Summer Bucket List:

Several trips to Sea World

Even more trips to the library

Trying out a few new classes

Visiting with friends and family

Some road trip excursions

 

Picnics on the patio

Going out on the boat with Dad and Brian, and even catching a fish!

Doing some gardening

Watching fireworks on the Fourth of July

Celebrating 7/11 with first Slurpees

Morning walks

Swimming with Brookie

Camping out the Willoughby's

Building with Leggos - a new obsession

 Experimenting with Pinterest finds

 Playing at the Rec with friends

Movie matinees with Gammi

 Legoland!!!

Getting face painted at Farmers Market

Learning new skills at camp

And anxiously awaiting the arrival of little brother!!

Father's Day 2013

Just a little shout out to Dad, Kaden's very favorite playmate.  We celebrated with a french toast brunch at Ortega's, followed by a day at the beach.  After nap we tested out our new ladder and ended the evening with popsicles on the porch.  Kevin may have preferred spending the day on a golf course, but his boy thought the day was practically perfect.

Touch-A-Truck

This year, Touch-a-Truck was held at Chargers Stadium.  This meant bigger and better and...a whole lot noisier.  So noisy, in fact, they sold ear plugs for the kids.  Kaden, not liking loud noises too much, took the whole thing in stride and when he saw all the trucks he jumped right in the fun.  That is until RoboTruck started his act.  Then the poor boy clung to his father's neck and begged to be taken home.  It was fun while it lasted.

School Is Out For Summer!

Kaden had a great first year of school!  

We celebrated the end of the year at a party with all our new preschool friends and our beloved teacher, Mrs. Carroll.  The cake pops and bouncy house were, not surprisingly, the biggest hit of the day.

What a difference nine months can make!  I sent him to preschool a baby, he returned a little boy.

Another Step in the Process - Bye Bye Termites

Prior to closing on the house, we had to have a termite inspection and, lo and behold, they recommended we have the house fumigated.  Now this isn't unusual in Southern California.  Any given day you'll drive down a street and see at least one house with a giant colored tent surrounding it.  I think it is probably a racket, but since it is required...  Our plans were to spend the weekend in Palm Springs with friends, but the 110+ degree temperatures scared us off.  Lucky for us, we have generous friends who offered their beach house to us.  We played in the sand, ate breakfast out, went for bike rides on the boardwalk, and had friends over to play.  What a great excuse for a staycation!    

A Summer Visit From Gammi and Pop

Gammi and Pop surprised us with a visit to San Diego.  They spent their first week at the Montage Resort in Orange County and, of course, we took advantage of all the amenities.  We drove up two days to swim in their pool, play on their beach, and just have fun with Gammi and Pop.  

"Bellhop, please take these nuts to their room."

We couldn't get the little pool rat out of the water.

The weather was glorious, sunshine abounded and it was as warm as could be.  The only problem...we missed a couple spots with the sunscreen.

When we offered lunch with a Jello dessert, he gave in and took some time out of the water.

Bath time in the giant tub

A beach stroll with Pop

Back in La Jolla

Kaden pointing out the fixed termite spots to Gammi to make sure she didn't step on them. 

Spotting a fire engine at the supermarket is really the only reason to get groceries....oh, and smoothie samples, can't forget those.

Turning a box into a rocket ship - Gammi comes up with the best projects!

Pop letting Kaden do things that generally aren't allowed - riding in the front seat (through a car wash), and climbing to the roof.  No wonder Kaden thinks he's so great!

An outing to the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park to see Dinosaurs Alive!  Kaden was a little nervous about the life-sized moving dinosaurs, but Gammi carried him through.  He loved the trolley ride and naming all the dinosaurs for Pop.

Helping Gammi cook - these two make a great pair in the kitchen!

Silliness

Saying good-bye was tough this time, but we know we'll see them in July when baby arrives!

Go Cards!

The Cardinals came to town and we were there to watch!  Kaden had a great time listening to his dad explain the ins and outs of the game.  He had an even better time taking in the tastes of the ballpark - popcorn, candy, a hot dog - he was in junk food heaven!