Mama Daughter Dates

Lindsay and I had a Mama-Daughter date in July... we got pedicures! First we went to the mall to walk around and window shop, then stopped by the food court to share a burger and onion rings ;)

Lindsay had her first pedicure at a salon...

Lindsay chose a blue, and I opted for a purple color.

One day after church I took Madison to the Princeton Equestrian Fields to watch the horse jumping competitions...

We packed a picnic and she watched the ponies

She was so excited when some of the owners let us pet the horses.

It was really hot that day, and we were both sweaty and went to get ice cream afterwards ;)

The time I get alone with each of my girls is so precious to me, and not nearly often enough! When we are together, I enjoy watching how their individual personalities come out. Madison is a talk-a-mile-a minute about everything that pops into her mind, where Lindsay is more reserved, and takes some thoughtful questions to get her sharing. It is a privilege to watch them as they are growing into smart, funny and all around beautiful young ladies. Love you dearest daughters!

Luau Play Date

After we got back from California the girls were lonesome for their friends so we invited them over for a backyard Luau ;)

Luau cuties: Madison, Mackenzie, Lindsay, Ellie

Andrew was all about the "moovies" aka "smoothies"

Burning some energy after sugar rush

We had Tropical Smoothies, Hula Pineapple Pork tacos and mango salsa.. then they roasted smores and played flashlight tag... they had so much fun!! 

Summer Fun

It seem like after we got back from CA summer just flew by! Here are some highlights...

Our garden was loving all the heat and rain this summer, we had tomatoes, squash, jalapenos, herbs and we're still waiting on a cucumber. Hmm.

Proud of her harvest ;)

We went next door to our dear neighbors who graciously allow us to use their pool during the summer. This year the kids were brave enough to jump off the diving board all by themselves.

I read aloud the CS Lewis classic, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" in the Narnia series. For about a week the kids wanted to go inside our coat closet and pretend they could find a hidden world.

Didn't find Narnia. LOL

We had a couple lovely lunches with Daddy in Princeton...

Our weeks are jam packed, we would hit the library once a week, swim in the afternoons and try to squeeze in a play date with friends. We love summer time!

CA 2018: San Diego

We spent a lovely week in San Diego where Uncle Peter, Aunt Sarah and Cousins Nate and Mia hosted us! It was fun hanging out and being back to SD, and we even enjoyed getting to see extended family in the area too!

We visited Uncle Tim and Aunt Jen's new place in Encinitas! The kids had fun playing on the tennis court and swimming in the pool... Uncle T and Aunt J's place is still the funnest place to be ;)

Maddie has since told me she wants to take tennis lessons!

Lindsay found the hammock overlooking the view of the mountains

Bringing back memories for the next generation... we ate at Spaghetti Factory. Spumoni anyone?

Crazy kids

We took the kids to Balboa Park and went to the Science Museum, it was a blast!

Cuties

Take #2: Silly faces

Balboa Park Bubbles

Andrew loved the tiny tot area at the museum and went straight for the fire truck

Aunt Sarah took us to La Jolla to see some tide pools...

Crabs!

The gang tide pooling

I was carrying Andrew and totally ate it right after this picture was taken. Thankfully, we were both fine. 

La Jolla cliffs view... I miss watching the surfers. 

We went to Pacific Beach and had a blast playing in the sand and surf...

Uncle J was right there in the middle playing life guard

Sweet cousins, best friends.

We of course had to get some ice cream, and headed to a place near SD state that had ice cream sandwiches. YUM!

We all scream for ice cream.

Sleepy cousin love ;)

One day we checked out Old Town San Diego, and we stopped for a photo op for this crew...

Cousins at "Cousin's Candy Shop"

Inside they found some goodies that they thought Grandpa would like to eat.. Worms! Yuck!

We had some killer Mexican food and shared a ginormous margarita. 

Happy Daddy

For a bunch of kids hanging out 24/7 for almost 2 weeks, there was no squabbling, bickering or grumpiness. It was all love. They have so much fun when they are together, and it has been sweet watching their relationships grow. Cousins are the best ;) 

I am kicking myself for getting ZERO pictures of the Reid family reunion at Sarah and Peters... It was wonderful to see and visit with so many family members in one day. Well, there's always next year family... LOL. Seriously, we miss you guys so much!! Thank you for hosting us and we are looking forward to hanging again soon! Love you!

CA 2018: Bakersfield Fun

We stayed a week at Nonna and Grandpa's in Bakersfield and had so much fun...

Play hard. Sleep hard.

After Jarrett was on on the mend, Nonna made family favorite, Reid Tacos!

Family Fiesta

All the cousins got their own table, and they had a party of their own...

Later that night they had a cousin camp out. It was Lindsay and Madison's very first sleepover! Andrew wanted in on the fun, but he needs to wait a few more years ;)

Nonna and Grandpa took the kids to go bowling...

Andrew saw this chopper and wanted a picture with it ;)

This picture sums up our super relaxing and fun week: swimming, nice visits with the family and good food!

Did somebody say dessert?!

Andrew soaked up the attention from Katarina. She was so sweet with him!

Here's the yearly picture of all the cousins...

Andrew wanted to take a turn sleeping on the "red beds".

One of Madison's must-visits while in Bakersfield was Hodel's... She ate her weight in jello and ham. LOL.

Later in the week we were able to attend Cousin Sawyer's 3rd Birthday Party, held at Grandpa Joe's.

Splashing fun

Auntie Annie and Grammie did a great job of decorating the party with the theme of Sawyer's favorite show, "Shimmer and Shine".

Papa drove down for the party and had some fun with the birthday girl and playing trucks with Andrew...

All the kids got along great and had so much fun going on the water slide and helping Sawyer open presents.

Happy Birthday Sawyer Girl!

Auntie made delicious Lavender Blueberry cupcakes... they were gluten free and scrumptious.

Maddie had to take a ride on one of Gigi's stone deers in the backyard.. something every grandchild has done since she put them there 30+ years ago. LOL

We took the kids to the jump and sports center in town..

Madison rock climbing

Madison climbing the giant cylindars

Jumping on the trampolines

Foam pit

Hamster balls?

Jarrett took the gluten eating children to Rice Bowl to re-live some childhood memories. There are just some places and food that bring you back home and remind you of people you love ;)

Nonna took the kids to Dewars for ice cream...

Banana Split!

Bakersfield was so much fun, and we made some precious memories with the cousins, aunties and uncles. Thank you family for hosting us, we had a blast!! Next up... San Diego!