The Lavender Fields were beautiful. Incredibly fragrant as you can imagine. I would only recommend this if you want a long drive out in the country in Northern San Diego County. We had stayed in nearby Escondido for years at my in laws timeshare so we were familiar with the area. There is only a 3-month window when the lavender is in bloom and this was one of the few times that we were in town during the blooming season. My family so graciously agreed to humor me with this little excursion. Everyone except our son that is. Can't blame him one bit. Not the kind of excursion a 13-year old boy wants to go on - but we Mom's need to plan some of the outings. I have some lavender drying in our butler's pantry (without a butler). Smells divine!

Monkey See - Monkey Do. I had a few giggles thinking up a title to this post. We had never taken our kids to the San Diego Zoo. Sea World and Legoland always won. We decided to spend one afternoon there primarily to see these beauties. There were two of them - both sleeping but fully in our view. They were spectacular to see. We had to be very quiet walking by them. I believe there are only two zoos in the country that have them. Washington DC and San Diego. I was so intriqued by this incredible species. We worship at all mighty God. Imagine coming up with the ideas for all of our creatures. Of course I still think these were the two cutest monkies in the zoo.

I met up with Helle, Michelle and Michelle's mother and daughter on Coronado this week. What a blast that was. Helle took us to her favorite store on the island, The Attic, which unfortunately just closed. She persuaded the owner to open it up for us on Tuesday for a private sale. Wow, was that ever fun. Look at those scrummy candle sticks. We all found some wonderful things. Here's Helle, myself and Taylor outside in the Del in front of the beautiful white sandy beach. It's so wonderful being around Helle. She's always laughing. Gotta love that in a person! Lucky me. I get to see Helle and Michelle at Sparkle Bella this week. Can't wait.

I just spent the last 3 out of our 5 days in San Diego with my eyes glued to these two boogie boarders. They are obsessed. That's all they want to do for hours. I can just hear what he is saying to his sister in this next picture. We gotta catch this next wave, it's going to be a good one. We had a blast. I think vacationing is the best thing that we do as a family. We spent one afternoon at La Jolla Shores and then ventured down to La Jolla Cove where we found these beach babes. I think they were working on their tans. I got a close up of this one swimming. I've never seen one with such a white face.

Relaxing, reading a book, resting my feet on our picnic basket, watching my family fish and inhaling the scent of tall pine trees is where I have been for the past two days. We took a much needed break and stayed in an Inn in Payson. I am always reminded of the movie "A River Runs Through It" when I watch my husband fly fish. It is such a talent and boy does he have it. This is the view from my spot at the lake we spent most of my time. My chair is empty for two reasons. #1. I had to take the picture. #2. A brazen squirrel wanted in my picnic basket and chased me away. Luckily another family walked by and chased him away. I wish I could bottle the pine tree scent and the 30 degree cooler temperature. Of course I needed a prime position to keep my eye on "her". I'm just now recovering from my panicked "mom" breathing! In retrospect I wish I would have been videotaping this for "America's Funniest Home Movie". She said "Look Mom", cast her line and fell into the lake off of an "rock island" that she was on with her daddy. He pulled her out of the water immediately and she was fine. The little squirt!