Labor Day Weekend Part 1: San Simeon & Hearst Castle

For Labor Day weekend, we decided to head down the central coast of California and meet up with my parents...since it's somewhat in the middle for us (four hour drive for us, 9 hour for them?). I don't know how we were able to book this campsite, but I saw a few openings for Labor Day weekend back in June or so. Amazing there were any, really. So we drove down highway 1, which goes right along the coast. It was such a beautiful drive. Ocean on one side, mountains on the other, and a cool ocean breeze to cool us down. When we got to camp, Mal and I both got out of the car and were greeted by my Mom saying "So, where is she?" Not even a hug preceded that question! Of course, she was talking about the star of the show, Madie. I thought she was joking when she said that. Later on, she commented that she wasn't joking when she said that but just really was anxious to see Madie.

First things first. Within 5 minutes of our arrival Madie was opening birthday presents from Nana and Papa. Camping gear! Her very own sleeping bag, stainless steel water bottle, and a fold-up camping chair which she climbed in and out of 20+ times before bed.

Nana cuddling with Madie. She warmed right up to them. I think the weekly video chats really help her remember her distant family.

Saturday morning we headed up to Hearst Castle. For those who aren't familiar with the castle, it was built by William Randolph Hearst in the 1920's or so. It's purpose was to be his Mediterranean abode. It features many artifacts and art from Ancient Rome, Greece and Spain. Some items are duplicates of the original. A surprising amount are straight from Europe. It's actually really amazing when you see how ornate the whole area is. The best part of this trip for Madie? The bus ride. She recently discovered buses when we went to Yosemite. She points them out wherever we go. And when she saw that we got to ride one, she was thrilled.

There are four tours you can choose from, we decided to go with the Upstairs Suites Tour.

Anybody missing these guys in Rome? Second century, AD.

A peek inside one of the suites.

Amazing ceiling.

There were a few busts from Spain & Italy.

Madie was so good during the tour.

The study/library. This room was amazing.

They give you free reign outside once you finish the tour. The gardens were beautiful, lots of sculptures, and mosaic walkways.

Madie was loving the stairs.

Looking up.

Looks like we know where George Lucas got the idea for Princess Leah's hair.

The Neptune Pool.

Parthenon is from Ancient Greece. The columns apparently didn't come with it, since they were made 80 years ago. The feet and heads of the columns are legit though.

Swim, anyone?

One cool thing that they do at Hearst Castle is they do an auction for the chance to swim in the Roman Pool every few years. I couldn't imagine how much the winner would pay! The pool was absolutely amazing.

Mosaics of the Neptune Pool. The entire room was filled with these, and that room wasn't small.

We checked out the harbor at Morro Bay in search of fresh fish. Once we saw the prices ($35/lb for lobster), we headed to Albertsons. Much more reasonable.

We played at the beach in the evening. Madie was loving it!

I think she liked throwing rocks in the creek the most. She did this for about an hour.

Level-up

Can we get a level-up here? She's officially in a toddler bed. And she hasn't tried to escape yet.

Getting Creative

I am all for fun and games. Toys are fine; puzzles, great! Books, fantastic. Active play, wonderful. 

But there are places I draw the line. I am not interested in toys that make loud noises. (Heads up: I will give them away if I find them annoying. I don't care if they cost you $300 and you got her name printed on it, they will be gone. Don't tempt me on this.) I also dislike things that cause more mess than I'm willing to clean up--which really takes a lot. I enjoy housework in general and I usually don't mind cleaning up time and again--even if it isn't exactly my favorite thing. Keeping these boundaries keep me sane and me being sane keeps everyone happy. All in all, I think that's pretty fair.

Unfortunately, one of these nasty mess-makers was given to Madie for her birthday from my friend Shelley. When I helped her tear the wrappings off the long package I was mortified: PLAYDOH. 

Ugh.

But I figured as long as she was confined to the table I was willing to let her have it. Of course, that doesn't prevent everything...

This is her reaction after I told her she was not allowed to eat it. (She's pouting.)

So far, we've played with it twice and it's been a quick clean up. But I'm going to rue the day she learns to open the canisters on her own.

The Gradual-Half Conner Reunion, Part 2

On Thursday morning, we headed to Yosemite. We had a camping reservation in Hogdon Meadow for Thursday night, and were leaving Friday morning. Question is, how can you possibly see Yosemite in one day? And how do you choose what to see? Let me just say, this place is iconic, jurassic, and completely indescribable. Most have seen pictures of this place, but to actually see it with your naked eye is a whole different animal. Bottom line is, you just have to see it with your own eyes to see its majesty. Anyways, we ended up spending a lot of the day driving, and due to the limited time didn't really get out of the car for a decent hike. We started our journey in Mariposa Grove, home of a few Giant Sequoias.

Mal and Kaitlyn checking out a fallen Giant Sequoia. Those roots were absolutely incredible.

We did get in a two mile hike here luckily. Madie was a trooper and walked most of the way.

Kait and Madie standing below the Grizzly Giant tree.

Jacob standing in the California Tree (famous for the tunnel).

On the way to the parking lot, Madie got a little tired so Jake and I swung her back. Madie loved taking the shuttle buses that they offer at the park.

After Mariposa, we re-grouped and headed further into the park. We were initially headed to Glacier Point, but we stopped just short because of this view. Half-dome, Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, and the Clark Range had never seemed so close! This picture really doesn't capture what we saw. It was absolutely amazing.

Jake holding Madie, while Levi and Elvis stand behind.

After Glacier Point, we headed down to Yosemite Valley where most of the famous attractions are. We pulled to the side to snap a few shots, and Madie just about lost it! Understandable, we didn't really want to be in the car either. It was probably 5:30 pm by the time we had arrived here, and we had driven for probably seven hours by this point.

So we decided to set up camp.

Tomato soup with bread & cheese (forgot the skillet, so no grilled cheese). We forgot a bib as well, so Madie was doused in tomato soup. We had to strip her, and then this happened....

Streaker! She started to run some circles around the camp. The crooked diaper only added to the amusement.

Of course we enjoyed some Reese's Smores.

And cuddle time.

Kait, Levi, Jacob and Elvis all slept under the stars.

We spent some time in 'The Valley' before we headed back. We found a few mule deer snacking in the meadow.

Madie was loving the water.

We all hiked around Lower Yosemite Falls.

We ended the day in San Francisco. MariLou treated us all to The Cheesecake Factory, and the broadway production Billy Elliot. As Jack Bauer would say, 'I'm federal agent Jack Bauer, and this is the longest day of my life.' Okay, it wasn't that long. It was a great, though tiring couple of days.

Birthday Bash

Here are some highlights from Madie and her friends birthday bash from Almond Park.

Bubbles were a hit. Check out Madies face.

She only stopped playing with bubbles for this moment.

Rion was amazing at blowing bubbles.

Madies first dolly.

Bling!

Woah! Woah, Woah, Sweet Madeleine!

We celebrated Madie's 2nd birthday today! Well, technically, we celebrated it on Tuesday, but we did eat her two favorite foods for dessert: chocolate and strawberries! Thanks Grammy! 

So on Tuesday we celebrated a group birthday for Madie and her two friends Rion and Ezra. They all turned two this past week--and Wee Fi is the youngest of the group. We partied with bubbles and pizza! The food was by far the least-fun part of the whole deal according to the kids. They were too busy playing with the tubs of bubble fluid. They had such a blast!

Funny story: so my mum swears by this banana cake recipe. "It's the best banana cake I've ever had.  It's cool and really banana-ee. It's just so good." I figured a nice cool, chocolate-covered banana cake would taste wicked for an August birthday (or birthdays) and proceeded to make one. I baked it an hour and it was still not quite done so I baked it another five minutes, and then another five. When it finally tested done I put it in the freezer and made the frosting. I had forty-five minutes before I had to frost it and leave for the party. It was just long enough for the cake to cool. When I turned it out onto a sheet pan I noticed the bottom half sunk completely and when I stuck a knife into it, it was entirely raw. 

Lame.

So, 20 minutes before I was supposed to be at the party, my mum and I ran to the store and bought a cake.

Also lame.

But the cake was actually pretty good, so that was cool. But like I said, the food came in a distant second to the bubbles anyway, so I guess I shouldn't have worried so much.

Here's the wee Fi right after her first birthday, just a year ago. **Lip tremble.**

And here she is now! We went for a picture that shows her hair the most. She's been loving having Aunt Kaitlyn here. Auntie Kait put her hair in pigtails and polish on her nails--can you say heaven?