Vacation Skills

Andy and I have learned that our babies always gain new skills whenever we take them on vacation.  In California this time, Macie learned...

To climb stairs.

If you look in the distance, that's Ephram at the top of the stairs.
And that would be the reason that Macie decided to go up the stairs too.
The next day she did it again, and again, and again.

She was very proud of herself.

She also learned how to make a ride-on toy go.
This fire truck was just the perfect size for her.

And she strengthened her recently acquired skills of pulling up and crawling.

She sure is a cute little girl!

Last Day Play

Our last day in California was full of playtime.

We played at the park and we played at my parent's house.

At the park, Ephram finally conquered the little suspended stepping stones.

He had been staring at them on every park trip,

But was too tentative to attempt them.

In true Ephram fashion,

It took three visits to the park,

And enough time with his mommy turned away,

So that he could brave them on his own with no watching eyes.

That's just Ephram's way.

When it was time,

(Actually more than 30 minutes past the time we should have left,)

We drove to Long Beach, 

Hopped on a plane,

And made it back to Seattle.

This trip to California was our best yet.

We can't wait to return.

Welcome Back, Farrell's!

Do you remember Farrell's restaurants?
I had a birthday party at a Farrell's in fourth grade.
I don't remember all of my parties, but I do remember that one...
Because Farrell's was awesome.
I think the Farrell's around Riverside were all shut down within the next year.

So, earlier this year, when my Facebook friends down in California started posting about a Farrell's,
I knew I'd have to find a way to pay it a visit.

On our last night in Riverside, we met up with a few friends,
And Andy's sister and her kids,
At the brand new Farrell's.

It is pretty much just as I remembered it.
Which is to say, awesome.
It is loud.
There's a ton of commotion.
The food is good.
Apparently, if you ask for a pickle with your dish, they will bring you a whole platter of them.
They have a balloon animal artist.
Who knows that your three year old would much rather have Pluto than any old dog.
And their servers are willing to get into sword fights,
With balloon swords wielded by seven year olds.
Even Macie hung in with all of the alarms,
And the beating drums,
And other various crazy noises.
She thought it was grand.
And it was.

(And the ice cream... delicious and in large portion.)

Farrell's, welcome back.
I'll be back soon.

Castleview Park

Andy's dad lives right next to a cute little park in Riverside.

Most of the parks we visit there are smart.

They have a seperate play area for toddlers from the play area for the big kids.

I wish more parks were like that where I live!

We had a great afternoon playing at the park with Grandpa Kovar.

My kids were all pink, sweaty and happy.

(And Charlie was a bit covered in dirt.)

Even Macie got in on the play, climbing onto some of the equipment and rolling around in the grass.

I love it when we have a park all to ourselves.

These pictures are from a night we spent with Grandpa Kovar.
Ephram was teaching him how to use his device.
It was pretty cute!

The Yard on Cornwall

Just some random pictures from one perfect evening of play in my old front yard.