Santa Barbara Mission with Nani

We visited the Santa Barbara Mission with Nani a couple of times while she was here. It's actually something Adam and I haven't done since we've lived here and we all really like it. I think Nani said this was her favorite thing we did the entire time (but the miniture ponies were a close 2nd)! It was just beautiful and amazing...and we even heard a ghost story from one of the priests. Pretty crazy!

Here we are right outside this beautiful place...

 Check out this tree in the graveyard area....it was HUGE and beautiful!

  Here is Marley being funny as always....

The garden...

The "Umbrella"

Marley is obsessed with umbrellas lately and wants to sit under them to eat all the time. You see them everywhere here in Santa Barbara, but rarely is there actually rain....except for recently. I think Marley's new umbrella from Nani was a BIG hit. She even got a chance to use it in our random (and rare from what we here) thunderstorm.

Goleta Lemon Festival

It was a chilly and rainy day, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the Lemon Festival, especially that lemon ice cream...YUM!! Mom got to meet our friends Terri and Adam and Kerry and Barron too, which was great. We all had a great time!

Marley wasn't sure about petting these guys....

We couldn't resist the picture with Smokey the Bear, considering Adam's employment with the Forest Service. He actually had a conversation with the bear, which was hilarious to watch. All he could do was shake his head "yes". Too funny!

 Our friends Kerry and Barron...and sweet baby Claire who had not yet arrived.

 Here's that yummy lemon ice cream!!!!

Growing Times II Class

Marley loves her Growing Times II class on Thursday mornings where there are so many great activities for her from painting, puzzles, pretend play, outside play and music, storytime and much more. Here are some good photos from one of our classes.

Marley's Music Class

Nani got to go with us to Marley's weekly music class and got some cute "action" photos!!

 Marley LOVES storytime when she gets to put the velcro pieces on the chair that go w/ the story.

 This is the movement part of class...as you can see...time to swing the boys and girls!

 Row, row, row your boat....



Lane Farms Pumpkin Patch

Our first fun thing we did with Nani when she came to visit was our trip to Lane Farms Pumpkin Patch! And Marley was sporting her new Texas themed outfit and boots that Nani brought for her. The visit to the pumpkin patch was a success. She loved spending time with Nani, seeing her friends from MOPS and eating yummy kettle corn popcorn. Here are some of my favorite picutres.

 A little girl screamed and startled Marley....

 These pumpkins were HUGE!!!

Labor Day Weekend Trip - San Luis Obispo

Adam decided to take Friday off and we took a short overnight trip to San Luis Obispo (about an hour and a half north of Goleta). We left right after breakfast and got there just in time for lunch in downtown SLO (San Luis Obispo) by the creek at McLintock's - a local favorite. The food was fantastic and kids eat free with a purchase of an adult entree. So we got Marley the sirloin and Adam and I pretty much ate it...soooo good! Marley just wanted her peanut butter sandwich and fries (and to share with the dog at the next table!). Here are a few pics from lunch.

After lunch we decided to go check-in at our hotel and then head to Avila Beach for a few hours. Our hotel was in a tricky location and the GPS did us wrong so we ended up missing our exit and by the time we had a chance to turn around we were already at Avila Beach. So we decided to go on ahead to the beach and just dig out Marley's swim suit from the back and change her when we got there. That was a good choice...we needed all the time we could get at this beach. It's one of my new favorites. I think I say this every time we try a new beach, but it really was cute.

Some of my favorite beach shots...

We had to hit the beach park before heading to the beach.

Relaxing...

We couldn't keep Marley out of the water...it was a hot, beautiful day! Oops...she's loosing her swim suit bottoms...and they pretty much came completely off, but I'll spare you that pic. Oh, and don't you love the frisbee hat!

After playing at the beach and enjoying our black cherry snow cone, we decided to go check out the street fair. We got some samples at the farmer's market booths and grabbed a drink at the coffee shop.

It was now around 4:00 and Marley has yet to have a nap. I think we stretched it out a bit too long because she immediately feel asleep when we got in the car to head to the hotel. So I stayed with her at the car while Adam unloaded and then he went to happy hour at the bar. I joined him once Marley woke up. We met some interesting people, but it was time to grab a shower and head to dinner.

Dinner was awesome at this amazing Italian restaurant. We were all pretty tired, so I only got this one picture of baby at the table while Adam took Marley to watch the band while waiting for our food. Baby goes most places with us, so I figured she should get a mention in the blog too! ;)

On Saturday morning we decided to take Marley to the Children's Museum that we happen to walk by downtown the day before. This was so much fun for her. She loved the kitchen area, dress up area and grocery store the best.

This picture is just too funny to me...

After the museum we checked out the Mission down the street (very cool) and then sat in the grass and listed to the band playing at the Brews & Bits Festival. I'm sad to say we didn't have any brews, but we sure enjoyed the band and beautiful day.

As soon as we got into the car Marley feel asleep. So we decided to head back home and eat lunch in Buellton, which is a little over half way home. Lunch was awesome and I'm glad we headed home because we were all so tired from our fun-filled mini-vacation. Marley feel asleep at 6:00 tonight and I took a little nap on the couch before willing myself up to take a shower and write this post. It's been a wonderful Labor Day Weekend so far. Can't wait to spend the rest of the weekend with Adam and Marley!

A Case of Hoarding

Ever since we moved Marley into her big girl toddler bed she has decided that her bed is for toys, not sleeping. She usually sleeps on the floor by the door...poor thing. But that's her choice. We've tried and tried to clean out her bed each night for sleeping, but the next morning we always find it the exact same way...full of toys (usually the same toys go in the bed each time). Here are a few pictures of what we normally see when we go into her room these days.

She even put daddy's "big hat" in her bed today...along with a broom, ramdom books, a ball and I could go on and on.