The Keene Family

Jim had a business trip to California and he invited me along. It really was only going to cost airfare, so after we lined up JT and Haley visiting Grandpa and Grandma Keene for the weekend, we bought my ticket. Finally the big day arrived... and I was looking forward to some relaxation! We drove out to Hermosa Beach our first night there. I didn't bring my camera, so all of these are with my phone! We stopped at Whole Foods on the way back to the hotel and stocked up on breakfast and lunch items since our room had a fridge and microwave. So I got up in the morning and made my husband breakfast before work, just like at home. :) Then Jim went to work in the morning... and I had the day to myself. For three days in a row. Hmmm. I worked out one day in the fitness center, which was fun and felt great. I watched two episodes of Say Yes to the Dress while I was there. Awesome. I spent a LOT of time at the pool. It was pretty empty and very lovely. The weather was 90 d...

I told Jim the other day that I'm good now. My kids can officially freeze in time and we'll stay this way forever. They are so. much. fun. And they still think I'm pretty amazing and want to snuggle me sometimes. It is the perfect mix. But *sigh* they will probably still get older. So Haley turned THREE. We started with a family party over the weekend. People must know her pretty well, because she got a LOT of dress-up, frilly, princess accessories. Like new Cinderella slippers that light up when you walk. And her first pair of TOMS, in sparkly purple. And a new tiara.  JT waited patiently for "his" gift: a baby doll bed he helped Grandma Keene sand and repaint. It was hers when she was a little girl, then Aunt Jennifer's, and now Haley's. It is extra special that way! And it matches Haley's bed. Grandma Keene made a pillow and quilt to match. Right now, Haley's doll is tucked into sleep in the new bed upstairs in her room...

With the Cole girls headed out in just a few short days, we crammed in all the fun that we could. First my brother left, then my sister-in-law flew down to CA to see her family. She got an unconventional ride to the airport! Then the kids and I took off for a hike at Flaming Geyser Park. We had a picnic lunch, saw both geysers, walked to the river, and picked blackberries. Then we went to my parents' house, where we got to have a Downton Abbey "marathon" that lasted only two episodes before we all collapsed into bed. In the morning, we were treated to my mom's amazing cinnamon roll breakfast before heading out on Puget Sound in my parents' boat. A nice way to spend a day...   We were so sad to say goodbye to my nieces when they left. I miss them (and my brother and sister-in-law!!) already. We certainly missed having my nephew with us, who has just completed Army Basic Training and began his MP training in AIT...