Fall has arrived

Not only are the Fall decorations out in the house, but so are the new slippers!

Thank you Auntie Chris for our cozy slippers - we love them!

Happy Birthday, Mommy

We had a really nice birthday celebration with some of my most favorite people last weekend.  Grandma and Papa were in town, as well as Todd and Michelle.  Michael made an amazing Italian feast, and my mom (and dad) hosted everyone at their house.

Luke with Great-Grammy and Papa

The beautiful cake made out of a delicious assortment from Icing on the Cake

Singing

Make a wish!

San Diego Part 2: Balboa Park

We spent our second full day in San Diego just hanging out, walking to breakfast, and playing in the sand on the beach.  Luke loved playing in the sand and ended up with sand in every crevice imaginable.  This doesn't surprise me as he typically comes home with several pounds of sand in his shoes from the sandbox at school.  Mia on the other hand wanted nothing, and I mean NOTHING, to do with the sand.  She didn't even want to walk in it ... with her shoes on!  Oh well, there is always next time!

On our last day we went to check out Balboa Park.  We didn't get an early enough start to go to the zoo, but that is definitely on my list for our next visit to SD.  I was shocked to find how large Balboa Park is aside from the zoo, and how much there is to do there for us and kids.  We had lunch at a lovely outdoor cafe, strolled the art exhibits, wandered through the Botanical Gardens, Luke and Daddy checked out the model railroad museum, and we all rode the carousel and the minature railroad.  What a treasure!

Mia at lunchtime

Beautiful museums and gardens

Daddy and Mia on the Carousel

Riding the miniature railroad

Wild times on the choo choo!

Beautiful sunset from the condo

San Diego Part 1: Sea World

We took a fun-filled trip down to San Diego last weekend with Day and Paw.  One of the main things that I wanted to be sure to see while there was Sea World.  I had never been, and it had been many years since Michael was last there.  With Luke's love for dolphins, and Mia's love for all things animal, I knew we couldn't go wrong.

What I didn't know was how incredibly magical it is!  It very easily tops my list of favorite places to visit with the kids.  I think that we were all beyond impressed.  It was not at all crowded (going on a Friday after Labor Day helped, I'm sure), the weather was perfect, and the kids were completely engaged the entire time.  I am slightly disappointed with my photography skills this day, but I suppose that is because I was enjoying the moment instead of focusing on taking pictures.  Besides, there is no way that the magic and true beauty that we experienced there could be captured with a camera.

Seeing the orca whales

In the Antarctic exhibit - watching the polar bears, walruses, and beluga whales

Meeting and feeding the dolphins - such an incredible experience for Luke

 Seeing the Sea Turtles and their beautiful habitat

The Shamu Show

Riding the Sky Tower at the end of our day

Mia with her new friend, Daisy the Dolphin.  After being presented with all of the options for different stuffed animals, Mia had absolutely no doubt which one she wanted!  Luke brought home a very cute and oh-so-soft Polar Bear who is now named "Flip Flop."

We were at Sea World when the doors opened in the morning, and did not leave until the park was closing.  We watched every show that was performed that day - from amazingly trained rescue pets, to the Sea Lion comedy show, to the Cirque du Soleil inspired dolphin show with elaborate costumes and beautiful music, to watching the incredible Orca whales splash and jump - there was never a dull moment.  Luke said that he couldn't choose a favorite show because they were all his favorites.  I couldn't agree more....

We loved it all, from start to finish.  Sea World, we will definitely be back soon!

Monterey County Fair

We took a last minute, unplanned trip down to visit Uncle Todd and Michelle over the weekend and we all headed out to the Monterey County Fair. I didn't take many pictures, but the kids had a great time. Luke loved the cotton candy (big surprise!) and rides, Mia loved the farm animals.

Mia is 20 months