Because what's better than FREE?

I stumbled across what might possibly be the best holiday "bargain" of the year. Not sure if I can even call it a bargain, cause it's FREE, and bargains cost at least something- but the only thing this bargain "costs" is a little bit of your time. Sprinkle in some imagination, put in a good word and... WALLAH! You have...

50 FREE CARDS FROM SHUTTERFLY

Now THAT is a deal!

I have already used Shutterfly several years in a row, anyway, to create our Christmas cards. I have not found a better value considering pricing and quality with any other site- and I've definitely kept my eyes open throughout the years. I honestly think they have the best selection for cards and the ease of creating one couldn't be easier. I actually just created and ordered a photobook of our California trip, as well, from Shutterfly and I was absolutely thrilled at how easy it was to create a customized book using the storyboard. I had dreaded taking the time to make the book but when I sat down to actually do it and realized the ease of being able to customize it to exactly how I wanted starting with the storyboard and then applying whatever backgrounds and layouts I wanted, I was seriously impressed. I can't wait till it comes in the mail! I have also ordered calendars in the past for a favorite Aunt of mine who asks for the same gift every year... a photo calendar. Easy peasy.

All right, so if you are reading this, and you're a blogger- go get your 50 free cards! Do it!!

And if you think this reads like an advertisement- you're half right. But that's part of the bargain. And truth be told, I really, seriously dig Shutterfly, anyway, so it works for me!

California

I figure since it's been a month, I should probably post some pictures now of our trip to California before the whole memory becomes ancient history. It's not entirely my fault for waiting so long. I took 584 pictures, after all. It was too overwhelming to choose which ones to post (or to even open and wade through the photo album for that matter!)

Without further ado, here are some of the highlights (finally!)

Our first stop: Newport Beach! We spent a few different days here walking around, eating, hanging around on the Pier since Newport Beach is fairly close to where we were staying in Anaheim. This picture was taken the day we arrived. From the airport - to the beach!

The next day we headed up to L.A. This is something I'd been wanting to do for a long time, but somehow it wasn't quite as enjoyable with 4 little kids in tow. Don't get me wrong, I love having the little ones with, but walking the streets of Hollywood with all it's crazy business was more work than entertainment. But we saw the sites, tried out our celebrity hands and feet "size" and spied the famous "Hollywood" sign up in the Hills. So for all that, I'd say it was a success. 

Ahhh- the Santa Monica Pier. It appears in the opening credits of "Private Practice" (which no, I do not watch) and probably 100 other tv shoes and movies.
But I just HAD to see it for myself. So I did.

Here's my big strong boy flexing his muscles at the famous "Muscle Beach"

LOTS of muscles at this beach. Lots of muscles....

All righty then...moving along...

I'm pretty sure there is no sunset more exquisite than the West Coast sunset. I don't know why but the sun seems to appear bigger and closer. There is nothing quite like watching the beautiful glowing orange sun sink into the Pacific (except maybe watching it sink into the Gulf, which is also pretty lovely. And, come to think of it- watching it sink into the Atlantic, which I - believe it or not-  have also done from the shores of Spain a few times in my life)

My little girls at the beach.

One of our favorite places was Crystal Cove near Laguna Beach. It's almost as if this area of protected shoreline transplants you a million miles (and years away) from the rest of the crowded, developed California shoreline.

The kids had so much fun playing in the tide pools and running around on the beach. They didn't want to leave! It was pretty amazing.

I realize this picture below really  has nothing to do with my family- but I couldn't help but snap this picture as we sat at a stoplight because, as my husband pointed out, "Nothin says juicy Hamburger like, 'Duke's Hamburgers -- Mexican Food."  (What!!?!?!)  Gag. And as if putting the words "Hamburgers and Mexican Food" on the same sign isn't bad enough, it continues the assualt by adding at the bottom, "Breakfast Served." (Of course! And why would it not be? Hamburgers, Mexican Food and Breakfast... ummm ummm good)

One of our favorite memories is the trip down to the San Diego Zoo. I had always wanted to visit and finally got the chance. I was thrilled to be able to experience this with the kids! The Zoo is absolutely everything it's "cracked up" to be and MORE. The only problem is that you most certainly need more than a day to explore. There sheer expanse and walking distance makes it impossible to traverse all in one day with little kids. But we saw as much as we could.

Though there were so many amazing animals, seeing the Panda was truly a once in a lifetime memorable experience.

The boys checking out the Polar Bear- which I now see that I cut out of the picture when I snapped it. So, FYI- He was big, white and furry. And chewing on a carrot.

Another favorite destination was Downtown Disney. During the week of our hotel stay the kids endured about 57 elevator rides with other well-meaning hotel guests who repeatedly asked either 1) Did we like Disney? or 2) When we were going to Disney? The answer to those questions is No and No.

We decided not to go to Disneyland for various reasons. However, my husband and I were able to pacify the constant Disney inquiries with the kids by taking them to the (free and open to the public) Downtown Disney area a few different evenings. I'm pretty sure they kids had (almost) just as much fun dancing to the outdoor live music and eating at neat restaurants and my wallet saw a lot less action than it would have if we would have gone to DisneyLand. I think that's what you call a Win. Win. :)

Ok, I realize that Christian looks like he's sayin something along the lines of "Ufta. I'm tired. Get me outta here." - and, truth be told, if he could actually talk, I kinda think he would have been saying that very thing. Poor kid. We kept him up late. But he was a trooper!

On the last day, we made one last stop down at Newport Beach Pier to say goodbye to the Sea Lions.

We had an awesome time and we're so glad we went!

still too busy to put together a decent post, but I like this song...

These random pictures and funky song are brought to you by a 6 year old who loves this song SOOO much that he actually wrote a letter to the Rednex telling them how much he admired them. I did try to track down their address, but did not show my son their picture (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rednex) - I didn't wanna, ya know, burst his admiration bubble or anything.

Here, below, is said 6 year old riding a snowmobile in the frozen tundra of the south pole... in shorts... (at the California science museum in balmy Los Angeles)

And back home, we like to wear our cowgirl skirts, too (except in pink).

 

Even if we do live in the "city" the kids still ride horseys... except ours is red, and made of plastic and powered by the big sister (see attached jump rope)... giddy-up!

Life is good.

Full of laughter, joy and music....  and we don't have it handy, we make it.

Happy Tuesday!