Someday Summer!

My husband almost had a work transfer to Michigan a couple of months ago. I was devastated by the possibility of moving. So many things went through my mind--things like, "How could I leave my home of 27 years?" Other more trivial thoughts were, "There are places here that I have always wanted to see, but have never taken the time." I had always thought, "We will go there someday." It scared me of the possibility that I had put off doing these things for too long, and now it was too late! It mad me feel sick.

To make a dramatic story short, we ended up staying here in Cali and decided to make this our "Someday Summer!" A Summer filled with things we always wanted to do--to take advantage of this "second chance" we have been given. Also, after all the huge medical bills we have incurred this past year local day trips totally fit our budget!

As our family sat down to make our list of things, I was amazed--the list had places that people travel from around the world to see and do. I was so excited to start the fun-filled adventures. I am going to post our local outings here on my blog, as we check them off our"Someday List".

First on our list: Natural Bridges State Beach, in Santa Cruz. We have been to Santa Cruz before, but had not seen Natural Bridges Beach. We decided to go there the 5th of July, since both since both hubby and I were off work that day. On our way, we had to drive past the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

It is always so cool to see an amusement park right on the sandy beach, the waves almost lapping at the large wooden roller coaster.

Not too far north of the Boardwalk is Natural Bridges State Beach.

Apparently there use to be two "bridges", but one collapsed around 1976, leaving a single bridge behind. The beach is in a tiny intimate cove. Very cozy and a wonderful place to spend the day. There were picnic tables with BBQs just above the sandy beach. Next time we will have to plan a BBQ when we come.

Often the weather can be cool along the coast--but it wasn't too bad this day. Overcast, but not too cold. We liked it here so much we are planning on coming back in the Fall--by the beach is a eucalyptus grove which becomes a temporary home for around 100,00 Monarch Butterflies (from mid-October through mid-February).

On the way home, we stopped to watch the surfers (below is a short video).

Okay, one fun-filled check off the old Someday List! And thank goodness for second chances!

For more information about Natural Bridges State Beach go to:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541

Winding down the school year

I am wayyyyy behind on posting anything here on my blog. To busy living life! Even though it has been awhile since Summer has started, here are a couple of fun photos taken at the end of the school year.

Our daughter made the 4th Grade Honor Roll at her school (above and below).

Our daughter with her fabulous 4th Grade teacher (above).

Yikes, this school year went by in a blink-or-the-eye. Here are a couple of photos of my son's 8th Grade middle school graduation.

Nope, the 8th Graders didn't have any "caps" to go with their "gowns".

His graduation was held at the local high school football field. There were 330 graduating 8th Graders.

Here is the principle of the middle school giving our son his diploma. Guess it is now official, he is off to high school!

Below, this is how I find my son in a large crowd.

It helps that he is 6' 3 1/2" tall!

The end of graduation and our son is going home to dress for the big 8th Grade Dance and Graduation party. It is so cool that our son and daughter are best friends--I thought this photo captured that relationship (below).

This also shows us walking off into Summer. I will post more about those excursions later!

Hope all of you are having a wonderful summer!