Trip to California- Sept 2014

We spent much of the second and third weeks of September visiting Andrew's family in California. It was wonderful to spend time with his parents and his sister and her husband (who happens to be an amazing photographer- thanks for every nice picture in this post, Stan!)  Because it was uncharacteristically hot the week we were there, we spent much of our time hanging around the house, but that didn't stop Samantha from having lots of fun!

Blowing out fake birthday candles on her tea pastries.  Christine taught her what the Happy Birthday song is and she wanted to sing it to everyone!

Oh and she loved this hula hoop!

And playing with her Aunt Christine!

On Saturday we headed off to the Santa Barbara Zoo.  We were hoping for some cooler temperatures, and basically the zoo is S's favorite right now. Here are some pre-zoo snacks.

And a little pre-zoo nap.  S loves that doggie.

With daddy at the zoo. Don't let that grumpy face fool you.  

Showing Grandpa the "duckies."

And watching the penguins and other animals with Aunt Christine.

We pushed the stroller all around the zoo, and Samantha insisted on walking most of the way.

Checking out the giraffes with daddy and Aunt Christine.

Oooh and she loved the lions!

After the zoo, we headed to a fun little seaside place, Padaro Beach Grill, for lunch.  S ate sweet potato fries.

And then played in the huge sandbox they had.  Definitely a family friendly place!

S always loves stories with Daddy.

Here's Aunt Christine trying to provoke Samantha :)  She definitely lets you know if she does not want to do something.

It was so hot, we needed to cool Samantha off somehow.  Andrew had the wonderful idea of making a make-shift water table, and S loved it!

Playing with one of Andrew and Christine's old toys.

And she loved the new music toy that Andrew's mom brought her (just as she did in February.)

Almost a cuddle.

Being chased by Grandpa.

And a very concerned reading of The Little Engine that Could.

Ice cream with Aunt Christine.

And a beautiful sunset picture over Grandma and Grandpa's neighborhood.  At least it was a tad cooler at night so we could take a walk.

Trying to put on mommy's chapstick.

On Sunday morning we tried to go to the playground. We only lasted a little while before it was just too unbearably hot.  That didn't mean that S didn't have some fun, though.

Samantha is obsessed with "Itsy Bitsy Spider"

"More, More, More!"

And some family photos

And the only way we got her to sit still- Sesame street music videos on in front of her.

After dropping Christine and Stan off at the airport, we swung by Santa Monica to have dinner with Kim and Dave and Alex and Ulysses.  So fun to see old friends!

On Monday Grandma, Samantha and I headed to the mall to try to find some air conditioning.  While all the other kids climbed in the play area.  S sat with us or on the hippo and ate snack.  She is definitely a little timid when lots of other kids are running and climbing on play structures.

Push-ups with Daddy!

And on Tuesday, Grandma, Samantha and I again tried to find a cool spot to play (did I mention it was in the high 90s every day we were there???).  We found an indoor play place in Thousand Oaks that was just up Samantha's alley.

All she kept saying here was "Daddy."  She knows her daddy plays the guitar!

Grandma and Grandpa, thanks for having us!  It was wonderful to see you both and Aunt Christine and Uncle Stan!