A little SF vacation

At the beginning of August, we took a little weekend getaway to San Francisco.  Ayden had been asking all summer when we would get to go to the beach.  He also had a free ticket to Six Flags in Vallejo, so we added that to our trip, too.

 

On Saturday, we drove in to the city and had a picnic lunch overlooking the bay. It was nice and chilly - always a welcome break from the valley heat!

 

It was so foggy, we could barely see the Golden Gate Bridge

After lunch, we headed over to the Exploratorium.  Ayden had fun looking at the different science exhibits!

We had to bribe him to get him to do this!!

 

Elyana was her usual happy self, tagging along in the stroller!

 

A little sibling love outside the Palace of Fine Arts

 After the Exploratorium, we drove to our hotel on the beach in Pacifica.  Ken and I stayed in Pacifica once before and we loved the little area of Rockaway Beach.  There are only a couple hotels, but they are right on the beach! 

Snuggling in the hotel

 After a relaxing morning, we took our lunches out to the beach.  It was freezing cold, of course, but that didn't stop Ayden from getting wet.  Ken said it wasn't that cold once you got used to the water, but Elyana and I just hung out on the blanket and watched!

sandcastles!

My beach blanket buddy

he could have spent all day running from the waves

naptime!

 My mom and her friend, Debbie, joined us for a yummy seafood dinner in Half Moon Bay!

all dressed and ready for dinner

On Monday morning, we got up to drive to Vallejo to spend the day at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom before heading home.

 

This was all the stuff we needed....we were only away for 3 days!  I had forgotten how much extra stuff comes with traveling with a baby!  I can't imagine if we had taken a longer vacation!

 Ayden was so excited to get to Six Flags because he was tall enough to ride on the big roller coasters, as well as his first upside down roller coaster!

Mommy & Ayden hit Roar first.  He didn't like it very much, but says he will try it again "when he is six"

Elyana alternated between playing in the stroller, napping, and hanging out with mommy in the sling.  We are so lucky to have such an easy-going baby to just tag along with us without getting fussy!

The Boomerang was Ayden's first upside down roller coaster!  He says he didn't actually like it that much, but has said he wants to try it again next time.....maybe he liked it a little?

 So ended our little weekend getaway...it was a great way to end the summer before heading back to work & school!



More Summer Fun

Summer sure was busy.....

 

Elyana and her cousin Violet are best friends already!!

 

My big girl sitting up so well!

 

We put the jumperoo together...She can't quite reach the ground, but she loves it anyway!

 

Ayden grabbed his guitar one day and was seranading Elyana

 

Anneke stayed with us for about a week after the rest of her family left.  We tried out a few fun

pinterest ideas, including these bubble snakes

 

We also went swimming  at one of Ken's coworker's house

 

 

Ken set up the slip n slide and little pool in the front yard for Ayden and some of the neighborhood kids.  They had one last splash for the summer!

 

 

Fun with the Family

John, Sarah, Gerret & Anneke flew out from Texas for a visit and to meet Elyana for the first time!  Ayden was so happy to have attention from so many people!

 

Swimming with Gerret in the backyard

a little cuddle time

 

Uncle John helping to build a trio block barn

 

Gerret had a little snooze on the couch

 One of the days they were at our house, we drove to Vallejo and took the ferry into San Francisco.  We walked around Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, and Ghiradelli Square. 

The cousins on the ferry

 

Gerret and Anneke loved holding Elyana!

A delicious meal at Pier 39!

 

Elyana was great!  She alternated between hanging out in her stroller and in the sling, snoozing here and there, but mostly just looking around

We visited the arcade museum

Ayden took a ride on the second story of the carousel

Elyana's Baptism

We celebrated Elyana's baptism on July 22nd.  We were lucky enough to be able to schedule it while the Boers were here visiting!  It was a wonderful service and we had a nice lunch at our house afterward with the family!

 

Such a proud big brother

Grandma Newton with her grandchildren

We got a big family picture (minus Dee and Daniel)

with Pastor Mike

Elyana and her godparents, Unce Matthew & Aunt Dominique

Gerret and Ayden goofing off after church

Our famly

Three Months Old

Our little sweet pea....

At three months old, you are laughing and smiling more and more.  You are still a very mellow and easy baby and sleep great at night, usually about 11-12 hours.  You take 3 naps a day that are anywhere between 45 minutes and 2 hours long, plus a little catnap from about 6:30-7:00 pm. You sleep the best in your bed, but will take naps in your car seat too, if we are out.  Your big brother loves you so much.  You laugh at him sometimes, but squint your eyes and "brace yourself" when he comes in for a kiss.  You are still a cuddle bug and will curl up in anyone's arms!  You like to play with the dangling toys on your play mat, bouncer, or rocking chair.  You have started sitting in the "bumbo" type seat to watch us in the kitchen and join us at the dinner table.

Fourth of July

We got up early to get all ready for our annual Neighborhood parade! 

Elyana was all ready to celebrate too !

Ayden and Zachary led the parade of kids

sidewalk chalk + bubble = a big mess!

 Elyana was all tired out from the morning festivities!

After a relaxing day and burgers on the grill for dinner, we headed to a local park to do sparklers and watch the fireworks with a bunch of neighbors.