Exploring Laguna

This morning we explored some of the beaches on the North side of  Laguna. Still hard to believe we live 15 minutes from here. 

One other picture - Emmy has discovered the dress-up high heels........

Indiana Visit

A lot of excitement last week. On Saturday I flew solo with the girls from the OC to Indy, spent the weekend in Lafayette before flying from Indy to DC. The girls stayed behind to spend time with Mom and Dad. 

Later in the week I flew back to Indiana for a few days before we returned back home on Sunday. We also were able to spend quality time with David, Amy, and Emerson. Oh and I met the Governor of Indiana! 

Meanwhile Darcy spent the week in Boston for work and unpacked with the help of Jody. 

Here are some of the highlights. 

Emmy and Ellie helping Dad in the garden. 

A quick trip back to the old house with Dad. 

A quick trip to DC. 

 Dad on the swings with the Ellie, Emmy and Emerson!

There is an easy joke here about Uncle David's weight but I am going to take the highroad. 

The highlight might have been a trip back into time to the 1750's, also known as the Feast of the Hunters Moon (or Beast of a Hundred Moons as Ellie would say). Every October since 1968 this reenactment has been occurring on the banks of the Wabash River, a few miles from Lafayette, at the site of Fort Ouiatenon. 

The fort was the first fortified European settlement in Indiana. The festival celebrates the annual gathering that would take place between the Native Americans and Europeans, mainly the French. I hadn't been in probably 25 years, I think Ellie enjoyed it. 

Dad talking to a trader from the 1750's. 

On the way back to the OC Emmy had a few meltdowns. 

But on Monday she cleaned up nicely for her school pictures! 

While we were gone Darcy got Ellie a new bike. We have been promising her one for about a year. It is a bit much for my taste but I think she likes it. 

New House!

As of last Thursday we are no longer homeless! Been a busy few days trying to get everything unpacked and organized. 

Thursday we closed on the house and obtained the keys. After picking up the girls at daycare we brought them over to see and explore the new house. 

Ellie wasted no time running upstairs to look at her new room!

Friday at 7:00 am the moving truck arrived with all our stuff. 

By the time the girls got home from daycare everything had been unloaded and we set-up the hammock. 

Tonight we walked down to the neighborhood playground and watched the sun go down. 

As of this posting, here is how the downstairs is shaping up. 

School Begins

Ellie started Jr. Kindergarten this week. Emmy discovered how to wear her backpack. 

So proud of this girl! 

We are told Emmy wears her backpack all day and won't let her teachers take it off. She might even nap with it on! Not sure what we are going to do with this one. 

 

GJ and Boba Visit

Over the weekend Jamie and Bob made the drive up from Phoenix. On Saturday Stacey, David, Connor and Katelyn stopped by on their way to Oceanside. 

On Friday, Child Time had a Hawaiian themed party. Miss Kim, one of the teachers, did some serious face painting! 

On Saturday there was some quality time with the Leshner cousins. The kids did a great job playing together.  

The rest of the time we were able to enjoy our time with Bob and Jamie. 

Bob eyeing Ellie's ice cream!

A hot day at the OC Zoo. 

So nice of Emmy to fall asleep outside like this while the rest of the family was eating lunch at TGIF.  I couldn't move for about 45 minutes.........

Courtyard Gymnastics!