BODEGA BAY, CA - Greetings from be-yoot-iful Sonoma County. We're up at Nana & Tata's house for Aunt Julie's wedding shower (she's marrying MY friend Dave in October). This afternoon we got to go out to the coast to eat saltwater taffy, dip our toes in the cold water, play in the sand and fly a kite. Mommy got me this cute Strawberry Shortcake kite just for this trip, so luckily Dad was able to figure out how to get the thing in the air. After it was up for a while they handed me the controls. It was neat and all, but I thought there would be a bit more to flying a kite than just standing still and holding a string. I'm not good at standing still.

We had a great time out there and ate dinner at a really good restaurant called Lucas Wharf. I wasn't sure about my fish & chips, but anything tastes good when you dip it in ketchup, right?

LONGVIEW, TX - Pictures from Texas, finally! My mommy took me to see some folks in Texas earlier this summer, but my dad is just now getting around to posting the pictures...he's a little slow on the uptake, if you know what I mean. Anyways, here are some pictures from our trip (it was right after the 4th of July, hence the sparkler) with some of my new friends. There were lots of kids there who were hanging out at Gran, Uncle Tom & Aunt Linda's house. Kayeleigh, J.T., Jake, Joey, Halleigh & Emmaleigh are from Chicago...Andy, Josiah, Caleb, Bethany and Melody are from Texas, but are missionaries in Africa - cool!

I loved spending time with Nana & Gran (we shared cookies and milk for a snack) and hanging out with my new best friend, Bethany. All in all it was a pretty fun trip...thanks for taking me on the plane to Texas, mommy!

BEAUTIFUL LAKE TAHOE, CA - Well, our time at the cabin is almost over. Dad is sad. Nana and Tata came up yesterday, so we went to my favorite beach, of course. Dave got us girls a new boat to scoot around in...it was pretty fun, but we didn't really get anywhere...something about learning to row the oars in unison. Hmmmm. Anyways, we went out for Steamers Pizza tonight which is on of my favorite places to eat. They have tables that are right on the beach and the pizza is pretty good too.

See you next year, Lake Tahoe!

BEAUTIFUL LAKE TAHOE, CA - My friends and future cousins Morgan and Lindsay are here! It's so fun to have someone to play with. I mean, dad's great and all, but he's like 40 - he can't exactly keep up with me. I showed everyone my favorite beach on Thursday and we went for a hike at Northstar today. After hiking all morning in the hot sun, we decided a dip in the pool would feel great...and it did.

BEAUTIFUL LAKE TAHOE, CA - Vacation, wheeeee! We got here late on Sunday night and this has to be one of my favorite places to visit. I took mommy and daddy to the beach at Sand Harbor yesterday, and today I got to go to the beach in Tahoe City and the swimming pool after that. What could be better?? I've been practicing what I learned during swim lessons by jumping in from the side of the pool, swimming to mommy, grabbing rings off of the bottom and just generally acting "fish-like." Oh, and to top it off, the swim club has a delicious little ice cream sandwich that's 2 chocolate chip cookies with ice cream stuffed in between them...mmmmm, hits the spot after a long morning of chasing dad around the shallow end of the pool ;-)

I'm excited because Aunt Julie, Dave, Morgan and Lindsay are coming up to the cabin soon...I can't wait to see them!

HAYWARD, CA - My cousin Isabella is turning 2 in a couple days, but her party was today. We just happened to be in the area (on our way to Lake Tahoe), so we got to go to the party at Garin Park in Hayward. Isabella loves Curious George, so that's who was on her cake - cool! There was yummy food to eat and I even got to hit the pinata a couple of times.

Happy Birthday, Isabella! I love hanging out with you...I think we'll make great friends when we grow up.

This is the face I make when my dad tells me to, "Say Cheese!" Pretty cute, huh?

FULLERTON, CA - Swimming lessons update: See, I told you I'd get the hang of it - I just needed these magic pink goggles to help me listen to my teachers. I did everything they asked me to and even practiced going under water all by myself (I think I only sunk all the way to the bottom twice). We did the "motorboat" on the kickboard and jumped in off of the side (that's my splash a couple pictures down).

Afterwards, we got a sweet treat for being such good little swimmers, which I enjoyed on my towel next to my friend Aiden. Swimming lessons are fun...maybe I'll come back next week ;-)

FULLERTON, CA - Happy Birthday to the US of A. Grandma got me this super-cute tank top that says "American Princess" on it. I think it's quite appropriate for today, don't you? Actually, I could probably wear it every day...daddy calls me his little princess all the time.

Today we went swimming at my friend's house (yes, dad got sunburned...again) then went home and had naps. After I woke up we went over to Aiden's house for some good food and excercise running around the backyard. When it got dark we wandered down to Richman Park to watch the pretty fireworks. My favorite was the smiley-face one :-)

Tomorrow I'm off to Texas to visit all the folks out there. Mommy says we're going on a plane - I suggested a flying dragon, but whatever gets us there is fine.

FULLERTON, CA - Happy Birthday, daddy! My dad is getting to be an old guy...he said not to tell you just how old, but it rhymes with 34. Ooops.

Anyways, we got my dad a bike for his birthday so after I helped him open his other presents, he went for a quick ride. Then I got to go see Vanessa to get my bangs trimmed, and then it was time for my second day of swim lessons.

After my nap we took dad to Lucilles for dinner. Dad really likes that place. Dave & Julie came too, plus my friends Sean and Anna and their mommy and daddy. Hope you had a happy birthday, dad...I love you!

FULLERTON, CA - Summer has arrived! Mommy signed me up for swim lessons at the local JC and today was my first day. The good news is that my friend Aiden is in my same class - and my other friends Jacob, Nathan and Jackson are all taking lessons at the same time in other parts of the super-big pool. The bad news is that I don't seem to enjoy swim lessons as much as just swimming on my own. Don't panic - I'm sure I'll get the hang of it before too long. I'm planning on practicing a lot!