Family Visit

We've had family visiting, and it has been great! You know its a good trip when you are just totally spent by the end, and I am definitely ready for a few nights of 10 hours of sleep!

Before the family got here, James and I decided to do a mini backyard make over! Which, is no easy task when you have two toddlers that will get into everything when you are trying to work with it. So we had to take turns working outside while the other watched the girls, then work together during naps. I personally usually nap during their nap on weekends, so working through their nap was exhausting! And I was fighting a bit of a summer cold, which thankfully is gone now.

Cute new outfits from Grandma Barbara have been perfect for our extremely hot and humid weather!! It has been over 90 for over a week now! And with heavy cloud cover, it has been very humid and hot late into the evening, which is unusual for Los Angeles. 

Taking all of the books off the book shelf, naturally.

Some of the stuff we've been doing in the yard - we got wooden dowels, and stained them, put hooks at the top of them, then installed them in umbrella bases, then hung patio lights from them. Its a work in progress as the bases aren't quite heavy enough for this use, but we will figure it out. 

We got rid of all of the construction dirt (about 9 heavy duty bags full), we actually surprisingly found brick underneath all of the dirt, and put nice river rock in its place. 

More river rock, and some of the drought friendly flower pot planting we've done. The flowers are Kalanchoe which are super easy to grow in our climate - they need tons of sun and very little water. My aloe is doing really well - in fact I am not even sure what to do with it, its so big. 

Lunches have been summer friendly - hummus and crackers, cream cheese and cucumber, carrots and blackberries. 

And apples! Which I have to be careful with, since 

Josie occasionally likes to chew the apple up then spray it onto me, for some reason??

Here is the outcome of the backyard project. We'd like to get some better furniture out there, and some low tables, but its a work in progress and we are super happy to have the lights up!

Every day that I have come home from work, the girls are 

enjoying some cuddle time with their aunt and uncle. They 

seem to have really taken to all of the attention :) 

Home made margaritas for taco night.

Wearing an outfit grandpa Gordon got her. Another perfect outfit for this weather.

Wednesday night, the girls went out while James and Steve hung out at home. 

We played Jenga, Cribbage and had some delicious cocktails.

Another evening coming home to snuggles.

I took the day off on Friday and we went to City Walk at Universal. Its a bunch of stores and restaurants outside of the park, with lots of eye candy and seems pretty safe for the girls to run around in, since there aren't any cars. They weren't too keen on walking when we first got there, sort of a sensory overload. After lunch though, they were ready to explore and we had a lot of fun chasing them everywhere. And as usual they were wonderful and well behaved at lunch.

Well...almost well behaved.

Busted!

Enjoying some freedom!

Grandma got them some lunch boxes to keep their things in.

Ready to go home, but not before we get a nice shot in front of the Universal Studios Fountain!

After a rest at home, that evening we put the girls in their PJs and walked over to enjoy "Burbank Night Out" It takes place a few blocks away from us, and has tons of food trucks lining magnolia, lots of people, shops open with all sorts of offerings, and music along the street. We got some food, hung out to eat by the music while the girls danced, then walked to get some ice cream and went home and enjoyed the fire pit in the back yard. Last time we did this, the girls were falling asleep in the stroller in their PJ's but with it being light out so late, and now that they are way more aware, they were not content just resting and wanted to get out and play. Live and learn - next time I will just leave them in their clothes and shoes and let them enjoy a late night out. 

The next morning was supposed to be swim class, which was cancelled last minute! As we were already in swim suits, and it was already 80 degrees out at 8 a.m., I filled the baby pool and the girls got to play in the water for a few hours. It was nice for everyone! And, soon after, the cloud cover moved in and the sun was gone for the rest of the day. Glad we were able to enjoy it while we could!

Later that evening, we took advantage of a live in baby sitter (grandma) and "the kids" (myself, Becky, Steven, Stephanie, and James) went out for food and drinks! We ended up at Idle Hour (the Barrel Bar) which I have been wanting to see for a while. It did not disappoint and the outdoor patio on this warm summer night was delightful. 

A renovated space, originally built as a tap room in 1941.

On Sunday, James, Steve and I went sailing! It was PERFECT conditions, with some good wind thanks to whatever off shore storm is bringing in the heat and humidity, and thank goodness cool (75) and windy at the water. 

Captain James!

Steve and I enjoying a moment to relax as we sail into the marina from the sea.

Later on Sunday, we went to Tom and Becky's for a BBQ! The girls enjoyed these little beach chairs that they thought were put out just for them! And also, all of the blackberries and watermelon they could get their hands on. 

Hanging with dad.

Tonight is our last night together, then the family is heading back to Ottawa in the morning. It has been really fun having them here, and its so nice to see the girls interacting with their relatives.