SANTA CRUZ GET-AWAY!!!

After a very-hairy semester, we decided it was time for a much-needed vacation. What can be better than some time by the coast??? (Along with good munchies, a book and some sand toys) We booked camping reservations for New Brighton State Beach, a state park located in Capitola- a beautiful little coastal town just outside of Santa Cruz. Everyone questioned our judgement in taking such a young baby and a toddler camping. The reality is that they both are calmed by being outside. They did great. We have a cozy tent that fits our family well. The weather was wonderful- not necessarily bathing suit weather, but this did not stop us from puting on sweatshirts and trecking down to the sand. We spent 2 of our days at New Brighton Beach on 1 day at the Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk. (Yes, we played on the rides!!!) Brooke and Chris Thompson came up with their children and brought along 2 other families from their ward. Noelle had so much fun playing with Nixon and Mazzy on the beach! All in all it was a fabulous trip! I forgot to bring my camping stove, which turned out to be the best mistake ever made. It took absolutely all of the stress out of camping. We ate out instead of cooking dinner and had pasteries for breakfast. I don't think I'll ever take the stove again! I'm going to try to squeeze in another trip this summer if anyone is interested in going-let us know! (Early July?)I'm having trouble pulling up pictures under my log-in. I'll have Dan post tomorrow.

Mom and Noelle at Newbrighton Beach


Sunbathing beauties - Mazzy and Noelle


Camping Jammies!!!


Enjoying the Outdoors


Dad and Noelle on the Merry-Go-Round


Noelle Riding the Blue Car All By Herself


Dad and Noelle on the Dragon Ride

The Need to Bond

I couldn't resist. Corom is growing right before my eyes, and I feel that I'm letting a lot of the experiences/moments that I had with Noelle slip through my fingers. I watched Noelle a lot of the time during the first few months of her life, while Tami either went to school/work. I took tons of pictures of her - moments that I will forever cherish. With Corom being born under such hectic circumstances, I haven't found as much time to bond with him. So I guess this entry is as much for myself as it is for the reader; to remember what a beautiful, handsome boy he is. These pictures just make my heart melt. I am a very proud father.

Dan

What a Fun Week!!!

It is only Wednesday and it has already been a full week. By the way- American Idol just ended. What a great show tonight! We're sad to see the season end, but excited for "So You Think You Can Dance!" Anyway, we started the week off by attending Julio's graduation from Law School. What an event! We are so proud of him and can't believe that 4 years have passed. Nikki (my sister) and I have really leaned on each other for support and have had a lot of fun during these school years. Sin
since Julio started Law School, Nikki and I have had a combined total of 4 children. (1 per year!) Though they are thrilled to finally be done and taking the bar, it is a reminder to me that this season in our lives is coming to an end at that we will soon be going our seperate ways. A BIG CONGRATULATIONS JULIO! We are so proud of you!




On Monday, Noelle, Corom and I went to my favorite new spot, Seely Park. It is a fabulous location with great playground equipment, lots of shade and really cool water fountains to play in. I couldn't have had more fun. Noelle stood about 20 feet away from the fountains. She's scared to death of anything resembling a sprinkler for some reason. I finally got her to put her feet in, but she screamed. I think I'll just keep trying until she gets used to it. When the heat hits, we need an alternative to the playground!





Thank goodness for gymnastics. This truly is the highlight of my week. I love passing my passion onto Noelle and spending watching her development. On Tuesday nights, she attends the Sacramento gym with her daddy and goes to Miss Tamara's class. Dan and Noelle rode on Dan's bike and Corom and I walked. It's always nice to get out as a family. Today, we picked Papa (Aldama) up and went to Barbara Jo's class in Folsom. We had a great time and even got a Jamba Juice on the way home!






Tonight Dan bought Noelle a tricycle. It's a pink and purple Radio Flyer with streamers. So cute-matches her pink helmet!

As I was getting ready for bed, I made a funny observation. Noelle is constantly imitating our actions. In 2 minutes I was able to locate 3 instances where she has copied us. First, she took her toy mop from the playroom and put it beside the fridge so it could be next to our swiffer. Then I noticed she put her new flip-flops next to mommy's and finally she requested that Dan raise her bike on a hook on the garage ceiling like Mommy and Daddy's. What a funny kid!

Life With Two Kids

So often I get the question, "So...is it difficult caring for 2 small children?" Hah! I always want to say! Of course it is!!! I find that my life is now 100% devoted to caring for my children's needs. (Cooking, changing diapers, wiping noses, park trips, bath times, etc.) Up until having Corom, I was still working part-time as a manager and enjoying my part-time "me" time. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love my job at Tricks more than just about anything else. Parenting 2 children has now replaced life as I once knew it and yes, it is difficult! I often dream about times when I was only responsible for me. It was so much easier then. I must say, however, that now that I have tasted the sweetness of full-time motherhood, I am so grateful for this special time at home with my children.

The other day Nikki and I were talking about this and reflecting on how much parenthood can change a person. Nikki commented on how unique this time of our lives is- in that it truly teaches us to be selfless and to sacrifice our own personal desires. This is a time that builds character. Our children only hold our hands for a brief time. I love thinking about how mothering small children fits into the "big picture" of our existence here on earth. Such a short time, but so important! It helps me put the day-to-day things into perspective and to smile at the lessons that my kids teach me.

I thought you all might enjoy some recent pics. This is just a little glimpse into our world. I can't help but bring my camera along with me wherever I go. I just want to freeze time and the only way I know how to do this is to take lots of pictures! Noelle and Corom brighten up our home! Here's to parenthood and to the children who teach us so much about love and who make us better people!

Another Huge Thanks!!!

We are overwhelmed by the responses we've received. Your advice has been more than considered. It's comforting to know that so many of you are willing to share your experiences with us. I have curbed my desire to purchase a house, and have realized that renting would be the best option for us. After battling the logistics of opening a daycare, mortgage, and costs of owning a house, we'd be buried in debt by the time I ended my program. Renting definitely give us more financial relief, and would allow us the freedom to relocate if I miss the California coast too much.
So now comes the daunting task of finding a rental. What's fortunate for us is the immense amount of rentals in the University area, including the Avenues! I think it was Michele, who made referenced them in her comment. We started to research them, and have fallen in love with their style, and location. We are still rooting for student housing, due to the campus atmosphere, and daycare facilities.
So, again if anybody out there knows of some good, relatively inexpensive rentals that are close to campus, please let us know. Thanks a ton!!

Dan

Where, in Utah, Can You Find Us?

So, in a couple of months we will be out of Sacramento and living in a foreign land, with weird people - Utah(I heard they still practice polygamy there):) Just the thought of living away from "home" turns my stomach upsidedown. Sure I lived in Spain for two years on a mission, but now I have a family to care for/look after, and a master's program to complete - yeah, a little different. We are up for the challenge, though. Our biggest stumbling block, now, is where in Utah we ought to live. I'll be attending the U of U in Salt Lake City, so we need a place relatively close to the campus. Another of our plans is to open an in-home daycare business. This would allow us to get into a decent-size house, with a backyard and basement, and we'd be able to write-off a ton of our expenditures during tax season. However, this option opens a ton of legal mumbo-jumbo that Tami is sorting through, a commitment to a mortgage, cost of repairs, and a location at most 45 minutes away from campus. What should we do? This is what we've research thus far:

- Bountiful, Murray, Midvale, West Valley, Draper, Sandy, Taylorsville: all of these locations offer houses that would provide space for the daycare, and that are relatively close to campus.
- Salt Lake City: Student housing. Three bedroom, two baths. Pros - Inexpensive, a mile from campus. Cons - they're kind of outdated, we'd pay rent (bye-bye money), a wait list a mile long, apartment stlye living (we had a bad experience in our first apartment), no opportunity to open a daycare.
- The Condo Approach: Decent three bedroom condos, some are close to campus, some aren't, some are less in monthly payments, but not by much (so why not spend a couple hundred more and get into a house?), again, daycare possibilities would be more difficult to pursue.

As you can see we have a lot of options open to us. So, to everyone reading this blog, "What would you do? Do you buy and invest your money into a house, or rent and watch your money go to someone else's investment? Do you live in Salt Lake, or out of Salt Lake? Would you open a business, or leave in until I finish school, so as to live with less financial burden? Is everything either/or, or is there a common ground somewhere, and we just haven't found it?

Feel free to let us know what you think, and give suggestions/advice. Unitl next time...

If you're wondering: Our primary goal is for me to get through OT school (in one piece), and then ultimately to open an Occupational Therapy clinic along with a recreational gymnastics facility.