Happy Family

With a beautiful weekend (80's in February - gotta love California winters!) what else could we do but go to the park for a picnic? Daddy spent the morning hours out taking photographs and when he was done, he came and picked us up for simply the best family outing we've had. Because of Anna's age, holidays and weather, we've done little out all together but family gatherings and doctor appts. and errands. So, loaded down with sandwiches from Subway (which Hallie loves!) and blankets and toys, we headed for Hallie's favorite park in Sierra Madre - the 'Shady Park'.

With Anna able to sit up on her own-6 months old that day, thank you very much-we all could really participate and enjoy the park and the company. We ate and played and laughed at Anna rolling around and playing with some of her favorite toys, trying to catch our faces and hair in her hands and the occasional tipping over; Anna, not us. Hallie, as always, was great with Anna and was SO excited to have Anna out with her. After lunch, big sister went off to play with Dad while Mom and Anna stayed behind to enjoy the fun of grass between their fingers and toes, sticks, leaves, small bugs and the occasional dog walking his human. We had good luck with the timing of our visit because we arrived as a party was being cleaning up and could actually hear the wind and the birds and Hallie's laughter echoing over to us on the breeze. After an hour or so we noticed it was looking like nap time (sadly, not for us) and that another party was coming to set up so we put shoes back on and packed up. We had been in the shade so we were quite surprised to see the temperature gauge in the car showing 95 degrees! It cooled down a few once we were on the way and the yawning (mostly from us) spanned the 7 or so minute drive home. It sure is easier to get naps in when you've run/rolled the kids around at the park!

We ended the great day by celebrating Uncle Chad's birthday with steak dinners, salad and cheesbread at Northwoods and great dessert made by Auntie Ann. This is definitely what we signed up for!