California Dreamin

Joel had a rare week off at the beginning of this month and we took a trip to sunny (sometimes) CA to visit his family and go to the beach.  Our good friends, the MacDonalds, joined us for a couple of days. With the exception of a few days of overcast weather, we could not have had a better time!  Here are some of the highlights:

The kid’s favorite day was probably this one- spent at Dennis the Menace park…

The following day was at the Aquarium and Cannery Row:

This is a seadragon- not a plant!

Future engagement pictures…haha. These two were so cute together:

Finally, Point Lobos and the beach…

After the beach we went to stay at La Colina where we delighted in spending time with Grandma Vicki and Dr. Papa for a couple of days, had a serious Bandi photo shoot and stayed up way too late hanging with two of our favorite people. Thanks to everyone for making us feel loved.

We’re already dreaming up our next trip…

Hats On

This was a month or so ago (yes, I am behind) and I forgot to post it… it made me laugh. Norah was rummaging through her closet one day and pulled out a couple of hats that Aunt Caroline had sent to us a while back. She tried several on before deciding on her favorite.  She even chose one for Ezra but he wasn’t so jazzed about it. Maybe it was the pink…

Sittin’ around…

Six months and sitting!  A whole new world has opened up… for both of us.

His “I’m so happy I can hardly take it” face

5 months…

I can’t believe how fast they grow! Ezra just turned six months but I snapped these a few weeks ago and haven’t had time to post them. He still loves his tongue! Does it get any cuter?

Lost of fun…

To celebrate the final season of Lost, we had a little get together with our friends the Gunn’s- complete with island-themed Dharma food (pulled pork sandwiches from Pappy’s, mango salsa, pineapple and coconut ice cream and macaroons for dessert- so yummy!), tropical decorations (I put every plant in the house in the “viewing” room) and, yes, costumes! Wish I could have captured the moment we all saw each other… it was hilarious!

Can you guess who they are???

Goodbye George…

George has officially left St. Louis but there was a going away party for him at the Magic House that Norah did not want to miss. Finally got a picture of her and George too… (although not a very good one…she is holding his hand!)

Play Day

One day last week, the day after the realtor came to look at our house and after I had spent hours upon hours cleaning and organizing and Joel was on call at the hospital, I decided that I was going to have a work-free play day with my kids. We all needed it.

We started the morning off (of course) by making cookies! Norah loves to help and has even advanced to turning on the kitchenaid when the dough is ready to be mixed.  After licking a few spoons and plopping the cookies in the oven, Ezra went down for a nap and Norah got her first glimpse into the world of nail polish. She chose pink for her nails, orange for her toes and loved every minute of it.

        I am obsessed with her feet!

When Ezra woke up, we piled in the car, delivered some of the cookies to a few neighbors and then headed to the bookstore where Norah got to play with trains and stuffed animals to her heart’s delight. We had a gift card to the store so she even got to choose a book to take home with her- a rare treat!

We got home and had a special “bean soup” lunch- Norah’s favorite. Then the kids napped and I took a little “me” time- also, much needed.

When naps were over we climbed back into the car and drove to the library to get this:

Norah has never seen it (although she has several Ariel toys and books) and it is one of my all-time favorite movies. I still remember seeing it in the theater for the first time when I was a little girl and all the emotions that came with it. My littlest sister watched it so many times when it came out on DVD that I (still) have every line and song memorized.

We both put on our PJs, put Ezra to bed, popped a big bowl of popcorn and snuggled up together in my bed for an evening of mermaids and song! I did have to skip through every scene with Ursula (she is only two) but nonetheless, it was magic. It was one of the most enjoyable days I have had in a long time.