Sunshine!

Isn't this adorable? Last week, before Yammy left to go home on the big errrplane, we took advantage of a beautiful morning and hit the shores of La Jolla for a picnic. What a day. We'll remember it as a respite from the rain and colds (the ones in our heads and chests, not the temperature) that have since revisited us all. Mom, we hope you are feeling better soon! We love you!

Here's a funny comparison...similar photos taken six months apart!

Getaway!

Refreshed and recharged. I feel great after an incredible four day getaway with Christopher & without the kids! Christopher's birthday was Friday, so my parents very generously flew into town to hang out with Millie & Si for the weekend so C & I could escape for a bit. We chose our favorite February weekend spot...Pebble Beach in Monterey. We love to watch the Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament (this combines two of our favorite hobbies: golf & celebrities). Just like the old days, we road tripped up the breathtaking Pacific Coast Highway. We saw an old friend, enjoyed long dinners together, caught a movie, stalked Justin Timberlake and Peyton Manning and just had a great time together.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch things weren't so rosy. Millie caught a stomach bug, so Yammy & Poppa were up to their necks in pedialyte, saltine crackers and loads of laundry (you can fill in the other details). And my mom caught the nasty cold that we all had last week. Whoa. We are extra thankful for all they did to allow us this time together.

The 17th Green (Phil Mickelson is standing in the middle, all in black)

Thursday Morning Movies

Now I'm starting to feel a little bit embarrassed about my parenting routines. But I swear, this is a fun one for all of us. On the Thursday mornings that I can get my act together, we all load up for a trip down to one of the Navy bases nearby that offers FREE kids movies at their rec center. The best part of this (other than the free part), is that we almost always have the entire theatre to ourselves. So, just like my mom used to do, I pop some popcorn and pack up the snacks and we settle in for some Shrek/WallE/ShrekIII/Fly Me To the Moon/Madagascar. Simon can scream, Millie can dance around, I can eat coke and popcorn at nine in the morning...pure luxury.

Sometimes Simon gets to take a nap, too. Ok, don't judge...he's on two blankets AND carpeting!

After the movie we hit the playground on the way home. See...there's some exercise in this outing!

Lego Land!

Last week we got an amazing visit from Sybil & Greg, friends and neighbors from our DC days. I can't explain how good it felt to welcome friends from a past life into our new one. On Thursday we fulfilled Sybil's childhood dream and took a trip to Lego Land. It was awesome. Millie loved 'pushing buttons' and riding the rides. I loved seeing 'Mini Land'...major cities created entirely of legos. Thanks for a wonderful visit, Greg and Sybil!

Millie is in front of the Inauguration at the Capitol. Yes...it's all legos!

She got her face painted!

Proof that Simon was with us...see him all tucked in back there?