Thursday, September 1, 2016

a wonderful week in santa barbara!

we typically visit my parents in santa barbara once a year (and make them come visit us much more than that)! last year we went for christmas, which was really nice, but i have to say, summer in santa barbara really can't be beat!  not only did the kids get to spend a week at SB zoo camp, we got to spend a full week relaxing in the sun, eating great food, and even celebrating both my parents' birthdays.  this may have become an annual tradition!

as soon as we arrived in sb, it was time to
hang in the backyard with some water

the kids had fun playing with the hose for a bit

the dogs decided they didn't want to be left out of the fun

don't worry...this didn't last too long - after all, we are in a drought!

dinner on the patio

the kids always love going to shoreline cafe

instead of waiting in their seats for our food,
they get to watch the waves and play in the sand

carter never leaves their side

john gets a bath too!

the kids loved zoo camp, and it was fun for us to watch 
them adjust so easily to a brand new environment

ready for fun!

they also got to go to the sea center on the pier

jacks drove a boat in the harbor

livi thought driving was "too scary" so she just took in the sites

an afternoon at the beach with papa bob

i loved having liv come with me to get a pedicure...even though she
talked the whole time and said pretty loudly "mom, this is boring"

nothing screams vacation like taking care of basic car maintenance

at least she got a croissant out running all these errands

"lyla, anthropologie is NOT a playground"

smoothie time!

the only ones up at 6am

enjoying her seat of power

we're trying to drop her second nap, but she doesn't always make it 

lyla's always working on that upper body strength

this screams vacation to me...
but it's pretty much what she does every day

entertaining the three toddlers while jacks and livi are at camp

by the end of this trip, lyla was a pro at protecting her food

another activity so she wouldn't fall asleep at 11am!

john visited a friend in LA for a night, but that didn't stop us
from heading to los agaves for some great mexican food

i hope they don't go off to college still sharing a bed!

with john gone, i had some extra space for a special visitor

he countered my picture with a shot of this face

lyla was understandably intrigued by this life-like statue 

celebrating grandma susie's 50th birthday!! ;)

ice cream time!

lyla was being a goofball while getting her dessert...

which was more enjoyable than listening to her grunt and shriek!

she had us all laughing pretty hard!

we were stuffed from dinner so went on an 
evening walk, and the kids enjoyed being able 
to hold a leash (not the same with bones!) 

jacks and i went on an amtrak adventure!

livi and i flew last year to visit diana in pasadena...it was now jacks' turn!

i'm pretty sure i won parent-of-the-year by taking
the train instead of driving

meanwhile the ladies hit the beach back in SB,

had some salad,

sent me cute pictures, 

and of course, went out for ice cream!

getting every last bit!

we had to tear him away after 5 minutes b/c he would
have just watched this awesome fountain for hours

there's nothing like finding a "trolley" in another city!

matching berry lemonades

cookie monster ice cream -
mine is smashed inside a donut...enough said

this artificial coloring would never fly in san francisco

livi had talked up kitty nala so much to jacks,
so he was so excited to finally meet her

a special morning with fresh croissants
(stuffed with chocolate of course) 

gathering oranges

it's kinda like working on a farm, right?

not sure who thought this was a good idea

naptime!

john, my dad, and the girlies headed to the dog park for some exercise

we facetimed while we waited for our train back to SB

here she comes!!

he kicked back and snacked on cereal for most of the ride

off-boarding

a 24 hour whirlwind of a trip! =)

"i see you!!"

we enjoyed our last night in town with a birthday
celebration for papa bob

"john, but it's our last night...."

because he loves me SO very much, carter was allowed to stay

on our way back to SF, we stopped at a little donut shop
for a  yummy egg and cheese croissant sandwich...

followed by a donut of course!

after more stops for snacks and to pick up bones,
we were all excited to finally arrive home

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