Pointing at the airplane

my precious Madelyn Joy

Rachel: let me show you, sissy. You just pull the petals off like this. No it's ok, that's what we're supposed to do.

I'll have this headband off in three, two, one!

'I wanna walk!!' This girl is non-stop these days, walking about 50% of the time. (!!)

typical life with two busy one year olds!

kissing the bird from afar

watching the doves (or some variety of birds!)

My girls

Mother's Day... my first... Mom's 27th :)

first coffee date with all of us

thankful.

Moments Today

Today I'm thankful for:

maddie falling asleep without tears after our 3am feeding

having time to pump and read a few scriptures before the girls woke up

a day with my mom

center of a cinnabon to share

white hairbows that stay in place

confusing questions from starbucks baristas that turn into a yummy frappuccino

a fresh haircut and brow wax

grace from my hairdresser when i'm 10 minutes late after she squeezed me in #newtwinmom

a stroller with wheels and babies that like movement

couch chats with mom

pictures on the wall

the gift of formula and gracious parents

a fire-free neighborhood in the midst of fire-filled san diego

air conditioning that works

cockatiel chirps

sister's voice on the phone

taco salad and in-laws that bring dinner

freed-up space in my closet

coffee bean, starbucks, cinnabon, and drumsticks in one day #sleepdeprivedmompickmeups

clean cozy sleepy snuggly babies

new garbage disposals and plumbers that come at a moment's notice

free personalization

clean laundry, matching dresses, and lights that turn on

freshly watered back yards

bed time #fortwohours

a full tank of gas

couch chats with j

bedtime lullabies

3-Day for the Cure: Day Two

Day Two began at about 5:00AM when Mom and I began to try to get ready. 

Come to find out, it's pretty challenging to do all the prep necessary in a little tent.

Our goal was to leave at 7 with our team for the route.

For some reason, it took us longer than ever to get ready.

At 7:27, we rushed out of our tents to the sound of blowhorns and a lady driving a golfcart yelling 

"3 MINUTES TO GET ON THE ROUTE OR YOU WILL BE BUSSED TO LUNCH!!!!!"

Needless to say, our poor feet ran us to the beginning of the route and we started at the back of the line.

But hey... we made it and didn't get bussed once!

Despite a crazy morning, it was a wonderful day and

a truly beautiful morning on the bay.

There were typically long lines to take pictures in these little booths, but we caught this one!

Just a few more of our police friends. They really showed themselves to be awesome today.

What quickly became our favorite snack: half bagels with peanut butter!

The 3-day national spokeswoman and our newest hero, Dr. Sheri Phillips!!

After hiking up Narragansett in Point Loma, it was so fun to watch SDPD toilet paper the paramedic girls' ambulance in the rain. They went back and forth all three days :)

But what really made our day was SJPD dancing around us with their radio in the bathroom lines at one of the pit stops. We couldn't stop laughing!

I love Point Loma!!

Ocean Beach!

Greatest surprise: J popped out from behind some random bushes and surprised us on the walk, then walked for a bit with us! Thanks for finding me, honey.

Flowers from a sweet lady after lunch. gerbera daisies = my favorite!

FREE ice cream cones for 3-day walkers from Golden Spoon?!?!? h.e.a.v.e.n.

Steve, Carly, Steve's mom Ellen, and Sammy came to visit us on the Boardwalk in the afternoon. So encouraging to see familiar faces! If only we weren't at the BACK of the line... we coulda visited longer. Unfortunately, the pit stop was closed before we got there, so we had to race to catch up. [how this happened, we still don't know]

Carly speed walked with us for a little bit. We love her!!

Another reminder of God's amazing goodness and creativity: sunset over the Bay

Back at camp: 40 miles down!! Just 20 to go!!

Camp that night was full of laughs with mom. I'm so thankful to have been able to share this experience with her. It wouldn't have been the same without her.

Stay tuned... day three and the big finale!!