Beach Fun

We always make sure to spend some time at the beach while in California. This time we took a drive to the coast and stopped at one beach and stayed awhile. David chased the seagulls and the waves chased him. He laughed and squealed in delight. As soon as we left he started talking about going to " 'nother beach" So after some other stops we wet up to a beach farther up the coast. We stayed there and watched the sunset. It was a beautiful day on the coast.

Box House

I remember making houses out of cardboard boxes when I was a little girl and having so much fun playing in them. On day my Dad brought an appliance box back from work for David. We cut windows and a door into it. He loved playing in there and making Aunt Missa's dog Tizzy play in it with him.

San Luis Obispo Farmers Market

We always enjoy visiting other Farmers Markets while traveling. It is especially fun to go to the winter markets in California. This time of year there are some amazing and exotic fruits available. There is an abundance of citrus, and avocados. Some of my favorite unique fruits are tropical flavored pineapple guavas and tangy deep red blood oranges.

The Farmers Market on Thursday evenings in San Luis Obispo is quite an event. The street is closed off for several blocks. There are lots of food stands and lots of produce. On the street corners there is music and juggling. And the street is packed with people. It is always great fun to go visit it.

With a Goat

One of Melissa's goats had a kid while we were visiting. So of course David enjoyed petting her and helping to bottle feed her!

Baking Cookies

David loved making cookies with Grandma. It was so fun to see him rolling out the dough and cutting out cookies.

Family Picture

Little Cowboy

Uncle Jonathan

Playing blocks with Uncle Jonathan.

Great Grandpa

It was special to get to go out to lunch on day with my Grandpa Nick. We all enjoyed that very much. I am so glad that David has a chance to know him at least a little bit. It makes me sad to be so far away from him not knowing how much longer he will be here.

Shopping

We went shopping with my Mom several times while visiting. One of her favorite stores is Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's has the cutest mini shopping carts. David loved feeling grown up pushing his own cart and putting items in it.

Cousins

While in California David also had the opportunity to play with his cousins and his cousins, cousins several times. He had such a great time with all of them. These pictures were taken one Sunday after church.

Cousins- David, Justus, and Katie

Justus W. pushing David, Ben, and Katie in the wagon.

David, Ben, and Katie

Justus K. Pulling the wagon

Justus K. and Justus W. pulling and pushing the wagon

Monarch Butterflies

We took a drive down to Pismo Beach while in California. There is a grove of eucalyptus trees where thousands of Monarch butterflies overwinter. It was a little chilly the day we went so the butterflies weren't flying around much, but after we were there for awhile the sun came out and a few began fluttering around. It was very interesting. The guide explained how they fly down from the northern United States and Canada in one generation, but it takes four generations to make it back up north. All the Monarchs west of the Rockies migrate to Southern California and the ones east of the Rockies go to Mexico. It was amazing to see the large clusters of them up in the trees. David was even able to see them and enjoy them as well.

Solvang Adventure

My Mom, Melissa, David, and I all took a drive down to Solvang last week. Solvang is a cute Danish village on the central coast Of California. We enjoyed walking around and exploring all the little shops. We went in a sock shop filled with cute and fun socks, a hat shop and tried on hats, and an adorable children's shop where David tried on hats. We also went to the 99 cent fabric store. They have bolts of leftover fabric all for 99 cents a yard. It is a bit messy and random, but if you look there are some good finds. They also have formal dresses for $6. We also stopped at a bakery and got some delicious pastries and coffee.

Looking down one of the cute streets.


David had a great time seeing all the sights.

David in a wooden shoe.

David trying on hats.

Eating our pastries. This was Davids favorite part.

Jumping in the Leaves

David has enjoyed his time at Grandma and Grandpa's. It was so much fun to rake their leaves into a pile and then Jump into them!

Pretty Bottles

Raking Leaves