Hum Drum

I have been flying by the seat of my pants the last few days. Life is busier around here while I am doing everything on my own. The funny thing is I usually do it all on my own anyway, however things don't seem so hectic when I have my hubby home at the end of each busy day. Oh my sweetheart, I can't wait to see you and snuggle up next to you on Saturday night. Hurry home my love.

Carlsbad Beach California

We arrived at Cindy & Erik's late Wednesday evening. The girls were really great on the trip considering how long it takes to get down to San Diego.

We slept all but one night in Rancho Bernardo. The girls wake up sooooooo early. I didn't want them waking everyone up early at the beach house. The last night there, we all slept at the gorgeous beach house as a family. I am sad to say I didn't get one picture of all of us as a family. I know that I posted quite a few photos, but I really did post just my favorites.

Yes this was the amazing beach house where we partied and had a ton of fun. It can be all yours for a mere 20 million dollars! Ahhhh to be rich!

It was overcast almost the whole time we were there. I didn't mind. I had so many memories of beach trips gone by race through my mind while I was there. So many good memories of beaches, family & friends.

On Sunday the congregation from Cindy & Erik's church came and we had a service there on the lower level of the house. It was very lovely.

Good ol' Uncle Ben. He is Dean's younger brother. He has one of the biggest hearts and my girls just adore him. Zoe had just fallen asleep, so Ben was carrying her upstairs to put her to bed.

Yup. The party shower. No Dean and I didn't get to use it like I had hoped. That's OK. The last time we had fun in a shower in California, Aris was born, oh about 9 months later. Better safe than, well, having to add another car seat to the mix.

This was the very cool tub in the room Dean and I stayed in.

Cindy, Aris, me & Sloan. 

I have been so blessed to be in Deans family. They are wonderful people and I love the memories we are building. The beach house party was to celebrate Cindy turning 50 years young. I had such a blast with all of her friends and I had a lot of fun with my girls too. Dean was working almost the whole time on the new outdoor BBQ at his parents home. Times are tight. Dean's boss is out of work. So that means Dean has no work. He is taking any side job he can get. It has actually turned out to be quite a blessing. He told me the other day that for the first time in years he feels like he can relax. I think he really enjoys being able to go to work and he's in charge. This is just one of those scary steps we knew would eventually come before he gets his contractors licence. Just a crummy time to become a contractor. He will actually be more of a handy man/ fix-it guy until the market picks back up again. Although he makes a bit more working on his own, there isn't the weekly paycheck we have grown accustomed too. It's really changed our spending habits. Well enough about that. Dean stayed behind to finish up the BBQ and his uncle had some work that he asked if he could do also. He was supposed to fly home on Thursday but now will be home Saturday. I told him if he calls me on Friday and tells me he won't be flying home until the following Wednesday I might start to wonder if he is ever coming home (Just kidding here) We miss him. I love how hard my hubby works for our little family. Although he isn't good with the mooshy gushy lovey dovey things, he loves us all so much and shows it in many subtle and sweet ways. One fun thing that has come of all this is that he has lined up some more work in San Diego the week before Thanksgiving. That means.........ROAD TRIP! I will be counting down the days until I see all my family again. Love you Cindy and Erik! Love you Jenn & Little Erik, Ben & Kristin. Can't wait to see all of you in November!

An Artfulife Giveaway!

*Run over to GiGi Photography and post a comment for a chance to win this illustration.

The lovely Canadian photographer, GiGi, features some very fun giveaways on her blog. She had contacted me a few months back and asked if I would be interested in participating. I told her of coarse! Well life happens and things are crazy busy, however I am donating one of my paper handmade illustrations "P is for Pumpkin". All you have to do is hop on over to her blog (you can find it in the photography links to the side under GiGi Photography) and leave a comment to enter. Gillian has an amazing body of work. If I lived closer I would love for her to take some pictures of my girls. 

I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far. The family and I are heading out of town for a much needed family vacation. We will be visiting family in San Diego. I can hardly stand it! I am super excited for this much needed family time. Dean has a chance to do some work for his parents. It won't be all work though, surfing, a flying lesson and a beach house are on the itinerary. It will be a busy but fun filled 5 day vacation.

I will be taking a bazillion pictures, however downloading to the computer will have to wait until I am home again. I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week and weekend! Can't wait to catch up with you all when we get home. Until then have fun creating.

Summer

Reworked

Before

After

I reworked this illustration. I would love to know witch (hehehehe) one you like the best. Just leave a comment and whichever gets the most votes will be heading over to the shop Tuesday Evening. 

First Official Day of Fall

It is hard to believe the year is flying by so quickly. hope everyone enjoyed their first "Official" day of fall. 

*Photo found via the internet