my beach bum.

This girl.

This girl right here.

She LOVES the beach.  I mean, who doesn't, right?!  But babies are generally known for hating nature in all it's forms (ie - grass, water, sand, wind) so I was kind of expecting a lot of kicking and screaming.

Well, I got the kicking.  This girl was all about having sand in between her toes and made some pretty impressive footprints on the beach.  She also tried kicking me when I picked her up... girl's got an attitude.

I have a video that I'll post eventually.  For now you can see a couple clips from it here http://instagram.com/p/oMS41YIhzr/

We also went on a little walk to Balboa Pier for a bal-bar and a sticker for her suitcase.

And we decided that she needed a hat.

We had to get back to the beach house to feed the goose-baby, so there was no time for riding the Ferris wheel... But that doesn't mean we couldn't snap a quick pic so she has something to look forward to on our next trip!

the beach house.

My Papou has a house in Newport Beach.  It's beautiful, right on the boardwalk, and has the BEST water-pressure in the showers!!  We've been coming her for summer vacations for a very long time.  And it really is the best way to visit the beach.  Right now, I'm lying in bed with the windows open just enough to feel the ocean breeze and hear the waves.  There's also a seagull out there, not too peaceful, but at least he can't get in here to peck at my blankets looking for food!  

This is Ruthe's first official trip to the beach.  So far she's loved it!!  But we haven't put her in the sand yet... 

She has, taken a nap in the California sun:

Done some people-watching with the Old Man at the boardwalk:

Hit-up the mall for some California "souvenirs" (also known as toys and clothes):

Gone out to dinner in the harbor (boats not pictured):

Our plan is to take her down to the water later today... let's hope she loves it!!

Mother's Day, with a baby.

Last year I was miserably pregnant for Mother's Day.  And I had to speak in church.  Did I mention I was fat and pregnant?!  I think all moms who are prego for Mother's Day should get a do-over after the baby's born.  It's only fair.

Anyway, this year was much more fun!!  It might have had a lot to do with the sweet, smiling baby that woke me up, or possibly that her dad changed her diaper.  Either way, I fully enjoyed having my little family all together!!

All of the other pictures we took for Mother's Day are on a "real" camera, so I'll have to add them in later.

My mom's parents were in town on Saturday, because my awesome aunt planned a whole weekend trip for them!  So we got to have dinner with them on Saturday.  Ruthe loves when we spend time with lot so family because she pretty much never gets put down.  I just love that she has so many people to love her (and entertain her so I can eat!!)

Then on Sunday, we got up and ready and headed to church.  John LOVES taking the baby to church.  It's the cutest thing.  The worst part of the day was that John had to head back to Utah because school started that Monday.  So when we got home from church we took a few quick family pictures and then he packed up and headed out.  

For dinner on Sunday we went out with my Papou.  I tried to make a reservation at Brio, but the only time they had available for 6 people was at 8pm... That's our bedtime!!  So instead I just called at about 2:30 to put our name on the waiting list (it was two and an half hours long!)  That was definitely the way to go, because when we checked-in a little before 5 our table was ready in ten minutes!  

Overall it was a great first Mother's Day!  Now I just have to figure out what to do for John on Father's Day...