40, try something new!! Feeling fab!

Turned 40 this week.  I'm not sure how this has happened as I seem to recall I was just in high school?!!?!? 

But a few months ago I decided I wanted to be a bit adventurous.... I didn't want to feel "old" or appear "too old".... do you have those thoughts?  

Just as it has panned out --- I've had the opportunity the past month to do a few "firsts" -- just to make sure I keep life exciting and feel young!! 

• White Water Rafting trip (thanks to my sister in law)
• I'm terrified of drowning, so I nicely passed when she asked the 1st time using Lindsay as my excuse -- however, when Lindsay decided she would go, I had to go too..... 
• BUT I didn't fall out and I loved every minute, want to do it again. 
• Ziplining --- FANTASTIC!! Check out High Life Adventures in Warrenton, OR.  We had a total blast.  My parents went as well as my kids and hubby. 
• Riding a quad - actually DRIVING a quad.  After a terrible experience as a kid, I had not driven one ever again. But patient and kind friends encouraged me to do it.  It was very fun.... plus it involved riding at the beach -- did you say the beach?  Yes!! I'm there.  Riding along the water was a total thrill. 
• Road Trippin it with Garth & the kids... this was the longest road trip we've had together and it was fantastic. Disneyland, Universal, Hollywood, family, etc.... great times. 
• As of last night: 
• 1st surprise party thrown on my behalf.  Fantastic times and so fun to see people from various walks of life together in one place!  Loved it!! 
• 1st jello shot ever in my life thanks to my sweet friend.... they are dangerous and should come with a warning label..... 
• 1st time having my drivers license with a punched hole in it.... luckily or not so luckily I didn't have to show it to order my BUCKET last night... hhmmm..... 

I learned this past month that I need to keep life more interesting.  Not necessarily with "things" (or expensive trips) but with being willing to try something new.  This is a life skill that I need to polish up on and be a good example to my kids to try things. You never know if you are going to like it until you try it... 

Have you tried something new this summer?  Did you like it? 

Makin Memories...

Vacation was fantastic.  We had originally planned a camping trip to the Redwoods/Southern Oregon coast but decided to ditch that plan once Garth got a new job.  We realized next year's vacation time was already taken, and by the next vacation -- Hunter could be working and we need to maximize the time we have with them now as time is slipping away.... 

The kids had no idea of the change until the morning of when a trailer was not being taken along...... 

First on the agenda was Wildlife Safari.  Hugely disappointing from the last time we were there.  So, just did a drive thru and went on..... 

We surprised them with a stop at In-n-Out Burger.  And of course tshirts for all!! 

Stopped at Sacramento for the night.  Had a great day of driving and then gave them their 1st mission -- to learn all they could about CA. at the capitol! 

We then gave them their 2nd mission -- DISNEYLAND! I booked this trip through Get Away Today online!  Man, their package was awesome and SO well priced!! They had all the details thought through and offered suggestions.  I will definitely use them again for a vacation. 

Had a great time, didn't wait more than 45 minutes and that was only for 1 ride -- most other rides we walked up to or waited 15 minutes!  But it was crowded -- just timed it by going in the mornings. 

Their 3rd mission was UNIVERSAL STUDIOS.  This was my favorite thing.  I love seeing how they make movies, decorate the sets, stunts, special effects.  So interesting.  Again we hardly waited in lines -- got there by 7:30 in the morning and had done everything by 5pm! 

Lastly we went to Hollywood and it was disappointing.  However, we had a great time at the wax museum.  Then bee lined for our car where I felt much safer!!! 

Got to see my aunt and stay the night with her for Garth's birthday -- then headed for home. 

We were home for less than 20 hours and headed to the beach for our annual church campout.  It was a great time to decompress, relax and soak in all the sights we had seen and enjoyed.  And sleep in my own "bed" in the trailer!  And get me some "beach therapy". 

Since we were at the beach -- all I wanted to do for my birthday was to zipline! And we were able to do this with my parents.  See the videos on my facebook page or the kids'.  We had a fantastic time and I'm blessed to have such cool parents to do this stuff with! 

The kids loved their daily "mission" surprises and it was fun to come up with them. Hunter made a video of the missions we read to them. 

Family time is precious. I'm feeling this more and more the older the kids get -- we just came home from our "family" camp for church --- it wasn't really for family time (not complaining) but time for the kids to bond with other kids since I only saw them when they wanted food.... makes you realize you have to seize the moments, soak it up, relish in it.  Times are changing.  And not only our immediate family, but seizing time with my parents as well.  

Today Garth began his next journey in his career which will demand a lot of time away from home this year -- so we seized time -- time just with our kids, making memories... and now to have fun scrapbooking it all!!