*Vera cumple 6!

We celebrated Vera's 6th birthday in California!  This has been saved on my computer for a couple weeks now... it's been busy to say the least.

She was kind of a grump in the morning - disillusioned because her birthday felt like a "normal day" - thankfully she mustered up some excitement and gratitude and the day improved :)

homemade corndogs and mac and cheese - enjoyed by kids and adults alike :)

these brothers... read their cupcake flags.

I am caving in more and more to the princessy wishes of this girl.

Grandpop and Lola took all of us to Disneyland the next day for her birthday and we had a fantastic time. It wasn't too hot and for some reason the lines weren't really that bad.  It is such a happy place :)

I love Edie's expressions :)

Can't believe I was already showing.

Just after Pirates of the Caribbean - they were pretty spooked during the ride but love to remember it :)

*summer trip part 3

The last part of our trip we spent down in Orange County.  In case you're wondering, we flew into OC, drove to Tahoe the next day in Ben's parents' minivan [flight went well, drive was AWful], from there drove to Rock Creek and from there back down to OC.  Another great time of hanging out with family and friends, Vera's birthday, lots of beach time, good food [ie. Mexican], etc.  I didn't get a ton of pictures because I kept having to delete to take more!

Matty bought a big kiddie pool for the backyard, it was so much fun!! 

Granny is doing well at 101.5!

We left the girls with Mike and Rosie and had a fun night out to dinner and playing cards at Melissa's place in Long Beach:

We met up with a bunch of friends at San Onofre State Park. Vera borrowed Nate's wetsuit and had so much fun riding the waves in with her daddy!

These two get along so well!

Melissa gave Vera pink and teal hair chalk.. I probably don't have to tell you that it is in her top gifts of all time!  This was when she was just getting started...

I have a wonderful new friend out in MA who I met through my good friend Megan from Point Loma - she's from San Clemente and was home so we all met up one day! It was so much fun and the little ones got along really well.  The picture of us moms turned out terribly :(

Vera and Eden really clicked this time, it was awesome!  Eden is an amazing little girl - Vera was inspired by her to really start swimming and also to get up on a paddle board.

We met up with them again at this amazing little beach in Dana Point - I want to go here every time we are in California!!

 

Girls went out for corndogs and chowda when we were up in Long Beach...

Met up with Heather in Santa Monica - goodness, I love my friends and am so glad we've remained close for so many years!

Tia came out for a quick visit from Utah.  Oh Tia, we love her so so much.  Seriously, talking to her on the phone or even talking about her I get tears in my eyes. Such a special time that was living next to her in SLC. She's selling her house there and while I'm glad for her, it breaks my heart to think we can't go back and see her there in her house, her yard.

One more post coming!  Who's still watching?

*rock creek 2013

Phase 2 of our trip was up to Rock Creek in the Sierras.  We hadn't been there since I was about 30 weeks pregnant with Edie!  It was a wonderful week filled with solid family time, good food, easy walks along the creek, the girls exploring and experiencing nature and lots of fishing.  I was bummed to not get to hike much like I did last time, but traded that for some good reading : )

Being in the Sierras was so incredibly refreshing to our souls. I had a new overwhelming appreciation for the mountains and their cool dry air.  The drive along 395 is one of the most beautiful places on the the planet - the lines and the horizon, green valleys and jagged peaks - to me it speaks of a skilled and awesome Creator.  So thankful for this time we had with Ben's family.

The boys and Melissa went on an off-roading locals-only fishing adventure.  I was slightly disappointed not to be able to go, tho on the other hand off-roading makes me so nervous!! Always afraid I'll fall off a cliff.

Meanwhile Rosie, Jessie, the girls and I had lunch at Schaat's and browsed antiques in Bishop.

Mosquito Flats:

Melissa, I wish you were in this picture!!

I read The Kitchen House [a good story... not amazing] and started The Shipping News.

before dinner at Convict Lake.  There was a huge fire near Mammoth and it was pretty smoky, but still beautiful.  My parents ate at that restaurant on their way to their honeymoon in '65!

fishing from the shore:

Fishing in the Owen's River Valley. The picture of the daisies in my title bar thing there are from this valley 5 years ago!

 Fishing on the creek. Vera was really into fishing - here she baited, cast and caught a fish on her own!!

We stayed in a little cabin, but Matty and Melissa camped close by. One of my favorite nights was sitting around the campfire here eating BBQ'd trout [again, Melissa, I'm sad you had left :( ]

 

Drawing with charcoal from the fire.

Edie is in love with Ben and Jessie's dog, Tula. She repeatedly asked us to take a picture of them together. Look how serious her pose is!

*395*