La Jolla Cove Picnic Dinner

A week ago Sunday (before it got hot) Donald Emma and I all went and had a picnic dinner at La Jolla Cove. Emma had been bugging us about going on a picnic ever since Donald's work party. She had enjoyed herself so much that every time we drove by a park or beach she asked if we could picnic. So Donald and I longing to do what we call our "cheep date" headed out with Emma to La Jolla. For years when we were dating and even after we were married we go on our "cheep date". This consisted of us driving down Mira Mar Road and stopping off at the KFC then taking our meal "to go" would head to La Jolla Cove and picnic on a blanket and lay and relax as the sun set. We haven't done this since Emma was born and thought she would love to do it with us so we headed out, stopping at the KFC first (which Emma had never had either) and then headed for the Cove.
Emma thought the food was really fun and yummy and so was getting to sit by the ocean. She loved chasing the sea gulls away and got all kinds of silly when they stole her cookie
Of course getting to lay on the blanket with mommy and daddy was really fun too.
Emma gave us all kinds of hugs, kisses and cuddles.

And no one can resist the Emma tummy for tickles and kisses.



Then we took our trash to the bin and raced back. Emma wants to run every where now and it's super fun and helps us get to where we need to go so much faster.
Emma and I tried out piggy back rides and had quite a laugh at keeping her on.

Emma really enjoyed being at the ocean, the tide was low and the water was very calm, not at all like the noisy winter water Donald and I are use to since it's about the only time we go to the beach.
We took Emma out to the end of the wall at what use to be Children's Cove when we were dating and for some reason over the years has turned into Seal Beach. That's me in the bright pink shirt holding Emma up for a wave to daddy.

Daddy joined us on the wall and we watched the waves until the sun set.Got in one last great shot of the sun shinning through the clouds onto the water before heading home.

Assorted iPhone Pictures

Over the last couple of months I have taken random shots of Emma with my iPhone and thought that some of them were so cute that they were worth sharing.(Above) Emma napping with Grandpa...well sort of :)

A bit of park fun with Grandpa during his visit from Colorado

Looking out the window during the train ride in Poway.
After a fun ride on the train with Grandma and Grandpa, and mommy and daddy.

Ridding the escalator with Grandpa at North County Fair Mall

Playing a bit of pool with Daniel at Uncle Gabe's mom and dad's house in Ramona

Sitting at dinner with her cousin Sarah and Uncle Gabe at Mi Ranchito in Ramona before they headed back home to Colorado. If you haven't been to Mi Ranchito I highly recommend it the next time your near Ramona, it is so yumm!

Emma taking her Bitty Baby out for an afternoon stroll.
Complete with purse and sunglasses.

Reading a book at Starbucks in 4S Ranch
A big smile outside the Starbucks in Carmel Mt.

Our fancy girl with her helmet and bike. Every time we take her out with her bike she gets better and better at it.


Asleep on mommy as we land in San Diego Airport after our trip to Illinois.

Our new favorite coffee/tea place The Brick Yard. Emma loves it because she gets to sit outside and watch the trolleys and trains go by and we get a wonderful breakfast of yogurt, fruit and granola.


Emma loves to visit the orangutans at the Zoo
We have been shopping for new living room furniture for over 3 months now. Emma always gravitates to the white furniture when we are out shopping but loved this modern chair in Lawrence. We finally ended up with retro modern from Macy's home store. It's so comfy!!

Complements of Aunt Andra's iPhone we got this lovely shot of Emma playing at Erick's first birthday (Donald and I couldn't attend because we were at a wedding)

Evening in Balboa Park playing.
Donald was getting his hair cut in Hillcrest so Emma and I ate alfresco and played in the park until daddy was done. We love taking advantage of living so close to the park now.


Enjoying a few moments on Grandpa's Yacht after a day of racing in the bay

Watching the koi in Balboa Park
Emma sitting in the Japanese Gardens in Balboa park after mommy got some wonderful tea from the Tea Pavilion.

We finally took Emma to her first movie!! We went to see Ponyo the new Hayao Miyazaki film. I have been enjoying his films for over 20 years now if you can believe that!! My brother Tim was a HUGE fan of Japanese Animation and introduced me to his films while I was still in high school. I am so happy this was Emma's first movie it would have made my brother proud.

Emma and I have been taking advantage of Free Museum Tuesdays in Balboa Park. It's great fun and it's exposing Emma to all kinds of wonderful art and culture. When we were waiting for the San Diego Museum of Art to open I got these great shots of Emma making friends with a turtle


Going swimming for the first time since May when we were in Vegas. We have been so busy despite always having a wonderful pool to go to every day that I just haven't made time for the water sports this summer. Now I feel rushed to get in as much time as possible before the weather turns cold.

Night Time Zoo

Kirk, Rebecca, Erik, Donald, Emma and I all went out on Monday evening for Night Time Zoo. Rebecca had mentioned going when we went to the movies to see "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" sans kids of course. I was complaining because in the last year every time Donald and I had seen Kirk and Rebecca they were with out Erik so we still hadn't met the littlest addition to the Blomstrom house hold. Even Erik's first birthday, Donald and I had a wedding to go to so Emma went with Grandma. It was so nice to finally have us all together.

So after some wonderful sandwiches from Grab N Go (yes we snuck in food) we were off to the new elephant exhibit!

Rebecca was so sweet to hold Emma up for this shot
Mommy with her handsome boy
Emma loves the snakes, she finds them so fascinating. She is at the stage where nothing grosses her out or bothers her.
Erik and Emma ridding the elephant together

I love this shot. Any picture of my two loves it a great picture. Emma is peering through the fence at an elephant the is a big shadow in the picture.
Emma discovered a peacock when she rounded the corner. She knows to give the big bird it's space but still loves them so much!
The lions were full of action, there was a bit of fighting and then some cooling off time. I didn't have the camera at the time so I missed the action shots of the two going at it. But I think it was just rough housing, nothing serious

Emma insisted on helping Kirk push Erik back to the front of the zoo. Kirk is such a good sport and let our busy girl talk Erik's ear off all the way.

I too got in some wonderful cuddles from this little man. I couldn't get over how light weight he is compared to my big girl. He was such a cuddle bug just like Emma.
Emma loves to sit on all the statues around the new elephant exhibit.
Finally big hugs to Erik before heading to our cars. What a lovely evening!
Kirk and Rebecca have been dear friends for many many years now and it was so weird that we now have little kids. Our topic of conversation has changed a bit but still always the best time when we are with them.
Thank you Rebecca and Kirk for inviting us along and taking some of these wonderful pictures!!