Josh goes up North!

Since Josh has been working at this company, he's kind of become their "go-to" person for the more techincal, more sensitive, jobs because of his experience and how he can "handle" the client. Surprisingly enough... Not that he doesn't know the heck out of anything relating to the technical side of his job. It's just that Josh is not the kind of person that I would imagine being as...well...slick. He's the kind of person that you never have to guess what they're thinking or how they're feeling because he just kinda lets you know. And because of that, and because I don't know how he is when he puts on his professional hat, I would have never guessed that he would end up in this kind of position at work.

So they sent him to Canada. In December. See what being a good employee gets you???

While he was up there, he and a co-worker were able to take a day trip to Linn Canyon. From the pictures that he took, I really wish that I was able to have gone with him. Except for the bridge. He can have that bridge all to himself...

Then there are a few pictures of around Victoria and of Totem Park. He said that it was definitely one of those time where he was really missing home because he wished that we could have experienced those places together.

It really stinks to have him on the road so much, but one thing that I'm grateful for is that he has had some opportunities to travel across the United States, and now into Canada, and to see all of the tourist-y things that he wouldn't otherwise had an opportunity to. It kind of breaks up the longing to be back home and the monotony of the work days.

Santa Cruz with the Aldama's

After we scraped the dirt from underneath our nails, did mad loads of laundry, dropped the kids off at their hotel, we jumped BACK in the truck and headed the opposite direction to Santa Cruz, to my parents' condo. This was the first time that we were going to see it. As much as we were excited and looking forward to our relaxing camping trip, it was a much different excitement to go down to Santa Cruz because our favorite little people were there waiting for us!!

The day after we got there, we all went to the Monterey Aquarium. It's a completely different experience when you get to see it through the eyes of a child. Things that would have gone unnoticed by our old and jaded eyes (yeah, yeah, another turtle/fish/sea star, etc...) were things of wonder and amazement, that we got to talk about with them.



Uncle Josh played "race car" with Elijah in his stroller. Revving his engine and hopping up and down over curbs. I don't know who enjoyed it more: Elijah or Josh!!



After the Aquarium, we all went to Bubba Gump's. Note to self: do not go to this restaraunt with Josh unless I want to be embarassed the entire time. That man knows the entire movie, from start to finish, and will recite it all if given the chance!



I thought that I had more pictures than this...

We saw this store on the way back to the condo. Hey, Cooder, Imma' go an' pick up a keg o' High Life. You wan' me to getchu' some o' them crawlers fer yer line? Really: Wine, Deli, and BAIT??



Josh and I brought our bikes down and were able to get in a nice little ride. It was gorgeous, and so serene, being able to ride along the ocean. And of course, I brought along my camera!



The next day: SANTA CRUZ BOARDWALK!!

Again, it was mostly about the kids but the big kids were able to get in a few rides too. When the boys weren't riding rides, Elijah and Corom spent most of the time taking turns riding on Uncle Josh's shoulders. Even after we took the kids on the Rock-o'-Plane. Dan had Corom, Josh had Elijah, and I had Noelle. For this ride, you're enclosed in a cage with a bar over your lap. It's kind of like a small ferris wheel. Well, as it's going around, you can "rock" the cage back and forth and lock it into place. Depending on where it's locked, you'll be looking up at the sky or down at the ground as the wheel is turning. Each of the kids had a different reaction to it. Corom was scared (but that didn't discourage Dan from rocking it!!). Noelle was laughing, but still fearful - she was alternating between letting me lock us upside down and wanting to be upright. But as long as Uncle Josh had his arm around Elijah, he could do whatever he wanted! They had that thing rockin'!!



This has got to be one of my favorite pictures of her!! Total "Noelle"!!



Dan, Tami, Josh, and I went back later that night to have some big-kid fun. It was really nice to spend some time with just them.

It was a short visit but probably one of the best spent with the whole family. We love any chance that we can get to see and spend time with them!