Sand, Sun, and FUN!

Despite the fact that June is the hottest month of the year in Tucson, we always look forward to its arrival.  Why? Because June means it is time for our annual San Diego trip!  

We had lots to do before we could head to the beach this year.  The first order of business was completing the chicken coop. Our three little chicks are not so little any more and they outgrew their little brooder box in our living room. Lillian and Freya had a good time helping Papa with some finishing touches.

 When the day came to take the chicks to Papa's house, I had two sad girls on my hands.  We miss their peeping and snuggling with them.

We also had to wash the truck so it would be beach worthy. Josh let Lillian man the pressure washer. It was a little scary, especially for Freya who, according to Lillian, "kept getting in the way."

For the second year in a row the beach was crowded with washed up Tuna Crabs.  Lillian and Freya had a good time collecting the little guys.  We had about ten of them set up in buckets outside our cottage. The girls liked sticking their fingers in the water to see if they could pull them out before they got pinched.

This was Freya's second trip to the beach. The ocean was a bit scary for her. By the end of the week she would happily go in the water if I was holding her but didn't want to walk in by herself.  

  Despite her fear of the ocean, she still had a wonderful time. Sand is probably at the top of her list for most fun things with which to play.

She also loved having her own "scoot" to ride on the boardwalk.

Fearless Lillian was a boogie boarding maniac.  Josh did his best to help her catch some good waves without drowning herself. A few times it went awry but Lillian always got back up with a smile and carried on!

We spent a great deal of time on the beach together playing and exploring.

 (I love this sassy pants picture of Lillian)

If we were not on the beach we were out riding bikes,

 walking on the boardwalk,

 puzzling,

 marveling at the pier,

 eating ice cream (sometimes multiple times a day),

 and just having a good old time

 until we were too tired 

 and had to go to bed.

I think all of us are already counting down the days until we can return to the beach next year.

We got home just in time to get everything ready for Freya's second birthday.  The preparations included making a pinata and building a Popsicle truck.  Josh and I spent several sleepless night completing those tasks.

 This face made all our efforts totally worth it!  Freya loved her birthday waffles,

 her Popsicle truck,

 her pinata,

 and her cake, which was lovingly made by Grandma Jean.

The Popsicle truck was such a hit we had to take all the Popsicles out so more kids could fit inside!

It was fun to see Freya enjoying her special day so much.  She spent the majority of it singing "Happy burrday to me!"  Her curly hair, her expressive face, and her sweet countenance melt my heart.  She frequently says,"Tank you Mama" and "Lub you Mommy." Nothing could make me happier.

In between beach time and party time we had a great many wonderful moments.  Lillian gave her first talk in Primary.  She did it all by herself! She spoke loud and clear with a big smile on her face.  She is a born actress and public speaker.

We spent some time with cousins, which is always a blast.

We made friends with a tortoise who LOVES Lillian and follows her all over the yard,

We baked yummy treats to take to the fire station,

And we swam, and swam, and swam some more!

What a great month we had.  July is already shaping up to be a good month as well, With the Fourth of July, Pioneer Day, and a trip to Utah, how could it be anything but spectacular?