Another Summer in SLO, Part 13 {That Messy Beach}

I think after our last two beach dates, it is safe to say that I am not a beach person.  In theory, it sounds great -- the ocean breeze in your face, soft sand on your feet, and the sound of waves crashing in the background.  In reality, it's just one giant sandbox with cold water coming in to create mud.  And, don't get me started on the amount of work it takes hauling out our toys, towels, and two girls.  Pretty sure Monday was our last beach day while we are here.

➹ This picture should explain everything I've been trying to say in this post. ➹

So thankful for the two Sarahs who helped look after Olivia and one of my bags while I took a cleaned up Wild Child and brought our car back closer to the beach.  

Another Summer in SLO, Part 3 {My Two Blondies at Avila Beach}

On Friday night, we took the girls to Avila Beach and Farmers Market.  This was always one of David's favorite things to do with Olivia when we lived here, so he was excited to be able to do it again with both girls.  We were able to leave a little earlier in the evening and decided to hit up the beach before the market.  I got a ton of great pictures and the girls had a blast, but man, oh man, I forgot about how much of a pain all that sand is!  Not to mention all the work that goes in to hauling your stuff to the water, hauling it back, and then getting cleaned up.  Oh well, the girls had fun, so that made it totally worth it!

I took a ton of pictures, and had a hard time choosing, so here's a ton from the beach.  I'll post more from the rest of the night tomorrow...

➹ She loved throwing the sand!  LOVED it! ➹

Manhattan Beach

For my brother's {ahem} 40th birthday celebration, we all rented a house in Manhattan Beach for a week.  We found a great house on VRBO.com to rent.  It was no more than 2 blocks from The Strand {and the beach} and had a gorgeous view of the ocean from the front balcony.  We had a fun week with sandy toes and pink cheeks.  We did lots of fun things like a trip to the set of Modern Family {!!!!}, dinner in Malibu, Universal Studios, and Disneyland, and we even managed to relax a little bit {but not much}.

Here are a few pictures from our first day there.  And, you know me, there's definitely more to come!

Not The Kind With Bees

I hate to even type the words because every time I do I seem to jinx them out of happening, but the hives seem to have subsided for now.  {Thank God} Last night was the worst of them with my face, neck, hands and stomach being completely covered.  I finally broke down and had a hysterical sob fest and then dunked my body into a cold bath filled with two packets of Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment.  I popped four Benadryl, covered my body in Calamine lotion and passed out for the night.

This morning, my face and hands had cleared up, but the hives had migrated to my legs and feet.  I got back in the tub and soaked again for about 30 minutes and they have almost completely disappeared.  Hopefully they stay gone!  It is so frustrating feeling so bad and not being able to do the things I am used to doing.

The timing of these hives is horrible since my brother is in town, but it has also been so great having him here to take care of Olivia for me while I've tried to get myself better.  He is amazing with her and she just loves him to pieces!

This morning's Benadryl has kicked in so I am just going to post a few pictures from our trip to the fair and Avila Beach.

She was a Buffalo Soldier...

The sheepdog at the Mutton' Bustin' corral

   

  

Showing off her pigtails

See that watermelon barrette?  Yep, I made that myself!

She's so adventurous!

Happy Wednesday from the Central Coast!

My Sunday Smiles, Volume 2

I'm full of smiles this Fourth of July weekend.  Here are a few of the things bringing out my pearly whites.

Pigtails and Watermelons

I want her wardrobe!

Pretzel M&Ms

The perfect combination of sweet & salty and perfectly addicting.

My Mom's Here

And besides the fact that she is a huge help, there is no doubt that she loves Olivia more than anything.

The Fourth of July...

(I love both of their facial expressions!)

...at the beach

Is this a guy thing?

Did I marry Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Catch of the Day

While my dad is bachin' it at home, he's been spending some time at the pond reeling in the catfish.

Nose Frida

As much as it grosses my mom out, this little snot sucker is doing the trick on Olivia's runny nose.  Thanks Brianna!

Anniversary and Date Night

Here's to celebrating our two year anniversary...

... a week early. *

Oh, I'll be blogging about this in more detail.  Don't you worry.

And, here's to being blonde again!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic Independence Day.  Happy Sunday from the Central Coast!

And, here's a fun little travel game for the holiday weekend.  How many things in this picture can you find that begin with the letter B?  

I'll start:  Beer, Baby, BBQ, Barefeet

GO!

*Free babysitter.  And, please take a second look at that picture.  We spun around in a circle and took pictures from every possible angle to see which would be best with the lighting.  Turns out the best picture of 30+ is the one with the porta-potties in the background.  Still Smilin'! ;)