Spring Break

We spent four days exploring Central California for our Spring Break and was amazed with the beauty! I almost felt like I was in the French countryside, with the vineyards and green hills plus the ocean! It was so pretty. Our first stop was San Louis Obispo. We arrived in the evening and after eating some amazing bbq we explored downtown on a perfect 65 degree evening. We played in fountains and saw the mission and cathedral there. It's a beautiful city--I guess that's why all the nomads who don't shave their armpits live there? We were the minority amongst the hippies, but hey we like the earth, too.

We made a quick stop at Morro Rock, which was covered in fog, and then continued on to Hearst Castle. It was breathtaking! Some how we were really lucky and Clara slept in the baby carrier the entire 40 minute tour! Kate loved it, Gwen had a hard time with the "don't touch anything" rule, but was a pretty good sport. The grounds were beautiful, and the girls favorite part was the indoor pool of gold, literally. Imagine tiling your pool with 22 carat gold tiles! 

After the castle we stopped at Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery, where thousands of seals lay on the beach. This time of year they are molting their skin. The girls loved watching them play, sleep and swim.

Our next stop was Solvang, a charming dutch town. We stayed there for two nights and loved the quaint streets filled with bakeries and pretty flowers.

A few highlights from our stay in Solvang: world famous Aebleskivers that put smiles on the girls faces, a one day old miniature horse (the cutest!), a playground full of gingerbread houses, visiting bookstores and tea parties with dolls at the hotel with Kate's newly purchased tea set.

We hiked nojoqui falls with a tired Clara crying most of the way, but beautiful scenary and a slow trickle of a waterfall due to our drought in California.

We ended our trip visiting a ranch we have dreams of taking a trip to one day.

March

Spring is here! We love what is growing in our garden. These roses smell amazing and it's such a treat to have one in the bathroom.

Kate got this wooden basket from her great grandma GG and saved it all year to plant flowers in. Turned out beautiful! She's also excited about her peppermint she planted.

I love sticking this girl in the kitchen sink while I'm doing dishes. Poor third child was only getting bathed about once a week. Now that she's eating food I've got to step it up! It also helps now that she can sit up in the bath and loves to splash around.

We're not sure what this tree it. Looks like cherry blossoms? I've been going rollerblading on Saturday mornings, pushing Clara in the stroller and Kate comes along on her bike. She loves riding by this tree and admiring the pink flowers. Isn't it beautiful!?

Bananas from our tree! Takes them awhile to ripen but are so delicious. We're guessing they are apple-bananas because of their apple-y taste.

Saturdays in the pool with dad are always a treat.

St. Patrick's Day! It doesn't take much to make this an exciting day for kids. Leprechauns left a little mess and some lucky charms. We had corned beef and cabbage for the first time at our "Ireland themed" dinner. Irish tea cake with green sprinkles for dessert. Kate gave a little speech on Irish fairies and leprechauns based on what she read in her "Magic Treehouse: Leprechauns in the Late Winter" book and watched Irish dancing on youtube. There may have been some tears due to unmet expectations of the Irish dancing lesson (Gwen) but overall it was a fun evening!

Kate and Gwen were having a fashion show in the backyard with some friends and I tried to have a photo shoot with Clara. They jumped in. She's so fun to take pictures of.

Some friends hosted a baking night and taught us how to make Parisian Macaroons. They were so tasty and I'm excited to try making them on my own!

We attended the Christening of our nephew and cousin, Ryland. Isn't he so cute! It was on charming Balboa Island on a gorgeous afternoon. 

Cousins Sarah and Kate.

Kate won mini-golf with her teacher from her jogathon prize day. She was so excited! She's had a great year in first grade and has loved Mrs. O. We're so proud of her! She loves reading and says it's her #1 hobby. I can't get library books fast enough for her. What a dream! Will this keep up? I hope so.

We had a "family fun day" trip to the mission San Juan Capistrano. The 200 year old grounds were so charming. The girls loved the audio tour and feeding koi fish. I loved the smell of the orange blossoms from the trees in the gardens. Probably my favorite scent of all time.