Max & Kaylee

Saturday morning, after a delicious meal of breakfast burritos, we headed south down Hwy 1, along the coast, to Pfeiffer Beach, one of the many Big Sur beaches.  The hour drive took us right along the ocean, with breathtaking views of the bright blue water, rocky cliffs, and rollings fields.  It was a gorgeous drive, and I was so happy the sun was out and shining.  We parked and walked a short distance to the beach, finding a little sandy nook by the hills, to settle in for sand-scooping, lunch, and sun-soaking.  There were quite a few people there (which I had expected, as everything I read said this was a popular beach stop), but it didn't feel crowded (probably because you pay to park, and they only allow so many vehicles in at a time).

Eliana and Max ventured down to the water a few times, saying it was cold after dipping their toes in.  Ezra has a pretty strong aversion to going anywhere near the water (we aren't sure where the fear developed, but he wants nothing to do with being down by the water/waves), so he stayed up by our stuff, scooping sand and watching people walk by.  There were some neat rock formations, and Max found some tide pools, with anemones, snails, and other little ocean creatures.  He was a happy man - oh my saltwater-creature-loving husband!!

We ate a lunch of sandwiches and apples and chips (most of the kids lunch ended up covered in sand!), and after awhile we headed back up the beach to our vehicle, to drive home for naps.  Evie wasn't feeling well this weekend, so she spent most of our adventure asleep or resting next to me, poor babe.  Overall, we had an awesome Saturday morning family adventure, and I am so glad we headed down to Pfeiffer beach.  The views were gorgeous and it was a lovely day!  

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Evie is 9 months old today.  She is a mover and shaker...or should I say a clapper?!  The girl is always on the move, checking out toys or corners of the room or playing with the doorstops that go "boing".  She likes to "dance" and she LOVES clapping her hands and sometimes she'll even "wave" at people.  When she does those things, she gets the proudest look on her face, which always cracks me up!  She is such a happy girl, and loves her siblings and her Daddy like no other.  

I weighed her at home, and she is about 18 lbs.  She still only has her two little teeth.  Her hair (which most of the time looks nonexistent!) is slowly coming in, but of course, it's super light blond, so it's hard to see!  I guess I shouldn't be surprised because of how fair her skin is!  She nurses 5-6 times in a 24 hour period, and the girl loves to eat.  She eats some baby foods and mum-mum's, but other than that, she eats what we are eating, if it's soft enough for her.  She loves noodles, peas, sweet potatoes, avocados, scrambled eggs, bananas, and french toast.  

She is very slowly getting into a more solid sleep routine.  She usually goes to bed around 7:30, and will sleep until 2 or 3 in the morning (although she often wakes up fussing around 11 or 12...I go in to find her sitting up, clapping her hands...I always laugh at her, but I think she just is so proud of her skill that it keeps her up!), at which time I feed her, then she is back to sleep until 6 or 7.  I am still looking forward to a full night (or at least 7-8 hours) sleep!  It hasn't happened yet, and I am so ready for that day!  

Evie started crawling about 2 weeks ago, and hasn't stopped since!  She pulls herself up on her knees, to check out the couch or the bed or my desk, although she can't always figure out how to get back down!  She hasn't shown any interest in the stairs yet, which is good - and reminds me I need to get that baby gate out before she does!!!  She is such a sweet girl, often laying her head on my shoulder for a moment, or trying to give Daddy "kisses" on his cheek, or patting our faces.  We love our Evelyn Raberta!

I walked into the living room, while the kids were watching a movie, and thought it was so cute that they were snuggled right next to each other.  I love how close they are.  Ezra absolutely adores Eliana, and is always copying her, and following her lead.  It's so sweet to see them playing together.  They definitely have their moments, where I just need to separate them, as they learn how to play well, and to share nicely.  But it's been so fun watching their friendship grow lately.  I know they both love Evie, but I have a feeling the two of them will always have a special relationship, since they are so close in age, and do so much together. 

 Last night, after a simple meal of sourdough sandwiches with watermelon chunks and carrot sticks, we piled into the car, and headed a few miles down the road to the beach before bedtime.  It was an evening full of sunshine, sand, and the sea spraying our eyelashes full of salt (or so it felt!).  We parked at a local Dunes State Park, and there were few other cars there.  We had to hike down into a canyon, and then out to the water.  It was beautiful and exciting and refreshing.  

Once we made it to the waters edge, Eliana and Ezra were content to scoop sand with buckets and shovels, Max was happy to wander along the water, searching for neat pieces of driftwood, and Evie hung out in the front pack, taking in the sounds and sights.  After an hour of scooping and investigating, we collected our things and headed back up the canyon, on our way home.  

 We made it home, all ready to fall into our beds, with the sound of waves crashing in our ears and the feeling of sand shifting under our feet.  What a lovely Friday evening at the beach. 

 Helping Daddy in the garage.  She spent hours out there with him last weekend.

 We got a betta fish last weekend, and L named him Jonathon.  Most mornings, the kids beg for him to come "eat breakfast" with them.  It's cute.  

 Evie, at the dollhouse, so proud of herself for crawling over to it and "attacking" it!

 Playing dress-up with some of Daddy's old covers (and by old, I mean I accidentally dried them and they shrunk, so they only fit the kids now, ha!)

 "Look Mama!  I'm a pirate! Arrr mee matey!"

 Playing outside in the dirt.  Everyday occurrence. 

 We've been going to a Kinderjam class at the neighborhood community center.  It's a little bit of a walk, so I pull the kids in the wagon, and wear Evie.  It's more hilly here than I am used to, and let's just say that after working out earlier that morning, my legs were a little tired after this adventure!!!  

 Daddy took the older kids out on an after-dinner outing on Friday evening, leaving Evie to have bath time all by herself.  She loved having the tub all to herself!  And of course, Daddy and the kids came home with ice cream treats - it's no wonder they love going out with him!

 Walking at the beach after our Father's day dinner yesterday!  Daddy and his babies.

 L and Daddy, down by the water.  It was absolutely gorgeous out!

 Ezra is quite hesitant about being by the water, so we waited on the boardwalk.