california calling, pt. 1.

We took our first trip as a family of four last month, and despite a weary plane ride, it was a joy. I don't know if it's just being out of Brooklyn, or if California really is a golden land of happiness and sunshine, but we all enjoyed ourselves. No one more than Lil, of course. Our first stop was Santa Cruz, where we surprised Uncle Jeremy, Josie and Liam (Aunt Sarah knew we were coming). Daddy has footage of how we completely shocked Josie, and I hope to swipe in from him soon enough. In the mean time, I have some amazing photos that I didn't take (Dada had camera duty this trip), all ready to share. I honestly cannot share them all at once because they are so beautiful I might just slap someone. So we'll do little bites.

Lil became a sand worshiper

queuing up for Lil's first amusement park ride, Bulgy the Whale

with cousin Josie on the flying dragons

riding again with Mama

happy dance for sprinkle time

girls gleefully getting sprinkled upon in the garden

the wet look

I just caaaaaann't with this girl.

(And thank you to Eban for capturing Lil's loveliness... and you even got one or two decent shots of her mama too, which we know can be a challenge!)

kitchen adventures

On our visit to Scottsdale, Lil and Cousin Liam got a little exercise destroying a kitchen. No worries, it's a model apartment and contained no dangerous items like knives or rolling pins.

Also, this afforded Mama and opportunity to experience life with two babies, something we will be getting more familiar with soon enough.

family tree branch.

Here are some of Lil's blood relatives from Mama's side. Have fun searching for resemblances and stuff. Please note: the one relative whose picture is missing is GranMary. I look for a resemblance there almost daily. Trust me, it does exist.

 

Lil and Mama

Cousin Liam and Uncle Jeremy (Mama's brother)

Cousin Josie

Cousin Liam and Aunt Sarah (Uncle Jeremy's wife)

Lil with Princess Cousin Josie

Cousin Princess Josie, Lil, and Granpa Gary (Mama's papa)

Mama and Cousin Josie (Mama's niece)

Lil and Cousin Liam

...and Lil and Papa (Lil's other branch)

video tuesday: how to cook humpback whale

In preparing for our visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium, Josie figured it was a good idea to show Lil how to cook up some delicious humpback whale. It's no easy task for a baby Lil's size, so Josie handled the big whales, and left the little ones to Lil. 

My favorite part (right before Josie's priceless startled expression) "you CRACK them and then they squirt in to the bucket!" And something about the fish guts coming out. So lovely, Josie.

caLILfornia, part 3: bundled at the beach

the west coast

 The day after Thanksgiving was the lowest tide of the year. We headed down to this beach just passed Davenport, Scotts Creek. Funny it's called Scotts Creek. I think it could be compared to the cliffs of Dover, but that's not Scottish. Scotts Creek probably got its name from the founder of Bonny Doon, a Scotsman by the name of John Burns. You can just imagine him coming down the hill after a long day of logging to sit on the beach, smoke a joint, and bathe in the frigid water. We just went down to check out some tide pools, breathe in the ocean breeze (wind), and drink in the scenery.

my beautiful niece mixes animal motifs

hand knit and snug as a bug

Lil and I did not ford the creek to the tide pools. The water was a little fast, and Mama was wearing her new boots from Snipe, which the salesman said were waterproof (twice... but they're not). Regardless, I wasn't willing to risk it. They're made with naturally dyed leather, and who knows what would happen to that juicy ruby red. Instead we just twirled around on the beach, ran up to the water, then away from the surf, watched Grandpa Gary fly his kite, and waved at strangers.

twirling girls

From time to time, I looked out at the horizon, and admired the sea cliffs in a haze of ocean spray, or just watched my family enjoy the chilly beach afternoon. I couldn't help but think that GranMary must've visited this same beach with Josie as a baby, maybe Lil's age, maybe a bit older. And I felt grateful knowing the same piece of paradise, the same slice of heaven, there with Lil.

And to be sure, GranMary knew we were there, too.

westward expansion continued

this gorgeous day in Northern Cali finds us heading to the Monterey Aquarium to visit some fishes and sea creatures with Cousin Josie and baby Liam. No one could be more excited than Papa, though! He's anxious to spy on some cephlopods. Lil and cousin Jos agreed to wear pretty dresses and leggings. Josie's dressed in a bold floral, while Lil is keeping her city girl vibe in a black and white frou-frou frock. These two girls are sure to get more attention that any of the aquatic beauties in the Seymour Center.

liamazing

Cousin Liam sports a specially styled coiff and demonstrates the essential northern California layered look- baby legs under short pants, and a polo shirt over a onesie. Anything else would be un-Californian.

lilLiam

Thanksgiving was lots of fun. We had babies, turkey, pie, and veg. And teething. But the fun in Santa Cruz continues, and while the babes are napping, I thought I would put up a mini post. For those of you who are not my facebook friends, here is a little gem from the Cali Cousins Convention. I believe Lil and Liam have picked up where the Super Committee left off, so fear not. Medicare and Social Security may be saved after all.

We will have lots more pictures once we have uploading capabilities. For now though, we're stuck with some crappy cell phone pics.

Enjoy your black Friday!