Monterey

Yesterday to celebrate my Mom's birthday, we drove down to Point Lobos and enjoyed beautiful weather and beautiful view. I absolutely LOVE beach weather, especially when it is in the mid 80s-90s at home. We hiked around for a while then went over to an English Pub called the Crown and Anchor. The food was delicious! Our next destination was Pebble Beach and a restaurant called Roys. There is a beautiful outdoor dining area with fire pits and a beautiful view of the golf course and ocean. Every evening there is a bagpiper that comes and plays so we were greatly looking forward to it. Unfortunately, we missed it because on their website it says he plays at sunset, but I guess in the summer he plays much earlier, at the end of the golf day. Bummer! We did, however, still enjoy yummy hot drinks and cookies and of course, a gorgeous sunset. A perfect end to a perfect day.

Goodbye, dear friend!

On Thursday evening, we headed over to Watsonville for a going away party for our dear friends, the Hirotas. We met Matt and Rachel our first year working at Monte Vista (2002) and have been great friends ever since. They just bought a new house in Merced and are embarking on a new stage in life. We will miss our friends, but thankfully they are only a few hours away!! Love you guys!

Headband Happy

Today an idea suddenly popped in my head on how to make this fun headband. I was watching Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood (don't laugh...it can be very addicting on a boring Saturday afternoon :) and their new little baby, Stella, was wearing this huge flower headband. I thought it was pretty cute, but forgot about it until the other day when I picked up some beautiful flowers originally intended for making cards or scrapbooking. I saw the flowers, remembered the show, and thought "I can make that." So I grabbed some old black tights that I have not worn in years and got to work. Ten minutes later, literally, I was done and Riley had a cute flower headband on that bald little head of hers. And might I say, she looked much cuter than Stella.

Childrens Discovery Museum

We received a wonderful and generous gift from My Aunt Shawn this week: a family membership to the Childrens Discovery Museum. All four of us went today for the first time and had a fabulous time! Avery was super excited for the Alice in Wonderland exhibit and could not stop talking about it. There were SO many fun things for us to do and it was really a great place for both of the girls. We stayed for a couple of hours and still did not see everything so we are excited to go back. I know this will be such a great place for the girls and I, especially on those rainy days! Thanks Shawn! We love you!!

Avery and I about to go through the rabbit hole

Bubble Making

Water Fun

This was a playroom for infants and Riley loved trying to crawl away from me. She is obsessed with climbing on anything and everything!
Pizza Making

Silliness

This is what happened when we tried to take the paper off of the icecream cone. I guess we should have just let her eat it.

A nice day for a swim

The other day we headed over to Mission Springs to see my lovely friend Robyn and her two beautiful girls, Ocean and Selah. Avery loves Ocean and they played very well together and had a spectacular time in the pool. Thanks guys for a fun day!

Gilroy Gardens

On Friday, my mom treated us to a day at Gilroy Gardens. Too bad it was blistering hot and we were super uncomfortable. We went on a few rides and then I made the mistake of going on the Garlic Twirl with Avery. I have not really had trouble in the past with twirly rides, but I guess a full stomach of Mexican food did not help the situation. If the ride had continued for just 30 more seconds, I beleive my lunch would have been splashed up on the sides of our garlic prison.
Before we left, we also enjoyed yummy soft serve cones. Riley loved it, but was not satisffied with simply taking little bites off my spoon. She grabbed the whole ice cream and squished it in her hands, followed by a temper tantrum when I took it away and tried to salvage the remains. She would not stop screaming so I gave in and handed her Avery's empty cone. She shoved it in her mouth and we enjoyed the rest of our icecream in peace. :) Needless to stay she is very stubborn and strong willed. We were very glad that when we bought our tickets, we received a pass for the rest of the year for free. Now we can go back anytime through November 23rd. Yahoo!

She's all clean now!

Random

Say what? Should you really drink coffee that has been laying around for 1001 years?

Favorites

1. My new sewing machine. My aunt Karen was cleaning out her closets and what did she find? An older sewing machine that she does not use and she thought of me! Fabulous! I have been wanting a new machine for quite a while since my old one is just that...OLD. It only does a straight stitch and nothing else. It has served me well, but it is definitely time for an upgrade and I am so appreciative of this great gift. I have not had an opportunity to try it out yet. A sick child does not make for good sewing conditions, but I have a bib all cut out and ready to go as soon as she can unattach herself from my hip.

Old on top; New below (In case you could not tell)

2. Sunflowers. Are they not just the happiest flower? I bought these from Trader Joes's, another of my favorite places, and they have lasted for over a week. I love seeing them on the table and they really brighten my day.

On another note, I read my friend Diane's blog the other day and she posted on how she always forgets her canvas bags when she goes to TJ's. Isn't that always the case?? I have such great intentions, but 90% of the time forget to grab them before we head off to the store. I hate that! Thankfully, when I went last Saturday I remembered (It is easier when you do not have to tote around 2 kids) and I got 3 raffle tickets for their monthly drawing. Maybe I will win :)

3. Good news about Jaron's ear. He went to see Dr. Inserra on Thursday and she took out more of the packing and was able to see part of the eardrum. What she could see looked good (she could not see the whole thing) and everything seems to be healing well so far. I was almost in tears after the news because this has been such a long and painful process. Jaron said he felt 100 times better after he left. I can't imagine it would feel good to have gel packing swishing around in the ear canal. He goes back in 2 weeks for another check. Jaron goes back to work on Monday and with the start of fall sports will be VERY busy so pray for a smooth transition and continued healing.

Bath Fun

I love these smiling faces!

Friday Favorites...

on Saturday. I have really fallen behind on my Friday favorites. I guess I have been a bit busy. Okay, drumroll please...

1. Kashi Go Lean Crunch. My absolute favorite cereal. Super yummy and good for you. Honey bunches of Oats with Almonds takes a close second.

2. Lilly Lamb. I made this lamb the other day and I think she is super cute. She has a few flaws, but it was my first time so the next one (if there is another) will be better. Jaron thinks she is quite creepy, but we all know he is a bit creepy so I chose not to listen. :)

3. Fun times at the beach with friends. Derek and Amy are up this way for a wedding so yesterday a bunch of us headed to Twin Lakes Beach for fun in the sun, hot dogs, and smores. Jaron made the trip over the hill as well and did pretty well. I think the elevation on the drive bothered him a bit, making him even more nervous about the ear, but hopefully he will be feeling good this morning.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

I love you, Super Grandma!

Beach Boardwalk

Last night we drove over to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for 75 cent night. All rides are just 1 ticket and the hot dogs, pepsi, and cotton candy are only 75 cents as well. We stayed for about 3 hours and had a great time. Jaron did pretty well, but was still in a semi-robotic out of it state. You can tell this in a few of the pics, but he did feel good enough to indulge in a deep fried twinkie! The girls loved it and Riley rode on her first ride ever...the merry go round.

Visiting with Grandma

reading books in the shade

sisters

Our dutch oven pineapple upside down cake

On an adventure with Dora

Water Fun

Riley Elizabeth