Summer Solstice Fun

Santa Barbara has the best parade for summer solstice every year. There are no motored vehicles and everyone gets VERY creative with costumes. The theme this year was Carnival (from Brazil). Some groups do a great job representing this theme, others....well, I have no idea where they got their ideas, or know what it has to do with Brazil, but it's all entertaining none the less.

Unfortunately Adam came down with a nasty cold (lets hope he's better before this baby arrives!), so he stayed home to rest and Owen and I met up with my Mom, Matt, and some new friends with their 2 year old daughter, Marley, who just moved here from Texas. The sun broke out of the clouds just as the parade started, as it does every year like clock work. It turned out to be a hot sunny day, with lots of laughs. The kids were mesmerized and totally entertained the entire time.

My Mom always remembers to bring water guns to beat the heat, and I think the kids had fun with those too.

Marley got these adorable little butterfly wings at the parade. Not much longer and we will be getting to buy cute stuff like this for our little girl! : )

I love this picture.

The kids also got some confetti eggs (yet another Santa Barbara tradition) and cracked them on top of eachother's heads. I think the adults thought it was funnier than the kids did, but that will change with time!

I think this guy escaped from the Village People.This carrosel was amazing! They did a great job on this float, very impressive!They also had a wheel barrow full of free fresh sweet watermelon that the kids also loved! It was a great idea I hadn't seen during this parade before.

Owen's favorite part was the monkey that came to greet him. I would have been a little freaked out if it was me, but he was really in to it and pretty happy he got to high-five a "real" monkey! ; ) This little girl was an amazing hoola hooper! Owen couldn't stop staring at her and I think she gave him his own little showThis fish's scales were made from recycled cd's. It looked like the Rainbow Fish from Owen's book. Very creative. I think this was part of an Alice in Wonderland theme...not sure (and not sure what it has to do with Carnival, but it made the kids laugh and it was well constructed : )

Adam, Trevah and Marley. (Claudia, sorry we didn't get you in the picture!! You'll have to come back again soon! : )

Happy Birthday Adam!!...Oh, and happy due date to me....

Today was a great day! We decided to take it easy for Adam's birthday this year and just hang out at the beach for a while in Summerland. Owen of course stripped down to his "tiny hiney" and had a blast running around non stop throwing rocks into the ocean.
Adam got to relax and get some much needed sunshine while Owen got to burn off lots of pent up energy, it was great! We have been having "June Gloom" for a while now with overcast days until the late afternoon, and today was the first day we got to wake up to sunshine and it didn't stop all day!! Adam was even greeted by a pod of dolphins shortly after we arrived at the beach : ) You just can't have a bad day after seeing them swim by to say hello.

Katie and Matthew met us at the beach for a while which was nice to catch up with them for a bit.

Adam had been really wanting to go to Stacky's Beachside, so that's where we all ended up for lunch and were not disappointed (though I was so hungry by the time I got there, they could have served me a squirrel sandwich and I would have eaten it!). It's a great little casual beach restaurant that we should really try to go to more often.

Sadly, Adam had to work tonight, but we put chairs out on the street already in preparation for tomorrow's Summer Solstice Parade downtown! This has become a family favorite event. We go every year and it never disappoints! Lots of wacky people, crazy costumes and fun. I am looking forward to tomorrow, and glad that this baby hasn't come yet so I can attend! (though, the night isn't over, and tomorrow is a full moon, which means lots of babies being born due to the gravitational pull of the moon.....we'll see!)

Not Here Yet...

These darling socks from Aunt Joanie are still waiting to be filled with cute pudgy little toes! One day till my due date. I don't think it's going to happen until next week (even though most of Adam's family back east don't believe me :). My Doctor is on vacation until Monday, so I am hoping she hangs in there until he gets back at least. Also, this Saturday is the Summer Solstice Parade and it's a family tradition that we go to this every year. It's always very creative and fun. I keep on making plans and getting my to do list a little shorter every day. I am still working and quite happy to do so.

We are excited knowing that we get to meet our daughter for the first time very soon! I am curious to see what she looks like, what her personality will be, and really hope she is a good sleeper : )

Owen is starting to sense this life change and has become a "Mamas' boy" this week. We have played together a lot more during the day since I am not working at UCSB anymore until the fall. I am getting a lot more hugs, kisses, "I love yous" and wanting to just be near me. He doesn't want to sleep in his bed, he just wants to cuddle up next to me on the floor of his room until he goes to sleep. I am OK with that for now, knowing that he needs the extra comfort. I am loving it to be honest. BUT I am a little worried about how he will handle bed time when Adam is at work and I have a newborn I will have to tend to.... I'll keep you posted on that one!

He still kisses and hugs my belly every day and tells his "baby sister" that he loves her and he wants to take her to the park and the zoo and the beach, etc.... it's really sweet. I am enjoying the last days of having an only child to swaddle with love. The love will not stop of course, but my attention will soon be divided as my heart grows to love yet another little angel who is on her way very soon.

Father's Day

We had a nice day today. It started off with Adam getting his father's day present of a painted canvas from Owen : ) He had fun making it, and I learned how to guide him in the future. One color at a time next time. He's big into "mixing" colors, which is fine, but when black is involved, it doesn't quite look how I had hoped. Regardless, it turned out pretty cool anyway and my artist husband loved it : )
My Mom and David came over for Father's Day breakfast. I (with my help of my Mom who made the home made hash browns) made a filling meal of Huevos Rancheros and blueberry muffins. After relaxing on the couch after our tummies were bursting, my Mom took Owen for a couple of hours so Adam and I could relax and take a nap (since Owen won't take one, that means, we NEVER get them either). It was so nice, and our house was nice and quiet, which is "silent" music to my ears!

I thought my Mom looked beautiful today (as usual) so I had to take this picture to show everyone else : )Since Adam had to work tonight, we decided to pick up Owen early and drive down the harbor to walk around and check out the boats and the breakwater before heading into "Daddy's work." Endless Summer is one of Owen's FAVORITE places to go. Mostly because he gets treated so well. No more than 1 minute passed before someone brought him a bowl of popcorn, a cup of apple juice and a glass with 3 cherries : ) He was in heaven. Then to top it all off, for dinner he had grilled salmon and french fries, with chocolate ice cream for dessert! He left there with a full belly and a big smile!

By the end of the day, on our way to the car, Owen HAD to climb up ths anchor about 100 times before we could leave! He loved it!

Owen's First Movie

I have been wanting to take Owen to the movies for a while now, and today worked out perfectly since I had the day off. Toy Story 3 came out today, so I thought he would enjoy seeing toys come to life, while Adam and I could enjoy the adult humor that was over his head :) He was super excited to go (even though he has never seen Toy Story 1 or 2).

He ate most of the popcorn during the previews (which there were a LOT of) and he sat back wide eyed and watched every second of the film without getting up from his seat from the previews through the credits! He was happy to see Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. He announced to the theater, "Owen has those guys at Nana's house!"The movie was good, and I even had a tear in my eye by the end. Maybe it's hormones....these were cartoons I was crying over after all! Owen had a great time and it was fun watching him enjoy the experience!

Picnic at Rocky Nook Park

We took Katie and Matthew to continue the graduation celebrations at Rocky Nook Park for lunch today. It was a beautiful day to eat outside under the shady trees. Owen got to run around and play. I got to catch up with my niece and nephew one on one without a ton of friends and family surrounding them like at the graduation ceremonies. It was a really nice visit I am glad we made the time to do it. I am hoping to see more of these two this summer before they leave Santa Barbara for school. They still won't be too far, but I know they will be busy.

Graduations!

My niece, Katie, graduated with honors from Santa Barbara High School! She will be starting her freshman year at UCLA this fall. I am SO proud of her and all of her accomplishments! She has had a rough high school career for many reasons, and despite it all, she still works hard, plays hard and shines brighter than ever. Katie is radiant, down to Earth, has a quick wit and sees life clearly. Matthew, my nephew, just graduated with honors from 8th grade at Marymount. He has worked very hard at his young academic career and will be going to a reputable, yet small boarding school, Cate, in Carpinteria in August. He is hoping to become a doctor one day. He was dealt the same hand as Katie, and has overcome his obstacles with grace and confidence. He was awarded the highest honor at Marymount during his graduation ceremony. You can't know him and not love him to bits. I have loved watching these two grow up into such wonderful people. I am proud to be their Aunt and love to brag about them! I wish them both a life full of success, love and utter happiness!!

Snap Happy

OK, so I am at it once again practicing with my camera. Those who read this must think I am obsessed with my son with all the pictures I take! He is my favorite subject to photograph, he is always available, and he is now comfortable with the camera and sort of enjoys having his picture taken. All of those things put together makes it easy to work at my hobby. Anyway, here are my favorites of the day:

Naked Beach Babe

Today was my last day of work at UCSB, Yay!! (Until September that is). While I was slaving over stressed out college students, Adam got to take Owen to the beach for the afternoon. Owen got a few drops of water on his shirt, so he decided to take it off, followed by his pants and then his diaper. Needless to say he spent the rest of the afternoon running around in the buff! He loved every second of it. He was so happy today! When they got home Owen was crashed out in the car for at least another half hour or so. I picked up our sandy boy when he woke up and showered him off to get a sun kissed, soft skinned and clean smelling boy : )

Like Father Like Son

I was on my way to work when I happend to catch this one : ) Adam was standing and eating cereal (a bad habit of mine he probably picked up from me) and Owen wanted to do the same with his little bowl. I thought this was too cute to not post.