Laguna Beach Vacation

Blake and I left the kids on with Mimi and Papa for the weekend and headed to Orange County for an early celebration of our 5 year wedding anniversary. It was hard to leave the kids (I have only been away from Addison overnight a couple times, and never from Finn), but turned out to be a wonderful, and relaxing time away from home.

We stayed right on the beach in Laguna, walking distance to everything and did check out the neighboring towns of Newport and Corona Del Mar. We really loved the area (though never in my life have I seen so many 7-series and range rovers in one place), especially Laguna. It was so beautiful and relaxing and full of fun places to look around and eat. The boutique shopping was so amazing right in Laguna, and we also enjoyed Fashion Island and Southcoast Plaza.

All in all it was good for us to get away, but we were so ready to be home with the kids again. There will have to be a part two of this post to come later when I get pictures from the kids' time with their grandparents.

Checking out the view from our deck.

Looking down from our deck.

Morning coffee at the hotel.

Laying out.

Getting caught up on some reading.

Oh yes, I could live here.

This was our beach friend, isn't he cute?

You can tell by my white Seattle glow that this is day one at the beach!

About to walk into town to check out the plentiful boutiques and eateries.

The main beach at Laguna.

Happy hour.

Balboa boardwalk at Newport Beach.

We did a lot of relaxing.

A late-evening walk on the beach

Wine on the deck of our hotel.

We spent the majority of our time walking along the shore.

Away we go!

Grandma Mimi arrived last night, and the fun has begun for the kids! She arrived with a suitcase full of fun things, and her and miss Addie were up ordering butterfly's to hatch and grow while we are away. I have no doubt they are in good hands, and will have a marvelous time, but I am still a bit sad to leave.

Blake and I are off to laguna beach for the next four days. We will be celebrating 5 years married and enjoying some relaxation time.

Busy Multi-tasking Grandma

Ready to Party!

Hungry Man

Little Finn has taken to eating solids thrice daily. I like making his foods and seeing what his preferences are, though he rarely rejects any food. Some of his favorites are sweet potatoes, bananas and beets. He continues to be interested in whatever we eat, and its quite difficult to eat in front of him as he will make every attempt to get his little hands on your food. Tonight he put up a real fight to get my dinner and Blake decided it must be captured on film. After watching this, Addison was so concerned that Finn was hungry that she got down from the table and brought Finn some of his food and a spoon, "Finn's hungry Mommy, he wants this applesauce".

Come to papa!

Our silly boy was happily blowing bubbles and giving this funny smile after dinner.

Hanging Around the House

My poor kiddos have been a touch under the weather, both sporting runny noses, and Miss Addie has a pretty ugly cough. I kept them around the house, trying to limit activity ( Addison got to watch a movie), and push fluids as they have an exciting week ahead of them.

Making music with her toes

Finn has figured out that this walker enables him to investigate his surroundings. Its been interesting to see where he ends up; his first destinations were the fridge, and the pantry. We weren't terribly surprised, to say the least.

The pantry

Ooh, liked what he saw

My happy bathing boy

Watching "The Tigger Movie"

Girls Saturday

On Saturday Mom, Aunt Sue, Addison and myself headed to the mall for some shopping, lunch and latte's and left Finn with his Daddy. It was a good time and nice to remember how easy it is to go out without the baby! When we returned we did barbeque and dessert at our house with Daddy, Grandpa and Uncle.

Silliness

Enjoying the Backyard

Future Soccer Star!

Sunday Date

We had a fun morning with the kids making jam from some of the plums on our trees. We had already made a lemon-sour cream plum cake, a plum tart and know that we can't keep making desserts every day, but didn't want to let all our fruit go to waste. The jam was a success and we made four jars and plan to make another few batches to share.

Blake and I had set up to leave the kids with Adam and Sonja for the afternoon and evening so we could do a date. Both our kids came down with runny noses this week, and I was thinking this would put an end to our plans, but my cousins were glad to have them snotty-nosed and all. We had an awesome time doing a little shopping, a movie and wine and dinner. Its so nice to be able to catch up with each other without distraction every now and then. Adam and Sonja and Eva and Wyatt always make it so fun for the kids, and Addie never wants to leave Eva! Luckily Finn has been back to his normal easy self now that those two new teeth broke through. I was so pleased to hear that he went down easily for Sonja and napped in a new environment...the last time he stayed there he was still in that easy newborn phase of sleeping anywhere, anytime.

Smell-Testing the Plums

Ready to make Jam in her Jammies

Our Boy preferred to play Blocks

Proof that we had a Date

Butterfly Princess

Our family went shopping a couple nights back and Miss Addison became enamored with a pair of butterfly wings that went to a fairy princess costume. Her daddy couldn't help himself and bought those special wings that Addie now wears for playtime!

Our little Butterfly

I feel special in my Wings!

Peek-a-boo!

I find the little day-to-day things that Addison does with her brother so funny sometimes, and so does Finn. She has been finding all new sorts of ways to play peek-a-boo with him, and her favorite is his car seat. It does have a convenient sun-shade!

"Where's Finn?"

"Here he is, Mommy!"

Sister keeps life Interesting!

Picnic Point

For whatever reason, our little man has not been his usual easy self the past couple days. Having a fussing baby drove me out of the house today and we picked Blake up for a long lunch break at picnic point in Lynnwood. Addison loved the beach, and Finn seemed to enjoy the change of scene, as did I.

Blake and Addie enjoying the Water

They were so far away from me, I took pictures just to see what they were up to!

Digging

On our Blanket in the Sand

Special Babysitters

Last night Blake and I were able to get out for a couple hours to do couples photos for Jay Cordary and Addison and Finn got to spend the evening with Grammy and Great Aunt Sue. It was all kinds of fun...chocolate milk, pizza, and lots of stories!

Grammy

Aunt Sue

Return of Summer

We are ever so grateful for the return of our beautiful sunshine. The kids and I have enjoyed being outside the past couple days just hanging around our own yard!

Finn in the Pool

Playing with Big Sister

He likes water on his Tummy!

Feeling my Toes

Not much size Difference

Enjoying the Gardens

And the Flowers