Life off the Farm: Trip to California

Here's a very long and very overdue post:

At the end of the summer, the girls and I took a trip to visit family in California. The hardest part of the trip was saying goodbye to this guy. He spent the week with his Grand Maman and Grand Papa camping, having lots of fun, and getting lots of attention.

Audrey walked him to the car and buckled him up with tears... Wow, they do love each other.

Day 1

Off to California...

First stop at Coffee Bean and the carousal. Thanks Lidia for picking us up from the airport and getting our trip off to a great start.

The next stop, was dinner at my dad's house

Adeline loved saying hi to my dad's birds.

She also loved the fountain

Audrey managed spill purple bubbles all over Adeline right before we left for the evening.

Next, we headed to my mom's house where we stayed during the Cali week. My sister, 'Chung, and their daughter Eleanor came down from San Fran during our visit. Audrey loved seeing her cousin.

They managed to get into the dress up stuff and cupboards right away.

Day 2

We got to visit our first home on Paddison Farm.

It was a great morning reminiscing and seeing wonderful people.

Seeing Margaret, our beloved landlord and honorary grandma

Rigor, who can fix, grow, or build anything

Adeline loved the ducks

Audrey loved the feathers

And I loved the figs!

We also got to see our dear friend Julie and her family that day, but no pictures were taken.

Day 3

Started the day waking up Gogo and cuddling with her

Adeline enjoyed reading at the table

We went to see the Grant family minus Kevin. It is always fun to be together and see how fast we have multiplied and how fast the kids have grown.

Back at my dad's house, we enjoyed another yummy dinner and lots of passion fruit!

The girls love playing in the fire pit

And saying hi to the birds again

What a cute niece!

Day 4- Divide and Conquer

Before heading out for two separate but equally fun days.

My little sister, Lauren (who flew in the night before) and mom took Audrey to Disneyland. Adeline, Lidia, and I took off for a 12 hour day of fun.

Disneyland

Aunite Lauren and Audrey at D-land

Seeing Rupunzel was a hit

She was thrilled that the Princesses all made eye contact with her and blew her a kiss.

Audrey managed to meet a boy and they hung out going on several rides together.

Meanwhile, Lidia, Adeline, and I had a girl's fun day planned. First, we went to the Original Pancake House for a late breakfast (Adeline's second breakfast). Lidia was impressed just how much this girl could eat.

We went to the LA Arboretum.

It was deceivingly hot and Adeline's rosy cheeks proved it.

Next we hit up some Intelligentsia coffee- my first and maybe new favorite, then headed off to COH to visit my former workstead. We visited the unit and I knew I would still be there if it wasn't for the move. It felt like home despite the change of many staff members.

We visited the gardens for a snack and to let traffic die down a little.

Trying to take a selfie

We enjoyed some Wahoo's for a late dinner, then headed to the Lab in search for a new dress (since Adeline's blow-out poop got all over mine)- the only mishap of the day.

Adeline was amazing the whole day- slept during drives, no fusses, ate well, was so flexible and pleasant to be around- she just pooped all over me, but at least it was at the end of the day!

As I drove home (back to my mom's) after dropping Lidia off at her sister's house in Garden Grove, I got to watch the Disneyland fireworks- it was beautiful, brought back lots of memories, and was exciting to know Audrey was there enjoying it at that moment.

Audrey got home about 45 minutes after Adeline and I. Falling asleep in the car is a very rare occurrence for her, so this was precious to see! She played hard and enjoyed every minute of it.

Thanks Gogo and Auntie Lauren for spoiling her for the day!

I was pretty sure that she would sleep in in the morning, but that was not the case... she was ready to play Ariel with her new toys bright and early the next morning...that's my daughter.

Auntie Lauren got her a Rapunzel dress and hair (from Costco) and Audrey hardly took it off afterwards.

Day 5- My Dad's Day

We spent the day at my dad's house and the park nearby. John and Mary Ann (Eric's dad and step-mom) joined us for the afternoon and dinner.

She loved the window just her size

Hanging out under the desk with an iphone- what could be more fun?

John and Mary Ann with their Lapointe granddaughters

The dad's talking shop- home improvements for old homes, I think.

Adeline actually took her first steps that day!

There were four grandparents that proudly witnessed the event.

Adeline Rose and her Aunties

After John and Mary Ann left to make the long drive home (thanks for making the trek to Orange County!), we headed to the park again for some more swing/sand time.

Day 6- My Mom's Day

We enjoyed a leisurely morning and then a steady flow of visitors- thanks to all the family and friends that came by to say hello!

Baby in a basket

Lunch with my cousins

My sweet niece

Hanging out with our dear friend Kate, her beau, Kevin and Lidia. Kate, Lidia, and my sister Rahime were all on the mission trip to Romania in 2000 the led to start off my relationship with Eric. They will always be so dear to me!

Lauren and her nieces

Lauren's dear friend Roz from Elementary school years

Roz's beautiful daughters

Adeline thought this was an awesome highchair- so much freedom!

The best place to play

Meanwhile, Elliott was back from camping with his grandparents and Eric had him for the weekend. They had tons of fun- Orioles game, metro ride to the DC Zoo, and lots of one-on-one daddy time. I don't think he missed us girls too much.

Back in California... here are some sleeping beauties:

Day 7- Our Last full day

Adeline woke up up with a crusty nose- seems to be a pattern for the last day of vacation and day before we travel home.

We took it easy in the morning and started the packing process.

Then, headed to have lunch with my dad on his lunch break right before Lauren flow back home.

After nap time, we went to Lake Mission Viejo with my dad and Arlene, Rahime, Eleanor, and our friend Cami. We knew Cami from our Biola days. She remains our favorite babysitter of all time! We originally meet Cami when she was a member of the Biola Associated Government which Eric advised. It is always wonderful to see Cami and I felt extra blessed that this meeting worked out since she moved to Washington weeks later. Thanks Cami taking the time to see us!