It’s official. The lazy days of summer have arrived.
I’m sitting on my living room floor during nap time in my favorite comfy sundress, typing on ye ol’ laptop, sipping ice water and watching mindless television while our beloved beach breeze cools the house. This morning involved a free summer movie at the theater near the pier and much popcorn munching. Yesterday was filled with such difficulties as conquering a morning kickboxing class followed by several hours in the kiddie pool and playing with turtle-shaped sprinklers.
I know. What a life.
Of course, keep in mind this is a blog. I’m telling you only what I want you to know and refraining from telling the things I don’t. So yes, life with my three guys here is wonderful, but I’m choosing to pretend summer is still as lazy as it was when I was 15 and spent all day on my twin bed devouring my latest book, and leaving out the reality of the laundry tumbling in the dryer right now, the sound of the dishwasher, the floors that need mopped and the dinner that still needs to be made tonight–you know, all the things the mom does when you’re a book-obsessed summertime teen. Things change when suddenly you realize that, HELLO, I am the mom. (Oh, and also, that ongoing Situation is, well, ongoing.)
So anyway. Our days are just kinda full o’ the fun right now. Lots of books are being read, swimming being done, and beaches being visited. And you will all be simply thrilled to know that for the first time in five years, my pasty white legs actually have some COLOR to them. And without help from Coppertone or Neutrogena. I KNOW. Somewhere out there, pigs are flyin’ and they’re flyin’ HIGH.
(John DID take a picture of the baby hand print, since you all begged. But I’m still working up the guts to actually post it.)
Speaking of visiting beaches, since I’m just sitting here crunching ice cubes while my children pretend to nap, I’ve been looking through the pictures from the anniversary getaway John and I took this past weekend. And because you’re my helpless victims, you’re now going to be subjected to every single one of them. Or not. But still, a lot of ‘em. Because I have TIME, people.
It’s summertime, after all.
Thanks to some dear friends and my mom, we were able to go away overnight for our anniversary–the first time we’ve been away, just us, since we’ve had children.
It was dreamy. Truly dreamy.
We stayed on Coronado Island–although not in the famous Hotel Del Coronado (above). We stayed right across the street from it, in a beautiful old Spanish style hotel with a view overlooking the adorable little main street and the ocean. We did tour the Del the evening we got there and it was as beautiful as ever. I kinda have a thing for this hotel, for a myriad of reasons.
We also ate ice cream. A big ol’ thang of ice cream:
I told him to “look crazy.” (For the blog, of course. He didn’t need to be told.)
He acquiesced. Clearly.
Yes, it’s true. We kinda like each other.
You’d THINK, that when we have the chance to actually, you know, SLEEP IN on a Saturday morning, we’d take it. Except for the fact that we’re parents. Who have early risers for children. And our internal clocks don’t realize when they aren’t with us. So, despite having every intention of sleeping in on Saturday morning… we couldn’t. We were up with the sun.
Beachcombing. Wading through tide pools.
And kissing. Cuz we do kinda like each other.
The beach was just breathtaking. We spent over two hours walking in the surf, talking, shell seeking, laughing and being kinda crazy.
After breakfast at a cozy little diner, we rode cruisers all over the island. I tried to get John to race up the non-hills, but he wouldn’t take the bait. What with my tad bit of running and little gym classes and those 130 miles a week he logs on his bike, he knew I’d totally CREAM him. The poor guy.
And THEN came the real fun. We rented a jet ski.
We did some serious white water kayaking on our honeymoon five years ago, so we thought speeding over the ocean on a water-propelled THANG and the flying off the crazy apparatus into the ocean qualified as the “this-time-we’re-parents-and-must-have-fun-while-thinking-more-highly-of-staying-alive” version of thrill seeking.
It WAS insanely fun. Especially for two people who haven’t been on one of these things in ages. And ESPECIALLY when we turned too hard at a high speed and flew into the water. I don’t remember when we’ve cracked up that hard, and we can do us some serious laughing now and again.
See that look on his face? That’s his “I really, really love this girl” look. And I’m always thrilled when it’s captured on camera… we caught it several times that day.
We sat on the beach until the sun set, before heading home to the little boys we were missing so much even after only one night.
You know what? We kinda like each other.
Brittney says:
awwww! that looks like such a blast. LOVE the pics.. and so glad there are other couples who like to kiss for candid camera
hehehe
July 1st, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Kaira says:
really, really, really sweet, Ash. I love it. And, we all still really want to see the handprint.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Tiffany says:
Oooh! This is so sweet! I stumbled on your blog, and I loved reading this. I will have to follow you. {grin}
July 1st, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Angela says:
Gorgeous and fun pictures. And thank you for making my day today with your sweet comments.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:54 pm
The Panhandler says:
Sweet pictures! Having just moved to the gulf coast, we are falling in love with having a nearby beach!
July 1st, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Mrs. Julie Fink says:
Beautiful pictures! So glad that you are enjoying happy times!
July 1st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Nicole aka Gidget says:
How fun! When was your anniversary? Ours was the 28th.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Nicole says:
Oh, Ash! What a special day! Loved the photos… you always take such beautiful photos. I'm very glad you guys got away… it's so much harder with kids, isn't it?
Is love a fancy or a feeling?
Heehee, I may have started it, my dear, but I can finish it, too!
Seeing Coronado made me really miss San Diego… still can't believe I'm not there.
July 1st, 2009 at 9:48 pm
bethany says:
love the pics, sissy…. you two are just too cute.
July 1st, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Darcy says:
I loved this post. Loved all the pictures. Loved thinking about how awesome time away from the Mommy and Daddy roles and stepping back into the Ashleigh and John, or in our case the Darcy and Steven roles. It's great to get away and rejuvenate as a couple. And I'm glad you guys got to this weekend!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:08 am
Katie @ Heart Gone Walking says:
Aw that looks like so much fun! How special to get away with just each other. My husband and I haven't spent a night away since Madeline was born but I'm itching to do it next year for our fifth anniversary.
And, ahem, we still want to see the hand print photo. Just sayin'…
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:40 am
bessieviola says:
This made me a little bit sniffly, Ashleigh. That is truly the best feeling, to be "away" and know that – "hey, I love this man! This man, and I'd marry him all over again!"
Looks like you guys had such a blast.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:10 am
kathy says:
So adorable! The question is, did you take the kissy picture yourself? (and how did you manage that?) Or did you get someone else to take the pic?
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:49 pm
LeAnna says:
Loved the pics, that looked like total fun. I'm ready for the day my sweetie and I can get away overnight. However, I have a ways to go before we're to that point.
Yay for Grammies and friends who make it possible, though!
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Ana says:
I love this post, Ash!! It's beautiful!!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Becky K. says:
Very sweet post!
I am so glad you "kinda like each other".
Here's to another year!
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Ginger says:
Okay, I just had a brain storm of an idea!!! You NEED to write a Christian novel. You make me just sigh every time I read one of your post like this one. Don't you think between being a wife, mom, house keeper…etc..etc..etc you should add Author? Just a thought!lol:D
Ginger~
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Gretchen Acheson says:
So these adorable pictures of this adorable couple who obviously does like each other very much…and all the comments of the very-in-love wife brought tears to my eyes tonight… So glad you two had such fun celebrating your anniversary… Here's to many, many more… HUGS!
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Leah says:
Just love it.
July 4th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Steve n Vickie says:
Aww!! Glad you got some alonetime. I remember when you two and Gr and Gr volunteered to take the girls camping so we could get a weekend away. Such cheerished moments
July 5th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Kaylene says:
It was the attitude that this post reflects that motivated me to write you — what was it a couple of years ago??? Doubt you remember that, but I just remember being refreshed that there was still someone out there willing to show us single women the joys of marriage and not just the negative. Thanks again for that.
Very sweet post.
July 6th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
RanchGirl says:
Such a sweet post! (I found you through LeAnna)
July 7th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Cassandra says:
What a great getaway! I love that beach and you took some great pictures! Happy anniversary!
July 11th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Tiffany says:
You totally just gave some really good ideas for our next anniversary!! Looks like you had a blast!!
July 18th, 2009 at 3:30 pm