Thursday, September 16, 2010

Still No Furniture - Keeping Busy

Blake let me sleep this morning. Blake lets me sleep often in the morning. Add that to the long list of why I love this man.

After I woke, sent some emails and tidied up the vacant (but messy?) house, we switched roles and I took the kids out. Off to Oceanside Harbor for lunch and to look around.

Carter went old school with some fish and chips. Popcorn shrimp counts for him.

"Don't pitcher me!!!!!!"

Lainey went all coastal on me and got microwaved nachos. She's a local already.

Lunch spot. Not a bad place to spend a couple of hours.

I'm out of order here, so bear with me. Scenes from dinner....our second dinner picnic on the beach in a row. What have I tried to teach you, people? Become a tourist in your own town. You won't believe the loveliness lurking for you to find.





Giving Jack the skunk-eye.

Back to the car. Life is rough.

Sunset. I love California.

Ice cream party in our empty house upon returning.


Switching gears....

In pure Starnes fashion, Lainey seeked out this oddity of a statue (Statue Kitty) and glommed onto her like never before. These two yahoos push this half-broken cement cat statue around our back yard like she's alive. Here is Lainey protesting that Jack gets to push.

Seriously? I don't know what's more disgraceful. The half bodied cat or the beat up stroller.


And, we're moving onto Pa.

Carter drew the lucky straw and got to sleep in the fancy hotel while we camped in our house night one. Here we are with the whole fam together at Oceanside Pier (near where Monica, fellow blogger, got engaged!!!!!!).

We treated Pa to a birthday lunch at Ruby's......with a lovely view......saw dolphins and such......so much fun to have him there for our inaugural hometown visit.

Birthday singing?! Who would have arranged that?! (Think that guy with the odd look might be re-thinking his career choice.)

Nervous Lainey. Most parents look forward to seeing their kids full of confidence and seemingly invincible. We look for these vulnerable moments when they appear unsure of themselves. It happens so rarely.



Sweet Pa. He and Lainey share a birthday.......one day apart.......the 14th and the 15th.

The fam. First pic, California style. Chaotic as usual.




Pa flew back to Texas and we've been hanging out here getting acclimated to life. Truck comes tomorrow (fingers crossed!) with our furniture. I spent 2 hours and $200 at Target today on stuff for the house. However, no amount of money could buy what we have carried from home to home to home.

Introducing.....the wind chime. When Carter was 2, we took our first trip to California. I'll never forget Blake sitting out on my grandmother's patio loving the weather. It was his first time here. We took a trip to San Diego (from Orange County) for a couple of days to go to Sea World and such.....and ate dinner in Old Town.

We bought this wind chime at a market. Seemed totally unrealistic at the time. But, Blake remarked, "Let's buy this now and when we move to California, we'll hang this in our first house."

Who knew? 7 years later and here we are.


My grandmother would be proud. I wish she were here.

Lots coming up........furniture (yeah!).......Aunt Donna visiting tomorrow.......and the weekend ahead.

I'm going to catch up on blogs soon. Missing you guys!

21 comments:

Julie {Angry Julie Monday} said...

WELCOME to CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!!!!

Pam Bowers said...

Life sometimes becomes so mundane. It is refreshing to see your family living life to the fullest.

Jodee said...

I love, love, love this post! I especially love the ice cream picture! You guys are such an amazing family! Happy unpacking this weekend!

The Soladay Family said...

Can't believe you guys are really there! You did it!

Love the windchime story! It was destiny, Casey!!

Nate, Abbey, Noah, Blaire and Tatum said...

I love Pa and I don't even know him! Seems like such a sweet guy! :) Glad the move is going well!

Allyson and Dave said...

I know that you all are loving every minute out there no matter how chaotic it is!

Kristen said...

Welcome home :)

And I love that while on the beach building castles, Miss Lainey Bug still manages to be fashionable with a bow in her hair. She simply rocks.

I cannot wait to see more pics of your new home... it looks breathtaking.

Brittny said...

BLLLAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! That's what I feel like screaming every time I see California and now that you have moved there. And in case you aren't sure, that is a totally excited, jump up and down, arms flapping around, so happy scream. I want to move there. It looks amazing. And it gets me excited for our move next summer. I've loved it here, but I know we are moving, just not where yet, and it's getting me excited about it all. I just hope it's not in the middle of nowhere.

donatelli98 said...

Have fun getting settled!! Glad it is going so well.

The Lenzers said...

I am proud of you, you are such a great mom and wife and DIL and friend! The life you will make for your family in CA will be awesome!!

Sara said...

That picture of Lainey on the beach in her turquoise swimsuit is darling!! And the next one of Jack is awesome too!

Looks like y'all are already getting into the California way of living. Love that. I know I've said it a million times, but I'm so happy for y'all and so proud!!

Shannon said...

That cat! Hahahaha. I love your weirdo kids. Totally jealous of your scenery. Awesome.

Monica said...

Thanks for the shout out! Wishing I was in Oceanside RIGHT NOW!

Tiffany said...

i can't even believe you're blogging right now!

i really admire your tourist approach to your home city. honestly, i need to do better than the mall play area three times a week. that's just sad.

timmonstimes said...

How can you not become a tourist in that awesome town! Can't wait to live vicariously through you:). Have fun getting the furniture and settling more!!!

Merry Mack said...

Chime=fate
That cat in the stroller business is hy-sterical! I am lovin your Cali livin. That sunset is inspiring. I am glad you guys made it and are living it up.

Coco said...

The cement cat has got to be put in your home somewhere. That is weird.
But I think all baby doll strollers look like shit. Mine does.
So glad y'all are already loving your new hometown!!

Dee Stephens said...

again..jealous. I'm with Pam -- living life to the fullest. Love the wind chime story.

SASS said...

I can't believe that windchime story! I hit my head on that thing every time we were on your patio. I cursed it, but that was because I didn't know how special it was. Totally fate.
Loving the pics already! I can't believe you guys are really there. Kids on the beach, seaside lunch, broken cat statue...the Starnes are in SD! Check out my recent post...mwahaha.

FROGGITY! said...

ahhhh awesome!!! this post looks like a party!!!

Jeannette Pucella said...

Oh my gosh, I know I'm emotional this week, but I think I would've gotten teary eyed over the windchime story anytime! I have only been to California as a child, and I barely remember anything about it, but... I am increasingly drawn to the west coast, and am especially curious about Ojai for the healthy lifestyle it seems to offer. Did you ever see WEEDS? Is there anywhere in SOCAL that looks like the place they went in Season 4? I think the fictional town was called Ren Mar and near Oceanside. Am I rambling?