Girls Morning Out

Jon took Klamath fishing the morning after Easter so Eden and I had the morning all to ourselves. There are actually a lot of things you can do around here without a dog in tow, and Eden & I tried to take full advantage of our time. Mainly, we enjoyed stopping at the swings along the beach trail (illegal with a dog) and leisurely playing in the sand afterward. Then, something I have always wanted to do since moving to San Clemente, Eden and I took a stroll along the San Clemente pier - a first for both of us.

Easter Propper

The day of Easter was a whirlwind but it was fun. I think the most magical moments were those early hours, getting ready for church and having out own easter egg hunt (in the courtyard, as the grass in the back was too wet). Eden had so much fun during this egg hunt, and it was too cute to see her reaction after finding each one.

Morning Egg Hunt

After a nice time at the Wallas

Eden & Easton giving Jon a 'high five'

Picking blueberries at Grammy & Grampy's - certainly a huge highlight in Eden's day

Artichokes & Dollies

Lately we have been having artichokes with dinner and Eden never seems to be able to get enough. She loves scooping the sauce with the leaves then sucking it off. And it is amazing to me how she gets as excited as we do about getting to the heart. Each time she can hardly wait for us to clean it before she just shoves it in her mouth without any sauce or anything.

On another note she is quite enamored with her dollies lately. For a long time we were very strict about only allowing her to sleep with her Curly doll in her crib and one blanket. Now we are up to three blankets and countless dolls. I have no idea how this happened but here we are and somehow I am ok with it.

Here she is saying "all done" & "bye-bye"

Practice Hunting

We did a practice egg hunt for easter in our back yard today and it was surprising how much fun it was and how much Eden really understood the activity at hand. She loved it and we loved seeing her hunt for the eggs and get so excited to put them in the basket and find surprise berries inside some of them. It was all just too sweet.

Earth Day

I guess it is earth day. Who knew? I didn't until I was reminded sometime late in the day. But as it just so happens we tend to celebrate the earth in all its forms every day, probably a bit too much really. On this day we spent a greater portion of the morning at the beach. The tide was low and the rocks were showing which always makes it fun for Eden & Klamath alike. We also spent some time in the garden tending to the plants. There weren't any ripe strawberries or clementines for Eden to eat but I am pretty sure she helped herself to a couple not so ripe ones of each.

Rose from the garden

Our highly anticipated artichoke

Corn & strawberries

Eden & "dolly" at Sano

Snuggly faces

Good Friday

On this good friday we spent another nice afternoon with Eden's cousins and aunt. We decorated easter eggs (Eden's first time) and had a nice dinner. Unfortunately, Max is not pictured here but I have to say that he is Eden's latest obsession. Recently Eden & Max got to spend two afternoons in a row together, just the two of them, and ever since then I have been hearing a lot about Max. And it is hard to say whether it is sincere love and adoration for Max or just the fact that she really enjoys saying his name. But I told her Max & Tara would be over when she woke up from her nap and all she could say the rest of the afternoon was "Max, Max". After they all left and I was putting her to bed she continued to ask for Max and gestured that there was a spot for him in her bed.

Waiting for cousins to come play

Eden's first dip

Her first egg, not a good picture but its the only one I got

Eden more than a little concerned about the dye on her hands

Tic

We had a very traumatic morning today...while snuggling with Eden and Klamath in bed this morning, I found a tic under his ear. Originally I thought it was a dreadlock, until I realized it was really squishy & too soft to be a ball of fur, then I thought it might be a big skin tag, so I turned on the light to get a closer look and was horrified to find the tic. Of course Jon is at work until Saturday morning so I had to deal with it myself without any moral support whatsoever. I wanted to vomit.

First I got on my stompin boots, just in case...

Then I corralled Eden in a safe place

Here is my target

Got it, grose...

Seaworld

We went to Seaworld again yesterday, this time with Mimmi, Auntie Tracy, Tara, & Max. We had a lot of fun as usual. Eden loves hanging out with her cousins, Mimmi and Auntie so she was in heaven all day.

Waiting to get into the dolphin show

Looking at the beluga whales

Eden & Max waiting for Mimmi & Tara to come around on their ride.

Max's 1st Birthday

It was cousin Max's first birthday on Thursday, so we decked the courtyard out and had a big birthday bash for him. Eden was as wound up as I have ever seen her and it was all around a great night.

Max & his mom Tracy

Eden being naughty on the bouncehouse

Opening presents

Back to the Beach

As much as we love the mountains, I think that we all may love the beach just a little bit more, perhaps it is because it's where we feel most comfortable. We spent the morning after returning from the Sierras down at Sano, and Eden seemed very much at home.

Strawberry Shortcake

My friend Anne posted something on her blog about making strawberry shortcake the other day, ever since then I have not been able to get the idea of it out of my mind. Whether it is my pregnant hormones or just my obsessive personality, today I finally broke down and made some. I made the biscuits from a recipe I have been wanting to try by the Ramos House (a local restaurant) and I have to say it was all pretty much everything I dreamed it would be. I wonder if Jon will be mad when he finds out his girls had strawberry shortcake for dinner.

Day 4

On Day 4 we headed home. On our way home we stopped by Alabama Hills and I got to climb a little for the first time since injuring my ankle. We did some super easy stuff, but it was really fun and nice to be on rock again. Eden tried a little too and seemed to have a lot of fun.

First stop was Schatts bakery. We thought it might be fun to take a pic with Eden in the car. Eden did not think it was fun.

Eden inspecting her first piece of climbing gear.

Eden getting all rigged up.

On toprope. I think this climb was rated 5.3

Eden diggin' the wildflowers

Eden practicing her climbing skills

Eden loved this cave, plus Klamath's snarly face is irresistible.

These baby cows were too cute. We tried to get close enough to pet them but they wouldn't have any of it.

Mt Whitney in the background to the right.

Beat up from a long trip, both the babes are out.