January 2012

We began 2012 in sunny and warm southern California with Kevin's parents. The weather averaged mid 70s. Needless to say, we were in heaven. The girls wanted to be outside constantly! I was right there with them.

Here they are waiting for our flight.

Our first night there, the girls took a long, fun bath in Grandma's tub. I got E out before R and got her in new jammies and a night diaper. She was playing with something in the other room with me, and when I turned my back to do something (I can't remember now), she had jumped back into the tub. She was stoked!

In addition to playing outside, some highlights included Disneyland, a beach day, Balboa island (more beach time), and just time with Mitchell family.

We had some magical days - this particular day, we set up the kids' table with toys and then we picked limes from the tree. R helped Grandma decorate bags, then E and R filled them with limes, and we delivered them to the neighbors. We also made lime sublime with the rest of the limes.

Beach day may have been my favorite day. We had weather where your warm in the sun, but not too hot or even sweating. The girls were so content - E digging in the sand, and R playing in the waves. We sat in chairs and just soaked in the vitamin D.

Kev started out playing with R in the waves.

E did not move from this spot.

Here is our setup:

R happy to play in the waves without us - she made friends with some other kids and had a blast!

R resting after wave jumping

We grabbed lunch at Ruby's Diner on the pier. R made fast friends with the lady in the background catching fish. R has no fear when it comes to strangers. Pretty funny to watch.

Family pic...

Disneyland day was R with her Dad, Grandma and Papa. She was in heaven - they stayed for 12 hours! I got a day with E at home. I loved my one on one time with her. I worked on my course while she slept. I made sure Kev sent me pics and videos - I was sad to miss it.

When they first arrived.

Last year, the princess line was long - this year did not disappoint. Same thing - here's R waiting.

What are the odds that we get 2 out of 3 of the same princesses? I would think low... Luckily, R did not seem to mind. At least this time, she knew who Tiana was this time. She loved Ariel, as well, but she told me Aladdin was her favorite. I was surprised he was with the princesses.

She got a good nap during lunch - critical for the rest of the day.

Here is another highlight of the day - Jake from "Jake and the Neverland Pirates"! R is really into this show right now.

We got time with dear Aunt Edna, who is 93. The girls loved running around her yard and playing with her cat.

Here we are on Balboa Island - the girls wanted more time on the beach:

Lyndsay and Chad joined us.

I arranged a surprise gathering of Kev's childhood friends. One came all the way from Fresno! They had a blast catching up! I'm really bad at keeping surprises, and I did it this time. =) Seeing him truly surprised was priceless.

It was a tough adjustment back to real life and colder weather. I decided to buy a Discovery Museum membership, and we've been loving it.

This day was a bit chilly, and so we got the helicopter all to ourselves for a full 15 minutes. Such a blast! R loved to be the pilot, run out to rescue someone, radio it in, and fly us back. E loved being along for the ride. I'm not sure what she's so serious about here.

Loving bath time - the necklaces must go everywhere with E.

We finally got some snow here!

It's going to be a busy semester for me, but not as bad as last semester, I'm hoping. I enjoy the challenge - makes me appreciate the time I get with my family even more.