On a Mission

On our drive down to visit John & Jasandra for the weekend in San Diego we managed to hit THREE more missions. We are nothing if not thorough...

Our first stop was in San Juan Capistrano, a lovely little place south of LA. The mission is largely in ruins, but the gardens are lovely. Beatrice had a great time running around. And visiting the nearby petting zoo in the town. San Juan Capistrano also has the oldest surviving street in California and the oldest building in California (Father Serra chapel), going back 400 years (or was it 200?). I'm afraid London has jaded me a bit to all things 'old' in the US!





Next on the list was San Luis Rey Mission, but Beatrice was still asleep so we drove 30 miles roundtrip out of the way so we could 'visit' the 'helper mission' of San Antonio de Pala. Drive by tourism.

And we made it back to San Luis Rey de Francia with 5 minutes to spare before they closed.

It is a lovely mission with a good museum, and the grounds are very peaceful and beautiful, especially the one large pepper tree in the cemetery.

Life is "Goob"

Mommy: "And how are you Beatrice?"
Beatrice: "Goob"
This is my new favorite conversation to have with Beatrice. Not because she says 'good' with the cutest lisp, but because she says it just like anyone would - same automatic reaction, same inflection, same little head turn. So cute.

All week Beatrice has enjoyed playing with all of her toys, and doing all the things Eleanor did with her like feeding her stuffed animals. And playing like a big kid.



We enjoyed a nice evening with Ian and Laina - gin & tonics on the porch! Finally a picture of one of our new games - Beatrice is a picture on the wall (? I don't know but she loves it). Or at least I think she does...maybe that's why we got 'that' look from her.

We're Back!

We arrived back to LAX yesterday afternoon.  Only 12 hours to get from Georgia to California.  Today it only took us a few hours to jump once again into our bathing suits and head for the pool (or as Beatrice calls it, the "poo").  Of course she also got up at 6:45am GEORGIA TIME...which is 3:45am CALIFORNIA TIME.  Ugh.  We had a grand time in Georgia.  And I have 809 photos to prove it.  Seriously.  It is going to take me a year to go through them all.  Unfortunately I'm off to Boston tomorrow for a few days for work, so it is just going to have to wait.  Super-blogger had a much needed two week vacation...but rest assured, soon enough I'll be back posting embarrassing photos of us all.

St. Simons Island, Georgia is one of the most beautiful spots on this earth.  After landing in LAX and taking Zack's wonderful shortcut, we got onto the 405 and met the picture above - a zillion cars all going about 12mph.  What a welcome back.  But the rest of the trip back was easy, so we can't complain too much.

Beatrice entertained us in the Houston airport on our layover - can anyone spot the redneck baby?

Grandma Elizabeth and Granddaddy Bill saw us off in the morning from St Simons (and picked up highchairs, took out the trash, carted back all the toys, etc etc).  We all had such a great time.  I know, because I just relived it by going through all 809 photos very quickly.  The nearly 100 photos of "Mimi" kitty may have to be cut!

Party time!

Granddaddy Bill played the banjo (and guitar) and his 'California girls' danced the evening away. I've never heard such a good rendition of "Wheels on the Bus"




We had a great last day of vacation. Visiting at Granddaddy Bill and Granma Elizabeth's (with MIMI KITTY!)



Ah those airvents...

And playing dress up in the outfit Granma made Beatrice (complete with sunglasses!)

Visiting with Cousin Marshall and his very cool truck

And swimming in the pool ("poo") ... and eating Jello



And of course, the best part - just hanging out and having fun all together!