Mom and I spent the week following Father's Day preparing for our big trip to California. I was really excited to see my family and friends, and couldn't stop talking about it.
When the big day finally came Dad took Mom and I to the airport to help us with our luggage, and give us a proper send-off. We were lucky that he was there to help because it was a lot of work for my poor pregnant Mommy. Too bad it was just the beginning...
At the ticket office Mom tried to purchase a seat for me, but was told that it would be $500 one way, so we crossed our fingers and hoped that no one would be next to us. By the time we boarded our first flight to Texas it was late in the evening and I was starting to wind down. We were blessed with an open middle seat that I got all to myself. It was awesome; dinner, movies, games, I had an amazing flight and was very well behaved! The second flight from Texas took off at 10pm our time and by then I was over exhausted. Mom and I were not so lucky with seat assignments this time as the flight was completely full. We both knew that it was going to be rough. Mom had a window seat and was able to make me a bed with a pillow and the tray table, but her poor belly was aching and I was very uncomfortable. Needless to say, the flight was too long, too warm, and too miserable for both of us and Mom was grateful that we made it to San Diego without going into labor.
Grandma Judy met us at the airport and I was SO excited that I was running around screaming. We made it to her beach house at 12:30am and I wanted to go to the beach RIGHT AWAY! Mom promised that if I went to bed Grandma would take me to the beach first thing in the morning. I woke up at 5am ready to play in the sand, but had to wait for the sun to come up. Once Grandma and I had breakfast she helped me brush my teeth just like a big girl.
Check out my stool (an upside down trashcan), Grandma Judy can be quite resourceful. After I was cleaned up and ready we took off for the beach and spent the WHOLE day playing in the sun and sand. I'm sure the look on my face says enough about how much fun I was having.
After a long day at the beach we went to see Grandma Jensen. On the way we made a pit stop and Mom got me my very first soft serve ice cream cone which I ate all by myself!!!
I spent the rest of the day playing with Grandma Jensen's bird and laughing at my Aunt Cindy. I had only been in San Diego for one day, but had already had SO much fun, that it was hard to believe I still had 2 more weeks ahead of me.
The next morning was Pa's birthday, so early in the morning we headed downtown for the boat. I was thrilled to be at the boat, but even more excited to see Pa. I spent the whole day hanging out with him and visiting all of my favorite downtown hot spots. At Seaport Village I got to hang out with some birdies, and because I was so well behaved got to hold one on my arm.
As everyone knows by now, no trip to Seaport Village is complete without a ride on my favorite carousel.
In the evening we had dinner on the boat with Pa and some friends and family. Pa opened the birthday card I'd picked out for him, and then, with bright eyes, I begged him to let us get to the good part...
He couldn't say no to my smile, so we put a candle on his cake and sang the birthday song:
As much as I enjoyed singing to Pa, I have to say that I loved EATING the cake so much more!!!
Because the following day was the 4th of July, I got to spend the night on the boat. I woke up with a big smile on my face, super excited to have another day with Pa in the harbor.
We had another day filled with family, friends, yummy food, and fun!
I was so tuckered out by all the excitement that I passed out long before the fireworks started. The next day Mom and I drove out to Pa's house. It was great being back in Jamul, and I was really excited to see Bugs and all my other Horse friends. In the afternoon we went over to the Umbargers to see Grandma Jean, Aunt Connie, Uncle Randy, and Uncle Brandon. I had a great time running through the grass, making a big mess, and playing with the dogs.
Grandma Jean made us a yummy dinner- can you tell I ate it by myself???
After dinner I played in the yard and made a second plate of food for Mom to eat. She sure thinks I am a good cook!
Before we left for the evening Uncle Randy took me for a ride in the tractor!!! Talk about another fun day!
In the beginning of the week we stopped over at Miss Lisa's house to say hi to her family. I had lots of fun seeing the boys, but enjoyed running around and holding the kitties the most.
Miss Lisa has a TON of fun animals at her house, and going over there is almost as fun as being at the petting zoo. Here I am helping feed her bunny.
The next day Mom and I got to watch Pa play a baseball game, and afterwards left San Diego and drove to Huntington Beach. On the way up north we stopped at Miss Renee's house to see Brady, Emmy, and their new sister Maddy. While Mom and Miss Renee oohed and aahed over the new baby the rest of us played together.
As fun as it was to play with all Brady and Emmy's amazing toys, my favorite part of our day was playing dress up. As EVERYONE knows I LOVE tutus, and Emmy let me wear one of hers. I felt so pretty, just like a little fairy. I told Mom that my name was Tinkerbell.
Brady and I had fun making big smiley faces at the camera!
Upstairs in Emmy's room the two of us dressed up like princesses. It was my first time playing dress up with a friend, and I loved it!
I had SO much fun with her, and am grateful that she shared all her stuff with me.
Playing at the Stoddard's with my friends was amazing, and LOVED seeing little baby Maddy. I can't wait for Mommy to bring our little baby home soon.
It was night time when we finally made it to Huntington Beach, but I was SO excited to see Jeff and Susan that Mom let me stay up SUPER late! As usual they had there home stocked with food for Mommy and me, and made us feel right at home. I even got some early birthday gifts- my favorite was a new baby. I can feed her, burp her, and even change her diaper. I am going to be a pro by the time my new sister gets here. We spent the entire evening catching up, and I made sure to give plenty of hugs.
Because we had such a busy week planned we were only able to stay for a short time. In the morning Jeff and I hung out on the porch swing together.
I had so much fun seeing Jeff and Susan that I didn't want to leave. I laid down on the bed and refused to get up...
Mom promised that we would see them again soon, but saying goodbye never gets any easier.
That night, on the way home, we stopped by Miss Diane's house to see her new baby Cole. He is only a couple months old, and I had a hard time seeing Mom give him so much attention. I guess I have to get used to that huh??? After playing for a couple hours we drove back to San Diego. In the morning I woke up surprised, but excited, to be at Grandma Judy's. While Mom took care of some errands Grandma Judy and I went to the beach. It was another beautiful day and we had tons of fun playing in the water and jumping the waves.
Afterwards we had to hurry back to the house and clean up for Uncle Ryan and Aunt Liz's wedding rehearsal. Like a big girl, I turned on the faucet all by myself, and cleaned the sand off my feet before I went into Grandma Judy's house.
When I was all "dolled" up Mom and I left for the Chapel. The rehearsal went well, but instead of walking down the aisle I decided to hop like a frog. I could see the look of concern on Mom's face, but assured her that I would do better for the real thing. Afterwards we went to dinner with family and friends to celebrate, and Uncle Ryan and I had some fun.
He dumped a box of snow all over me,
and it was my job to put it all back in the box. I had so much fun with my task that Mom is considering purchasing some "boxes of snow" for our house.
After dinner we picked Daddy up from the airport. I hadn't seen him for over a week and seeing him again put a big smile on my sleepy face. The next day was Ryan and Liz's Wedding. Mom was anxious about my role in the wedding, but I was as cool as a cucumber. We arrived at the chapel in the late afternoon and Grandma Judy brought me the dress she had spent endless hours working on for the past week. It fit like a glove, and everyone marveled over how great it looked!
When my BIG moment finally arrived I completed my task with flying colors. I don't understand why everyone was SO worried about me walking down the aisle, I mean, what's so hard about that?
The ceremony was beautiful and I was really happy for Uncle Ryan and Aunt Liz to FINALLY make it official (I guess they had been together for 12 years!!!). Cocktail hour started and the food rolled out. Dad and I snacked on some chicken skewers, but I had a tough time getting the chicken off...
One of my favorite things about the wedding was being able to spend time with my family. Dad and I laughed with one another as we showed everyone the "hairy eyeball."
As the cocktail hour wore on I entertained the crowd by running up and down the paths laughing.
I definitely DO NOT like to put on a show...
It was nice to spend some time relaxing and joking around with my Mom. She has been so busy and overwhelmed with our move, our travel plans, and preparing for the new baby, that it was great to see her having a good time.
We stuffed ourselves silly at dinner, and when the sun went down the lights came on and we danced the night away- literally...
Both Mom and Dad were impressed by my moves on the dance floor.
We partied with the family until well after 10pm (which is VERY late for me), but I wasn't ready for the fun to end. Mom finally managed to drag Dad and I to the car, but as I fell asleep I was talking about all the fun I'd had.
The next morning I woke up to Mom and Dad singing me Happy Birthday! Can you believe that I just celebrated my 2nd birthday??? Time has gone by SO fast, and life just keeps getting better and better.
We met up with Pa at the boat in the morning and the festivities began!
We had breakfast at the Marriott and I got to eat all my breakfast favorites; eggs, eggs, eggs, and a little bit of fruit.
I even got a "breakfast birthday cake," and everyone in the restaraunt sang me happy birthday.
The day had just begun and was already amazing!
After we finished our food we put on our swim suits and headed for the pool. Dad and I swam with one another, and I even jumped to him from the edge.
We had so much fun in the pool that I didn't want to leave.
When my body finally turned into a prune I gave into Mom's request and went back to the boat for my afternoon birthday celebration.
I opened all sorts of wonderful birthday cards and gifts, but LOVED spending time with my family the most. I was grateful that Mom, Dad, Pa, Grandma Judy, and Grandma Jean were all there to share my specail day with me!!!
Finally, after hours and hours of antcipation, it was time to get my birthday cakes. Yes, cakeS. I informed Mom a couple weeks ago that I wanted 2 cakes since I was going to be 2.
We started off singing with my first one- the show cake, a white cake with balloons and butterflies,
and saved the second for eating and making a mess.
Mom let me eat cake until I couldn't eat anymore.
She was worried that all the sugar would keep me awake, but I passed out quickly from the day's excitement. I woke up in my bedroom on Pa's boat and had fun playing peek-a-boo through the port hole.
We spent the morning packing our suitcases and enjoying our time on Pa's boat. Before we left for the airport I made sure to say big goodbye's to the boat and its captain.
My time in San Diego went by far TOO quickly, but I was greatful to have been able to spend SO much time with my family and friends. The flight back home was one of the worst experiences I have ever had. Poor Mom and Dad were worried that we wouldnt't make it home in one piece, but by some act of God we did.
It was nice to wake up in my own bed, but I missed all my family and friends. Mom says that we won't be traveling anywhere for A LONG TIME, but that soon our house in Ohio will not only be filled with a new baby, but with lots of family and friends coming to visit. I can't to see everyone!!!
This one is Mom's favorite picture (of course we are BOTH wearing tutu's)
The long photo shoot tired Mommy out, so while she took a break to eat I got to pose for the camera by myself. 
Mom and Dad LOVE this shot, but I am sure this will surface in about 15 years and embarrass me...
Mom, Dad, and I have been spending lots of time getting ready for the baby since we got back home from California. It has been a lot of work, but all our rooms are completed, and THANKS to Grandma Joanie I go a whole new bedroom set!!! (if Mommies computer was working I would have some pictures of it to show you...) 
