Lunch at Moss Landing

If you are ever out near Sunset Beach, please stop in at Moss Landing for the yummiest seafood to melt in your mouth. Phil's has been featured on Food Network. Bobby Flay challenged him to a "Throwdown" and Phil won. The Halibut & Chips, the fresh crunchy coleslaw, the smooth and creamy clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. All taken in surrounded by the sea air.

Phil...I hear you...I'm coming!!

And did you know that if you leave an artichoke alone it will do this...

Bloom into a gorgeous purple flower. I was happy to discover this beauty not far from Phil's.

And getting back to the campgroud you drive by miles and miles of...

Strawberry Fields Forever!!

(did you sing that with me?? you know ~ Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band!! Please tell me someone remembers that album besides me!)

BEACH BASEBALL...

We aren't the only piece of the Brown family that loves this game!

The dads had fun getting in on the action too.

I love this shot of Cooper tagging Maddie out. He loved it!

Even little Peter got his hits in...

but Cooper didn't care much about the fact that Peter was only 3.

Cooper was playing for real. No surprise ~ right!!

And a play at the plate...Brent dives and throws it home to Tom while Sam slides in and sends the sand a flyin'!! They played until the fog rolled in.

The most unusual flower graced our campground...

It was much like a fluffy pompom set upon a crete paper plate. Not only was it beautiful but its fragrance was oh so sweet...

I love my new camera. Thanks so much honey!

We took a scenic hike one day...

The trail along the rocks was truly incredible.

The power and the beauty was awesome.

Goosebumps really.



And here's Grandpa with the grand kids.

I think Grandma Joyce was smiling down upon our family.
She loved our beach vacations.

The Master's Touch was evident today.

More beautiful sights along the trail.

These pictures are for Cooper...

He loved the little creatures that came across our path.

This little guy was just as interested in us as Cooper was in him.

Why is it that you can see a squirrel a million times at any vacation spot, but you still get excited and stop and take pictures?

We made a stop while driving back to the campground to check this out.

There were LOTS of them. And they were smelly.

But you can't resist taking a picture of a sea lion either. Sigh...

All the fun made for really great sleepers!!

Sorry boys!! I just had to include these.

Can't get enough of these three...

I could end this incredibly long post with the story of how we were blessed and kept safe from what could have been a very serious and scary incident involving a fire in our camp. But instead I'll just remind my children of the testimony I bore there. Heavenly Father cares for us and watches over us always. It was no coincidence that me and dad were woken by a barking dog that night. Heavenly Father kept us safe and out of harms way and all is well.

I've had quite a few people ask...

Yes. That is Brent and I in my new header picture on the beach in Santa Cruz.

I played around with the original (to the left) using a program called picnik. I don't have the upgraded version. I just use the free stuff. : )

Progress...

...is defined as:
positive development; usually of a gradual kind, toward achieving a goal or reaching a higher standard.

Yes.
That's our Davis.

I could love the stuffin' out of my brand new Webelo.

My niece is right...

Team Jacob is looking pretty good right now. You must click.

Nie Nie

If you aren't familiar with this story then I don't know where you've been. It's on my side bar too.

Yesterday she posted a picture of herself ~ a year, exactly, since the plane crash.

She and her family lived in Mesa, Arizona and since the accident, returned to live near her family in Provo, Utah.

It is a story you must become acquainted with.

It will make you look outside yourself and count your blessings.

And that is always a good thing.

It's that time of year...

This handsome young man headed off to 5th grade with a happy smile but not before he gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. I'm grateful he is not embarrassed by his mom. His cheerful wave good bye was full of confidence.

And here is my 1st grader...all rested up after a wonderful night's sleep under the sweet influence of magic confetti.

And we got to school and found his spot to line up long before anyone else showed up.

Cooper has been asking for about a month now, just what I'd do without him at home with me. He was happy to offer suggestions like: go visit your friends, go on your blog, and my personal fave ~ do a craft. He's funny.

But this was a tough day for me.

I didn't go visit a friend.

I didn't go on my blog.

And I didn't do a craft.

I just sat in my quiet house and did a lot of pondering and wishing I could make a phone call to a number I have memorized but knew the voice that I wanted to hear would not pick up.

Yeah...it was a tough day.

But at 2:50 in the afternoon I walked outside to this happy sight...

They both came home with lots of happy things to report.

It all got better from this point on.

Have I really reached this time in her life??

A Freshman in highschool.

When did I get old enough for this to happen??

But she is so excited to be on her way.

Off she goes!

...and here she comes.

With Jana making fun of the fact that I'm standing in the driveway, documenting the moment.

Okay, so it IS kinda silly. But really...

4 more years just isn't long enough.