Camarillo and the Beach

I guess I should warn you up front that this post will be much like the previous California post with a bunch of information after the movie. The movie should be the thousand words, but knowing me, I have to add a few. Since my blog is mainly for our family history (and giggles and venting and reconnecting and so on), one should only stomach the information when extremely bored or curious. With that said, onto our adventures in Camarillo.

My older sister, (I added the older part since in real life I look older and dress more frumpy than she does) and her family graciously offered us a chance to enjoy a little time with them in paradise. The weather, as she puts it, is never noticed. It never gets too hot or too cold ALL YEAR AROUND. Hello? May be this is why real estate there is pricey. Because of this phenomenon, my only request for adventures was that they were outdoors. We went to the beach several times and to some parks. Mostly, we had fun being with cousins and my sister and brother in law.

Longer version full of H-value

I never know how to begin these milogs (mile long blogs as Fernando affectionately refers to them). There is always so much to type and my brain moves much quicker then my fingers do.

I think what might be the best part of the first night spent with the Woidka family, as aside from just being there, was the biscotti that Chris made. This wasn't just good biscotti, because I really don't think good and biscotti go in the same sentence much like red and delicious can describe an apple, it was a fantastic cookie that just so happened to be twice baked. And with the amount of tweaking he did to the recipe, I think it would be safe to call it his own personal recipe. We nibbled and gamed and talked until very late. Always a good combo. Except, may be Bang! should be played with all its cards otherwise you just eat a lot of biscotti while others stratigize on how to destroy the sheriff. On second though, more biscotti for me.

There were two memorable events that the camera didn't follow us to. The first one was a fun library event where a balloon artist taught the kids how to make their own balloons. After giving lots of fun demonstrations and getting the audience to participle, he allowed every kid 3 balloons to try to make 3 simple balloon creations. Tiago, Ethan, and Mia were mesmerized. Naomi and Talia were busy in their own regards rolling over and exploring.

Next event was less then charming. Imagine church and CPA. Tiago and Talia decided to test drive their lungs for the whole of sacrament meeting. I tried to discreetly allow them to scream in a room near the sage the was completely black. At first, I wondered why no one was coming to see what was happening to the very distressed children. I am sure it was audible to everyone, but no one seemed to want to intervene. Then, a brave man, cracked open the door to see what was happening to the helpless children. He was barely able to finish his sentence when he realized that I, not the children, was helpless and in dire need of relief.

The rest of our days were spent on the beach. Emily took us to several different beaches, all of which were beloved by me and my children. The day before we left, we decided to spend the day at the beach. After naps and preparations, it was more like a half day. Emily bought a newfangled canopy for the beach and we brought the pack n play for Talia to nap in. The day was wonderful aside from the non napping Talia who was pacified by the ocean's apparent siren call. The only downer, was not be able to down the canopy. We were so excited with the easy up and expected to have quite a easy down. Well, an hour or so later, with help from a nice man and not so helpful Park Ranger we finally got the canopy down.

The last day went from grandiose plans which included a trip to the LA Temple and a science museum. In the end, Emily was super women with being a mom and a hair dresser and a sister, and a aunt, and a chauffeur etc. I no longer have a gradient hair colors (THANKS EM) or dead ends and we made it in plenty of time to the airport. Sweet little Ethan was sure that he got to come on the airplane with us. I need not explain the sorrow that happened when he realized that wasn't the case.

When we finally arrived in Austin at 1 am!, I couldn't remember why I thought the money we saved was worth this whole debacle. Here I was with overly tired children and oversize luggage trying to board a shuttle. A father/son duo quickly got on ahead of me and watched me struggle to get all the bags up. I had a myriad of thoughts like "Tiago, you will never be this unhelpful." "Are you kidding me, at least let me go on first." These thoughts were interrupted by this 17 year striking up pleasant conversation with me. If the lack of help wasn't bad enough, don't try and befriend me now.

We found our car and it started up and we started the whole 2 hour drive home. Thanks to Bread and Cat Stevens and granola bars, we made it home safely. It was tough leaving beautiful weather and driving home in 98 degree weather, but it was nice to be home.