Celebrating O's Birthday with the Decker's

We had the chance to celebrate Olivia's birthday while the Decker's were here. We got Olivia a cupcake cake shaped in the number 4. It came with a crown and wand. She loved it.

Getting ready to eat her cupcake with a pink rose.

Uncle Todd loved the crown and wand as well.

Opening her presents. She loved the outfits.

Posing with her cupcakes.

Big girl now!

Sea World

We went with the Decker's to Sea World in San Diego. It was a great day! Very warm and not a huge amount of people. Olivia loved the shows and the water rides. It's so awesome we live 15 minutes from it and can go anytime!

Somebody is cashed in the bjorn.

At the Shamu show.

Awaiting the show to start. They sat in the splash zone and got drenched!

After her water slide roller coaster.

Aunt Debbie and Olivia rode together.

While me and Henry rode together.

The Decker's Visit!!

Our first official visitors in our new house in San Diego were my sister, brother-in-law and O's and Charley's cousins. They stayed with us a week and what a week it was! Whirlwind touring of some San Diego's best attractions, tons of swimming in the backyard pool and general cousin bonding. I needed a vacation after the Decker's vacation! So happy they are only a day's drive away now! Our first stop...Legoland.

The Decker family at the entrance to the park.

Me and O riding the coaster together. Of course she loved it!

O and Wyatt hanging out in a dinosaur egg.

O enjoying the fairytale boat ride.

Shooting water cannons at Lego crocodiles.

Flying in the police helicopter.

Shooting water from their pirate ship.

Jousting through the forest on her horse.

Fieg Family Reunion-Breckenridge, CO

In July, we were fortunate enough to meet Justin's mom's family for a reunion in Breckenridge, CO. If you have never been to Colorado or more specifically, Breckenridge, then make it a priority. I have only been there in the summer and it is ridiculously beautiful. Justin has been to Breck twice to ski and says it is even better in winter. We rented a big house for all 16 of us and it was a blast! Next year, San Diego!

The house we rented. A perfect size for our clan.

The cousins.

The cousins' kids. Still debating if this is second cousins or first cousins once removed.

Beautiful Breckenridge.

Our nightly visitor. He would sit and watch us eat dinner. Savage little beast.

Olivia jamming out to Guitar Hero with her cousin Chase (aka "The Prince" or "Boy")

Spontaneous hand holding through the streets of Breck.

Olivia and Tatum readying for another day up on the mountain.

Emmy taking her turn holding Charley.

Movie night before bedtime.

They all got along so well!!

Hanging out in the "hot pool"

Daddy and Olivia coming down the mountain toboggan.

Here I come! I flew down the mountain!

San Diego Zoo

A must see for us is the San Diego Zoo.  I have heard so much about this zoo and really wanted to check it out right away.  We now have a yearly pass and I plan on taking the girls a lot when we have free time.  It is an amazing zoo and huge!  They have the best animals.  And the best part is we will be living about 15 minutes from it!

 O wanted to get on every animal statue she came across.

 Oh look.  Another helicopter (see post below).

 Where do we go next?

 The first time I have ever seen a panda bear in person.  Such a cool experience.

Heading up to see the tigers.  The zoo is really hilly and you have to take an escalator up to get to certain parts.

USS Midway

A few weekends ago, Papa, Justin and O took the ferry across from Coronado and went to see the USS Midway, a retired aircraft carrier which is now a museum, in San Diego Harbor.  My mom, me and Charley went to the outlet mall as we had zero desire to see the carrier.  Justin said O loved touring the carrier and played in and out of the helicopters for the majority of the visit.

Olivia loving the ferry across to San Diego.

The helicopter Olivia played in for a very long time.  She loves them.

 Justin and O walking the deck of the carrier.

Yet another helicopter that Olivia had to play in.

A helicopter mock-up that she loved as well.  Pilot as her future career???

Spreckles Park

I would be remiss if I did not discuss Coronado Island.  It is just off San Diego harbor and is what I term "Pleasantville." Everything is perfect on this island.  Everything.  The weather, the people, the houses, the lawns, the shops, the cars,  etc...It's almost creepy how perfect it is here.  Justin has been stationed at the Special Warfare Center here on Coronado where prospective students try out to be Navy SEALS.  We are currently staying in a condo on the island while we get settled in.  We would have loved to live on Coronado but we would have had to take out a loan just to afford the rent on a home smaller than what I lived in Rota.  I was not about to move into a place like that again so we opted to move out in the burbs of San Diego instead.  

Spreckles Park-aka "Fairytale Land" according to Olivia-is a popular park in the center of town.  Olivia loves to come here and play, find new friends and most importantly, swing on the swings.

 Papa swings Olivia very high.  Much higher than I would.  She, of course, loves when he pushes her.

 Me and Nana relaxing on the park bench with Charley.

Time for me to push.  Olivia is telling me to push her higher.  I refused.