A trip to the beach... in February???

We decided to pack up and head to the coast for the day with some good friends. We hadn't been to the beach since a few months after Kara was born and I'm not sure we actually made it on to the beach then. Needless to say, it was time to take the girls.

First, it was time for a little lunch. Mmmm! String cheese and "bologna" sandwiches (I think she just loves to say the word because every sandwich is bologna to her!)

Next Daddy took Maiya down to the water to run around and play fetch, so all the kids needed to go.

The girls loved the freedom and space to be able to run all over the place.

After running a few laps between the Daddies and Mommies, they settled in for some digging and playing with the sand... or at least getting sand in every imaginable crack and crevice.
Hmmm. What to do? Finish the cookie or dig in the sand?!?!?

Man that cookie lasted forever.

Ah, yes. Three of my faves.

Jana had a wonderful time digging in the sand, "building sand castles", rolling in the sand, and just enjoying every moment out there.

Emma and Jana were so funny. They spent most of the day, side by side digging, filling buckets and emptying them. Ah, simple pleasures!





Silly self-portrait.
Did I mention how Jana loved to dig?!?!


Jana decided she needed to wear her summer clothes. I was glad I could talk her into a long-sleeve shirt under the tank top. Emma, however, was bundled up - it is, in fact, still February.
A little family pic before heading home with two tired girls...



And one extremely pooped pup (who refused to let go of the Chuck It)

Who knew the coast would be this nice in the middle of February! I'm not sure it's this nice most summer days! :-)

Jana's 4th B-day

We have had a great day! We had a quiet morning of cleaning and getting ready for the party. Then we headed to the pool for a little swimming with baby Q. Unfortunately we had to wait because the pool was full, so cut it a little close. Gramps and Glenna were in our driveway when we arrived, and the girls were just getting out of the tub when people started to arrive. Oops!

Here is Jana seeing her cake for the first time. How great is that face??? Talk about pure joy!
Posing with her cake.

Mama was able to get her baby fix as we had both Quenton and Ethan celebrating with us. They were due on the same day, but Ethan ended up being about three weeks earlier than Quenton, but Quenton definitely has him on size! :-)

Ari and Auntie Sarah having a little story time. Ari seems to be a big fan of Mickey as well.


Jana decided it was time for a Tinkerbell visit.

Then the present opening started and she had to wear her Fancy Nancy outfit!
Kara started to whine because she wanted presents and to dress up. Jana was amazing and told Kara she could wear her Sleeping Beauty costume. Wow! That was a first! It kind of eased the moment.

I'm still wondering how I ended up with such girly girls! Our Divas!
Okay, so I got fancy too!

Jana got quite a treat and surprise. She's been stealing Kara's quilt, but Grandma made her one for birthday. Even better was that Grandma found Fancy Nancy fabric. Can you find the trend yet?!?!

Then it was a little snuggle and story time.

This made Mama proud! While she likes being fancy, Kara Mae still loves her trains and cars!
Ari was all about the ride on toys tonight!


Then Snow White made an appearance as well! She sure loves her dress up and thanks to Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles, now she has quite a selection!
Snow White dancing.
And then it was cake time!

Blowing out the candles.

My sweet girl!
A little family picture!


But was the cake as good as it looked? Please notice the pre-sugar face on Jana. I think she could have gone to sleep right then.
Kara wasn't sure about the cake, but ate all her ice cream.
Jana LOVED the cake and couldn't get enough of the fondant balls.
Emma did her part as well.
Jana and Emma munching away!

Ari was all for it as well! So yes, it was just as yummy as it looked!

I hope Auntie Meg doesn't hate me for putting up this pic, but I loved it. I think the attempt was to make baby Q laugh, but I think it worked on Uncle D instead! :-)

And finally, our imp, Kara Mae.

What a ham!
And as we winded down toward bed time (and as the sugar highs wore off), the favorite presents were the books. Here's Jana snuggled in with Gramps and Glenna.
Then it was Grandma and Grandpa's turn.

Well, okay. Maybe as Jana slowed down. If we ever wondered who the family clown is, not anymore!