When we were newlyweds [what feels like a million years ago] and were driving cross the country to our first apartment, we talked about things that we were looking forward to in our new life together. Adventures we'd take, places we'd go, the kids we'd have [but at that point couldn't picture!] and even the trials we'd face and how we hoped we would handle them. I remember that we spent a good long time talking about the traditions that we'd instill as part of our new family, some that we would pass on from our families, and some that would be new, and start with us.  I said I wanted our traditions to be planned and purposeful, and he said he wanted them to be natural and just kind of happen before we made it an actual tradition.  Now, fast forward 6 years later and we have a combination of these two ideals and some memories to put in every single one of those categories. And I'm feeling really happy with the result!

This weekend we put some of those traditions to work. On the 4th of July, we spent the morning at the park in Pacifica enjoying some sunshine, family, food and games. The kids loved everything from the face painting to their first ice cream cones, and randomly being able to wave their flags and shout 'Yay America! Happy Bday America!' From here, we went over to Lolo and Lola's house to meet up w Lester and his family and as usual, the feast of food was on point and it was nice to spend time hanging with family. We ended the night with one of my family traditions of fire and sparklers. I don't think I can remember a single year where we didn't do sparklers-and I always loved feeling like a part of the soul of America while I listened to the booms and watched the light emerge from my fingertips and into the sky. I don't think I realised how much that meant to me until this year, watching my kids hesitantly do it, then enthusiastically enjoying it, painting the sky, lighting up the night with their awed looks and smiles. So I'm glad they are getting a taste of this part of my childhood, and helping me to appreciate and relive it. Its a tradition we'll continue.











Then, last night we joined in one one of America's greatest traditions, and went to a baseball game. Seriously people-stuff of dreams. There was a quote on one of the stadium walls from field of dreams that said "And they'll walk out to the bleachers, and sit in shirt-sleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game, and it'll be as if they'd dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they'll have to brush them away from their faces." It goes on, but that was seriously what it was like-a moment frozen in time, at home in the bay, making and reliving memories so thick I had to brush them away from my face. It reminded of all the times I went to games as kids with my Uncles or other family members, or all the 4th of July's where we watched The Sandlot-and of all the best things in this country and this life. I walked away feeling like my soul had been lifted up-which I usually only feel through church haha. I know its silly to feel this way about a baseball game-but with some of the tragedies that have been going on in the world, its important to stop and appreciate what we do have and bask in that, even when its simple. The food was great-garlic fries, and some kinda drug laced Ghiradelli sundaes haha-so good. The games were fun-the girls got to go down the coke slide 3 times each, and hit the ball and run the bases. We even got to watch a substantial portion on the game-the girls cheered as loud as anyone, saying 'Go Giants!' and we got to see our team score multiple times. I thought for sure the girls would crash and burn by the time we got home, but they were so wired from how much fun they had that they stayed up for a while longer, and we are feeling the effects now haha. But it was awesome. 


































We've definitely created and continued many more traditions over these years [Christmas croissants and scriptures etc]-and I'm sure we'll add more in the years to come. I'm grateful every day for this life we've embarked on, and I cant wait to see what more is in store!