We just got back from 5 wonderful days in San Diego. It was so good to get away from the craziness that is our life. The first day we went to Coronado Island. The weather was beautiful, the
sand was golden and the ocean was...well, it was freezing but the kids didn't care. Mia LOVED the sea. She giggled the whole time. Ellie got right in there and got thrown around by the waves and loved every minute of it. She also thought it was fun to chase her Mom around with nasty seaweed. Me, not so much.

On Sunday we visited the Old Town area of San Diego and went to the Mormon Battalion site. It was awesome-very high tech. Mia was the only kid who volunteered to dress like a soldier (she was the littlest one too). The host put a water bottle, a satchel and two other things on her. He stopped at the musket which was probably a good thing because I think she would have fallen over. As you can see, she is less than impressed at her outfit (not enough pink in it).

Look Dad! Cardiff by the Sea! We had so much fun there and it was really beautiful. The
homes are super
expensive and for some reason they do not offer a discount to Welsh people. Rude... We spent our last few hours in Cali by taking the girls to the beach. It was overcast and windy but they didn't care. Rod was brave enough to go swimming with them (good Daddy). I, of course, had more sense and put on a sweater, sat on the beach and read. Mia loved the sand and got covered in it (hair, bum, everywhere.)

We went to Sea World for the day on Monday. It was a last minute decision and the girls were soooo excited (we were less than excited when we found out how pricey it was to
get in...) But, it was a lot of fun. The Shamu show was amazing. We sat in the "soak zone" but actually didn't get wet (much to Mia's dismay :) The people in the first few rows got completely soaked. We also went to an acrobatic show which we loved. We went back to the campground EXHAUSTED...please, no more walking!!

Bingo Rocks!

While we were in Panguitch we went to the Social Hall to play Bingo. We hung out with all the grannies and we rocked! I won two games and the girls picked out the prizes. Then, at the risk of the town turning against the outsiders with the winning streak, we left...

FRECKLES :)

Freckle-faced kiddo :) Ellie has been out in the sun so much this year and her cute freckles have EXPLODED! She looks so dang cute!

This is what 3-year olds look like when you take them camping...

Here is the little monster child. Exterior of a Princess...interior of a Tazmanian devil... We had to strip her off just to put her in the car. Next stop...showers!

Hiking in Bryce Canyon National Park

Rod had the bright idea of going hiking in Bryce (not a bad idea you might think. You are clearly forgetting that this is Utah and it was June and therefore hotter outside than you set your oven to make a pot roast). So he says "let's just walk around the rim". I give in. Then he says "let's just walk down here". ("Hmmm..." says I. "Shall I kill him now or later?") Then 30 minutes later we're in the bottom of the canyon, which we were able to walk down when the blazing sun was behind a cloud, but now have to walk up, and all the clouds are gone. Hot. Hot. Hot. Ellie and I complained half the way up, until we realized that Mia, who had whined until Rod picked her up, had fallen asleep in his arms. Now who's wishing we'd stayed in the dang car ? :)

Morning balloon take-offs...awesome!!

Yes, we are still alive and have not been replaced by robots...

At the request of my Dad wanting to see some photos of the girls, I have started this blog. I think he was beginning to get worried that the voice at the end of the phone was a droid that had replaced his daughter and done away with his grandkids. Nope. Still here. Am still hoping to be replaced by a droid, at least between the hours of 9 and 5, Monday through Friday, when meals need to be cooked and when kids are being naughty :)
We spent a few days in Panguitch for the annual balloon festival. An odd mix of small town quaintness with bingo and hot air balloons...and the Harley Davidson bike parade. Strange but fun!