Cali here we come

Well, we've been home for 2 weeks now and I'm just getting around to blogging. Between time change, daily chores, starting my Christmas gifts and life, I think I'll start while Jeff's catching up on his DVRed shows!
So as you can see we made it to the airport on time and thank god they have the family line that gets you past security 10x faster:)
Both flights were super easy! I was worried about T being it was his first flight ever, but all he wanted was daddy and I sat behind them on both flights catching up on sleep and checking in on them every now and then.
Jeff is super dad i tell you, he has so much patients with them and can seem to come up with clever little things to keep them busy. I'm more of an either or and if you can't decide your in trouble kind of mom :( I'm no fun, so dad took over! Yay for me! Lol
We got to Fresno with a group of welcomers! Always the best when they're the one you missed the most! After we said our hellos it was off to business. Sushi first, dress fitting second and off to my oldest brother annual Halloween party!! Boy were we exhausted!!!
Just super glad to be home.....

Baby Loggerhead Turtles

After we finished seeing the Green Sea Turtle, there was another lady checking on a nest a ways North of us. She was monitoring Loggerhead Sea Turtles.

I didn't get many pictures of this little one being it was getting dark and we couldn't use our flash. So I have 1 good one and 1 ok one.

By the time we watched the first turtle head out to sea, we hustled down to this nest and as we got there, she was letting it make its way to the water. There were quite a few eggs as well, I remember her saying there were 4 dead ones and that she would be going back out the next night to check the nest again. We were for sure going to try and make that, but we decided to stay home.

It was pretty much the same process with this baby turtle. We cleared its path and watched it build up its strength as it made its way closer to the water.

I actually didn't get to see this one enter the water cause T man was soaking wet and was starting to fuss. So Kathy and Jt stayed and watched as T and I walked back to the car. Kathy said that it was so dark and hard to see that the lady ended up carrying this baby out and letting it go. She was up to her waist in the water and made sure it made it pasted the waves.

That next morning the boys were still talking about it and were so disappointed that we weren't going out to see them again.

As you can see there is a difference in the shell shape. This one is smaller, the front paddles aren't as long as the Green Turtle and see the little red notches along the middle of the shell. That the distinct characteristic of a Loggerhead.

Some Fun Facts:

• The average size of a Loggerhead is 35 inch when fully grown. some have been 110 inch and 3,000 lbs
• The adult weighs around 300lbs
• As adults the males have thicker tails than the females and that's the same for reptiles. So these turtles are a marine reptile
• Females lay eggs every 2 to 3 years and have 4 nests in one area
• Sexual maturity within 17-33 years
• life span 47-67 years
• They are endangered

This was by far the coolest thing other than swimming with dolphins this year!

Baby Green Sea Turtle

Finally!!!

Most of the summer we have been anticipating the hatching's of these little babiess. We started seeing nests in late July and read that it takes 60 days of incubation. So that would have put us in September roughly around the week of the 24th. So for 2 weeks, I would drive 30 minutes 1 way just to see if I could see anything/something. Either way I would go when the sun was rising, after the gym or at night if I didn't make it in the morning. By the 2nd week, Jeff was concerned about gas money! lol I didn't care, I had to see it. It's almost like it would be a check to the Bucket List we should all have, but not yet created. I have a few things checked off of that soon to be created list and this is one.

So long story short, I definitely missed the hatching. Jeff and I took the boy out there and there was change to one particular nest. Not to the other 3 that I had been watching. I was so sad and still hoped that we might see something and after relaying this and dragging my MIL out there with me a few times, she finally decided to call.

Thank God she did cause they were going out that night to check on the remaining babies that didn't hatch yet. So FYI all of the babies had hatched, I was wasting my time:( and I knew it would be like hitting the lottery. Oh by the way I have the worst luck so there you go!

So each year these people (The lady below named Donna) have 1 or 2 nest they watch over. When the season comes for these mama turtles to lay their eggs, these people walk the beaches before the sun rises and after the sun has set checking for tracks and mounds of sand. When they see these tracks, they mark off the mounds and date them. I didn't get the date on this nest cause I had been tracking the ones South of this one. They then do the same when its close to hatch time. After they discover tracks from the nest, they then check the nests by digging up eggs and seeing how many have died, unhatched or trying to make their way up. Let me tell you, the hole is deep and it's amazing to know that they could even find their way out of there. This particular nest had 1 dead egg and this little one that was half way out of its egg. She said it was totally normal for a few to be left behind and her job was to make sure she helped them out. They report and file paper work to the state when they do this! Its all being tracked and from what she said and I read, sea turtle are endangered and it is illegal to do any harm to them.

(This is her getting set up)  

The first of the eggs to be seen

As she pulled them out, she lined them up by 10s.

Here was the only dead egg out of this 1 nest. We all passed it around to feel it.

And there it is, they only little one left!

She actually documents every detail of this nest. She called it a name as to how this guy was found, but I don't remember. But she said she has to state that he was half way out of his shell.

She kept this baby in the bucket until she was done with the rest of the eggs. After she checked the nest, it was time to watch this little one make it's way to the water. It was low tide, so it had a ways to go!

127 eggs hatched and 1 dead making a total of 128 eggs!

Isn't it cute! It was so small and cute! I think the cutest little baby animal I've ever seen.

On its way to the great big sea. It was slow at first, but as it gained its strength it was going after that. We all made 2 single file lines on each side of the turtle and helped clear its path and rooted it along. We all were either clearing/smoothing the lumps in the sand, taking pictures or recording its little journey to the water.

A Green Sea Turtle has long front paddles and a tear drop shell.

Right when it made it to the water!

I love this picture! Definitely framing this one!

And off it went. When it reached the water the lady told us to just stand and watch at that point. The wave would wash it up and down the shore and didn't want anyone to step on it.

Finally getting sucked out. The lady stayed and made sure it got past most of the waves. She was out in the water in her sneakers and making sure that little turtle made it.

Oh you know, it wouldn't be a successful beach trip without one getting wet!

Just some facts that I gathered from the great ole internet about green turtles:

• Green Sea Turtles are also known as Black Turtles
• Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical water
• They had 2 distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean
• Their namenames come from the fat found beneath their upper shells
• Tear drop shell
• Larger paddle like flippers
• Usually live in shallow lagoons feeding on a wide range of seagrass
• Mama turtles lay eggs at night
• Maturity may live to be 80 years old in the wild
• It's illegal to harm, collect or kill them

As Kathy said, it was like cheering on an Olympian in the Olympic, but much better.

I couldn't agree more, it was so exciting to see and watch this baby make it's way into this great big sea. That small little thing exploring such a big beautiful place!

Simply Amazing!

I have a Loggerhead to show you next! Next post.......

8 Year Anniversary

Jeff and I celebrated our 8 year Anniversary yesterday with the kids, but we did head out on Sunday for a nice dinner alone. I've been obsessed with the sea turtles that are about to hatch, so I made Jeff take me to the beach after our nice dinner! It was storming so bad and thought maybe we wouldn't even get to get out of the car. Luckily it stopped after sitting in the car for 10 minutes, but this resulted in us sitting on the beach watching the thunderstorm over the water! It was so pretty and romantic! Sadly there were no turtles:(
Yesterday we went about our normal day, T man and I went for a walk on the beach to check the nests, but nothing again! Jeff came home with roses and we both didn't feel like cooking so we each got what we wanted for dinner! It's funny how a celebration of so many years and love is really just another day! At least we made each other happy with food, flowers and I surprised Jeff with his favorite chocolate mouse cake!
As I said before: I loved Jeff the day I met him, I loved him the day I married him and I love him more today. Gray hair and all;)
We have been through a lot in life, travel and love. I couldn't imagine my life with anyone else and doing all of these things without Jeff! He is my soul mate and my best friend! Happy Anniversary to us and many many more.....

Back To It

Yesterday was the start of my clean/healthy eating diet! I have plateaued with the weight loss so I need to make some changes. Ever since having kids I can't seem to get passed 170. Its so frustrating cause I know where my body and weight can be, but I can't seem to find it in my self to do the work.

So I have come to the realize that its my diet! Hmmmm who would have known. The saying goes 10% gym 90% diet! It also takes longer to loose weight or build muscle then to it does to loose what you just did all that work for. (Does that make sense?) I am by no means a fitness expert or a nutrition expert, but I do know what it takes to for my body.

So, here's what I ate yesterday. Mind you I have cut out coke unless we are eating out at a restaurant, but I normally drink a ton of water with some Mio flavoring.

1 mini cucumber, half an avocado (left overs from the night before) 1 egg white and 1 kiwi.

I didn't snack or cheat yesterday!

My morning snack before lunch. PB for some protein, grapes, 1 mini cucumber, 4 sweet peppers and water My lunch was basically 2 hand fulls of spinach and half a piece of salmon. No butter, just seasoning.

I had to add this awesome illusion shot! I thought it was hilarious cause the TV adds 10 pounds, but I actually look 10 pounds lighter! I know I'm being retarded, but damn I love this TV.

My afternoon snack before the gym! Greek yogurt and 1 banana!

MY gym class called Body Pump! We went so late that I didn't do cardio, but this class is such a high rep no break kind of class that I'm dripping when I'm done. Totally rocked the legs yesterday:) Weights are best for me, cardio is a bonus but I need high intensity for sure. A workout to me isn't a workout unless I'm dripping sweat.

Dinner! I do have to admit that I was starving by the time we ate so I ended up eating the whole piece of chicken. We did put BBQ sause on our chicken, I needed some flavoring!

Playing with our food!

I noticed this morning I had double the energy from 1 day of good eating and my stomach wasn't as bloated! All benefits of eating better.

You know the saying, "You are what you eat!"

A Well Welcome Home + 2 Week Vacay

After our long, but very short summer Jeff finally came home safe and sound. I say short summer because we were so busy with family and friends visiting! Thank god!

Jeff has taken 2.5 weeks off and we are enjoying it for sure. We need some family time and the boys needed their daddy. Jt has enjoyed Jeff taking and picking him up from school, I've even recruited Jeff for HW! So Jeff does HW and I do the reading before bed!

{Picking Jeff up from the Airport! You wouldn't believe it, but poor Jt had a fever and was in bed all day:( He was game to go get daddy though.}

The pictures below are just some of the random things we've done since Jeff's been off. Kathy came to visit the Thursday after Jeff got home. As usual we ventured out for dinner and tried a new Tepanyaki joint! It was awesome and will be going back! Jeff and I being silly the other day. See the picture with his smashed face on the glass, well I was trying to make a funny contact photo for my phone.

My handy husband cleaning out the drains in the master bathroom. They didn't drain well when we moved in and needed some cleaning, so the honeydew list has started being he's home.

We had a naked gunman running through the house shooting everyone, but we got him! We shot back and he played dead for a few seconds.

Cute little piggies, sweet profile and some daddy loves before bed!

Jt is really into the Xbox lately and I'm a sucker for Call Of Duty myself, but don't want him running around killing humans. So Halo 3 was a better choice being we doing have any other games other then warfare. So shooting aliens is better then humans, right?
So my analogy on this is that: according to Parenting Magazine I am getting the worst parent award, but according to Jt, I'm getting the coolest mom award! If he learned anything that day, it was team work and how to work together.

One of our many sunsets, the boys playing together and Jt giving T man a piggy back ride! Another lizard that jumped around, organizing my life a little or should I say making Jts life a little easier in the mornings. Each cuby is a set of clothes that he can pick from. Not that we ever had an issue, but this way he can just grab and get dressed. My last drink {for the week at least! lol} back on my eating healthy kick!
Jeff and I had a babysitter come last Friday. We didn't know this, but it was a blue moon. We planned on going to dinner and taking a walk on the beach, but as we were driving to the beach, people were out with their cameras. All I had was my phone and I had planned on bringing my camera too, but forgot it:( Anyway, the moon was so pretty. As it was coming up there were pinks and blues and as it got higher, the more blue it turned. Definitely was beautiful and so romantic. There were so many people out watching it. So glad he's home. We needed this time together and its been so much fun since hes gotten home. I can't ever imagine not being with him and after all these years we still want to be close to each other everyday!

Labor Day was a fun day! We ventured down to the beach and let the kids play. Jt wanted to boogie board, Jeff and I wanted to get some sun and T man, well he just tagged along! We boogie boarded with Jt and while Jeff and I were laying out, I just happened to look out past the waves and saw a stingray jump from the water! That was pretty cool, but makes you wonder if its being chased or if its looking for food? I guess we'll never know.

I more week to go with Jeff being home and I could get used to this! Love having him here and not so stressed out! He's actually smiling and chipper, can you believe that???

Our last California visitor for a while

Had a very special friend visit me last week/weekend! Ashley and her daughter came Thursday evening and stayed till Tuesday morning. She helped me stay calm for the remainder of Jeff deployment and catch up since the last time we saw each other. Ash and I started playing softball with each other in 6th grade and played travel ball with each other after splitting up when we began high school. After high school we were still friends, but did take a break from each other cause I was being an idiot! I do love how we came back together cause there were days I never stopped thinking about her. She was a sister to me and still is a sister to me now. I can honestly say she is one of the few people who gets who I really am and understands me. We have this relationship that we can bullshit with each other and there has never been the beating around the bush or hurting one anothers feelings! Love that about her.

The night she got here and we were giving our kiddos baths.

The first day they were here, we dropped Jt off at school and headed to the beach! I took them to Micklers and we did find a few small shark teeth. But the water down there is so pretty and I wanted Ash to see the Sea Turtle nests. We also checked to see when they were marked so we could figure out when they might be hatching! The hatch days are for September, so she wouldn't get to see it:(

T man and Hayden playing in the sand while Ash and I were sifting through the shells
Ashley

That night after dinner we took the kids to get a frozen yogurt. That was the best beach day while she was here so I'm glad we went!

The second day I took Ash and Hayden to 13 Gypsies from Diners, Drive ins & Dives. Hayden was going to stay with the boys, but Jt ended up being sick and having a fever. So we had a girls day out instead! What do girls do best, Shop? Yes, but we ate and got pedis and ran a couple little errands. Which we ended up taking longer then expected and by the time we were heading home, Jt was vomiting and crying for me:( I felt so bad, but OMG did we have a great time. The food was awesome and the company was even better! Definitely going back for the scallops!!!!
(Hayden being silly with her tootsie roll, she was fitting in with the locals or better yet with Jt)

That night we also welcomed Jeff home! I'll post a picture late!

The third day Hayden wanted to go to the alligator farm and so did the boys! She had a great time seeing all of the animals and wanted to go back the next day! We saw a banana tree, a python the size of a truck (length wise) and ate at good ole Harry's again!

My MIL have this thing for Shrimp & Grits! They have the best so far!

The fourth day, we went to breakfast after dropping Jt off at school. We went to the Metro Diner from the triple D show, again! There are a lot of them around here!

We headed to Pump It Up afterwards to let the little ones play. Definitely got our exercise as well followed them around! Up and down, jumping and laughing! The best is when its with your kids and friends who act like kids! Ash and I could have been on AFV if the hidden cameras saw what were doing! lol I will not tell though!
We came home and went shopping that evening!

The fifth day was time to say goodbye:( I made breakfast and visited until we rushed off to take Jt to school and head to the airport. I was definitely a sad morning, tears and sad goodbyes!

I seriously can not wait to get home and be with all of my great friends and family.

We had a great time with the Fry's and can't wait to see them in October when we go home for my brothers wedding! It will be so nice to spend time with everyone!