Summer is coming to an end, but our new chapter is just beginning. August has come and gone so quickly with so many changes but everyone seems to be adapting well to the transition and uncertainties and we are definitely having some fun, too!
The second week of August seemed so quiet after all of the festivities the first week with the delaMontaigne reunion but we have been exploring the area and finding fun things to do with the kids. To add to the craziness and uncertainty, Rich has been back and forth between Texas since our house hasn't sold yet (it only went on the market in the middle of July but our realtor gave us high expectations that it would sell super quick so it seems like it has been on forever!!) We will be staying with my parents through the beginning of October when our corporate rental is ready. Then we will stay in there for at least 3 months while we look for our home here and pray that our Texas home sells!
We have had fun exploring the different parks in the area.
Despite Ella's expression, she was loving this!
The kids are definitely making themselves at home at Nani and Poppa's...porbably a little bit too much so.
I'm pretty sure she was "skiing" here!
Hanging out with Babar, Sydney's stuffed animal, after she left her here one day.
Messing up Nani and Poppa's floors after every meal!
We are LOVING the pool at Nani and Poppa's! We swim basically every single afternoon and it is a great way to spend an hour after naps and before dinner. It has been especially wonderful since we've had a week or two of very hot weather (Texas style) so the pool has kept everyone cool.
I am amazed at how much progress Joseph and Ella have made this summer with their swimming. To think that at the beginning of the summer neither of them were swimming independently and now that both of them are confident in the water and swimming all over the place, especially for Ella at 2 1/2, is pretty incredible! Joseph is all over the pool, diving to the deep end to retrieve toys, swimming the length of the pool without a problem, treading water, jumping off of diving boards, floating-he is the real deal! Ella can swim the width of the pool but not the length yet-she actually probably could but she doesn't like to bring her head out of the water (you know, to breathe) so she can only swim as long as she can hold her breath for, which is actually pretty long! She is getting better at using her arms but normally prefers to do this mermaid move where she just flutters her legs which pushes her body forward. She just really wants to do everything that Joseph does and does a pretty great job at keeping up.
These adirondack chairs have been the culprit of a bloody nose and a large goose egg on the forehead both for Julia!! This girl is a busy one! If you turn around she climbs up those things as fast as she can and has toppled over twice. I guess when she sees her older brother acting like he is in the picture below she wants to join in on the fun!
We have been meeting up with the Ozescks about once during the week and then normally once on the weekends, too, which has been fun for everyone. We played at their house for awhile before going to the beach on August 13th.
More fun in the pool!
This GIRL!! She is definitely a climber and is keeping me on my toes.
Julia's favotire place to hang out is the mini rocking chair-just her size! She will disappear for a few minutes and we always find her here.
The Martins came up to my parents one Saturday to swim and hang out which was a blast!
We went to the Escondido Children's museum on August 17th which was a fun way to spend a few hours. It is a neat little museum and was even better since families of active military and veterans got in free for the month of August!
Hanging out at the park like a big girl on August 19th. She is taking steps consistently but still prefers to crawl right now.
Poppa and Joseph were on a gecko hunt and Poppa ended up with the gecko's tail so we had to get a picture to send to Daddy. Ewww!
August 20th-the day she took her first steps!
Julia's new favorite thing to do is to take her diaper off. She does it whenever she gets the chance so she is always wearing clothes because if not I am chasing her around to try to get her naked bottom covered! She'll take her diaper off, look at me, smile and then shake her head "no"-too cute!
My grandfather, Pop Pop, MADE this dollhouse, and the furniture, for my sisters and I when we were little and it is so special seeing my girls playing with it now.
Ella asked to use my lipstick so I let her and this is the outcome!
On our way to the park on August 20th.
On the 21st we met the Ozecks at the zoo for a fun morning.
Julia was pointing at all of the animals.
They are all obsessed with the maps and like the check them frequently during the visit and we have at least 6 maps at Nani and Poppa's right now.
Another gecko adventure with Poppa.
Just relaxing on August 26th.
Daddy came back to San Diego on August 26th after 2 1/2 weeks in Texas so we celebrated his arrival with a visit to Menchie's, which was our favorite spot in Hawaii. The kids were fans, too!
It's good to the last drop!
Soon enough we are going to have to get Julia her own since she grunts, and sometimes yells, if we aren't feeding her fast enough.
On Saturday, August 29th, we checked out a new beach in Carlsbad that we had never been to and had a great day. We definitely have beach babies!
Walking all over the place!
They were creative with using the crocs since we don't have our beach toys here yet.
Little surfer girl!
We had a little celebration for Julia's birthday on August 30th and she received a baby doll from my parents. Ella immediately took charge of it! We found her at the end of the hallway sitting with it here-maybe one day Julia will get to play with it!
To end out the month on August 31st, here are our sweet kiddos just relaxing in the hammock after a fun afternoon swimming.
