i have a dream.

Well actually I have two. one realistic. one not so realistic.

Lets just start with the unrealistic so we can get it out of the way. I've always dreamed of buying a junky beach house on Newport Beach and then renovating it into my dream home for us to live in. and yes, family and friends to use as well. But thats a dream.

Ok. realistic dream. i have a vision of me and my family, we have two kids at the time, and we are traveling up the west coast in our motorhome. motorhome? I know what your thinking...those suckers can be 100 grand easy. And yes, new ones are pricey. Let me tell you what we're thinking. First. imagine ugly. wait, go uglier. We are talking probably early 70's ugly. Under 2 grand. Class C Motorhome. Yes, the outside will probably look like white trash. But the inside is going to be a beauty. We would completely reno it. Probably paint all the cabinets a vintage white, add new hardware, put in new carpet or wood flooring, new coat of paint on the walls,reupholster with some cool new fabrics, and maybe add some granite countertops. It's hard to look at a picture like below and see the coolness it could have. But I can see it. And I wouldn't be ashamed to drive it.

I want to travel with my family. I want to create memories that will last us our lifetime. I want to drive up the PCH in our butt ugly motorhome. I want to see ocean views from our cute little kitchen while we drive. I want to travel through pismo beach and show our kids the little beach town we spent our honeymoon at. I want to travel up through monteray and walk through their awesome aquarium again. I want to drive through San Francisco and get our family picture taken in front of the bay bridge. I want to camp at Yosemite National Park. I want a picture of my little kids in front of giant redwoods at redwood national park. I want to travel through Oregon, a state I have never seen. I want to drive through Seattle, a city I've always wanted to visit. I want to visit a best friend if they have not moved back to Az by that time. I want to drive through Forks, just to see what its like :) And then, I want to turn around and drive home.

And of course, when we arent using our sweet motorhome. Its up for free grabs when you want to take your family on the ride of their life!

So here is our dilemma. and the reason for this post. we need some help. we need your advice.

We keep debating over an old motorhome or a vintage travel trailer. We have pros and cons of each.

With a motorhome we could drive it. we could walk back and get in bed when one of us gets tired. I could be baking cookies while we drive. We would have a bathroom for potty breaks so we wouldnt need to pull over. We could tow our quads if we wanted. But...it would have an engine, an old one, and all the maintenance that comes with engines. right now thats my only con. oh and they are ugly on the outside.

With a vintage travel trailer you have no engine just a couple of tires. They are sweet looking especially when they have a cool paint job. It would take less maintenance. But...you cant enjoy it while you drive it. you tow it.

Here are a few travel trailers I have found that I LOVE! Of course i am posting the coolest ones I have found. There are lots of uglies out there. And an ugly we would probably buy and then fix up. but they also have great potential.

This next one is my favorite. A husband and wife renovated this travel trailer for their cupcake business.

So we are asking for some advice. give us your opinion. because one day, family and friends, you will want to borrow our renovated motorhome/travel trailer.

or we can get one like this and hook it to Bryce's bike. ha!

Payson. 2 ways.

Yes. This post is coming to you two ways today. photos and video.

Saturday we decided to head up to payson for some bike riding and a picnic. It was beautiful. and the weather. even more beautiful. Benson's best friend was able to come with us. His 16 year old best friend. his uncle brett. We drove down to Woods Canyon Lake and had a kfc picnic. Then we road our bikes along a path that leads from the lake and up along side the rim. or really on the edge of the rim, is what it feels like. But it is beautiful up there. feels like you're on top of the world. Oh and Benson, he loved it. love love loved it. You could tell because the minute i got him out of the truck he squealed. he really did. he was outdoors. he was in nature. he was standing next to his dads bike. yes, I think a pig-like squeal was appropriate.

Bryce was able to capture the whole day on video. a whole day in Benson's shoes. It wouldn't upload so you have to go to the link, sorry.

http://vimeo.com/15708103

Dad, I hope you're proud of your daughter. Finally posted some mountain biking pictures and video. Hopefully you will like our blog now :)

like father.like son.

It's true. it really is. at first i just thought they looked alike. but its so much more than that. benson loves his dad. so much. so much i get jealous sometimes. his favorite thing lately is being in the garage with his dad. i dont know exactly what they are doing out there. playing with bikes and tools and stuff. but there is some serious bonding going on. the other day bryce was going to head out to the garage alone. benson through a fit. THROUGH A FIT. cried so long and hard and then fainted. yes. passed out. dont worry. he does it all the time. 

We went to Bryce's parents yesterday so Bryce could work on something for a friend. Benson brought his tools with him. just like dad.

toolbox. check.

toolbelt. check. (thanks bryn :) )

hammer. check.

pliers. check.

safety glasses. check.

father son bonding. check.

safety glasses off. check.

big goofy funnel on. check.

one very happy. blessed. grateful girl with two amazing twin boys in her life. check. check.

For Sale By Owner (Queen Creek)

one small child. male. 14 months old. 22 maybe 23 pounds. fairly healthy.

reason for sale: TEETHING. GRUMPY. CRYING. NEEDY.

will throw in a costco size box of diapers for free.

ready for pick up. make me an offer. trades are welcome: tell me what you have.

bikes.and bike rides.

Its true. we like bikes. no. we LOVE bikes. we love all bikes. mountain bikes. cruisin bikes. kids bikes. vintage bikes (my fave). we love to look for new ones on craigslist. we love to find ugly ones at the thrift store. we love to fix up those ugly ones. we love to ride them. we love to go almost every day. sometimes twice.

We use to use a bike trailer for Benson which he loved uuuntil...ibert came along. ibert is a child's safety seat but instead of hooking on the back, it hooks on the front. Ok, so it may look a little goofy but its AWESOME! And Benson boy loves it! He holds on to the handlebars and pretty much thinks he's a big boy. He oooo's and aaaahhhh's and points at birds and planes and cars, things i didn't get to see him do when he was behind me in a trailer.

Its finally starting to cool off in the evenings. perfect weather for a family bike ride. Grab your kids. Grab your bikes. See you on the sidewalk.