Gallegos Family Christmas Visit

 

Holidays really have to be the best time to see family and take lots and lots of pictures, even the candid one's (which are my favorite!).

Today we went to visit a side of our family we don't get to see much, and by the looks of it, we had a great time!

 

 

 

  The kids were occupied with unwrapping and playing enjoying all the fun Christmas brings.

 Mom, me and Grandma

 How special is this picture? My Grandpa turned 90 year old this month. What a precious moment I captured of the two of these boys hugging.

 My dear Aunt opening a special gift.

 Millie handing her great-grandma a gift and saying "I made it all myself"...what a sweet exchange.

 This picture is a keeper for sure. J explaining something in depth to grandpa, as great-grandpa sits in the background.

 This picture is priceless!

 Nothing say's this boy is loved more than a bunch of kiss marks on his chunky cheek.

 Ryder J waiting for the tractor ride.

 Family photo! Most everyone's looking at the camera.

  NOTE: everyone BUT my siblings and kids, nieces and nephews are not wearing their silly faces.

 Grandkids (minus the twins-You're missed!)

 Grandparents with kids (minus Tia Kathy-also missed!)

And that's a wrap! Merry Christmas!



School has started

It was the week of all weeks, the week I was slightly nervous about but excited to see how I could add a little creativity and spark to it to make it different. Our first week of school is completed and school year 2014-2015 has started! I have to admit I'm more excited about this years school year than I have been over any other year. J is just finishing a bit of 1st grade (perk of homeschooling, you start and end grades when your student is ready) and will be in full force 2nd grade in just a few short months, K's in 2nd grade and ready to go.  I attended my first Homeschooling convention this past summer, where I was encouraged, inspired and had an overwhelming experience picking out curriculum.

God totally met our needs as this past year we decided to find a homeschool group that had a weekly day class for homeschool kids We felt this was especially important for K, to give him some regular weekly contact with other homeschool kids. This past Monday was their first day of school with several other first and second graders at Grace and Glory Academy. The boys weren't too sure what to expect. The pictures blurry, but you can see J's a little nervous and tearful but Dad's there to console him. A precious moment despite the blurriness.


Here are just a few pictures from our week.

 "You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make."

-Gordon B. Hinckley

Vacationing up the California Coast

I feel bad blogging about this years summer vacation when I haven't even completed last years post of our summer vacation.......oh well.

This summer we had the first McGowan Family reunion at Point Reyes National Seashore just north west of San Francisco. John and I decided to take the scenic rout up to the reunion and travel north up the California coast a few days early.

 

One of our first stops on the way up was at the infamous Andersen Pea Soups. John told the boy's they would take a picture with some pea soup and they both cried. Fortunately, we were able to get this.

 We even stopped in San Simeon to see the smelly stinky elephant seals. They were uneventful, but my boy's posed for a photo.



From there we went to our firs night stay at the Apple Farm. The Apple Farm is a nice little hotel with a Victorian flare to it, cozy and full of character. We spent the evening walking about down town San Luis Obispo.

 There's always a chess or checkers game going on with these boys.

 This may look like a photo bombed picture to anyone else, but to me this is perfect. J's fingers are a blurr at the pic, K attempted to race across as to avoid being in the pic, and my love and I are smiling away. Priceless.

I love that I have a husband that takes every opportunity to teach.

The next day we drove north to one of our most excited locations, Big Sur. The drive was beautiful! I've driven through Big Sur a number of times, yet this was the first time I've actually lodged there. We spent the next two night camping in Prieffer Big Sur State Park. This was a few first experiences for us; for the boys if was the first time they have ever camped and this was my first time camping as a parent. Being in charge of making meals and packing was a bit overwhelming, but thanks to my parents who let us barrow some great camping gear they helped ease my concerns. It was a great outcome in the end, we all had a great time with our first experiences.

 Our first peak at where were going to stay.

 As a mom of boys, I am learning that they love to be productive with their hands. K was totally in his element helping Dad with the tent and getting it situated. He was, as were we, very proud to see their hard work complete.

Their smiles speak for themself.

The next day the boy's participated in Junior Rangers where they learned about kelp and other under water plants. After, we all went on a three mile incline hike to Pfieffer waterfalls. The drought didn't give us much water, however, I was proud of the boys for making the hike with minimal complaining.

 Yes, I am that mom that went to took pictures of the boys in Junior Rangers.

 

 

 John showed the boy's how to whittle and how to chop wood to kindle a fire, they explored the grounds and chased the TON's of bluebirds that surrounded our site. And camping wasn't camping without at least one game of dominos which the boy's begged to play both nights.
Our camp site was beautiful, it was beautiful to see the sunlight peak through the tree tops as we enjoyed the shade below, despite the poison oak, we really enjoyed the two days of camping and first experiences we had in Big Sur.

Mom (Me), needed a break from camping so the next night we stayed in Monterey and visited the well known Monterey Bay Aquarium. Great, yet pricey, we saw kelp, tuna, sharks, fish, otters, seals, octopus, jelly fish, dragon fish and plenty more.

My camera actually caught these amazing colors so bright and vibrant, it is incredible to see all the beautiful wildlife under the sea.

The next three nights and the end of the vacation was spent at the McGowan Family Reunion (here). Family from all over the western United States traveled from as much as 16  hours or as little as less than two hours to get together for one unforgettable reunion.

On the way to the reunion we stopped in a small town named Aromis where John was raised as a young boy. John (who is a great story teller), has told the boys countless stories of the small grocery store and slurpy machine in Aromis that it just didn't seem right to be so close and not stopping to visit. So here are some snapshots of John and the local market he would go to with him mom and the garage he and his dad would take their car to get fixed.

 

 

On the way home we drove through San Francisco to see the Golden Gate Bridge and city life. Great photo op moments.

Till our next adventures!