SUNDAY FUN DAY

If you have spent any time around Todd during the past few weeks you would have heard:

I want to spend the entire day at the beach. 

Why are we always so busy? 

When are we going to the beach?

Dreams Come True

Sunday arrived with no pre-planned events which meant....

a day at the beach!

Todd boogie boarding....

nothing better than a happy husband! 

Devon found out we were heading to the beach and jumped on board...her new nickname, beach crasher!  Luke was in town visiting his dad & brother and joined in the fun.  When did he grow up?!?!?!? 

Pato & Tiago

heading out to ride the waves.

They Caught One!

Pato going off the lip

This photo says it all....Todd holding Finn's hand while giving Tiago a piggy back ride as Pato heads back out to catch another wave.  This is what Todd meant when he wanted a day at the beach with no demands from home, work or our social calendar.  Just hanging out in the surf with his family. 

Can you tell who this is?

Devon enjoying the SURF!

Beach Bums

I am glad Devon and her crew tagged along, we had a relaxing day at the beach with the boys, we practically closed it down....My farmers town is almost gone! 

I forgot to mention earlier that we rode our bikes to the beach with our Burley piled high with beach chairs, coolers and towels.   As we peddled home I couldn't help but think of how fortunate we are to live where we do.....the beach is always there, waiting for our return.

SUMMER SLEEP OVER

Need another reason to love Summer?

Sleepovers mid-week!

Much to Finn's delight, we had Kirra over Wednesday night.  Uncle Todd picked her up in his truck so she could bring her bicycle.  This means:  BIKE RIDES ALL NIGHT!

We started the evening off riding our bikes down the Coastal Rail Trail to downtown Carlsbad.  We had dinner at Coyote's followed by ice cream & coffee at Vinaka's in the Village Square.  If you follow my blog you will know this is Finn's absolute favorite.  He never tires of running around the fountain and rolling in the grass.  This time he had Kirra to run around with.

See what I mean?

Looks like they are pulling a wishbone!

Wonder who wins?

It was a beautiful Summer Evening

 in the Village Square

I love the size perspective of this photo....

As the last of the sun disappeared behind the horizon we peddled our bicycles towards Grandma Violets & Papa's house to drop off a special treat for Papa.

When we arrived,  we found Grandma Violet in the driveway staging flower arrangements for her big show next week.  How nice to arrive to bouquet's of flowers! 

After everyone tried a bite of Papa's seven layered Boston Cream Cake.....it was time for dancing in the living room to You Tube video's. 

Age doesn't matter...

100% Fun

Time to peddle home, we didn't want to be out too late on the bicycle's especially with Finn, this was his first "night" bike ride and being me....I WORRY! 

There was more fun waiting at home..... 

NERF WAR

Finn was in NERF heaven having Kirra to play with.  She is such a good sport. Hey Kirra, I know a way you can make some money this Summer....babysitting!  You have my recommendation.  How about next Saturday night?

Locked and Loaded

Ready to take out the Intruder

 

Too soon

it was bedtime,

a few more tickles and giggles,

a hug and kiss, then off to bed for little Finn.

His last words as he succumbed to sleep were "Can I wake Kirra up in the morning?  She'll still be here, right Mommy?"

                

After Finn went to bed....Kirra and I stayed up, enjoying coffee & chocolate biscuits while watching Easy A...even Uncle Todd watched a little bit.  We love you dear Girl!  You are welcome anytime.

4th of July

(Love my Havaianas)

4th of July this year was a little more subdued than our usual style.  No block party, no trip to Boston to hear the canon's go off to the 1812 Overture.......we stayed home, enjoyed our pool....laid  out with family and watched fireworks in our cul-de-sac (thanks to our neighbors recent trip to Arizona).

Finn spent most of the day in the pool re-enacting Navy SEAL missions, hence the CAMO Face Paint.  He even recruited Grandpa Robert & Tiago for his SEAL Team.  My father had bruises appear the next day, seriously!  Finn doesn't believe in nepotism.....his motto "embrace the pain"

Devon & Tiago cooling off

(Yes, CAMO paint on Tiago, this is serious business)

My Dad actually relaxing poolside!

It came to pass.....I, Tiffiney was finally able to relax and enjoy my new lounge chair's.  Mother's Day gift from Vi & Gus that I hadn't been able to find the time to use. 

I relaxed in the sunshine with my dad....relishing our time together under the orange tree, enjoying the sun and conversation, this was my favorite part of the day...even better than fireworks!

POOL FUN

Can you spot Devon? 

Pato just dunked her, see any blond hair?

Tiago climbing the rope ladder to the Navy SEAL fort.  This play structure was money well spent....on most days this is where you can find Finn and the neighbor boys.

Did I mention who stopped by?

Ironman cooled off in our pool.

What more can you ask for on the 4th of July?!?!?!?!?  Hope yours was relaxing with some water in sight....even if it was a tall glass of ice-water!  Nothing wrong with keeping it simple.

HARRY POTTER - FINAL CHAPTER

I don't have to write one word without you already knowing I was at the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.  The final chapter, the end!  Just thinking this makes me want to cry all over again.

SCARY

The movie was brilliant, stayed true to the book as much as possible!  If it has to end I am glad it ended with this film. 

We heard through the grapevine that all 15 theater's were sold out and that record crowds were anticipated, this made me a little nervous about parking.  Todd solved the issue by offering to drop me off (Kara could bring me home after the movie). 

Todd & Finn decided to stay for dinner at Lamppost Brewery which is conveniently located next to the theater, Kayla joined us for Potato Skins & Barbecue Chicken Pizza.  This also gave Todd & Finn the opportunity of seeing first hand the madness & chaos of a midnight premiere.  I have never seen so many people dressed up in Harry Potter themed outfits...... even more than Halloween!

Todd figuring out how much money

the theater was making off ticket sales!!

Random photo of a girl dressed up

in Gryffindor Gear

One of Many

My Cosmo

(With the Stalker aka: Kayla)

Our Group

One of the mothers (Lupi) got there at 2pm to save us this spot, then Angie & the girls relieved her at 4pm so she could take some of the girls to Soccer & Tennis practice only to return later to get back in line.   I didn't arrive till 7pm and was extremely thankful for their dedication and determination, the line was beyond imaginable and we were at the front!  (The first people in line got there at 11pm the night before!!)  Thank you Angie & Lupi!

The Harry Potter Moms

(Lupi*Devon*Angie*Tiff)

My sister Devon came straight from College (downtown San Diego) so she could enjoy the movie will the girls!  Kara also came from San Diego after teaching, arriving shortly after 10pm, I regretfully don't have any photos of her from this night....I was beyond tired at that point and had put my camera away by the time she arrived (hence, no seat shots).  (Dev, do you have any on your cell phone?)

Dobby & Kayla

Kirra & Dobby

We were seated inside the theater by 9:30pm and were entertained by endless costumed fans.  This kept boredom at bay and provided ideal photo ops! 

I made it home by 2:35am....thank you Kara!  And to think as I laid my head upon my pillow......there was another showing getting read to start at 3am!! 

Long Live Harry Potter

and of course

JK Rolling

NEON TREES

Do you know Finn's favorite band? It used to be the Wiggles, we spent many hours singing and listening to "Fruit Salad" and "Henry the Octopus".  Well, he's moved on to Serena Gomez and Justin Bieber (he calls him Justin Beaver) but his ultimate favorite is Neon Trees (mine too).

Much to our surprise, Neon Trees were playing at the San Diego Fair June 22th....better yet, unreserved seating was free with your Fair Ticket.  Happy Days!

A kind SD Fair employee guided us to front terrace seating with a table.  We couldn't have asked for better seats...let me mention again, FOR FREE!!!! 

We invited Kirra & Kayla with us....they also like Neon Trees but honestly we can't spend enough time with them (Finn calls them his sister's).   We love being a family of FIVE.

NEON TREES

FOR FREE!

(I promise not to say it again!)

Finn's favorite songs by them are

Animal & Your Surrender

We were happy to hear them both LIVE!

They were AWESOME.

After the concert we enjoyed the fair exhibits.  You won't believe what we found.....Kirra & Kayla's middle school (Roosevelt) won a Red Ribbon (2nd Place) and Blue Ribbon (1st Place) for their yearbook entries.  One for Spanish and the other for Field Hockey.  Kirra was in both of them & Kayla was in Field Hockey.  Being me.....I had to take a photo! 

Then it was off to the animals, I love that Kirra and Kayla are still into looking at the livestock.  Finn enjoys it so much more with them along!

Stop Growing!! 

When did they become young woman?

This photo says it ALL!

It's the reason I keep coming back to the fair.

Off to the Kiddie Rides, Kirra and Kayla were good sports.....these were the slower, less exciting roller coaster's Finn could go on.  Not very fast but cool lights.

Todd enjoying his Falafel Burger and Spinach Salad.  He is the only person I know who goes to the fair for Falafel, the Roxy Restaurant is there every year just to keep him happy.

The Big Bad Rides

Some of the rides they went on had me praying from the sidelines! 

OMG  

It was another fabulous evening at the fair, we headed home around 11pm.  Finn wasn't sad to be leaving, in his eyes the party was still on.......why? Kirra & Kayla were spending the night!