The last week...

We have had tons of fun this last week and saw some of our hard work and sacrifice start to pay off.  Will has been working a lot lately, and we really miss him, so when we get some time together, it is very precious.  So when we decided to have the mini van detailed we had to rent another van since it would take all day long.  Well we didn't want to be stranded at home doing nothing on Wills one full day off, and so we decided to take the rental mini van and drive the two hours to San Diego.  We got there and went to Del Mar Beach.  It was beautiful.  Apparently Del Mar Beach is the "rich persons" beach, so it is the best for families with little kids since it is the cleanest area with not a lot of stuff you don't need when going to the beach.  As soon as we took our shoes off, and looked out into the water what did we see, but a seal swimming about 2 feet into the water parallel to the beach.  I have never seen them that close before except for at the Omaha Zoo.


See the seal!!

This was the very first time that the kids had ever been to the ocean.  Nessi and Sabrina had been to California 6 years ago this last January, but it was for my grandmothers funeral.  We didn't have time to go to the beach or anything like that because Will had to get back to school right away.  Anyway here are some more photos of the beach.  Vanessa LOVED to comb the beach for shells, and Sabrina LOVED playing and making sand castles in the sand.  And well Isaac couldn't settle on just one thing to do, so he was up and down and all around trying to do everything he could.  The kids absolutely loved the beach, and wore themselves right out.  As soon as we got into the car to go get some dinner, I looked back, and after only 5 min driving they were all out like lights, and so we just drove straight home, and then went out to dinner.



All of my beach beauties!



But once they got in it they got used to it.



This little guy would not leave our stuff alone. 



These Will called Sand Fleas, I grew up being told they were little sand crabs.



These are the things that burrow in the sand and leave those little holes.





This was my favorite part of the trip..seeing this all day long!!



Here is the famous sand castle...



...and it's creator!!



apparently making sand castles wasn't enough...



She had to bury daddy as well.



Nessie realizing there is a current under the water that pulls.

Look at me mom!!!

Don't let go dad....

So we all had a great time playing in the sand and sun as a family.  It was very relaxing and such an awesome good time.  All our hard work as students faded as we were able to just up and go somewhere fun like this as a family and not really have to have huge consequences financially if we did so.

Also something else that we crossed off our list of things to do once we graduated was with regards to my wedding ring.  I'm sure you are all aware that in 2003 when Will went back to college to start this journey we didn't have a lot of money, and we needed to have a reserve to help us out.  He cashed in his 401K but it wasn't enough for us, so reluctantly we both decided to take in my diamond wedding ring, and sell it and use the money to live on.  With the understanding that it would be replaced as soon as we graduated.  Well that day has finally came, and I couldn't be happier.  Now there does need to be some clarification though.  There is no way on this green earth that we would have ever been able to afford such a nice diamond had it not been for my sweet mother in law giving us such a great deal on this diamond.  We did buy it from her, but at a lot less that you would at the store, and it is an old European cut diamond, and it is from her as well, so there is some sentimental value in this ring as well.  I hope to be able to pass this onto the girls and have them pass it on as well.  I hope they will love it as much as I do.  I think it is absolutely stunning and so I wanted to share my excitement.  It is a reminder of all the hard work and sacrifice we all made to get to where we are today, and that if we are patient everything we ever wanted and more can be ours. 





But the best part over all above beautiful diamonds or pretty beaches or vacations, is the fact that we get to do all of this together as a family, and make tons and tons of memories.  I love my family, my husband, and my life!!!