Tomorrow we will be going to a noon Dodger game with Max.  Poppa and Yaya generously offered to watch Roly for the duration.  When asked if she wanted to be with us at the Dodger game or be with Poppa, Lucy immediately decided to go with Poppa.

Yesterday afternoon, we took a hike on the Cold Springs trail.

We took some extra kids with us.  We had Toby and Gracie Norby and Diego Nieves with us for the hike.  Matt carried Ro in the baby backpack and Toby carried the water and the iPad.

IPad? On a hike?  Of course we had the iPad for Geocaching.  There are a number of geocaches hidden in the trails around Santa Barbara.  We were only 1 for 3 for the ‘caches we looked for.  That just means we have an extra reason to do the hike again.

Who can believe it?  My little chubby-cheeked, spirally-curled baby girl is now a very animated, chatty with big words, helpful big sister!  As often happens, she got to have about 5 different special meals or events, including the traditional party at Auntie Jan and Uncle Jeff’s to celebrate with cousin Nathan (3 days her elder). 

Birthday girl and splashy boy

Roly posing for ‘Baby Swimsuit Magazine’

I love this shot! 

80-some years between these two handsome guys

The long-awaited for DS video game player

The 2 birthday cousins

Daddy’s birthday pancake

A Bible from Auntie Kelly

A soft quilt from Gran

The kids put in artwork, photography and treats (Max a chocolate brownie concoction and Lucy a lemon cake).  Max got 1st place on several items and Lucy won (her 2nd) Best in Show purple ribbon for her storybook. 

A few days later, Lucy and best friend Emma went back to the Fair, this time for Lucy’s early birthday celebration.  Lucy had saved up her own money for ride wristbands for herself and Emma.  I was blessed with a free wristband later in the day, and so the 3 of us got to ride some bigger rides (like the Tilt A Whirl).  Lots of happy screaming!

EASTER!

We had a whirlwind of a wonderful day.  Toby sang and signed in the first-ever Reality Church Gospel Choir, at our SB City College outdoor service (with 8000 attending!).  We brought 2 of our exchange students, Jade and Kathy, and had boys Jorden and Ben Dokolas visiting from Bakersfield too.  Auntie Kelly, Uncle Ray and Toby’s college buddy Val met us at the service as well.  Full house!  We concluded the day with the always-wonderful Easter late lunch at Gma and Gpa Seal’s house, complete with egg hunt and lots of treats.