Wegowand

Just had to include the Legoland pics from our trip with the cousins.  Or as Graham likes to call it....Wegowand.  I may like going there even better just to hear him say that 20 times. 

We all had a blast and it made me appreciate even more having such an awesome place so close to the house.  I'm actually going to attempt to take both kids there by myself tomorrow after the gym but before nap.

Call me crazy because I am.

I'm realizing as I'm putting this on paper (blog) that it sounds like I'm going to just "pop in" like you pick up dry cleaning.

An experiment, for sure.

I know you'll all be waiting on the edge of your seats to see how this goes.

a little reminder

I was shooting  a photo session last week for a sweet family of a boy in Addison's pre-school class.

I love trying out new locations and they asked me to meet them at "dog beach", which is right in between Solana Beach and Del Mar, about 15 minutes from our house.

I have driven by this beach countless times, but haven't ever gotten out of the car and walked it.

The beach itself is a flat area where the dogs run around in and around the water as the tide comes in and out.

It was a great place to capture young boys with their dog.

On a whim, we decided to climb the one rock near the edge of the beach.

When I got to the top and looked beyond, what I saw nearly took my breath away.  

I take for granted sometimes the beauty that is constantly around us....

and I think that this was God's way of reminding me....

Only I could have created this kind of thing.

I HART fun.....especially with these people

We stuck with the theme we started on Saturday (see previous post) and headed to a mimosa brunch for Sunday.

The kids did awesome and us adults just got to talk, eat, and drink.  

 Then we did the token drive up to Mount Soledad that never gets old.....

even on a hazy day.  The kids weren't very impressed by the view but loved running around and burning off some energy from lunch.

 Even on a hazy day you can see so much of the city....it takes my breath away every time.

Graham liked pointing out the "castle" he passes by on the 5....otherwise known as the Mormon temple.....but does happen to look very much like a beautiful castle.

 Graham and Eloise have bonded in their own little way this trip.

I can tell this girl is going to be a great babysitter one day.  She loves "quizzing" him and he just thinks she pretty much hung the moon.

Plus I love hearing "Ewowise" all the time.

 After some sight seeing from the highest point, we drove down to sea level again.

 We took them to the Children's beach in La Jolla which has been overtaken by seals in the past few years.  It's really incredible how close.....WAY CLOSE you can get to these guys.

 After we wore em down at the beach, it was time for "swim lessons" in the spa.

 and then another happy hour.

Hart's do Cali stop #1

My sister-in-law, Sarah, and her family have been planning a trip that included seeing us for the past six months.  That's reason #3,592 why I love this girl.  She's a total planner like me.

We have been talking about the "Harts do Cali" trip since we found out we were transferring out here two years ago (can't believe it's been that long already).

We knew that the trip would be action packed, full of fun, and a rare opportunity.

It's not easy for 5 people to fly cross country and get two weeks off work/school!

We're so glad that it happened though and as their trip winds down it really makes me sad knowing at least for the time being, how hard it is to make it happen.....

because I would do it all the time.

I cannot emphasize enough what a blast it's been.

Ok, so first stop on the tour would be where else?

Hart Winery.

The Hart's needed to spend some time at a winery named after them =) and we more than happy to join them.....with kids in tow....we're pros at this by now.

It's fair to say the kids had a great time as well.

 and were rewarded.

 We adults relaxed....

Kids played...

and had fun most of the time....=)

It was a great way to kick off an incredible week!

Summer lovin'

I've always loved summer.  But that love multiplied when we moved out here.

The weather forecaster mentioned this morning that we were having "summer like" weather.

Translation: Sunny with a high of 67 degrees.

I never get tired of that.  

Last weekend, Andy and I had the rare occasion of a date night....it just doesn't happen much anymore.

Friends of ours mentioned to us that they were going to hear a cover band of Johnny Cash at a local venue and asked if we wanted to go.

I emailed Andy about it and within minutes had a clear response of "Yes, duh."

and I got the babysitter set up.

We went out for sushi and then stopped at the beach on the way to the concert.

I wanted to check out these tide pools I heard were neat to take the kids to.

Andy stopped here because he didn't feel like doing all the stairs..

and he told me the sunset looked the same up there as it would down here.

Wuss.

This was part of reef that becomes exposed at low tide. 

It's covered with oysters and barnacle and has all kinds of crabs, sea anenome, and starfish in it.

Very cool.....I was a science teacher once upon a time.

On to Belly UP in Solana Beach to see Cash'd Out.

Fun little fact....Belly Up was the place that Prince Harry frequented a few months back.

Thank you People and US Weekly.

Cash'd Out was awesome!! They were so good.

We lasted until 11:15ish....this time I was the wuss.

Monday we broke out the waterslide.  I will say this again.

Best $400 we ever spent.  

LOVE THIS THING

Last night Addison had her end of year pre-school picnic.

We have LOVED having Miss Amy.

Addison actually still gets a few days with her since school doesn't actually get out until June 12th.

While Addison was at school today, Graham and I went back to the beach.

He loved it.

Although remember those stairs Andy was standing on back a few pictures.

Graham didn't want to walk back up those and lugging 35 pounds of toddler up that far made up for me skipping the gym this morning.

 We're excited for summer over here.  Planning on living like tourists since we don't have any trips planned.  

 A staycation summer is in store.

And we can't wait.