Throw Back Thursday: Spring Break 2013

(Disclaimer: I used my iPhone the entire trip.  Some of the photos are grainy.  My apologies.)

Since summer is winding down, and Preston and I didn't get our typical August trip to the beach house, I thought it would be appropriate to reminisce on our spring break to Baja Mexico, in honor of a beautiful summer nearly gone by.

We went with a mix of people--friends and family--and couldn't have asked for better company to fill the twelve-passenger van, dubbed the Baja Mobile.

We wasted no time filling our stomachs with delicious carne asada and Coke with for realsie sugar the evening we arrived.  It was the beginning of what would be a blitzkrieg to our digestive systems as we downed those delicious babies for 3 days straight.

We day tripped to Ensenada, shopping, bargaining, and absorbing the culture, stopping at taco stands along the way.  Austin ordered, what, like 5 at Tacos el Original?  Can't argue with that.

We also took time to visit the blow hole.  And eat more tacos.  I know.  They are small and affordable and this place has amazing fish tacos and you can't get more authentic so when you are in Mexico you eat a lot of tacos.

Back at the beach house, the boys braved the waves and the cold water for some boogy boarding and kayaking while us girls painted nails.

Unfortunately, we got trapped by the marine layer the whole time we were at the beach house, but we were thankfully able to escape it while in neighboring towns.

Two right feet...

beach (n.): place on which to make a wicked awesome sea turtle

and sing to that sea turtle.  (La tortuuugaaaaaa, de amooooor!)

One of our last hurrahs for the trip was jumping out of our conspicuous Baja Mobile and joining this fellow in dance as he worked it.  Guaranteed we made that farmacia ridiculously cooler.  You're welcome.

Many of us have now moved around the world since this trip.  When I think back on it, I think of:

Volleyball

Scum

Signs

Cookie Dough

Ponchos

Limes

Coke

Laughter Belly Aches

Puppies For Sale 

Chocolate Covered Almonds (aka skinny death)

Thanks, friends, for the good time and great memories.

Hakuna Matata to Indiana

1,520 miles+

one strange orange moon+

2.5 days+

32 DIFFERENT STATE LICENSE PLATE SIGHTINGS+

4 Subway sandwiches+

3 tanks of gas+

5,200 feet dropped+

2 rounds of LION KING+

3 rounds of WICKED+

Even more PETER, PAUL, & MARY+

infinity stalks of corn+

6 states+

a milliongazillion windmills+

too many dried mangos+

a brother through the home stretch=

One wicked awesome journey cross country,

A SWEET REUNION,

and a place that already feels like home.

On the Move

I'm on the move!  It'll be a few days before a new post goes up, so I appreciate your patience!  See you all on the other side of the country!

When I'm Alone

Preston and I have been nearly 2,000 miles apart for two weeks now. So last night I treated myself to ice cream after a trip to the temple.

I have been getting the same thing at Maggie Moos for 5 years now: the Better Batter Cake Carnival.

Guys, it is the best thing since honey butter.

Enjoy this with me: cake batter ice cream tumbled with swirls of fudge, chunks of Twix, and homemade cookie dough (yeah, the real stuff, not those little pebbles thawed the night before).

Two weeks ago, before Preston left, we stopped at Maggie Moos between packing and I cleared one of these no problem. That was at 3:00 in the afternoon.

Last night at 9:30 and on an empty stomach, I must admit that I doubted myself as I worked through the huge treat. But I couldn't let myself quit. So I sat in my car enjoying the night air and the occasional hum of a passing vehicle and put that whole thing down, tummy ache, sugar shock, and all. And it was so worth it.

Next week, I follow Preston's lead and head out to our new home. Hang in there with me.  I'll update as often as I can.

In the meantime, treat yourself to the best ice cream around.

Dear Sibs, Remember our Ultimate Sibling Retreat?

Dear Sibs,

Today I reminisce on our recent weekend together, that "Ultimate Sibling Retreat" that Preston and I determined would serve as our last hurrah with you before the big move.  I'll remember those three days as hard play and harder laughter.

Thanks for that big breakfast on Friday morning that kicked-off the full weekend.  It served you boys well later that day when we drove up the mountain for a beautiful bike ride around Navajo Lake.  You showed that 12 mile loop who is boss!  Thanks, Sis, for the chats and cruising.

Remember how hard it rained in the valley that afternoon, but we got snow cones anyway?  And our Friday night, Saturday, and Saturday night up at the cabin on the mountain were clear and beautiful as ever.  

What a view to wake up to, right alongside your best friends.

We delighted in that beauty as we played at the reservoir, Preston skipping rocks clear across its expanse.  What an arm.

Remember Geraldine?  Too bad she didn't want to stick around.  (Although, really, I think 3/5 of us happily watched her slither away.)

We scampered all over the place, climbing the highest rocks just so we could throw stuff off the top.

We made plans for our cave, if ever we had to live there: where the kitchen would be, where we'd each sleep, how we'd maintain our fire.  We'd all get to be the hunter.

And then we target practiced, like old times, filling up pop cans and watching them explode.

"Oh dear me, I nailed it first shot."  You know you were thinking it, Brother.

I know.  I remember.  Hey, I wasn't sure I was allowed to shoot a gun that heavy.

When I think back on our adventure together, I think of:

Kayaks

Hiking

Target Practice

Napping--all 5 of us strewn about the family room

Burgers and Brats

Texas Hold 'Em (don't tell Mom; we used chips!)

Good Conversation

What blessed kiddos we are to be within 6 years of age, having spent much of our lives as friends.   

Thanks, sibs, for making new memories as we delighted in the old.  We sure know how to play.  You each remind me of the power of imagination.  This is a time I'll cherish for always, and think back on when I'm missing you from 2,000 miles away!

Love Always,

The Biggest