Leaving on a Jet Plane

All our bags are packed, we're ready to go...

We are going back to Cali to Cali

It's always a pleasure going home to CA. Here are a few things Lilly and I did during our short stay.

Oakland Zoo

My first time to the zoo that I can remember was attending San Diego Zoo, the colossal of zoos. And might I add, very exhausting hiking steep hills especially when pregnant! So going to the Oakland Zoo was a refreshing walk in the park.

The best part for Lillian was being able to walk around not confounded to the stroller.

Lilly loved the train. She would point to it every time it drove by us at the park and even at Oma's house.

Oma's toy/play heaven

The coveted doll stroller

Lilly loved the doll stroller and even enjoyed riding around in it. It was definitely a tug a war between Tilly and her. Learning to share is always a great and tough lesson especially for Lilly, an only child.

Niles Train Station and Library Story time

It was nice of Kim and the kids to come down and visit for a couple days. More the merrier!! Jess, Britt, Kim, all the kids in tow, and I went to story time at the library, did a crazy fast Hokey Pokey (the aged cassette tape had seen better days), and released energy by running a muck at the train station

Coloring time post story time

Meal times

Pink frosted chocolate cupcakes, Yummmmm!

Lilly loved eating at the table with other kids!!! She felt so included and felt just like a big girl attempting a go with the fork.

Restaurant Fiasco

Every time we made an appearance at any restaurant, there was always quite a mess to be cleaned post meal. Hey, as long as the kids are happy!

Oma entertaining the girls with a "book."

"How about a slippery nipple on the beach. Yummm! Mmm Better just make it a brewskie."

Full for a long winters nap

Newark Library story time and Park

Lilly's legs work too good just to sit still, so she was up and down out of her seat, and in and out of the room. The playground was just her speed!

Jess-a-Dans House

"Hey baby. Going my way?"

Thumbs up for faster/Thumbs down for slower and NO changing of speed if the correct hand signals are NOT used! :)

We had a great time and are looking forward to our next visit. Hopefully we can squeeze in a little more in next time. We love you fam and miss you already!

She Doesn't Stop

We go to the park several times a week because WHO doesn't like swings and slides!!? Lilly does enjoy those things but prefers to walk around and at times will leave the park. What can I say...my girl loves to move- Daughter like Daddy.

ICE: "As in eskimos and igloos and ICE!"

We heard about this amazing ice sculpture display at the Gaylord Palms Resort so we had to witness it for ourselves.

Isn't this the cutest face ever!

Bundle up! It's freezing inside. They give guests blue parka jackets to wear because the exhibit is so cold.

Mouse sleeping in a tea cup

The ice sculptures were larger than life size! The theme this year was Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Keep moving or you freeze.

Ice Nativity

The Gaylord palms was amazing! I can't get enough of the holiday spirit even in the month of January! Lilly had a great time. Lillian's favorite part of the entire evening were the escalators. She would turn around to get a running start to hop on the rising staircase. She had dismounting descending stairs down!

E.T. Phone Home

Our Diva

Lilly loves to begin each day by emptying her bookshelf. At times I find her half way thru the bookshelf legs up in the air looking out the back to see what books fell behind. "And that is a crazy lady."

"Do I really have to clean this mess?"

Lilly loves books. She even enjoys them as she walks. My favorite thing she does lately, besides twirls in circles and snorts like a piglet, is handing me a book or two or three at times and then sits on my lap for story time.

Just like Mommy! Most important: accessories!!!!!!! Sparkling handbag, check

Pink Disney handbag, check

I bought some rubbery stick ons from the best store ever, Target! The dollar table has me wrapped around its finger. I put the stick ons on our glass sliding door for Lilly to play with. Lilly cleaned house as fast as I put them up. She got the takedown perfectly...now just to get her to put them back up again :)

I leave Lilly unattended for 2 min and walk back into the living room to find that she has climbed up on to the couch and turned on the TV!

By the end of the day she crashes and most reluctantly has recruited Daddy.

Twirling Lilly style