Big Bear Lake

11.29.13
In a word: Beautiful
Tac in a word: Moodiful
So we drove up during naptime on a Friday after baby Tac had a fever for about 40 hours. In retrospect I think he may have had an ear infection. I ended up singing "If you're happy and you know it..." for the second hour of the drive up the Mountain. We took the scenic less curvy route on the way home and he slept great for over 2 hrs :)
We also brought the dog (idiots).

I hope to go back with a group during the snowy season. Quaint mountain towns always look more beautiful with snow.

We stayed in a cute little one bedroom cabin near the tubbing site. Note to self: your child must be 2+ to participate.

The best times were had at the playground area behind the post office. You can get to the beach from the playground and there are about a million ducks there. I did not see any ski lifts...but I WILL, I WILL!

Here are pictures of Duck Master Tac

disneyland

Click here to view these pictures larger

What to look for this week...

Disneyland! What?! it's full of people? Imagine that!
Apple pie Crock Pot Style here
Latest play date craft date: Thanksgiving turkeys (use baby's foot and hands) here

How to hike to the Hollywood sign! (we did it wrong BUT figured it out and made it!)

This was great fun! Mostly because I got to be with my little family outside on a joint mission. It really helps when my husband suggests things to do so that I don't worry the whole time if he likes the plan and is having fun!
This was great fun also bc listening to my husband complain and moan and joke was so real and refreshing! I was cracking up!

Here are the instructions we used and -GASP!- failed to follow! This can be found here where you can learn other routes as well.
easiest - route to the 1,680 foot summit is via the Hollyridge Trail. To get there, take Highway 101 south to Franklin (or Gower, if you’re coming from the south, in which case you will turn right on Gower and right on Franklin) and head east to Beachwood. Turn left and follow Beachwood almost two miles to its end in the Hollywood Hills. Park where you can and begin hiking on the Hollyridge Trail, which climbs for a half mile and meets the Mulholland Trail. Head left, and look for a paved (but closed to traffic) road heading off to the right: appropriately named Mt. Lee Drive. This brings you to the top of Mt. Lee, where you can see the sign below, and if the weather is clear, the views are great. You can see the ocean, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Ana Mountains of Orange County and more. The total distance on this hike is 3 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 750 feet.

I have highlighted key words for you!
When you park go up the road to your right. If you look behind you, you will see the sign up and away. You are going to follow the people. If you are smart you will find someone who knows where they are going. Guess what?!  all these trail names Mr. Anonymous speak of in the above text---they don't exist on any signs that I SAW!
And....Guess what! If you miss that left turn you are heading the wrong direction towards the observatory not the sign!! And Guess what else, the left is behind you while you are walking looking around at all the views on your right! I am telling you it is easy to miss-- for reals yall!!! 
If you have walked for more than 10 minutes and you are not on paved road yet you are going the wrong way! Turn around! If there are horses on your trail--turn around!

My point you ask? It took us 1.5hrs to get up to the sign and about 25 coming down--the right way!

Again, this was great fun! bc I got to enjoy a REAL experience with my husband and son :) And the views were great!

 

Tac's First Birthday!
Maannnn, I hope I am not the only mom who gets way too worked up about things like Baptisms, birthdays, holidays... ALL the expectations and pressure! Is it all in my head? Real, Imagined?
All I know is that there seems to be a lot of it. I suffer from a condition known as learned perfectionism. I am not a natural perfectionist- it doesn't suit me so when it comes out it ain't pretty. I think most women can relate to this. I don't know if you learned you had to be a perfectionist from society or within your self, home... nature nurture blah blah. Again, I do  not know but the pressure is there. This sounds like it needs to be its own post.

Back to the Birthday BOY!
This party was amazing! I was most anxious about people coming or not and guess what!? you all came and it meant the world to me. Tac knew you were there. He recognized his little friends and he knew the day was about him. He had so much fun playing at his favorite park. He did a great job during the (another pressure moment) first cake photo op. He wore his hat that I made him. He smiled, he made a mess, he played, he played, he played. He even napped before the party so he was in a good mood....not so much after. We came home and tried to get him to nap...NOT. So we invited the IN LAWS back and opened presents instead. He definitely understood that the day was about him.
So at least my stress did not overshadow His special day.

I cannot express how much it meant to have so many friends make such an effort to come celebrate with us. I will never forget the kindness.

PICTURE TIME!!!!