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.

It's Yoga Time

I told my mom that I've been doing some yoga stretches and poses with Marley. She wasn't all that into it, especially the mommy and me yoga class we went to with a friend. I think she had more fun chasing the cat in the backyard than actually doing the yoga moves. However, my mom sent Marley her own yoga gear in the mail and Marley loved it! I think it inspired her because she can do lots of yoga poses now. She especially loves when I get my yoga mat out too and we do it together. Here are some funny pictures of her with her yoga gear.

Here she is on my yoga mat...

Check out the head band, belt and weights. Not sure where the water bottle is, but we've got one of those too!

"The Arm Band"

A few weeks ago Marley discovered Adam's Texas Football Magazine and started taking it to the potty with her to read while she was doing her business.

That alone is hilarious, but then as she was looking at the pictures in the magazine she couldn't get enough of the football player's arm bands (or wrist bands). So I thought it would be fun to make her a toilet paper arm band while she was sitting on the potty...(you can only read so many books before you move on to more creative things to pass the time)! She thought that was so cool and every time she went potty she asked for the arm band. Adam and Marley had some fun with the arm band one Saturday morning when she asked daddy to make her one. He got really creative and actually taped it on her wrist to wear around the house. It was too cute and so funny!

Marley was so proud of her new arm band! She liked posing for the pictures as you can see.

So this went on for a few weeks and yes she was still obsessed with the arm band. One evening I left Marley with Adam so I could go get my hair cut. When I got home that evening Marley and Adam were playing on the couch with her new, real arm band! Adam took her to Sports Authority and bought her a pair of white Nike wrist bands...which are arm bands for Marley's little arms. It was the cutiest thing I've ever seen. What a sweet daughter/daddy moment in my mind. So here's a couple pictures of the "new" arm band. Thank goodness we won't be wasting any more toilet paper on these things. :)

Adam was trying to get her to do the football picture pose in this one. It worked pretty good. Made me laugh.

The Black's Visit to Santa Barbara

I was so excited about my good friend Betsy coming to visit our new home here in Santa Barbara. It was so good to see her and the entire family - Jared, William and baby Henry. They stayed from Thursday to Monday and we jam packed the entire vacation with lots of kid-friendly activities. The weather was still a bit foggy and gloomy the first day when we hit the beach. But I think the kids still had fun, as did we.

That night we ate dinner at El Torito...very good Mexican food and margaritas! Here are some pictures from after our dinner outside the restaurant and across the street on the beach.

The next day we decided to visit the Santa Barbara Zoo, which was probably my favorite day. The kids loved the animals, train ride and our picnic, but their favorite was the kid park where they got to slide down the hill. We probably should have gone straight to the park instead of leaving this for last. Maybe next time!

On Saturday night we decided to eat close by at Kahuna Grill...they have some great hamburgers and fries! Marley really enjoyed her dinner that night.

And after dinner the kids played with the ball in the courtyard and we all met some new friends.

On Sunday we decided to explore the Sea Center on the Wharf and enjoy some fish & chips on the water. I think the kids were a bit tired that day...we were all ready for naps that afternoon! Here are some of my favorite shots from this adventure.

Petting the sharks!

As the trip came to a close we tried to get some cute shots of the kids together. I love the one where they are all trying to escape. It was a wonderful time and I hope we can do it again one day.

Marley's 1st Dentist Visit

Yesterday I took Marley to her first dentist appointment to see Dr. Ruby (a pediatric dentist). First of all, this dentist office was so cool. They have a reception area with lots of toys of course, but they also have a separate toy room in the back with all kinds of great stuff. And Marley got so excited when she saw the two pet dogs hanging out as well. She yelled "bow wows" when she saw them. It was funny.

When we got into the room I had to lay on the dentist chair and hold her in my arms. She was a little apprehensive about sitting in that big chair all by herself. Then the sweet hygienist showed Marley all her tools and let her touch them. Marley started getting a little scared when she told her she was going to brush her teeth. She didn't want any part of that! But I figured that's why we were there, so I told the hygienist to go ahead and try. Once she pried her mouth open and started brushing with the strawberry "toothpaste", Marley did really good. Then she put some strawberry fluoride on next and she did great with that too. She was so excited the hard part was over and got lots of stickers and a pink balloon. Later the dentist came in and he was wearing a tie-died t-shirt and jeans and was fun and goofy with her. She really liked him. By the end of our conversation Marley had taken off her sweater and shoes and was making herself comfortable. It was hilarious!

Before we left she played in the cool playroom and then we got her prize and a picture to remember her first visit to their office. I think she'll be ok with going back there in 6 months. I guess we'll see!

Summer Solstice Parade

Today we experienced the greatness of the Summer Solstice Parade in Santa Barabara. I was told this is a "must do" event each year and they were right. We had the best time! Claudia was in town visiting and I can't think of a better guest to have join us for this arts event. We were all mesmerized by the extravagant floats, costumes, singing and dancing. Marley just sat back and enjoyed every minute of the 2 hour parade. I couldn't believe she lasted that long. However, she was wiped out when we got home and we couldn't get her to wake up. I'm thinking tonight might be a long night if she sleeps all evening!

My friend Terri put out chairs the day before and reserved our spots...THANK YOU Terri! I couldn't imagine standing the entire time, not to mention we had great seats right up front. It was so much fun hanging out with our new friends and spending time with Gran.

The weather was beautiful and even a little hot for Santa Barbara. It was just perfect. Can't wait for next year's event! Here are some more pics from that day.

My new friend Terri!