Balboa Island Vacation

We just returned from our week-long 'staycation' on Balboa Island.  We had such a blast living on the island for a week.  It was an ideal spot for the girls at this age because there was lots to do and it only took us 30 minutes to get there (with a ton of stuff)!!  We spent most of our time cruising around the island, boating, visiting the beach and penninsula, and just hanging out with family.  My parents and my brother and his girlfriend stayed with us in a giant red house on Garnet street.  It was a couple houses from the beach and we met some great people next door with a little girl named Addi, who Grace played with every day.  Mike's family joined us for a few adventures as well.  A very memorable and nice week for our family!  I did not take as many pics as I would have liked, but here are the best....

Walking to starbucks one morning

Cami....gearing up for a bay cruise

Day 1, Grace checking out the porch

The girls loved boating, especially Grace of course

Jeff, his girlfriend Jolene & Papa...in our rental house

My attempt at getting a cute picture of the girls on the beach

A heavy load for mommy :)

Cami did not like the life vest that practically consumed her.  Grandma & Papa tried to cheer her up.

Grace and her new friend Addi, first thing in the morning.   

Daddy and Cami cakes.

Riding the ferry home after a fun outing with Aunt Ashley.

9 Months Old

Yeah, Cami is 9 months old!

She is standing all the time, sometimes unassisted now, but no steps on her own yet.  I still think she's going to walk before her 1st birthday.  She points at people a lot and waves.  The only thing she says is "Da da" but it's not always directed at Mike.  She drinks about 3 bottles a day and eats baby food and small bits of food.  She has two front bottom teeth and I don't feel any others yet.  She wears size 12 months clothes and 3 diapers.  She is still a total sweetie, always smiling and having a good time, rarely unhappy.  Naps are still pretty short twice a day, but she sleeps 7 am - 7 pm at night.  She adores Grace, Daddy and Rosco and loves meeting new people.

More Summer Fun...In our Backyard

We've been enjoying all this hot weather by spending lots of time in the water.  We're at the pool at least 2 days a week for Grace's swim lessons and we have some water toys set-up in the backyard.  It's supposed to be scorching this holiday weekend.  We're looking forward to a couple of parties and having fun together as a family. Grace is off to Grandma and Papa's today for a sleepover.

Summer is Here!!

Getting ready for G's upcoming dance recital this weekend

Separation anxiety has officially set in

Baking cupcakes for G's last day of school....today

Enjoying the backyard and good weather

Needlepointing with Nana

3 Years Later...

Grace 10 months, Cami almost 9 months

Graduation

Daddy graduated from UCI's MBA program today!  We are sooooo proud of him for this incredible achievement and are happy to have more time with him now.  It's been a crazy three years, but he did it (with two babies!!) and today we celebrated big time :)

8 Months Old...

...and ready to GOOOOOOOOO!  Our sweet 8-month old is officially off and running (well, crawling).  During the last week she started crawling and standing while holding onto something.  We've entered a new phase and although it's a tricky one, I'm happy to see my little baby grow.  Cami is having a ball exploring the house and we need to get those baby gates out of the garage and into our house pronto.  I have a feeling she will be walking within 2 months, unlike her sister, who was exactly 12 months old.  She went to the doctor this week for a check-up due to a nasty cold and I found out she weighs 20 pounds!  She is eating like a champ and is still as smiley as ever but I think we have some new teeth comingin because she seems to be in pain at times.  She has two bottom teeth and waves hi.  No words yet, but I had a very vivid dream that her first word will be "dada" just like Grace.

We went to the Aquarium of the Pacific yesterday with Grandma and Papa.  Grace and Papa took off exploring and Grandma and Cami and I were not far behind.  It was such a pretty day to check out all the exciting marine life.  We've taken Grace twice before but she didn't remember it too well so it was fun seeing through her eyes again like it was her first time.  Cami loved 'talking' to the fish.  Thanks Grandma and Papa for a great day!  Tonight they are taking Grace for a sleepover.  Mike is out of town finishing his MBA closing residential and we can't wait to have daddy back tomorrow.  Next week is graduation, yaaaahhhhhhh!!!!