I thought in an effort to make things a bit quicker then usual, here's a list of the blog worthy things we've done since the last post. Been too busy making the memories and surviving life in general to do more then that! So here goes.

Things We've Done

-We checked out Mission Pie and the surrounding murals this area is famous for. Isla loved the elephants and Addy loved the Giants skeleton. And the pie itself was good-Lester loved it, I thought I could do better hahaha.

-Addy had her big ballet show, which we've been rehearsing and gearing up for about two months. In the end, she did GREAT for her age, and it was fun seeing her put the practice to work, and also seeing how she responded to the lights and stage. I think it was good for her socially to-we'll see how we feel around nutcracker season though haha.

-She also had a really fun cake decorating class. It was pretty basic, but again, she can lean towards the shy side in public, so I think things like this are good for getting her out of her comfort zone a little bit while still being fun and productive. She got to color the frosting, pipe and sprinkle hers and it was quite the girly finished product haha. 

-We hiked a great trail at Land's End in the city, which ended with a goregous bridge view and rock labrinyth, and rock towers on the beach at the end. It took a little longer then we thought, and I think alot of people thought we were crazy for doing it with the kiddos, but it was great to get the fresh air [since the kids had been sick] and spend sometime enjoying nature.

-As usual, we've tried alot of great food in the city. I already mentioned Mission Pie and Brenda's previously. And B Patisserie and Artiscault are still top 3 bakery wise for sure. We also enjoyed the Rebel muffin from Craftsmen & Wolves,  and Pizza from a great place in the city. I'm sure there was more but those were the highlights.

-We've spent quite a bit of time at the beach, be in on foggy days or nicer sunny ones. One of our favorites was meeting up for dinner w my family and just hangin for hours. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again-this is one of the best parts of living here and probably the one we'll miss the most. Being so close to my parents and some siblings, and to Lester's family has been and incredibly blessing for all of us.

-It was Lester's 4th Father's Day since our baby girls have entered the world. In true Lester fashion, he shared the day with Addy's recital and even got her flowers. We made him some paintings and pies the day before [which gave me a chance to try to do out do Mission Pies haha!] I thought we'd make bananas foster, then use the sauce for a caramel apple pie, and the banans themselves for a banana cream one. He liked it, and we liked showering/smothering him in love and affection haha. There aren't words to express how blessed we are to be part of his world. We love our 'Daddy', and our grateful for all the things are Dad's have done for us over the years.

-Life finally caught up with us and sent some sickness our way, which has meant a few non serious trips to the ER, lots of fluids, medicines, and tired days with sleepless nights [even though we let them sleep in their new sleeping bags, which they adore!]. But we know it could have been worse, and we feel glad that we have each other, family and friends to help and support us, and great health care. Isla got the worst of it and was feeling it pretty bad, but in the end it meant more one on one time with her which I think we both desperatly needed-so that was a blessings.

-Speaking of our sweet Isla girl, leaps and bounds people. She is now speaking in full sentences, making lots of jokes and teasing, climbing, running and dancing till the sun don't shine and bringing smiles to everyone she meets. She has so much personality, and her own opinions and ways of doing things. She started calling me 'Mamia' recently, on purpose, bc that is how she talked about things she feels affection for. I love it, and its one of the millions of little 'just her' things she does that I love. She has a love hate relationship with all things she deems 'scary'-she loves to talk about bugs, ghosts, monsters and things like that-she loves to play hide and seek from them-until they come to close, then she's for real about hiding from it haha. Her most used one is the 'giant pig monster'. She wants to do everything her sister does-and then change it to something else. She is still incredibly physically affectionate, especially with me, but also with Daddy and Addy. And Grandma, Grandpa, Lolo, Lola, Sam and Luke. They are her tribe, and she is loyal to them. She is amazing and we love every second we have with her. We are excited for some days to come that will be all about her, and to watch her grow, but we are enjoying having her be little for at least now.  Love our sweet Isla girl. 

-We've had a TON of whale sightings again this year. I mean, whether its close up, at the beach, or just driving down the street to our house, you can see about 6 different spouts going off intermedieatly.  So majestic and amazing-like my Mom said, its like fireworks on the ocean [hence the picture I stole from her]. Our favorite of course is seeing them breach. Beautiful creatures I tell you.

-Other then that, its been more lessons, studying, hikes and life. Throw in some dress up, coloring and backyard stuff and you have our life right now. Things are good!