Beach Bits

When asked what I miss about California, my answers are simple.  A mere three things (but rather important things): 1.) family and friends 2.) Disneyland (obviously) and 3.) the beach!  I am glad we got to the beach several times while in California this summer.  Claire loves the sand and Hallie loves the water.  Chris and I love it all.  And I must admit, a Ruby's Super Burger makes the beach all the better (and more delicious)!

Doesn't it look like we have the beach to ourselves?  It's trickery, I tell you.

I love those lashes!

handful!

Mmmm . . . delicious!

Playing in the waves

This is a very "Claire" look

Hard at play . . .

We took this particular visit the day after my father passed. At that point, I was feeling sadness but mainly relief that he was not in pain any longer. Taking these pictures let me feel really close to him.  After all, I was looking through the same viewfinder that he used to.  He was phenomenal at taking pictures.  That is one of the many loves he passed on to his children.  He would have loved how the girls looked in these.

Our Quiet 4th

We kept our Independence Day low-key this year.  After months of emotional fireworks, we were ready to scale back a little.  My two younger brothers and Chris's Dad joined us for a simple BBQ.  We colored, played in the backyard and were in bed before any fireworks started.  Sometimes you've just got to keep it simple.  After all, the preamble to the Constitution fights for "domestic tranquility." 

What could be more tranquil? 

Never has a veggie platter looked so good.

Nor has a cheeseball for that matter. . .

My Dad's famous beans.

The full menu

"I'm gonna get you!"

  Upside down

Much better

Festive coloring pages

Clairey's Independence nails (our tradition)

Hallie's Fourth of July nails (we didn't have any blue)

Umm, more nails (I think they are cute).

Dancing bare foot in puddles

Finally tuckered out

Isn't she lovely?

Usually, trying to get Hallie to smile at the camera goes a little like this "Hallie, look at the camera!  Hallie, look at Mommy!  Hallie, look at where Daddy is snapping his fingers.  Over here, Hallie!  Hal, the camera, honey!  Look up here . . .right into it!" You get the picture.  The other day, when we took curlers out of her hair in the morning, she looked too precious to not capture her on film.  So, we put her in her new favorite dress and went outside to snap some pictures.  Who knew all it took to grab a great picture of Hallie was to get her alone?  Don't get me wrong, she is a beautiful girl and we have many beautiful pictures of her.  But the story behind the picture is a lot of effort.  For these, all she did was run around and I snapped away.  I am so proud of my beautiful daughter.  Not that she has pretty blue eyes and a sweet smile.  I am proud of her soul.  She is exuberant, friendly, and she loves every aspect of life.  It is so fun to live with her. 

P.S. Please excuse me for living in such a beautiful place.  I can't help it.

Disneyland, Day 2 (July 13, 2010)

After a month of mild weather, California heated up the day before we came back to Colorado.  That didn't stop us from enjoying our favorite place.  Chris and I found adorable matching Minnie Mouse shirts at Target.  Let's be honest, a shirt like that would cost $26 in the park.  At Target? $5.99, thank you very much.  This day was extra special because Grandma came to join us.  We got to the park an hour after it opened and rode all the rides we could in Fantasyland.  By the time Grandma caught up with us two hours later, we had already conquered six rides.  Claire was so happy Grandma came because she could play with "MaMa's" necklaces.  She loves Grandma's necklaces!  The park started to get super crowded around noon.  This is when we decided to enjoy the air conditioning and relative calm of window shopping through Disneyland stores.  By the time we left around 2 pm, we were hot and happy but ready to go home.  On the ride home, Mom treated us to refreshing tall sodas.  Claire decided no one should hold her cup but herself.  At fourteen months old, I wasn't ready to let her take that plunge.  This started the absolute worst fit of her young life.  She screamed and arched and batted her arms.  She had so much anger, she could have fueled the steam boat back at Disneyland.  We made it through her fifteen minute fit and the second we unbuckled her car seat the tears stopped flowing.  Um, scary!  Kids sure know how to throw great fits.  Claire's tears aside, this day was a blast and one we would definitely want to do again-- over and over.

Disney's California Adventure (July 5, 2010)

The Monday following Independence Day, we spent the day at California Adventure.  It was a chilly January July morning.  The great thing about the chill in the air was the park was less crowded in the morning.  In this theme park, our girls really enjoyed the Bug's Land area because it had little rides suited for them.  Chris and I were a little bored with the rides, but pleased with the enthusiasm from Hallie and Claire.  Hallie really enjoyed Turtle Talk with Crush.  It is a chance to talk to Crush from Finding Nemo.  Hallie and I sat on the floor in the front row.  Even when the turtle was talking to other people in the room, she would respond as if he was talking to her.  Chris and I loved the gardening throughout the park.  Disney does gardens well.  Just as it started to heat up, the crowds showed up.  This was also the time that Claire had enough and started a scream fest.  We pushed her around in her stroller until she fell into a deep sleep.  Then we sat in the shade and shared an icey drink and cotton candy. 

Is that Chip or Dale? I think it's Dale.  Hallie could tell you.

I can't get enough of her munchkin face.  She was really excited and singing about it.

Notice we are wearing sweaters . . . in CA . . . on July 5.  Random.

I can't get enough of how cute Claire was when she would put her hand up on the rides.  You could tell she felt like she was "big stuff."

Princess Magic!

Good night!