A long overdue visit to Beth and Dominic's in Los Osos, CA

The last time I was able to go up and see Beth was for her wedding to Dominic in October of 2006. Dave said he would ask his parents if they could come out to Yuma and watch Brenden for a week while I got to go up to San Luis Obispso sans Brenden! Don't get me wrong, I love him but it is sure nice to get away and have a whole week of not carrying around a diaper bag! We all need that once in a while. Now that I am here with my 'good' camera I am also able to just focus on taking pictures pictures and more pictures. That is so satisfying to me and I have a whole week to do just that! We started off with a nice walk through the Elfin Forest right by their house in Los Osos. It's a 90 acre natural area at the north end of Los Osos Baywood Park. Great walk with lovely foliage and natural habitat to admire. I took so many pictures it's hard to narrow them down to just a few to post so here goes:

Wine tasting coming up in a few days - stay tuned!

Thanksgiving 2010

Traveled to San Diego to have Thanksgiving at The Slays. I took Brenden to the Wild Animal Park (now called the San Diego Zoo Safari Park) where he 'stared' in a film. A good time had by all and now I am off to San Luis Obispo to visit Beth and Dominic! Enjoy the pics:

Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival - 2010

Dave is currently away training so I thought we would have some fun this weekend and go to the hot air balloon festival here in Yuma! It was a lot of fun but Brenden was very frightened by the loud booming sounds of the burners blowing heat into the balloons. So much so that he wanted me to hold him and take him back to the car and leave! We redirected him to the castle playground where he loves to play and ended up have a great time. We love the West Wetlands Park!

Happy 235th Birthday Marine Corps!

Dave and I went to the Marine Corps Ball at MCAS Yuma, AZ this year. It had been a few years since I had been able to go with him - 2007 to be exact. We had fun except for the end of the night when we went to pick up Brenden at the Child Development Center only to be told that there had been a case of lice noticed that evening on one of the kids. A trip to Wal-Mart in my formal dress and a bath with lice medication (just to be on the safe side) completed to evening for us - what a 'ball'..

Happy Halloween - Brenden's first year of trick or treating

Brenden and his new friend Brent went trick or treating with the Dad's while I stayed home to give out the candy at our house. It's great to live in a neighborhood that is so kid friendly! Apparently the first house they went to for trick or treating had Brenden confused. They rang the doorbell and when the owner answered, Brenden just walked right in. He obviously had no idea that someone was going to put candy in his pumpkin. Brenden dressed up as an elephant. Silly me bought a toddler size costume that I thought would fit but as you can see in the pictures, it was way to short and small for him. Ahhhh the joys of a gigantic 2 year old!