From the Redwood Forest to the gulf stream water

Yes, we have fulfilled this song. This weekend we had traveled to Northern California to Humboldt County to take in the great outdoors. The redwoods are very magnificent. You have to see them to believe them, picture can't do them justice, however I did try. We only could stand in awe of these huge trees. There were some that were 370 ft tall, 17 feet in circumference, and 1200-1600 years old. These trees are so tall they have live in three different climates. WOW! It was amazing to see the fallen "giants." They lay on the forest ground. It take approximately 400 years for them to become apart of the floor. There was one that fell in 1991 that was so amazing it was 2000 years old. They fall from wind and rain. It was said that when this tree fell no one was around but the sound travel to nearby town and report something sounding like train and splattered mud over 15 feet up. So there goes that age old question "if a tree falls....yadda yadda" Sorry for the forestry lesson but it is something to pass along. Lastly, the one of the most interesting facts was the seeds of the tree are about a size of a grain of rice and they have the smallest pine cone (about a size of an olive).

This weekend was the first time that we went camping. It was the Ortiona's versus nature and I can say we came out on top. Ashlyn enjoyed camping and didn't mind sharing the space with mom, dad and Bailey (the dog). We got to travel to some quaint towns along the coast. I did see that one sign stated population 50. Ashlyn created great memories she got to hike some trails, roast hotdogs and marshmallows on a campfire. camp under the star (however hard to see them due to the canopy of trees), climb trees, and explore underground tunnels that were just her size. The only event we didn't get to apart in was actually driving through a tree. We had to drive the Tahoe and we were too big to fit through. I guess we have to save something for next time.

It was great to get away for the weekend and take in nature. I am happy to be back were you can find a town with more then a post office and a volunteer fire department. But I now look at our tree and just keep think of the wonderful beauty of the Redwoods.

Changing Times

This weekend we were able to go for Ashlyn's second annual Apple Picking.  I was looking back through last years pictures and noticed a huge change this year.  I can't believe my baby is almost 3 years old. The time has went by so fast however I don't realize it until I look back.  As a mom I see her each day and I don't see the change that everyone else does.  It makes me think that I need to step back every once in a while to see how things are changing around me.  Change is a constancy for me and my family so I take it for grant it.  Now just looking back at the pictures really makes me think -- What 

have a missed this last year.  I am so glad to have the time to blog and use other sites to make me wake up and see everyone around me is changing.  It makes me reflect on my own life.   I will keep checking on all of you just keep writing about you and your family.  I love change! 

Cherish Every Moment

WOW. Another wonderful weekend with family. Papa flew into San Fran on Saturday. Thanks goodness all went well in his travel and we got to spend the rest of the weekend touring the city. We had friends and family around us and we went through the city and enjoyed company away from our house. We love where we live but we also love to get away from it all. A night away can mean so much. For me it is a great day of no cooking, cleaning or worrying about a schedule. However, I always have a schedule on a trip. I am a planner and I always want to fit as much as I can in. So in San Fran we got to go to the zoo, take pictures at the Golden Gate Bridge (and even take a short walk on the bridge), enjoy dinner in the city, explore China Town and Pier 39, and of course ride the cable cars.
I do have to say that all that hustle does make things tricky. After spending some time at the Golden Gate Bridge (where thousand of people were touring) I realized I was missing my purse. I have left it at the place we were taking pictures. I sprinted down to the location to find a nice young couple was trying to contact some one on my phone to let them know they have found my purse. There are people left in this world who care. I had no words for them other then THANK YOU. This really got me to think....I had to "pay it forward." I remember a speaker I saw once who was talking about doing something for someone you do not know "random acts of kindness." So we did. I do hope that this act will continue on. This is a great disadvantage because you will never know how it will turn out and if the act continued. I do have faith and hope that it will.
Lastly, there was a Breast Cancer Campaign happening in San Fran last weekend. I got to see thousand of women camping out over night is pink tents and walking around the city to raise money and support the cause. Of course that got me thinking of my friend who currently fighting that battle. I wish her luck in the next few weeks and I can't wait until you are a survivor and we will be getting together to celebrate.
This weekend reminded me that so much can happen is a short period of time. Cherish every moment.

Labor Day

This was a wonderful weekend. We started the weekend with a romatic dinner to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. The sadest part was the departure of "Granny." However we had almost 3 weeks of fun. Also this weekend we had "Tito" (Uncle) Alex come visit. This started round 2 of the visitors. Our neighborhood hosted the first annual Labor Day Luau, I believe there will be more in the future. Monday we spent the morning at Carmel eating an outdoor breakfast and enjoying a early afternoon at the beach. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Knowing that this weekend is the "offical" end to summer brings up a bitter sweet goodbye to the warm weather but we have so much to look forward to this Fall. I can't wait!