San Luis Obispo... I'll Go There Again and Again and Again.

A month ago, our good friends from Virginia Beach, Jeff, Stephanie, and their little guy Conner (who turned 1 recently) took a 4 week vacay to the beautiful town of San Luis Obispo, also known as SLO for those who want to sound cool and local.  Or for those that don't know quite how to pronounce it...  San Louie, San Lu-is?  However you pronounce it, it's a ca-uuuute little town.  

And when we figured out that it was only a 2 hour drive away, we packed right up and hit that 2 lane stretch of highway twisting and turning through tree-speckled hills and hazy mountains.  Out of our valley of smog-filled air, and near the coast of cool temps with wide open spaces filled with a fresh breath of air...

We were greeted with temps in the high 60s.  Rejuvenating to say the least.  We decided to take the 15 minute drive and spend the afternoon at Avila Beach, where those low 60s revved.  A very cute beach indeed.  And five bucks for all day parking, can't beat that.

I'm usually the queen of prepared.  I bring a change of clothes for everyone, extra this, extra that.  But I never thought that it would truly be chilly.  How can weather that is sweltering where we live, be that much different 2 hours out?  Well it was, and I felt unprepared.  I did bring a thin cardigan, and the kids had a blanket.  The breeze was cool while lying on the beach, and that felt amazing.  And finally around 3:00, I think it reached the 80s.  A little late, and very strange.  I think I could live here though.  I think I could actually live here.   

Brenner was not excited about the cold ocean waves...

 Emmy was thrilled!

There were shops lining the street with pets sitting outside of storefronts drinking up cold drops of water.  The beach was scattered with kids frolicking, and families relaxing with a sandcastle here and a frisbee flying overhead there.  There was live music set up on the patio of one of the restaurants.  There were mommies and daddies taking their little ones to the outdoor shower to wash the fun of an afternoon on a sandy beach off their little, wet and wiggly swim-suited bodies.  Well you can wash away the sandy bits and sweat mixed with sunscreen, at least some of it, but you cannot wash away the fun of a day at the beach.  Yes, I could definitely live here.

Wade and Jeff were crazy.  The water was freezing.  But as all men need to prove their manliness...

 Then we found a shipwreck park which was way cool.  Swings, slides, a ship and dolphin sculptures to play on...

The kiddos had a blast and the parents didn't complain either.  We miss this family from VA so much and wish we could always be a short drive away from each other...  But we were excited to spend the day in their company.  And excited to meet little Mr. Conner for the first time.  He's just a dream.  Very sweet.  Very handsome.  We'll miss you Stephanie and Jeff!

Tricycles, Bicycles, Mornings with the Puppy

We love our mornings outside.  We get to lounge in the breezy air and ride our Radio Flyers and play with our new best buddy, Chantilly.  She becomes alive outside.  As soon as I set her four furry legs in the dewy grass, she's off.

 These next two were taken by photographer Emmy...

Brenner found shade wearing Daddy's hat and Mommy had fun taking pictures...

Brenner's legs are finally long enough to pedal.  Big news around here.  So, he's very excited that he can get on the tricycle and ride it without standing on his tip toes and walking it.  Even though he still likes to ride it while walking.  I just have to encourage him, "Push those pedals, Brenner.  Push them!"

Emmy loves her bicycle.  It might be because it's pink and purple.  It also might be because it has princesses on it.  Either way she is super fast and is getting awfully aggressive as she passes Brenner on the narrow sidewalks.  But he doesn't seem to mind.  It's a constant racing game as I yell, "Brenner, turn around.  You're too far."  To which, he might turn around, but most likely he'll keep on trekking further.  Oh Brenner boy.  But today, they both were delightful.

 This is Brenner "walking" his tricycle...

We ventured out onto the sidewalks behind the house to which Chantilly's sniffer couldn't get enough of.  New environment, new smells...

Radio Flyer rides:  5 cents

It's a great day.

Someone I Would Like You to Meet

We added a little snuggle bug to our family yesterday.  I've been talking with this breeder on and off for a couple months now.  It was finally time to take a visit and make a decision.  Wade drove about 2.5 hours to look at her.  And how could you not fall in love with her...   Whether it be her sweet brown eyes, the endless cute shades of gold, brown and cream fur, or her legs that just spring...

He brought this little morkie (maltese/yorkie) home and we are smitten.  Her timidness has melted away and her absolute charm has taken spotlight.  She plays like no other, though she easily tires.  She bounces and leaps at our feet.  Brenner boy is her favorite to chase.  We went for a morning stroll and she snuggled right up to Emmy in the stroller.  She observed her surroundings, then laid her head on Emmy's lap and looked up at her before drifting off to sleep.  

Welcome to our crazy circus, Chantilly Rose... 
Because every good dog needs a middle name. 

 Theresa giving Chantilly extra snuggles...

 Sarah cuddling the sweet, new pup.  I hope Chantilly knows what she's in store for...  =)

You Bring the Play-Doh and I'll Bring the Cookies

Emmy and I get to spend a little special time together everyday.  At the time Brenner takes his nap, about an hour after lunch, Emmy and I sneak outside for some special one-on-one time together.  It's guaranteed time together for a couple hours.  Sometimes, we pull chalk out and draw ginormous butterflies along the driveway.  Other times, we grab crayons and scrap paper and find that little patch of shade to lay down our crafty supplies and dream up some awesome art together.  But today, we found play-doh. 

The time we spend together, just the two of us, is just lovely.  Emberlyn gets mommy's full attention.  There's no sharing (or trading).  It's me and her, and it's easy and simple.  Not that Brenner brings chaos, because I love when the 3 of us spend time under the tree crafting.  However, there's something special about my time with Emmy.  She's a caring girl with crazy imagination.  She's sensitive and sweeter than candy.  She's silly and gracious.  She's my girl.  Although when I tell Emmy that she's my girl, she responds with "No, I'm Chelsea's girl."  That girl loves her aunt.

Showing off her cute and always pinkest of pink, manicure.

My time again with Brenner is soon to come.  Emmy starts preschool next month, and that will be my and baby boy's special time together.  Sweet baby boy.  We'll come home, shoot some hoops, or maybe race to the park, or see who can dress Mr. Potato Head up sillier, or even reenact a miniature-sized car race that ends in a crazy blow-up explosion, or something like that.  Isn't that what little boys do?  We've got to get more boy toys.  Wade and I talk about that all the time.  Good thing you've got a birthday coming up little man.

 Even though you're happiest with the thrill of random sprinklers erupting throughout the day...

Back to our play-doh afternoon date...  Emmy and I had a grand ole time contorting that stuff into all different kinds of things.  Emmy's favorite part was when I said, "Oh, I think the cookies are done."  I brought them out on a small plate, and Emmy's eyes lit up like I was juggling a stack of Christmas presents especially for her.  So we molded the play-doh, and nibbled on the still-warm-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies while basking in the comfort of each other's company.  Everything was good.  Everything was right.  After begging and pleading to split that one last lonely cookie, Emmy and I promised to save it for Brenner boy because that would make him super happy.  And what better way to wake up from an afternoon snooze.  So I scooped him up and Emmy greeted him outside with one special cookie.  He had a sweet chocolate grin too.