CAMPING!!

This was our first camping trip with Ella and the first time to join the annual playgroup trip. We have been missing all the fun. We got to our campsite Friday afternoon, and got ourselves settled. The camp ground was awesome we had a picnic table, a fire pit, bathrooms close by and even showers, so we didn't have to ruff it to much. After we set up camp we went to visit with our fellow campers for a while. Ella enjoyed going into every ones tents and checking them out. Someone brought a small child size tent that was a big hit with the kids. At one point Ella and her good buddy My went in and a little while later Miss My came out with her clothes off. We're not sure what happened in there, but it was pretty funny!

That night we had our first camp fire and cooked turkey dogs and smart dogs for dinner. Accompanied with a few wine spritzers, and after that it was time for smores YUM!! The first nights sleep was a little ruff for me. First off it was cold! Then our air mattress had a hole so half way through the night it deflated. Not so comfortable, needless to say Troy and Ella slept great, I didn't sleep much at all. 

Saturday morning I dragged my self out of the tent, a little grouchy from lack of sleep, but the fresh air, a cup of fresh pressed coffee, and a big campfire breakfast (of chicken sausage, potatoes and scrambled eggs) woke me right up. After breakfast a group of us decided to go on a little 1/4 mile hike with the kids. It was a great adventure, along the way the kids found big caterpillars, saw two beautiful horses, and lots of different plants and flowers. All was good until we realized that we must have taken a wrong turn, and our 1.4 mile hike turned into about a 4 mile hike. We did a little dance when we got back to our camp site. 

The fun continued that evening with margaritas and a Mexican potluck dinner with all the campers. Then it was time for snores again, camping just isn't camping without smores. One of our friends brought over some delicious vanilla marshmallows from T.J.'s. I have never had such a gooey delicious smore in my life. Must get these marshmallow for the next trip! Ella and I crashed out about 9 p.m and this time I slept much better, yeah for sleep!

Sunday morning we had a light breakfast, and packed everything up. After we left we drove into Julian and stopped for a late breakfast and a stroll around the town. It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend. I forgot how much I enjoy camping. It was so nice to just get away from everything and slow down. 

When we got home I asked Ella what was her favorite part about camping. Here are her response:

"Eating"

"Sleeping"

    "the horses and finding Cinderella's house" 

( I forgot to mention that on our hike Ella told us that we were in Cinderella's forest and we were looking for her and her house. We came upon a little shack at the top of the hill and I told her we found Cinderella's house. She was very happy!)

And of course her other favorite thing about camping was being with Ava and Maya!

Dad's Birthday

Daddy Doober (as Ella calls him) spent his birthday at the U.S. open with his Dad. I think this was probably one of his best birthdays. They had V.I.P. tickets, so this meant that they got free drinks and food all day. They were in Heaven. Meanwhile, Ella anxiously awaited the birthday boys arrival at home so she could have cake. I lost count of how many times she asked me "we have cake now Mommy?". As soon as they walk in the door she yelled "yeah we have cake now!". We did a delicious wheat free cherries jubilee from T.J.'s. Then Daddy opened his presents and much to her surprise there were a few little presents from Nanny and Papa in one. She was so happy, she said "look Mommy it's for me, for my birthday too!".  Since then she asks me almost everyday if it is her birthday yet. How do you explain time to a 21/2 year old? 

Cousins

Ella had a blast with her cousins exploring San Diego this past week. We went to Sea world for the first time. Her favorite parts were the sharks, the dolphins, touching the star fish, and of course the Bay of Play. As we were on the Elmo airplanes ride she kept shouting "weee this is Hun(fun)!!" over and over with the biggest smile on her face. She also enjoyed the Penguins, and was lucky enough to take home a stuffed Penguin of her own.

 We spent a lot of time down at Mission

 Bay. We swam in the pool, built sand castles at the bay, played miniature golf, crochet, and of course just had fun hanging out it the hotel room jumping on the beds. It was like a mini vacation for us right here at home.

We had so much fun, and I am missing having my Nephews around to entertain my little bundle of energy. 

Grandma and Grandpa Mac

We had a great weekend with "grandpa and grandpa Mac" as Miss El calls them. To start Ella received a beautiful, handmade quilt from Grandma for her big girl bed. She loves it, and I can't wait to put together her big girl room .

Grandma Mac and I went to the Aubrey Rose Tea room, as a thank you for taking the time to make Ella's quilt. We had a lovely time together, and left buzzed on tea and stuffed full of mini sandwiches, yummy desserts, and delicious scones. Then, being the wonderful Grandparents that they are, they watched Miss El so Troy and I could have a date night. What a treat, this doesn't happen very often for us. We went to the movies and then had a great dinner in La Mesa. It was a wonderful weekend, thank you 'Grandpa and Grandpa Mac', we love you!