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!)

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.