Summer Extravaganza

It's been non-stop for the two sisters who have now been nick-named "Goober 1" and "Goober 2".  And they are certainly up to their names...always covered in dirt, chalk or paint, elbow deep in play dough, or in the pool.  Both "Goobers" have learned how to put on their own sunscreen this year, that's the summer it's been - outdoors and full of activities.

We went to our favorite summer festival, the "San Anselmo Art & Wine Festival".  Although we didn't spend too much time looking at the art, and we didn't have any wine (why drink wine when there is beer to be had?).  We did take a ride in a train, and on a few rides.  We listened to music, ate Dippin' Dots (who knew those were still around?) and ran into some amazing people...

We got to meet two of our new cousins, and enjoy a bunch of family.  Natalie and Alexander visited from Oklahoma City.  Baxter came too.  They are all sooo cute, we cannot wait to see them again!

We visited the Marin County Fair!  We saw pig races, the Amazing Bubble Man, chickens, horses, goats, and went on a few rides...the solar powered Merry-go-Round was definitely the favorite of the day.

And then spent the 4th of July at a family reunion in Snelling, CA (where is that you may ask...near Merced).  It was hot...

but the water slide, bouncy house was SOO much fun.  Elanor spent the majority of the day, even when it was overtaken by the bigger kids.

The Morris family...1st, 2nd and 3rd generations.

And Elanor has been doing SOO great in swim lessons.  She loves her teacher, Miss Rachel, and can't wait to go each week (a drastic improvement over last year's lessons).  Ella really enjoys that each swim stroke resembles a different animal (i.e. squid, frog) and they get to do a crab walk on the side of the pool at the end of each lesson.  This past weekend was especially great as Elanor has been very nervous to jump into the water from the side of the pool.  she even left the house saying "i'll do everything Miss Rachel asks, except I don't want to jump into the pool".  Well, by the end of the lesson, she had jumped in 3 times!!  We are so proud of our little jellyfish.

When Elanor is in swim lessons, Lydia plays in the tot pool, and loves it.  I think we may have another jellyfish in the making.

And of course we've been enjoying each other's company no matter where we are or what we are doing...

BBQs with "corn on a log"

growing strawberries in our backyard!

and playing, every chance we get, with our BFF-sisters!

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.

Post Holiday Life

So it's been a while.  We have been busy (as usual).  Christmas was super duper fun, full of tradition, memories and excitement.

Christmas 2014 from leslie blomquist on Vimeo.

Since Christmas we have been blessed with some warm weather and been able to spend a lot of time outdoors.  

We have been to Muir Beach

and of course stopped by the Pelican Inn for lunch afterwards.

We've been on a few hikes in our neighborhood.  This one was at Sorich Ranch Park, just up the street from our house, beautiful.  We didn't quite make it to the top, but it won't be long until we do!

We've been to the park, many, many times.

and our annual MLK day walk across the bridge.

It was super chilly this year, we made it about 3/4 of the way across and then came back.  Such a fun tradition.

But we've also had some fun indoor time as well.  Bowling is hard, but Elanor and Liddy has some real talent.

It takes real talent to have the bumper up, a ramp, 10 pins up, and still not knock a single one down.  That's pretty much what happened the majority of the time.  Naturals.  Dan bowled a 180, I didn't break 100, but it was great fun.  

We've also been enjoying our new toys and playing around the house.  The new favorite game is for Elanor and Liddy to take turns pushing each other in the baby doll stroller

 

And of course there was the retirement of Grandma Margaret.  I can't believe she's retired.  It was a fun party and we are so excited for Grandma to start this next chapter in her life. 

Happy Belated New Years to everyone!

Holiday Prep

It definitely is that time of year. And although I've been super stressed, the girls are REALLY enjoying the holiday season.  

It all started with Thanksgiving at Great Papa's house.  We had a wonderful meal and great company. Thoroughly enjoyed the day.  Elanor and Lydia both love all their cousins and aunts.  They love the play time they get at these holiday parties.

Leslie, Lindy, Great Papa, Megan, Brad, JM, Dan, Lydia & Elanor

This year, we all wrote letters to Santa.  Macy's donates $1 for each letter to Santa they receive to Make-a-Wish.  Elanor got all her cousins, aunts, uncles and Great Papa to each write a letter to Santa, then we took them all to Macy's to drop off at Santa's mailbox.  

We even snuck in a second letter to Santa...hey...every $$ counts!

Ella has been in ballet class, every Saturday, since last August.  So as a special treat, we went with our neighbor, Olivia, to see the Nutcracker at our local theatre.  The show was amazing.  Ella's favorite part was to see each and every ballerina's crown.  We even got to meet one of the ballerina's in the lobby before the show started and it was fun game to try and spot her when she was on stage.  

Mommy and Ella waiting for the show to start

Olivia and Ella waiting for the show to start

Our favorite ballerina 

As a very special treat, we got to take a trip to the North Pole, aboard the Polar Express.  Grandma Margaret came too!  I can't believe we got to go!  We got dressed in our PJs, drank hot cocoa, watched the waiters dancing in the aisles, heard the story of the Polar Express and then saw Santa's house!  

I couldn't believe it, but Santa himself, got on the train on the way back to Sacramento.  We even got to talk to him!  Elanor told him what she wanted for Christmas, and then...as if that wasn't enough...Santa gave us the first gift of Christmas!  A shiny sleigh bell.  And all 5 of us could hear it ring!

drinking hot cocoa

There are two very special homes in San Rafael that go ALL OUT for Christmas light decorations.  We took a special trip, with our friend Molly, to see the lights.  It was a so fun.  At one of the homes, snow even fell from the sky.

Ella and Molly at the "Bear House"

Ella and Molly at the "Mickey Mouse Christmas House"

Lydia at the "Mickey Mouse Christmas House"

Lydia and Santa

Next up, Christmas.  I'm not sure if I am ready...it's going to be CRAZY this year!  Can't Wait.