Monarch Butterflies!

The reason we are called Butterfly Town U.S.A. is because the butterflies migrate here every year. This is a tree in the butterfly sanctuary.
To celebrate the migration of the butterflies, we have a Butterfly Parade. All the school children dress up as various fun things. The kindergarteners dress up as the covetous butterflies. Linnea and Gavin were both butterflies in years past.

Gavin and his friend. They were darling Moon Jellies!

Linnea and her friend dressed up patriotic.

The middle school and high school bands marched. Here is Jacen in the high school band. He is in the picture (center right) on trumpet.

Albert and Micah at the parade. (Micah eating his fruit leather.)

Micah and I at the Butterfly Bazaar. This was the beginning of the bazaar. I didn't look so happy at the end. Next year we will go to the parade and then listen to the bands play and then we are going HOME! I get so frustrated every year with a crying tired baby and too long of lines. (Sorry, I had to vent.)

After the parade, both middle and high school bands create a circle and then each take turns playing a song. They each played about 4-5 songs. It was great and totally kept Micah's attention as well. I was so proud of Jacen. I LOVE hearing him play and him play with the band. They were outstanding. I wish he loved it as much as I do.

Workin'

Around here we work 'em young.
Micah loves to help me put the silverware away...

...and water the plants...

...and recycle.

Yum

So, I'm working on a goal of losing 5 lbs by Halloween. I started this past Sunday.
I've lost 2.5 lbs already--lets just hope it doesn't reappear again!
This tomato salad has been SO yummy and totally okay on my healthy diet.
Albert thought it was really weird that I was just eating tomatoes pretty much by themselves but I think it's delicious!

Heirloom tomatoes
olive oil
raw organic vinegar
basil
salt and pepper

Heaven!

Beach Bonfire

Stillwater Cove
Pebble Beach

One of the neat (and hard) things of living here is that it is a very transient area. We love meeting the newcomers and learning about them and from them as they come from all over the country and the world. At the same time, it's hard to say goodbye.

Last Friday we said goodbye to some friends, meeting together for a beach bonfire--one of our favorite activities!

Micah is already showing his sweet little personality and I love taking note of it. I was watching him playing and the other little boy (who really is a sweetheart) kept taking his beach toys. Micah just watched him take them from him and then would hold out his hand because he wanted them back. That's all...just hold out his hand. After a few minutes I would give him back a beach toy only to have the same scenario happen again. I couldn't help but thinking that Gavin in that situation would have taken a swipe at the other child the first time. Micah, no. He simply watches and lets it happen. It's just so interesting how children are so different.

Birthday Bowling

For Albert's birthday he wanted to go bowling so we got together some friends and family and had so much fun. I have only been bowling a few times but I think I need to more often because it was so much fun. And of course it's even more fun when going with such fun people!

cello

Linnea has been taking some time choosing just the right instrument to learn.
She needed to pick two instruments and then her instructor would have the final decision based upon putting the band or orchestra together.
She originally was deciding between violin and flute over the past year.
Then she went to a large meeting and heard and saw the instruments and chose #1: violin and #2: trumpet.
Then she met in small groups with her instructor and was able to try the instruments and hear them played and really get up close with them.
After that session she changed her mind to #1: cello and #2: flute.
I LOVE the sound of the cello and it sounds beautiful played with the flute (me thinking of playing with her) and of course I would also love for her to pick flute because I could help her and I have an extra flute. I really loved her choices and didn't care which she learned.
Her instructor had the final decision and Linnea is playing the cello! We rented her instrument for now and it's beautiful and plays beautifully and Linnea is already learning the notes and how to play. It's VERY exciting.

We will have a band/orchestra here in our house soon. Albert has a violin (doesn't know how to play) but he even asked me to go get him a beginner music book for it.

The Zuniga family PLAYS!
The family that plays together stays together! (I know....corny.)

Birthday Boy

Albert is the birthday boy!

We had a nice dinner at home with chocolate cake for dessert.

I'm so grateful for Albert.
Here's 33 reasons why he's got my heart locked up tight:
1. He holds and honors the priesthood of God.
2. He's very patient (with me and others).
3. He says what he thinks.
4. He loves our four children.
5. He supports our family.
6. He gladly makes trips to the store for things I forget.
7. He doesn't judge.
8. He tries to be better each day.
9. He gets along with everyone.
10. He always tries to do what is right.
11. He's not afraid of doing hard things.
12. He puts up with my faults.
13. His smile.
14. He takes care of me.
15. He perseveres through difficult times.
16. He follows the prophet.
17. He is honest with himself and others.
18. He can be a little boy at times and simply have fun.
19. He understands what is really important in life.
20. He sacrifices for his family.
21. He thinks of others first.
22. He's health conscious.
23. He's careful.
24. He's not afraid to dream.
25. He's realistic.
26. He's always warm.
27. He gives great massages.
28. He's supportive.
29. He loves Jesus Christ.
30. He's in it for the long haul. (eternity!)
31. He avoids temptation.
32. He always tries to be a good father.
33. He loves me.

Funny...

Kitchen Table

They say it all happens around the kitchen table. I guess that's why Micah insists on being there. And he insists on being on TOP of the kitchen table.
It makes me nervous but I've come to accept that that is just where he wants to be and I'm living with it. Little daredevil. Here he is really excited about his new bird puppets. He LOVES birds.

6 a.m. run

Jacen started Seminary this school year. I take him to the church for a 6 o'clock scripture study designed for high school students. When we arrive in the church parking lot in Skyline Forest Drive, it is a dark twilight outside. I stretch for a moment before taking off into the forest for my run. I'm kind of nervous at first. This area is notorious for mountain lions and I am usually alone. I try to make a little noise as I'm running (thinking it might scare off anything? but maybe I'm just alerting something?). I glance behind me often. If I hear a noise, I may jump. I look into the woods to both sides and can't help but imagine what may be lurking within. I have even thought about mythical creatures. Why do I let my imagination run away from me?

My body is warm and I have climbed a sloping hill.
The sky is considerably lighter one mile in. I'm approaching some houses. Well, at least someone could possibly hear my scream.

I'm in my groove by the end of mile two and relish the steep hill I am approaching. How I love a good hill! I can feel my hamstrings strengthening. I think my previous imaginations were silly and I'm so glad to have this time running, clearing my thoughts...time to be introspective.

I turn the bend and see a beautiful view of the Pacific ocean along Pebble Beach's scenic coastline. My breath is taken away as the sun has risen.

I decline back through the forests finishing up my four mile loop. They are beautiful as the sunlight tries to find its way through the morning fog.

My favorite time of day.