Candi & Johnny

This past weekend I left Curt and Lucas at home and went to Vermont to see my friend Candi get married. We've known each other since 6th grade and we've kept in touch through the years. She lives in California now and I actually got to see her last month when we were there so she's gotten to meet Lucas a few times. She actually went with us on his very first trip to the beachright before he turned one. The wedding was at a ski resort and the ceremony was actually held at the top of a mountain so we had to take a ski lift to the top. The view was amazing and I was so glad that I was able to be there.

Us in Middle School

Together in California in April 2010

Hanging out he night before her wedding

Dear Lucas (4 years 9 Months and a few days)

It is so hard for me to believe that your first year of school is almost over and even harder to believe that you are almost five. Time seems to be on fast forward lately. I am looking forward to the lazy days of summer when we get to go on mini adventures again.

Your friends David and Gabriel still spend quite a bit of time with us and if you go a day or two without them you seem to go through withdraws. Then when you guys are all together you guys fight and argue. I guess they are more like your family now then just friends. Next year the three of you will be going to the same school and probably riding the bus together. I hope you boys stay friends for many years to come. The only thing I hated about growing up as an Army brat is that I didn't get the chance to grow up with kids I knew from the sandbox years.

Our new house is right around the corner from Lowe's and it is becoming one of your favorite places to spend a Saturday morning. They have free projects for kids and it is right up your alley. You love working with your hands and building things.

One other activity that you are really loving right now is Tee ball. I am so thankful that we signed you up. I might be biased but you are pretty good at it too. You can hit the ball pretty far and you have quite an arm on you. It is really teaching you how to be a good sport and teamwork. Plus it is so darn cute to watch. In the middle of your first game an airplane flew overhead while you guys are on the field and half your team is looking up at the sky going "ooooh look, an airplane"

We just got back from your third trip to California and your first time seeing the Pacific Ocean. The first thing you did when you hit the beach was ask me for your swim clothes. You were a little shocked when you felt how cold the water was and when I told you that the water there NEVER gets warm, the expression on your face was priceless. The cold didn't keep your feet out of the water and when we finally left they were BRIGHT red from the cold water.

While we were in California, we stayed in this awesome rental house with a ton of our family. I think I heard there were twenty five adults and 9 kids staying on the property. That wasn't counting everyone that came and just didn't sleep there. You had a ball playing with your cousins and it really made me wish that there was a way to move Georgia and California closer to each other. You are already planning our next trip back, and this time you are insisting that your Daddy HAS TO GO. I couldn't agree more.

Luc, I love you more than hammer head sharks,

Mommy

Love Them

The Moore Family in Corral de Tierra, CA on April 25, 2010

What's Wrong With California

After standing and staring at the different kind of grits in Wal-mart I had the following conversation with a sales associate:

S.A. "Can I help you find something?"

Me: "Just trying to decide what kinds of Grits to buy"

S.A. "Are you making something specific with them?"

Me: "My uncle from California requested that I bring him some when I come visit next week"

S.A.: "They don't have Grits in California?!?!"

Me: "I guess not, I know they don't really eat them there like here in the south"

S.A. "Seriously? No Grits!?!?!"

Me: "And when you order tea they bring you unsweetened"

S.A.: "No Grits and No sweet tea!!!! Why would anyone every want to go to California then?"

I guess the sales associate won't be going to California anytime soon, but I can't wait!

Air Guitar at The Christmas House

Our Trip to California

Lucas was so excited to be flying on a plane!

We had an unexpected layover in Phoenix, Arizona.


It gave a chance to check out some cacti.

When we finally got to California, Lucas was so excited to play with his cousins and see the decorations at my Aunt Margie's house (which is now renamed "The Christmas House")

He gobbled up his pancakes with his cousins Ben and Ean.

He also helped decorate his Great-Grandma Moore's apartment. He nicknamed her "Grandma Elevator."

It was fun to squeeze in visits with so much of our family.

Lucas and his fellow curly headed cousin Brooklyn bonded over their mutual love of CARS, right down to their PJs.

He climbed a tree

We had fun at Mooney Grove park... rumor has it there might have even been some mooning go on there too.

We found out that Elvis and Santa hang out together.

We shared lots of good food with Aunts and Uncles

We went to Sequoia to try and see the Redwood trees but because it was snowing where the trees were we weren't able to go see them.

Lucas loved that everyone in the family seemed to have their own orange trees.

Although his favorite tree was still at the Christmas house.

On the way home we had a layover in Denver and Lucas got to see lots of snow.

Dear Lucas (4 years and 4.5 months),

For the first time ever I am SUPER late with your monthly letter. The last few weeks have been CRAZY. I lost a good friend from our church and also your Great-Grandpa passed away, which has brought up the whole death and dying conversation up. Honestly, I'm not always sure how to answer all of your questions. They are tough ones and really I have questions of my own that I can't find answers to but that's okay. You reminded me that sometimes it is okay to just admit, "I don't know," and just take some things on faith.

On a lighter note, one of the highlights of the past month was getting to read a book to your class. Your teacher asked for parent volunteers just to come in and read for a few minutes and I jumped at the chance. You helped me pick out "Tiger Can't Sleep," and it was a big hit with your class. Everyone laughed at the end and I left your class on cloud nine. Later when I came back for your Thanksgiving celebration I had several of your classmates say, "Hey, Lucas' Mom, I really liked that Tiger book."

We had a fun Thanksgiving(s) and ate Turkey on 4 different occasions in one week. (You really LOVED pumpkin pie this year.) Sometimes it is a blessing and a curse to have to much family here. I always love getting to see everyone but it can be stressful sometimes trying to fit everyone in, but we always end up happy and tired. I guess I wouldn't trade any of the craziness after all. We are so blessed to have so much wonderful family close by. You could hardly wait for Thanksgiving to be over with just so we could put away the pumpkin and scarecrow decorations and get out the Christmas tree (which we did the first chance we got.)

You really love Christmas, but I guess most people do. You get so excited when you see decorations. When I took you to check out the Christmas trees at our brand new city hall you would have thought I had taken you to Disney World. I loved getting to experience the Holidays with you. It takes me back to my childhood and brings back so many wonderful memories. Your excitement is just so contagious. You've been begging me to buy wrapping paper because you want to wrap gifts for people so badly. So much so you've been wrapping your own toys up in white computer paper just to practice.

We just got back from a last minute trip to California. We tried to make it to see your Great-Grandpa Moore but he passed away right as we were flying out to see him. I am so thankful that he at least got to meet you when you were a baby. You loved flying so much and you really did great on the whole trip. When we got off the last plane I told you that I thought you were a great traveler and you turned and looked at me while you were pulling your suitcase behind you and said, "and I'm a great plane flighter too."

Snuggle Buggle, I love you to the moon and back,

Mommy

Happy (belated) 3rd Birthday Ean!

We miss and love you lots!

So Far So Good

Well today I am 13 weeks pregnant! I get really excited when I progress another week! I am starting to feel less sick to my stomach in the morning so maybe it is going away. I am not showing yet but I think my face looks "fatter" just look at the Graduation pictures compared to the one taken on Thanksgiving. I just want to know the sex of the baby already!!! I also want to know what this baby is going to look like! I always thought I was a patient person but 27 more weeks of this sure seems like a long time! Right now my family is visiting from Cali. I just met Lindsay and Ean and just love them to death! I wish we got to see the Cali side of the family more. Well I should actually go get dressed and head over to my parents because all the Cali family leaves on Saturday!