Waiting for our flight.
These two crack me up! what is Hailey doing?!
These days she comes up with the funniest things to say and do. Brad and I are constantly asking "where did you learn that?!" You just have to laugh a little, and Ava just thinks it's totally normal. She's always doing her own thing anyway. miss independent.
we were welcomed by the man that loves us so so unconditionally, Grandpa Great!
He has EVERYTHING we could possibly need all ready for us. Organic milk, fruit, veggies, snacks, beds all made up, little chairs on the porch (kid size), special order swings almost identical to avoid the sibling rivalry--one for each tree, pre-paid tickets to Sea World and love, love, love!
The girls couldn't be happier there, or love him more. It's amazing to watch how much they love and appreciate him. Ava looked for him when he wasn't around and made sure he was okay. So sweet.
Just goes to show when you give love you get it back.
That is pure joy right there!
And that is the gift of being around children. If only I could feel that kind of exhilaration from swinging on a swing again. Growing up is sad in some ways and wonderful in others.
it's definitely a gift to watch her experience it :)
we spend a lot of time just hanging out with Grandpa and the more I visit the more I learn about him. He's so open about his life and what he's experienced. After the girls go down Brad and I spend hours picking his brain and re-living his past through his stories. What an amazing man!!
And Brad.
He's been taking summer trips to San Diego since he was born. There are so many family photos of Grandpa loving and spoiling he and Geoff. My favorite of him riding the horsie on springs with the same look on his face that Ava has on the swing. And now he's a grown man in the same house, with a different relationship with Grandpa, as an adult. It's amazing how we grow with each other and pass on traditions to our children. No one but us could really know how special that is. That's a gift that family gives us.
And it takes nothing for Grandpa to get down on Ava's level and talk to her too.
Nothing in his home has been moved, nothing other than a few photographs, since Grandma passed away. But having the girls in his home tromping around, going through everything, doesn't phase him. He encourages them to turn on her Organ. Everyone that knew her thinks of her when it's on.
I love all the details of their home together.
And then there is the VW bug. In mint condition and let's just say, worth a lot more than it was bought for at this point. :)
Grandpa always takes the girls for a ride around the block in it :)
Just a few shots of what it feels like to visit Grandpa...
Even though I never knew Grandma. I can feel her when I'm washing dishes in the kitchen. I can feel her love and smile. I know she knows us. It's comforting and that's why I like washing the dishes, Grandpa :)
And then we went to....SEA WORLD!!
the best part by far was the dolphins
They came right up to Ava to ineract. I was in awe.
such amazingly beautiful and happy creatures.
the girls were happy to be there
my green-eyed girl
We took them to the dolphin show and when we looked over to see how they were liking it, we saw them sitting like this and Ava was not watching at all. Brad and I laughed.
The show turned a little Cirque De Sole on us, but we enjoyed it!
And we fed the crazy loud and aggressive sea lions. Twice.
Hailey's brave. I wouldn't touch one of those things if you paid me!
desperate much?! You'd think he hadn't been fed in years, but no, he's getting fed ALL day.
And our little danger lover's favorite exhibit was the SHARKS. You see him up there swimming overhead? Scary!
We are so glad we decided to take 2 trips to San Diego this year!
Thank you so much, Grandpa for your love and generosity. You are so wonderful to us!
We're already counting down to August.
xoxox
ps. if you hadn't noticed: Hailey got a major haircut and Ava will ONLY wear pink :)!
This is one of my favorites.
