San Salvador, 1542

Our homeschooling group took a fabulous field trip last week down to the San Diego Harbor.  We made 3 stops:  first the San Salvador ship-building construction site, then the Cabrillo National Monument, and finally the Tide Pools near the Point Loma Lighthouse.

Such a fun and full day!  Ranger Amanda talked about life on board the San Salvador (spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo’s ship). 

The bow of the ship, covered in scaffolding:

I donned a hard hat (oh the good ole’ days) and climbed aboard the ship for a quick peek with a volunteer.  Here’s a worker who was using a planer:

We also talked a bit about Kumeyaay Indian Life:

Our next stop was the Cabrillo Monument, overlooking the bay, where we totally lucked out and got to see this aircraft carrier rolling into the harbor. Awesome.

(You better believe I headed straight over to Rachel right after I snapped this photo.  The Stinker was about to jump into the Bay.)

Cabrillo Monument with our group:

After the amazing views from the monument, we drove down down down to explore the tide pools:

Oh the wonders of the ocean:

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery:  Thankful for those who served.

My good friend is one of the volleyball coaches at a local high school, so of course we have to go see a game (or two or three!).  So much fun!

===================

Harbor Days in Oceanside.  We went last year and loved climbing on board of so many cool vehicles. 

One of the highlights is the double decker bus ride from the train station to the harbor (Sarah enjoys the views from the top floor front seat):

US Coast Guard Cutter:

Check out this hover craft:

Craftiness:  personalized “spun” painted frisbees.

blessings,

Wendi

3 Hour Tour

A fun simple game called “Don’t Eat Pete!”

Family Tree:

Josh is studying Columbus:  Any guesses?

The Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria – Josh’s co-op teachers are super clever!  They’re the same ones who made the sugar cookie map of California.

Zac lost his first tooth! 

The devoted Mr. Garland took Josh and Zac for a “guys only” camping trip with Adventure Guides.  They had a blast!

Good thing the “Camping” Tooth Fair was on the ball.

So the Garland girls had a fun girly weekend at home… we started off with peach milkshakes.  Very chunky milkshakes… my blender broke so we ad libbed and used the food processor.  Not a good idea.

Have you ever had those tasty “pretzel with a melted Rolo and pecan” treats?  Sorta like a turtle?  I LOVE those salty and sweet things!  I kept looking for rolos at the store and couldn’t find them so I tried using these Hershey’s kisses filled with caramel.  Don’t be like me.  This dessert was a complete flop.  The caramel inside the kisses was way too runny… they melted in the  oven but then the caramel went everywhere when I tried to press an M&M in the top (we didn’t have any pecans, but it didn’t matter).  Oh my, disaster.  (Big sigh.)  I tried.

I will forever love Anne of Green Gables.  Girls movie night… this was the girls’ first time.  Sarah’s heard about the “lake of shining water” many times from me before watching this movie.  Long live VHS!

We also cleaned out the pantry.  We live a crazy life.  Look close at the top shelf.

The cats helped clean out shelves.

After the guys got back from camping (and they showered, p.u.!), we all headed to the harbor to rent a Duffy (a small electric boat) for a cruise around the harbor, thanks to a Groupon deal.

The wildlife put on a show for us… what normal seal shows it’s fins and flippers like this?  Maybe they were practicing for a Seaworld audition.

Classic shot of Josh:  dipping his apple slice in peanut butter, holding onto his “special drink.” 

Totally fun to “bump” into our neighbors out in the basin!

 

blessings, Wendi

Seasonal Garlands :: Fall 2012

Time to wrap up our summer… it was a great one.

First day of summer neighborhood party:

Family Camp – my parents joined us this year and it was a wonderful week:

Riding scooters to swim lessons:

Enjoying the lagoon:

Birthday #5 for Zac (cake decorated by the devoted Mr. Garland):

The San Diego County fair: Rachel wonders if this is too close?

40th birthdays for the gal in the obnoxious flower hat (running with good friends):

Personalized license plates (homeschool is back in full swing):

A beautiful smile.  Here’s hoping we don’t have to do a second phase of braces in a few more years?

Hikes:

Disneyland and California Adventures:

And the beach:

Surfin’ Sarah:

Jumpin’ Josh:

We celebrated 12 years of marriage this summer… here’s a 7-min timeline slideshow we made for our kids.

Or you can see a little Summer Swim video or our Summer 2012 Wrap-Up.  (Testing out my very novice video skills – much to learn!)

These photos/videos are just  the highlights… there are also plenty of tough times… growing up isn’t easy. 

Neither is parenting.  (Big sigh.)  I want it to be known that our life is not perfect and easy!  We’re just not as inclined to photograph to difficult times, ha!

We’re depending on HIS strength (and grace!) every. single. day.

We’re grateful for you.

love, the Garlands

Jeff, Wendi, Sarah 9, Josh 7, Zac 5 and Rachel 2

To receive more frequent email photos/updates (our private blog) or to be removed from this mailing altogether, email wsgarland at gmail dot com with your request.