Summertime San Diegans!

Summer is FINALLY over.  And I say that with all the love I can muster... I love my kids, but I sure love them more when they are at school!  That being said we do have to consider that this is my first summer home with the kids in over 6 years.  My job allows me to be home (which is fabulous) but that meant we had a LOT of togetherness this summer... in a MUCH smaller space.  Needless to say, I think going back to school joy was felt by all in the house this year.

We did have a great summer, tho.  Sean and I kept pinching ourselves to be sure it was really under 80 degrees almost the entire time!  And we had to break out jackets several time!  WHAT?? You can touch the steering wheel without oven mitts on!  For REELZ! Beach just down the street, our ward has weekly beach days, girls camp, scout camp, work, jr life guards, water polo... who could ask for more??

Ember quit the job she hated at Von's right before we left for girls camp... She HATED that job.  But the straw that broke the camel's back was when a super old creepy guy cursed her out and actually HIT her!  My 17 year old, teeny, tiny, cute as a button daughter was assulted at work!  Word for the wise.. people in Carmel Valley take their grapes very seriously.  Don't crush them.  She did get a solid new job at the awesome frozen yogurt shop down the street, so all is well.  She was a fabulous sixth year leader at camp (her last year.. sniff, sniff) hung out with friends, tried surfing - which is much harder than it looks.  I was like, "Ember, come on.. that girl with one arm in Hawaii can do it... what's the matter with you?" lol.  She didn't think it was as funny as I did. This is one of her Senior pictures my brother took when he was down.

Abby was a 3rd year at camp and really loved getting to know all the fabulous girls in our ward (btw, we took 30 girls to camp.  THIRTY) She made everyone laugh with all of her antics and especially with the two 17 year old boys they had working at the camp (oh yeah.. let's let two handsome 17 year old boys run the rock wall and lifeguard.. obviously not a church owned camp).  The whole cabin was abuzz with her craziness and they love her humor as much as we do.  She also did Jr. beach guards this year with her friend Kate... which was super fun!  Tons of running in the sand, swimming WAY out in the ocean, sand crab wars, beach water polo, mock rescues... pretty much two weeks of TORTURE if you ask me.  But she loved it.  She was even named Jr. Guard of the week.. she got a pat on the back for volunteering to be on the cleanup crew and generally being helpful. Oh, the best part for her... a kickin' tan!  Abby also had her wisdom teeth out this summer.. video on my facebook page... you're welcome.

Wes had a fantastic summer that started at Scout camp.  His good buddy Ryan came from AZ to go with him and they had a grand time.  He's only three merit badges away from his Eagle and they've made him Senior Patrol Leader (this really works well since he's naturally bossy.. idk where he gets that) but in scouting they call bossy "leadership skills".  Whatever works.  He also played a ton of water polo.  They had several games that drug us all over the San Diego area - but well worth the drive.  He played on both the gold and grey teams (I think that's like varsity and jv) so he got a lot of pool time... and he did GREAT!  He was a leading scorer and ended the season with 9 goals 8 assists 7 steals and 2 ejections (most proud of that).  It's a super violent sport and I don't know why it's even legal.  But, he loves it... I guess that logic doesn't always work, but for now... just keep your jammers tied tight!

Sean spent a lot of time fishing.  A LOT of time fishing.  I think he's socialized more than he has in 10 years this summer.  He's taken one of the big bosses from his company, two guys from the ward, Wes and his friend.. basically anyone that will go with him.  He's had a lot of fun tho.  Caught sand sharks and stingrays.  I don't allow him to bring any of this home.  Can you imagine?  "what's for dinner, mom?" "sand shark, kids..." no thanks! 

I got to go to girls camp with my girls this year as the asst. camp leader.  I loved it and it was a fabulous way to meet the ladies and make some friends.  The girls are totally awesome and it really was a lot of fun.  I got in some beach time, read six books, spent some time with my friends and  family when they came to visit.  Overall, a super fun summer.  We did finally sneak away out of town the last week before school started and went to Knott's Berry Farm.  I mean, where do you vacation when you live in San Diego? It just seems pointless to me!  

Please keep in touch... we're all adjusting but still love to hear from our AZ people so please shoot us a text when you come out!

The BIG move...

The Announcement

Moving Day

If we smile enough, people will think we're happy!

Wait, this might be cool.

So, here's a little update... now that I've finally stopped crying.. on our move.  Yup, we've moved from good old Tempe, to the laid-back and radical world of San Diego, CA.  The move actually came on Wes' birthday, Feb 16th, which happened to be the only weekend we could coordinate every one's schedule into a good-enough time to move.  It was fast- we found out officially only three weeks before the big day- and furious.  We packed, we sold stuff, we said "see ya later" (cuz we know we'll be back often, so no goodbyes!) and off we went.  We had TONS of help and could not have made it without it.  A few people namely: Michelle (ohmygoshIcouldnothavedoneitwithoutyou), Shirley (camewaymorethanonce) , Teri, Andrea, David F., Chris,  Ryan, Kevin F., and of course my lovely family.. Tia and my dad even helped us paint!  Seriously, I could not have (no matter how hard I tried) done it without you! Thank you!!

So, after we loaded the 26ft truck and I'd already told the new Ward members that we didn't have that much stuff and wouldn't need help unloading - I went into a panic and called them back and said "HELP!!" They totally came through and have proved to be an awesome ward family - totally embracing our family and making us feel not-so-alone out West.  Our awesome friends, the Hoopes came and helped us unpack boxes and even had birthday wings with us for Wes' not-so-special day.

We've had so many adventures so far out here and did all the "touristy" things we could cram in the first couple of weeks.  Including getting sun burnt and riding roller coasters and going to aquariums.  It was AWESOME, like being on a really long vacation except we have to work and go to school.

Speaking of school - these schools are HUGE!  1500 kids in the middle school! and it's only 2 grades!  Crazy! Ember's high school looks like a movie set - you can see the coast line from the school courtyard!

They are pretty focused on success in school up here in the north part of San Diego where we are privileged enough to live in.. yes, they even pulled Wes from his science class because we don't have an ipad... I told them we have a notepad..lol... But the cool part is they play stuff like lacrosse and water polo (which Wes tried out for and made the CYCLONES water polo team) and it's super fun.  Abby's working as stage crew on the school musical.. and likes it, but would LOVE it if she were IN the play.  I'm sure she would have nailed auditions thanks to her awesome musical theater classes *WhitneyVance she'd been taking.  Ember even got her first real job at Vons'.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen... paper or plastic?? Neither, we're in Cali - we bring our own re-usable bags! The girls both registered for surf PE next year and we have acquired some sweet boogie boarding skills.

So apart from being hopelessly lost most of the two months we've been here - thank goodness for GPS - side note... Sean had to go into the corporate office one day and accidentally drove to Coronado Island... accidentally!! I was like - "you didn't notice you were driving over the PACIFIC OCEAN??" lol -And apart from living away from my awesome friends and family... we love it here.  How could we NOT?

What I do love is I have had two sisters, one brother, two nieces my parents, and even my childhood friend Jenny out to visit us so far.  We hope to have all our friends at least call us so we can hang on the beach - and we'll show you the awesome spots all the locals go!! haha!

We are grateful for the events that led us to getting this job transfer  especially since Sean is literally 1 out of 32 employees that kept their job with BRE. AND that my awesome boss has enough faith in me to keep me working for him from afar.  We are truly blessed and grateful. It has been a tough adjustment for all of us; we miss our family and friends fiercely.  Middle of the school year moves are tough.. but keeping our "chin-up" attitude has helped.. and Skype and phone calls too!  We love and appreciate all of you!

I'm sure there will be lots more to update soon, but until then... stay classy, San Diego.

Down... set... ouch!!

The latest adventures of the Ely's I'll keep simple.  Pain.  Fulfilling all Sean's dad of a football player dreams.  Wes' first practice... hard.  The second practice... harder.  By the first game, he didn't think he'd ever play football again in his life.  Now we are half-way through the season, he LOVES it!  He's playing left tackle on the offense with guys that are much bigger and have definitely played more football than he has.  But you know what? He's keepin' up! 

The team is super small since it's the "off" season so the first two games he played offense and defense, so yes... that means all 1hour 30 minutes of the game.  He is covered from head to toe in bruises constantly and has jammed all 10 of his fingers at one time or another.  It's only a matter of time before someone calls CPS on me...

It's fun to watch, he's having a blast playing and even told us he'd consider playing again... near made Sean cry out of pure joy!

 

Ember has learned the fine art of face pulling.  Abby and Wes have been doing it for years, but more concerned about how she looks has been overruled by the fun of having nasty faces in her pics. She is super proud of herself and has many, many faces we will have to update frequently.  Such a pretty girl.. we were hoping for a normal child... #hopeisgone. But, normal is boring!! So, I don't know if this is really pain, but it's a little painful to look at.

 

Abby is a brace face... If you've ever had braces in your lifetime you will feel for her on this new development.  After the two and a half hour appointment to get them on she was in pretty good spirits, but after I dropped her at school (yes, meanest mom ever cuz I made her go) the pain set in.  She spent the next couple of days whining and eating soup and whining and eating spaghettios and whining.  Did I mention she whined a little?  Now that the initial pain has gone, she's back to her happy self.  She looks as cute as a button now and is loving her full-lip look.. haha.. The best part of braces though, which requires a little preparation, is picking the perfect color combination of bands to match her outfits for six weeks.  So many possibilities!  Currently she is feeling blue and silver. 

 

So, that's the latest and greatest of the hour.  All our aches and pains... all my aches and pains...Watch for our next update VERY, VERY soon with BIG news.. Until then, keep it classy!

Down home with the Elys'

Happy December everyone!  More specifically, happy 12-12-12! 

What better day to start an official blog?

The most exciting adventure du'joire would have to be the newest addition to our family.. Little Betty - she is the sweetest little pound puppy ever!  Well, she's not really a puppy.. she's four years old and a mix of a Boston Terrier and something else.. we're thinking boxer or maybe some other terrier breed.  She loves to walk around on her hind legs and the kids have taken to calling her a circus dog.  A bit freaky, if you ask me.. but then- she'll fit right in!

 

Here are some updated pics of the kids, too.. just so, you know.. you can see the current view :)

Abby 14 - yes, she's living up to it!

Ember 16 - Not driving alone yet... maybe next year!

Wes - soon to be 13, still the Scout and Soccer player!  Although 2013 will bring us FOOTBALL!