Grandpa!

We don't see Grandpa as often as we would like. Hopefully that will change this year. I vow to make him take us fishing at Lake Cuyamaca routinely- something we enjoyed doing as kids.

Grandpa had a close scare recently. He was riding his motorcycle and went down on some gravel in the road. Now, my dad is a very experienced motorcycle rider- 40+ years or so. So, if it can happen to him it can happen to anyone. Motorcycles are scary!

Anyhow, despite a broken clavicle and scapula (or spatula, as he likes to call it), he will be ok.
Hopefully he will put the motorcycle on the back burner and think more along the lines of taking his kids and grandkids fishing, and stuff.


I mean, isn't this hat perfect for fishing? Or gallivanting in the outback of Australia? ;)

We love you , Dad. Just want to let you know.

Grandpa!

Encinitas Beach

It was the four of us at the beach today: Me, Chris, Kendall, and baby. (Brandon still on vacation). It was overcast as it tends to get right along the coast. But it was still nice and warm and Kendall enjoyed splashing around.

She is getting really good at balancing herself as she goes up and down hills, or trudges through uneven terrain.


Encinitas beach has to be my new favorite. Here's why: clean bathrooms and lots of them, clean playground/grassy area, concession stand, lots of showers, and lots of room to set up with all your friends and family and enjoy the beautiful California sun.



This little girl...still only 14 months and so big! She amazes me every day with her new skills and her silly sense of humor. Love you, Kake!

You belong at the zoo!

Last week Kendall and I went to the zoo with my beautiful sis in law, Shelly, and my enormously cute (pun intended!) nephew, Dean. Fun times were had by all!

One of my favorite animal's are the gorillas. They are so human-like! This one was just hanging out and staring right back at everyone.

Kendall: "It's like looking in a mirror!"

Gotta love the giraffes. Nature is so amazing! To think: we all evolved from the same ancestor billions of years ago. The diversity of life forms is truly amazing.

This would definitely be me if I were at the beach. Same size, same lazy...wanna trade places, girls? I'm pretty sure that nobody would be able to tell the difference between the hippos and me at this point in my pregnancy.

It was a fun day. But there's only so much zoo one can handle at one time. We vowed to come back with brother and daddy next time!

I feel a nap coming on!

I know some people have a problem with zoos. I get where you are coming from. But consider this: would you rather live in the wild? How about we put you in the middle of the wilderness with none of the comforts of civilization. Exposed to the elements and predators-no doctors if you get an illness, a broken leg, or a disease. No grocery store: you must survive solely on what you can gather or hunt.

Now, tell me if the animals in zoos have it so bad. They are protected from predators they would encounter in the wild. They have doctors to care for them if they get hurt. They are assured they will eat each day. They have a safe and comfortable environment regardless of outside environmental fluctuations in the environment.

Just sayin'. :)

Little One...

She's not so little anymore...but I just love this series of photos. They crack me up!



Notice the devil horns? :)

Sweet girl!

Ever seen Alfred Hitchcock's movie, "The Birds?"

You know the part where everywhere you look there were birds.

Too many birds.

Birds glaring at you with their beady little eyes.

Birds pecking your eyeballs out!!!

OK, it wasn't that bad.

But.



It came pretty darn close.



This next photo was shot right before that duck snatched the bread right out of Kendall's hand!

"Like taking candy from a baby! Quack!"



Although it looks as though I kneed her in the face, she was actually starting to get freaked out by all the ducks and was running for cover between my legs. *No babies were harmed in the making of these pictures.*

All in all though, Kendall really loved feeding the ducks. And she realized she loves eating white bread, too!

Family Gone Wild!!

So, Brandon is visiting his dad's family up North. Sad for us but fun for him. I really am glad that he is lucky enough to have so many people that love him and want to spend time with him! Love you, Junior Bacon Cheeseburger!!

So, the rest of us had to find something to do while he is away. I have been wanting to get a pass for the Zoo/Wild Animal Park for a while. Yesterday I managed to convince Chris that we should go! We all ended up having a great time. We cant wait to come back with big bro!

Kendall saw a lot of animals, but by far her favorite's were the little sparrows flying all over the place!


The first animals we saw were the elephants. They had a few babies that were so cute!




In honor of Brandon, we had to stop and see his favorite animal- the Meerkat.

"Over here, Meerkat!"


These birds were pretty cool Talk about a shnoz!



I really wanted Chris to pose in front of the gorilla diagram, but he wouldn't do it. Party Pooper! :)


My wormy alter -ego!



So, we had lots of fun at the Wild Animal Park and can't wait to go back. We ended the night with lots of relaxing and winding down.

Kendall was really into reading her special book. With Daddy. That's right: she would literally tke her book and walk away from me and go over to Dad and make that, "Ugh...UGH!!" sound until he picked her up and read with her. It really melted my heart and I had to get some pictures of it.

Disneyland is like Las Vegas for kids!

Ignore the fact that obviously something more fun and exciting than Mickey Mouse (sorry, Mickey) was happening in the picture below at the moment it was taken. I want to talk to you about Disneyland and las Vegas. They were inextricably linked this last week for our family.

First of all, I have often said that Las Vegas is like Disneyland for grown-ups. I obviously didn't coin the phrase, but I do love me some Vegas. I'm like a kid at Disneyland when I'm there. But, the reason that phrase resonates so with me is because in the first place, I really really really love Disneyland. It's my special place.

Second of all, Chris was actually in LV last week from Saturday through Thursday for a convention. Poor thing, what did he do with himself? (*insert sarcasm here*) Yes, I was jealous, are you kidding?? He was staying at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, which is where we got married, by the way. Best pool in Vegas, too. Wave pool, lazy river, etc.

So, in a sense we were both at our respective, "Happiest Place(s) on Earth."

I don't know about Chris (that whole, 'what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas stuff), but we had fun. Lots of it. Let me tell you more...

Ms. Kendall didn't go on any rides. 1) She's too little. 2) She would rather go up and down stairs or play with a giant ball shaped water fountain (see pictures above and below.)


A little red, white, and blue in honor of the upcoming 4th of July holiday!



She literally played here for a good 1/2 hour.


So, there was one place at our fabulous hotel that had reasonably priced food. We ended up eating quite a few meals here. We had breakfast Wednesday morning before going in bright and early to Disneyland.

Fountain at Downtown Disney, just outside the gate to Disneyland.


Brandon posing with his light-up bubble blower.


Brandon wanted some Mickey ears, which I approved of. You have to have at least one pair of personalized Mickey ears in your life, don't you? Kendall would never wear a hat, but she is used to hair clips, so when I saw these fuzzy Minnie Mouse ears that clip in the hair, I had to have them!!

She wore them for a whole 20 minutes before ripping them out!


Rasta Mickey.

Let me talk about our hotel for a minute.

A little background: I have become quite spoiled with fancy hotels from all my trips to Las Vegas. 2 months ago Chris and I stayed at the Wynn hotel. Arguably one of the highest-rated and nicest hotels in the world. So, I have pretty high standards. I mean, I will stay in a Holiday Inn, don't get me wrong. I just...appreciate nicer accomodations.

So, we stayed at the Disney Grand California Hotel. It was fantastic! Definitely on par with what I am used to in LV, but geared completely towards families having a blast together. Here is why I loved it:

1) the pool. Or pools. 3 pools, one with a giant waterslide, a kiddie pool, 2 large jacuzzis, tons of comfy lounge chairs and umbrellas, and poolside drink and food service. And everything was clean!

2) The guest room was flawless. Tons of plush pillows, nice linens, and beautifully decorated in the Mission style.

3) Giant lobby with fireplace, TV playing Disney movies with little chairs for the kids, tons of seating to relax with friends and family, a bar that also serves coffee and snacks, gift shop, and direct access to Downtown Disney.

4) Special gate within the hotel to access Disney California Adventure park.

5) Super friendly employees.

Our room had 2 queen beds and a cute little balcony overlooking the pool areas. Kendall really enjoyed walking in and out of the room and onto that balcony.


Day 1 we made the requisite Mickey Mouse visit and picture. I have no idea why I am making this face.
Mickey's house was quite fun to explore.






But, the pool...ah, the pool. What fun! Here is Kendall and gammy enjoying the kiddie pool.





And Brandon loved this pool with the water slide...



We al loved the poolside snacks!



We had so much fun! It was so memorable. I have to say thank you to my mom for making this trip happen. Thanks, MoM! We have so many great memories to treasure from this vacation...I look forward to the day when we return with more family (baby). Until then, goodbye, Disney!