Newport Beach

For our real family vacation this year we took a trip with GG to Newport Beach, California. We traveled to a few different beaches, our hotel had some neat activities, had a birthday party for Brigitte, and got to go to Knott's Berry Farm!

The girls loved Knott's Berry Farm we decided to for go Disneyland because we are going to Disney World in December. Brigitte made her first stage appearance by helping Lucy go fishing. There weren't a ton of rides for the girls to ride but enough and they seemed to really enjoy it. Their favorite ride of course was a real life stage coach with real horses! Even got to talk to real cowboys!

Birthday's birthday was right in the middle of our vacation. All she requested was a frozen doll and a purple cake which of course she got both. She was very happy when she realized she got more presents too.

Gabriel and I went on a kayak adventure for two hours in the ocean. I told him 2 hours was a very long time but he said we would be fine! Well we had a lovely time going out and seeing all the different boats...however coming back going against the wind and waves was a little more challenging! We did see a real seal taking a nap on a boat. The pictures aren't that great because he wasn't moving by the time we got close enough he was tired and not moving. 

 So apparently people use there boats as storage units ...

 Here is a video of us getting up to the seal

We had a fun time on all the beaches! We built sand castles, body surfed, and looked for sea shells in the dark!

 And we couldn't leave Balboa Island without getting a frozen banana!

 Look at all those curls!!!

Here are just a few videos for your viewing pleasure!

Chicago

Gabriel had a show in Chicago the beginning of August and wanted us to tag along with him. So he took 2 days off and we went up early to have a mini vacation and then he worked 2 1/2 days. We have decided that we want to go back to Chicago soon just not with small children and not when it is so hot. There is plenty to do but not a whole lot for our little girls at this age.

The days that Gabriel had off we hit up a very small LEGOLAND that wasn't really worth it but the girls had fun....

We did some stuff at Navy Pier and of course swam a lot!

Then when daddy had to go to work I took them to Shedd Aquarium which they enjoyed but still a little young to really enjoy it! Unless the fish/animal was really moving we weren't stopping! I think most of the time they were more interested in the Ipad things that told you about the fish!

 Our "half way" point for lunch wars this fun little diner where apparently the corn dog was invented!

 The first night there we went to LegoLand....it was not very big and unless your kids LOVE legos I would not take them to this one.

 The famous Chicago pizza

 Our view of downtown from our window at Embassy Suites (my favorite hotel!) Brigitte just loved sitting on the ledge and looking out the window.

Chicago sky line with my girls!

  Got to play at Navy Pier

 Playing at the aquarium...

A Little Bit of July

August is almost gone but I think July went a little faster! On the 4th Gabriel and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary! Where has that time gone? On the 27th our little Violet celebrated her 2nd birthday.

For our anniversary Gabriel surprised me with a night getaway at a Bed and Breakfast in Branson. I had no idea and he stole me away pretty early in the morning so I don't have too many pictures of the girls on the 4th but we did get to watch them a little at the famous Kiddie Land in Pittsburg. It is just a very small amusement park with little kids. They had a blast!

GG came and spent a few days with us. We just got to hang out, went shopping, and the zoo! We have a small zoo here in Hutchinson that doesn't have much but the girls love it. Here we are on the train that was actually working when we went!!! The girls were very excited!

 

Then it was this little girls birthday!

Brigitte had a very hard time with Violet's birthday! But she survived! Violet's favorite present was the talking Olaf! I really wish we had a recording of her face! I hope I don't forget it she was just so excited.

 

Our tiny little 2 year old! We still have trouble getting her to eat and gaining weight but she will always eat cake!

 



Summer Has Begun

Sadly enough we started the summer with my Grandpa passing away. It was a bit of a shock to all of us but he was 89 almost 90, and went fairly quickly so I couldn't have asked for it any other way. 

Gabriel was on a business trip the week of his funeral so just the girls and I went. We got to spend lots of time with family and some we probably won't see for awhile!

So here are a few pictures of my grandpa while serving in the Navy that I had never seen until the funeral. He had them all stashed away and now looking at all of pictures of even from when he was young I have so many questions. We grew up with 11 siblings and now only his youngest sister survives! I did get to talk to her about what it was like growing up and that was really interesting! I really wish I would have found these pictures before he passed!

 We got to spend some time with Uncle Travis...he didn't get to stay long but we still had fun!

 And of course we can't go to California without having Chinese! We don't have any good Chinese here so Chinese is always a must when we go out of town!

 Violet approves too!

To kick off the summer in Hutch the library puts on this carnival type day...We braved the crowds and still had lots of fun. There wasn't much to do for toddlers but we liked watching other people. Brigitte got to play on a real firetruck, we got out hands painted, made rocket ships, and even helped paint a picture!