Catalina Saltwater Swim

OMG!! I can't believe I did want I did in Catalina Island.  So several months back a group of my swim friends mentioned putting together a fun ocean swim in Catalina.  Once I heard it I was totally in.  I love swimming and I wanted to do something to challenge myself.  I swim 3 to 4 days a week so I knew the physical part of the swim I could handle, for me it was all going to be a mental challenge.  With the swim coming up within months/weeks I started getting really nervous and wanted to back out so bad.  I kept trying to come up with excuses, but Jake wouldn't listen.  He told me I was doing it and he and the kids were going to be there to cheer me on.  Jake was so supportive and leading up to it he keep telling me how I had to swim in the ocean at least one before the swim.  Yes I have never really swam in the ocean besides jumping in the waves for fun.  Finally 5 days before the big swim in Catalina one of my friends got me down to La Jolla cove and I did my first ocean swim.  I finished that two mile swim hating it!! I was so scared, the waves were rough that day, and the water was so dark and murky I didn't see any enjoyment in it.  But I told myself I survived this, I can survive Catalina and I never have to go into the ocean again after that.

The day of Catalina I was full of nerves.  I honestly hadn't felt that much anxiety in a lot time, but once I got on the boat to head over I started to relax...thank goodness.  I think being around the amazing positive energy that my swim friends have helped.  The kids were so excited to be on a boat.  They loved ever minute of the ride over and we even saw a whale, which was extra exciting.

Once we got to Catalina we dropped our bags of in the room and all headed to a nice dinner together.

Breakfast of champions before moms big swim.  

Surprisingly the morning of the swim I felt good.  I had been telling myself I was only going to do the two miles loop, but that morning I felt like I could do three no problem.  Having the kids and Jake also made me less nervous and when the whistle blew I was ready to go.  The water temperature couldn't of been better and the water was so clear that I could see everything underneath me.  

I swam in a group with my friends Nicole and Mike.  We stopped for a could minutes at each mile marker.  Got a couple jelly fish stings, but kept swimming on.  In the end I swam 3.3 miles in 1 hour and 25 minutes and surprisingly I enjoyed it the whole time.  When I was swimming in the kids were in the water cheering me on. 

I was pretty proud of myself in the end!

After the swim we hung out on Descano Beach for a while and then took the kids to the jumpy in the middle of the bay. 

That evening we had a wonderful potluck dinner at the host of the swims house to celebrate everyone's hard swim.  We are already planning on making it a yearly event and I plan on beating my time.

Side note:  Madden won a couple mustaches at the local arcade that he had to wear during the trip...haha!

A Visit from the Fabulous Funk Four

So it has been exactly 8 years since the Funk family has been down to San Diego to visit us. The iPhone had only been out for 1 year, Obama was only in his second year of his presidency, instagram wasn't even a thing yet, and Madden and Mika were not even a thought in our heads.  Ok, I think I made my point it had been a long time.  

Geddis, Dom, and Skylar when they last came to San Diego.

You know, sometimes life just gets away from you and its hard to make time which I totally understand, but once it was finally official that they were coming to visit we couldn't of be more excited.  The weeks leading up to their visit we were all  coming up with all the things we wanted to show/do the cousins and Aunt Arielle.  Our number one activity was water fun.  We wanted lots of pool and beach time, which we definitely gave them.

We hit up the pool all three days they were here.  Mika was the biggest fan of the pool.  She was making friends each time she went there and loved the kids pool.  One evening we BBQ dinner there and the kids swam into the evening.

Dom teaching Uncle Jake how to do the rubik cube.

Beach day was in full effect day two.  We were all out of the house by 9:30AM to make sure the Funk's got themselves a full beach day.  The boys had never been in ocean water that warm so keeping them out of it was nearly impossible.  Geddis was a fish and never came out.  It was also their first time boogie boarding which they were both natural at and had the best time.  Mika was a bit timid with the ocean, but she still had a great time playing in the sand.

After a full day of sun we wanted to do something indoors for a bit.  Skylar and Madden thought the GlowZone would be the perfect place to take the cousins and they were right.  The boys absolutely loved everything it had to offer.  The rock climbing, bumper cars, zip lining, and video games kept them busy for hours.

Madden 500 ticket win was the highlight for him.

Like we do with most of our family who visits, we take them to our fave mexican restaurant Norte's in Old Carlsbad.  After dinner we hung out down by the beach, sadly we didn't have swim suits which Geddis was bummed out about because he wanted to take one last dip.  

It was such a special weekend being able to show and share where we live to our family.  Having so much fun and special one on one time with the Funk Family was priceless, and I know that it won't be another 8 years until their next visit.  

Come back soon Funk Family!!

August 2018

Summer slumber party shenanigans for these two.

Just a quick round of 18 holes for these two.  Jake has been taking them to the course and they have been loving it.

Summer evening at the beach.

Ava's 8th birthday party, swimming and snakes!

Skylar's First Day of 3rd Grade/Madden's First Day of 1st Grade

Summer fun is over and we are back to school.  The last week and half of summer wasn't easy.  Kids were at each others a lot (especially Madden), and I think they were in need of a routine and some time apart.  With the start of this school year it also gave us a new milestone...first time BOTH kids are in FULL TIME school (YAHOO....for me!!!). never thought we would make it to this point of life.

The kids were both really happy with their teachers this year.  Madden got Mrs. Burns and Skylar was assigned to Mrs. Fullers class.

The only heartbreak of this year was that Lucy and Skylar didn't get into the same class.  These two have been in class since kinder together and best friends the whole time, so it defintely was hard to take in.  

Luckily these two rascals are together again.

Skylar and Olivia. 

A big thumbs up after flag salute letting Mom know he is going to be just fine. 

Another super exciting thing for Skylar this year is that she is reunite with her preschool besties.  They have been at the same school together for three years but never in the same class together until now.

Skylar, Emma, and Madeline.

Off to class.

Looking forward to what this school year is going to bring these outstanding students.