Vacation 2010

We had a wonderful surprise vacation.

Jim planned it, and Sevyn and I didn't know where we were going until we got to the gate. Nope, didn't even know where we were going at the ticket counter, he was cryptic. We ended up in San Diego, which was awesome.

We flew out on Wednesday morning. By the time we got to San Diego, Sevyn was in desperate need of a nap. We checked in to our hotel, which was AWESOME, a bit early and laid Sevyn down for a nap.

That afternoon, we went walking on the beach, saw a bunch of seals laid up on rocks, and played in the grass. Sevyn had a great time stretching her legs and running around.

That evening we went to a great Mexican food restaurant, that we stumbled upon. Probably some of the best mexican food I have ever had, and most people know how much I LOVE Mexican food.

While we were having dinner, (and Sevyn was on the verge of a meltdown) we saw Phil Mickleson walk in. Jim did a walk around just to be sure. I googled his hometown and apparently he was born in San Diego, so maybe he was visiting family on the holiday weekend.

On Thursday morning, we went to Legoland! It was awesome!! I really enjoyed our time there. Sevyn had a lot of fun running around the park.

They had an area called Minitown USA, and it was all these famous buildings built completely out of legos. It was awesome!

Sevyn enjoyed playing in "Duplotown" but she was so tired by this point that we had to leave pretty quickly. She couldn't even walk straight, and fell several times! Everything in Legoland is truly made of legos, for example . . . this lion! Amazing huh?

Thursday evening, after Sevyn's LONG nap, we went to the Padre's game at Petco Park. It was a beautiful park, and we had a special visit by Friar! Sevyn apparently doesn't enjoy other mascots as much as she does her daddy. I think if Jim would have been in season, and she was accustom to seeing costume characters still, she would have reacted differently. But since she hasn't seen him in costume in a while, or any character, I think she was a little freaked out. That and Friar looks a LOT like a person . . .

Friday morning we went to the Birch Aquarium. This was a good opportunity to see some of the pacific marine life without having to get into the 60 degree water. Sevyn got to touch a starfish . . . she wasn't that impressed, but that was mostly because she wanted to go get her fruit loops in her stroller.

This is what the Kelp Forest looks like. It brought back lots of memories for me, when I got the opportunity to dive the Monterrey Bay Aquarium (Kelp Forest exhibit) back when I was hosting the scuba diving show. The water is unbelievably cold in these exhibits, so I was glad to be on the opposite side of the glass this time! Its beautiful though, no matter what side you are on!

Friday afternoon/evening, we spent the day sightseeing. We visitied Hotel de Coronado (its famous), the town of Cornoado, which was decorated for the 4th of July. We played in a large park with a great playgound, and gazebo. Sevyn enjoyed just running around.

Hey Boys! HA, she is such a poser!!

We also went to Point Loma which is a beautiful lookout point, that overseas San Diego, near the military base. As we drove there we passed thousands of military grave stones lined in straight rows. It was beautiful, but sad at the same time, especially, when you consider that this is 4th of July weekend.

Before we went back to the hotel we played on the beach some more. Sevyn really fell in love with playing in the sand. Up until now she hasn't cared for it much, but she really loved pouring it on her toes and mine!

Overall it was a WONDERFUL trip. We really enjoyed our trip, and had a great time. Sevyn was a challenge on the flight home. But I think mostly she was eager to get home.

I guess there was one other thing that we learned . . . Sevyn is allergic to Strawberries. She completely broke out in a full body rash, it took most of the trip to go away. At least we know now!

Jim did a GREAT job planning our vacation. Surprises can be stressful for me because I like to be the "planner" but sometimes it is just GREAT not to have to plan! I am so thankful for a husband that will take the initiative and plan a vacation for us!

Fossil Rim & Family

Sevyn LOVES her accessories! Hats, sunglasses, jewelry, shoes . . . you name it she loves to wear it!

We took a day trip to Fossil Rim and had a lot of fun. The ostrich was pretty agressive. He actually pecked on our windshield for about 45 seconds! Jim had to throw food out the side of the car to get him to move!

This giraffe was ENORMOUS. Probably 15-18 foot tall. His knees (do they have knees?) came up to the car window!

Here's the pesky Ostrich that wouldn't get out from in front of our car!

The mid-way point where we had a picnic lunch and looked out of Fossil Rim.

The zebra started off fun! HOWEVER, they became more and more agressive. They bit Jim's hand, and the steering wheel! I stopped feeding them, Jim kept on. And yes, Sevyn was sitting on the Arm rest of the car. We were going only 5-7 mph, so we figured it was ok!

Sevyn also took her turn driving the car. She definitely loved sitting in daddy's lap!

Family photo. See the sucker in Sevyn's hand, she didn't put it down the ENTIRE 3 hour tour!

Aunt Michelle came and stayed with us a few days in May. We had a great time visiting with her, and Sevyn loved playing with her as well.

We recently went to Beaumont to visit Jim's family. We had a wonderful weekend trip. Sevyn loves her grandparents.

Pool, Garden and Swimwear

Sevyn's first trip into the pool this summer was impromptu at best! We stripped on the side of the pool, and let her go in with just a diaper on. The water was only 74 degrees so she was cold, and didn't last very long.

Waste deep . . . and heading out!

I just love this picture. You can see how much they look alike, especially in the eyes! Sevyn just loves her daddy!

Watering the flowerbeds at Grandma's house is a LOT of fun. Sevyn also watered the sidewalk too!

We played in the water sprinklers. That was a lot of fun. Sevyn wasn't so sure about it, but took a few passes through the water.

We have been having lots of fun lately.

While I was getting my computer fixed at Apple, Jim and Sevyn did some shopping . . . kinda. I found them posing in the store window as mannequins.

Sevyn found her pink boots in her drawer. She loves putting them on and walking around although they are several sizes too big!

We had dinner at La Hacienda . . .which I loved! While we were waiting for our table we took an the time to take a few fun pics with Sevyn.

During our meal Sevyn was really enjoying her Mexican rice, beans and enchiladas! Can you tell?

She is getting pretty good at feeding herself with utensils, its still a mess but at least 30% of her meal actually makes it in her lap!

At the Dallas Maverick's playoff watch party! LET'S GO MAVS!

We have been working in our backyard, specifically our flower beds and deweeding. Sevyn has tried to help out several times, but mostly she just likes to wear the gloves (I call it accessorizing.) She isn't much into digging in the dirt, although she doesn't mind sitting in it. We have found though that doing garden work is so much easier without Sevyn (the pool is too tempting for her.)

Bathtime has been so much fun! We play with lots of toys and splash, splash, splash. Sevyn is also learning to blow bubbles . . . most of the time she ends up swallowing the water but sometimes it works just right.

We just love this pic. Sevyn's blue eyes and long eye lashes are some of our favorite features!

But mostly we laugh a lot!! Her toothy grin melts my heart . . . oh and two of her molars just broke through today too!

Easter & 15 Month Appointment!

Sorry for the late posts. I was trying to upload pics a while ago but my computer has been on the fritz! It is fixed now so here ya go!

Our second easter egg hunt. We went with Aunt Shelly and Cousin's Brady and Emily to their school easter egg hunt. Sevyn got her face painted for the first time. She did really good at sitting still.

While waiting for the Easter Egg hunt we visited with some ponies. She loved them!

Ready, Set, Go!

At her 3rd easter egg hunt at Grandma's and Papa's. "I found eggs!"

Family Easter photo.

"I found a big one!"

LADYBUG!

Sevyn went to the doctor for her 15 month appointment. She weighed in at a WHOPPING 19.0 lbs!!! She is ranked in the 5th percentile. She did grow some, she is now 30 inches and in the 25th percentile in height. As you can tell, she pretty small.

She got a couple of shots at her appointment. Her daddy said she handled them pretty well, as she always does!

Sevyn says quite a bit, although she rarely says them on command. Here's a brief list of her words: Mama, Mommy, Dada, Night Night, Nana (Banana), Pretty, Blue, Pink, Yellow, Red, Yucky, Oh Wow, Uh Oh, Yes, No, Bubble, Easy (our dog's name,) baby, lala (her baby dolls name.) We working on Mavs and De-fense but we may not master that one until next season! I am sure there are more, but that gives you an idea of her ever expanding vocabulary.

She is VERY good at communicating exactly what she wants. She is quick to wave you off and tell you no, if she doesn't like what you are giving her. A good example of that is when I offered her cheerios, and she waved her hands at me and said no. Then I offered her fruit loops and she shakes her head yes and bangs on her chair. She is very decisive . . . sometimes too decisive.

Sevyn is also good at communicating with you that she is tired, hungry, pooped in her pants . . . all the necessities! I am very happy with the way she is communicating. Jim and I have always made a point to talk to her like an adult, we don't baby talk. I feel like it has increased her understanding, vocabulary, and speaking skills . . . or maybe we just have a brilliant kid, I don't know, but it all seems to be working.

She LOVES her baby dolls. Its amazing the built-in mothering instinct little girls have. She finds her baby and wraps it in a blanket, feeds it a baby bottle, brushes its teeth (after she has brushed her own - which she loves,) puts the baby in the swing, car seat, anything to love and "mother" the baby. I have NEVER made a point to show her to do that, she just started doing it, which amazes me even more! There are those times when she has a lapse of judgement and sticks her baby under the seat of her car, and sits on it . . . but I am sure those things will be worked out in time!

Mostly though, Sevyn is a MONKEY!!! That is probably one of the funniest things about her. She climbs everything. She falls a LOT but still climbs everything. She has climbed high chairs, the couch, the pack-n-play, the crib, you name it she climbs it. She also loves to do flips. I think we may have a gymnast on our hands . . . and I couldn't be happier about that. (Classes start at 18 months for her at a real gymnastic academy, and I can't wait!)

Our little girl is growing up fast! I am so excited to watch her continue to grow and learn new things daily.