The Many Adventures of Elanor & Lydia

As I was sorting through the massive amount of photos that we have taken over the past several months, I realized two things:
     1. Thank goodness for digital cameras - able to capture that split second moment when both kids have their eyes open, are forming somewhat of a smile, and have not already started to concentrate on something else; and
     2.  We have been on some great adventures over the past few months.

As the weekends have passed, I have not taken the time to reflect and look back on what we have done.  I am now (thanks in large part to the mounds of photos to sort through...).  Thinking back, the adventures have been quick, but they have all been great.

We have done so much.  And it is evidenced by the large string of photos below.

We've been to Dillon Beach...TWICE!  The first trip was in February, for Great Grandpa's Birthday.  The second trip was just this past weekend.  Both amazing.  Dillon Beach is quickly becoming our favorite home away from home.  In fact, if you just say "we are going to the beach house" to Elanor, she knows exactly what beach we are going to.

We celebrated Liddy's 2nd Birthday with a trip to Tilden Park in Berkeley to see the farm and take a ride on the merry-go-round.

                    The Birthday Girl on her Birthday.

The Easter Bunny came to visit.  The girls got new clothes, coloring books, and toys.  He even left some candy this year!

Cousin Baxter Jackson was born on March 29th, 2015...our newest cousin.  He is SOOOO cute!

And he came to visit us!  We all had a lot of fun visiting with Baxter.  I can just imagine the future playdates that these three will have...poor Baxter.

 Grandpa Terry paid us a visit.  We spent a whole weekend just hanging out at home, enjoying each other's company and the good weather.  It was Grandpa Terry's first time to meet Lydia, and second time to meet Elanor.

We spent our first weekend at the Steep Ravine Cabins near Stinson Beach.  They were so much fun! we got to hear the ocean from our living room, stay up late, eat marshmallows with chocolate, and run around outside all day...doesn't get much better than that.  We went on a hike (didn't veer too far off the fire roads due to poison oak...and did OK...no one got any), spent an afternoon at the beach, and spent a lot of time climbing on the rocks.

Dan took Liddy on a hike to Cataract Falls.  Water was a little low with the lack of recent rains, but from what I hear, it was still a beautiful hike and they both had a blast.

Ponies visited the house!  For our neighbor's 2nd birthday (Alexandra), her grandfather was in town, went to get a sandwich and came home with a petting zoo.  Luckily our neighbors are awesome and invited us to ride some ponies (in our own front yard) and pet some ducks.

I had the best Mother's day yet...a day with no cooking, no laundry, no chores and no appointments.  We spent the day wandering around town, ate lunch in Fairfax, hung out at the playground and then made our way to the creek.  I couldn't have asked for a better day.

We took our first ride on BART.  I think this must be a milestone in every bay area kid's childhood.  They had a blast on the train.  We rode from El Cerrito to San Leandro where we walked to a BBQ at our friend's house (Quincy & Rob).  We got to play in their backyard, eat pizza and then ride the train home.  The girls loved it, I can't wait for SMART to start running...

But I have to say, with all the special trips and places, the best part of the last few months has been watching Ella and Liddy become true friends.  They play together, they get so excited when they see each other at pick up time each day, they save food, books and other "treasures" to share with each other, they hug and kiss and love each other.

Man that's a lot of "bentures"... and only more to come.