The Beach in August

Last summer we went to the beach a few times and had a good time. The boys went back to school last week and I realized we never went once this summer. I talked to my mom about going a few times and she said my sisters had tried going and it was just too cold, so we put it off. What a wierd summer weather wise. My mom called me Saturday morning on her way to L.A. I told her we were going to the beach and she laughed that she was near Pendelton and it was yucky. We weren't going to Oceanside beach until later because Abbie had a birthday party that morning. As we drove towards the beach, the sky was beautiful and blue up until about 1 mile from the beach, then there was a line in the sky and we crossed over into the gray zone. It was overcast and cool (which actually felt nice and made it easier to keep Lexy out of the sunlight) and the water was like ice. I could hardly handle putting my feet in the water so I don't know how the boys managed to get in and play. The boys each brought friends- Cameron brought his old friend Trevor who sadly goes to a different middle school and Taylor brought two of his Shivela ASB friends. It was fun to have their friends come. It turned out to be a fun day, but considering it was the middle of the day in the middle of August, wierd weather. Also- this is the beach we always went to with my dad, Chris and Sasha as a kid, so it always brings back those memories too:) The pictures are a little small, but if you click on them, it will enlarge them to see better or to print

Our Pretty Girl

This adorable little outfit was a gift from Lexy's very fruffy Aunt Sasha:) Actually anyone who knows Sasha knows this dress doesn't seem to be her style, the only time I've seen her in a dress I believe was at our parents wedding 17 years ago?? :) While shopping she said she was drawn to it and it is adorable. I was excited when she was big enough to fit into it. This picture was taken after church since church is at 9am and it's hard enough to get there with proper clothing on and hair brushed there is no time for anything extra like taking picture. Lexy is obsessed with sucking on her hands and feet. I have never seen her with her thumb in her mouth, usually whole fist, a few fingers, big toe, or middle finger (which seems to be her finger of choice which is a first for me). However this Sunday she did also discover her dress and grabbed that top layer when no one was looking and sucked on it making a big wet fabric ball, so it's a little more worn than I would have liked for this picture. Still adorable though:)

The Drive-In

Larry took the kids to a drive-in movie up in Riverside tonight. When I was a kid, I only remember going to the drive-in. I think it was called Aero or Ace Drive-In and it was only a couple of miles from our house. I loved going to the drive-in with my mom and dad and Matt. My mom always brought along hot dogs with all the fixings. She had a tupperware thing made for hot dogs that had hot water that kept the hot dogs hot and the buns warm and soft. I remember a friend of mine saying she was going to a movie once and I was confused because it was the middle of the day and it wasn't dark yet. Even as a teenager, my brother Matt, our friend Dennis and I went to the drive-in all of the time, although I have to admit I barely made it through the first one before falling asleep. I have that problem still, no matter how good the movie, if I am sitting still in a darkened room, it's like the perfect sleeping aid. I am glad that Larry has a love for the drive-in and that he seeks them out to take our kids there. There are probably many kids their age who have never been to one and never will, and I think they are missing out.

My Baking Beauty

I made Abbie an apron the other day. So today when we made brownie cookies she put on her apron and her cooking hat. She loves to help cook, not to mention lick the beater clean!!

Starting off

I never had any interst in doing a blog before. I don't think there is enough going on here that would interest anyone. I also think the best blogs are witty and interesting, neither of which I feel I am for the most part. My day consists of changing diapers, washing dishes and making meals. However, I do have four kids 13, 11, 4 and 3 months old. They fascinate me and amaze me constantly. They say and do the unexpected. At times I can recall so much, but these days there is so much going on and I suffer from new mom brain, which means that my intelligence and memory levels are at an all time low (causing me to write without regard to grammar rules). I sometimes feel the need to pin my old report cards to my shirt to remind myself that at one time I was considered pretty smart and to show my kids that I sometimes know what I am talking about. Now to get back to my point, I recently went to my cousin's blog (Brian and Trisha). They live in Arizona and I am not able to keep up with them like I wish I could. I enjoyed looking over their blog and getting a taste of what was going on in their life and seeing pictures of their ever changing and growing kids. It made me feel like I knew their family better. So since I am rather horrible at emailing and keeping in touch with everyone, this might be a way to invite those interested in seeing what the Gratrix Clan is up to. Also, I have never been good at journaling or writing down my kids milestones, so this may be a way for me to do a bit of that. I promise all postings won't be long and rambly like this one and I hope you enjoy.