Last Hurrah at Malibu Beach

The view at Malibu beach

L-O-V-I-N' the Choo-Choo at the park

Uncle Jeff is just the best at this!!!

At the beginning of the ride (note happy trailer girl!)

"I Love the BEACH!"

Our second-to-the-last day in LA consisted of going to the Griffith Park and Observatory (all of us for the first time even though some of us have lived there for 22 years!) That was awesome and a great deal. Choo-choo rides for dollars, pony rides, playground, free parking and just down the hill from Uncle's house. Marie had a blast and did a lot of things out of her comfort zone, like riding a pony.

Last day was the true Southern Cali experience. We got bikes and rode them from Venice Beach up to Malibu. Marie sat in a little trailer Jim pulled behind his bike with a $4 bag of kettle corn; she was digging it. The view is just amazing and as we rode I kept trying to think of where in the world is there a comparable experience? We have a bike path along the bay here but it takes 10 minutes, not over an hour! I don't think there is a similar path anywhere...it was so amazing. (Okay, second time I said that.) Once we stopped and were down at the water's edge I laughed because I immediately got my "nature eyes." I could feel the eye strain as I started scanning the ocean for spouting and jumping, looking for dolphins and whales. And I did indeed see a pod of dolphins leaping as we biked back!!! Jim reports that on the return trip, he kept hearing Marie report from her little trailer, "Almost done!" He wondered what she was "almost done" with! Sure enough, once we unzipped it we discovered that the kettle corn bag had become a pillow, she had completely unpacked the backpack and, best of all, had liberated all the wipes in the little travel pack of wipes I carry and decorated her trailer with them. The day ended as we scarfed down dinner at a Cuban restaurant afterwards (cause there are SOOO many of those here in Northern Michigan!) Sadly, the next day it was back in the airplane to come home. And next week, teachers report on Tuesday. This may mean that summer is over : (

"Gotta Go to the Getty"

The Getty Villa

At the Griffith Observatory

(Okay, Marie's not in this picture but I love it of my big bro and me)

Jim as some sort of Roman soldier...living the dream

Marie touring the halls of the Getty with Daddy and Uncle

Decorating a vase in the kids room

After hearing, for years, that we had to go to the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, Jim and I finally made it. The Getty Villa is a recreated Roman villa tucked in the hills overlooking Malibu. It houses a part of JP Getty's antiquities collection. It's 100 percent Jim's dream to stroll through the Villa and pretend it's all his...alas, he had a toddler with him so the strolling was brief.

Marie has been learning body parts (this is going no place good). She has been intrigued with some found only on her father, if you get my drift. Well, the Romans were not big believers in keeping it covered. You've seen a Roman statue? It's all out there. Like most museums, there is a hushed atmosphere in the galleries, so little voices can ring out and fill the room with their pronouncements. For example, Marie noted loudly that many statues did not have noses or that they have big eyes. However, the guards and patrons truly loved it when we walked into a room, came face-to-face with one large statue and she proclaimeed at the top of her voice, "That's a penis!"

I am so proud...

Arrival in LA, CA

The Diva in her hired Lincoln ride from the airport to Uncle Jeff's

Checking out Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Walk of Fame

"I could get used to this hot tub thing..."

Some chocolate milk for Marie and Green Tea for Uncle Jeff at their first breakfast

Home from Hollywood land...a great, too-quick trip to Uncle Jeff's town. Too whipped to tell it all now but you can see that Diva Marie had a fabulous time! She loved the plane; those seats aren't too small when you are 26 pounds and your feet don't reach the seat in front of you. We are all tired, sugared out and jet lagged as we got up at 5:30 LA time and got home about 7pm EST. Took Marie down to the lake for some strategic swimming/running in the water and she conked out immediately. Now it's my turn!

I Need a Nap

The view from the top of the Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore

Does that water look a little too yellow-y to you?

Jim getting an arm workout by entertaining an 11 yr old, 3 yr old and Marie.

Watching a hot air balloon

Marie combines her favorite activities of singing and eating.

Get it when you can.

We were treated to a nice visit from some of Marie's cousins. The boys live downstate, about a 4 hour drive away so this was their first visit up this summer. We did almost everything you are supposed to when you go "Up North" in Michigan - swam in the lake, boated, saw a bald eagle, got ice cream at Moomers (voted The Best Ice Cream Shop in the USA by Good Morning America), went to see the animals at the 4-H fair, caught toads, played at the park, went to a drive-in movie, climbed the sand dunes and ended with a trip to some big waves at Lake Michigan. The only thing we forgot to do was S'mores. (I do not think the sugar was missed though.)

The kids had an amazing time playing together. The boys taught Marie how to rough-house and she taught them some things too. After loading the screaming 3-yr old in the car because he didn't want to leave, they are off. We have a short va-cay at Uncle Jeff's this week and then one more bout of cousins before Labor Day.

Dog Days of Summer

Me looking exceptionally tired with my little peanut who is in Play-Doh Heaven. For those wondering, we are not at home but at my Aunt's house. Our house doesn't have nearly that much light.

At the fair with Grampa. For some reason, she looks spooked. She LOVES the carosel. I don't know why she has this look cause I know she is in Heaven.

Petting goats with Aunty.

It's the weird part of the summer - the accelerated part. In Michigan, once August hits, everyone realizes that it's just a beautiful place to live and that school starts right after Labor Day. So people go on serious-summer-mode, there are hundreds of 4-H fairs and Festivals...it's SUPER vacation time. For example, in the past week we have had...
1) My dad and other family over for dinner
2) Two sets of friends over for dinner and boating
3) Two beach dates
4) Family that have come up from downstate to spend a few days
5) Phone calls from more family preparing to come up
6) Marie has gone to the fair
and, sadly 7) Momma has had to go to work for 2 days (gasp!)

There is canning to do, still more trips to go on, lesson plans to start to write! It's B-U-S-Y but G-O-O-D

Girlfriends

I was looking at the other post and the pictures of Marie and Jacqui just didn't do them justice. So I wanted to add a few more cause that's what girlfriends do.

Reunion Part 2

Awesome view from Aunt Jacqui' and Uncle John's deck, our gracious hosts

Aunt Jacqui reading Marie the book she gave us at the baby shower

Daddy and Marie blocking Momma from the Ann Taylor store on Michigan Avenue

Some pals at the American Girl store. Bought nothing but Jim dug the babydoll hair salon

Marie's favorite dish at the Chinese restaurant

We had a reunion with 7/9ths of our Jiangxi Travel Group AKA The Lin Sisters (all the girls originally were named Lin something). It was in Chicago and, as we are expecting to write a check soon to South Korea, we opted out of the hotel and stayed with friends. This would've saved us money if I hadn't clipped the tail light of a Ford Explorer on the way back from the zoo...it was a good plan, at least.

We met up with the group on Friday morning at the aforementioned zoo and I was in shock for a good hour, I think. Marie too. It was hard to absorb that we were all together again. We didn't do anything major other than just hang out and play all weekend. It really was overwhelming emotionally and we made a committment to continue with our reunions. We are thrilled with that.

It was amazing to see how well the girls were matched to their families, the Hand of God. The tiny petite girl with quite the expressive personality was in a family of petite, expressive women. The always-on-the-go-girl-who-never-takes-naps was with a stay-at-home Mom who has enough energy and patience to parent her. And on and on...of course, we already knew that Marie was meant to be our daughter!

I don't know how to describe the weekend. It was especially nice to come "home" each night to Jacqui and John's...Jacqui being my best friend from 3rd grade on. To tell them about the day made it even better. Thank you again for allowing us to stay!

Reunion Part 1

The Fam together at Lincoln Park Zoo

Big big fan of ice cream

L to R Mia M., Sophia, Brinkley, Kaylee, Lucy, Mia G. and Marie

The Girls

Twirling in the Lobby

Cousin-palooza

Lovin' big cuz Luke. Luke and his family spent the weekend of the 4th at our house.
While the big girls and their dad's checked out the Blue Angels air show, Marie and Luke went out to the Big Lake and spent the afternoon at Lake Michigan. Marie and Luke had fun playing together - this consisted mostly of eating together, sharing popsicles and jumping. Ah...the fun of ages 2 and 3!

Beautiful Baby Butt!

"NO Mama! NO pictures!"

"Momma didn't bring me a suit. Foolish momma. I will go in anyways. "

Marie's two older girl cousins spent the week after the 4th with us. One day, we met Aunt Dottie at the beach to collect rocks for painting. I was told, quote, "It's like a fall day here," so I didn't bring Marie's suit. Thankfully, I did bring the big girls' theirs as they both went in swimming. The water was gorgeous and wavy - the girls had a blast. Then they had pizza and painted their rocks. It was quite the creative splurge by all. A small portion of the rocks are now decorating our front walk in memory of a great day!

Yet Another Reason...

...why I love my husband. He is a caring and thoughtful man, handsome and strong and oh-so-ironically ticklish. Little kids love him and love to discover his ticklish secret (perhaps with some big hints from others.) These little girls were entranced with "Jim-antics" for a good half-hour last night. Marie today insisted on watching the videos over and over. Oddly enough, she had a diffiult time sleeping last night after all this hammock hoopla. I wonder why???

Summertime

In the middle of the picture, you can see the tiniest, mini-baby-toad. It was one of many, many teeny-tiny toads that are all over right now. I was walking back from the pond when I first saw them. I had grabbed a chair and was going to go sit out by the pond for a few quiet moments - little did I know that every single mosquito in the entire Midwest was in that area where I was trying to have a quiet moment. So, I quickly returned to the world of toddlerhood and on the way back I first saw the toads. They were everywhere - tens of tens of little tiny toads all jumping around around my feet. We went for a walk and saw them all over. Impossible to catch on a picture though as they are so small.

Jim and Marie next to the oh-so-popular "choo choo tracks." There is actual mini-steam engine in the middle of town. Marie has absolutely no desire to go for a ride on it but can spend a good hour watching it go around the little park. We walked over to it Saturday morning after going to the Farmer's Market. I love living in a smallish town. You can't go anyplace without seeing folks you know. The second we got to the Farmer's Market we saw a woman I used to share a classroom with. Then, further on we saw the city manager and his wife. More teachers further in...you get the point. It's fun for us but the tourists get annoyed with us locals clogging up the aisle talking and catching up. We compromised by putting Marie in a backpack rather than trying to push a stroller through the maze. Got some strawberries and herbs. There isn't much out there yet and what is there is pricey. The herb plants were a good deal though at 12 for $12.

While Jim and Marie were choo-choo watching, I dragged our stuff down to the beach and started a new book, "The Glass Castle." I got them to join me after the choo-choo "went to bed." It was fun to watch kids run into the water and then get a glazed, surprised look on their face when they realize how unbelievable cold the water is. We had to do some 2-yr old negotiations when Marie wanted to "be naked" at the beach. I know, I know but everyone else had a swimsuit on. We compromised with her wearing her swim shirt and swimmer diaper. In any case, we had a great time at the beach till the storm clouds rolled in. A nice way to spend time on a Sunday afternoon.

Snack Time Concert

Silly but cute. After our walk today, Marie had a little PB snack, which the remnants of are visible on and around her. Then she decided to sing. Anyone know the first tune? Anyone???

Father's Day 2008

Father's Day started off with some greatly appreciated chocolate milk.

Marie made this shirt with me yesterday. She kept telling Jim about it all day but he didn't catch on, thankfully. "Marie painted Daddy's shirt!" sounded to him like something else, I guess. Or he was being gracious. However, while her vocab has grown tremendously, usually I am the only one that can fully understand her so perhaps he really didn't know.

Right after church, the two of them put on suits, sun-sauce and hit the lake. Marie put her own shoes on, can't you tell? The weather is predicted to turn stormy so they wanted to swim while it was still sunny out. They were in the water by 11am. Marie has a new rashguard to help deal with the sun. However, as I look out the window, it is alrelady starting to cloud over. Hopefully, they go to at last dip their toes in!