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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Our Girls

The owners of our hearts:  Libby and Lexi
 Baby Lexi
 Lexi was laying down on her blanket, so Libby had to get one of her own and join her cute sister. 
 The diva drumming a beat on her throne.  Why she chose to sit in the firewood basket, I'll never know, but it sure was cute!
Libby mad-dogging the camera one morning before getting ready for church.  She was just so excited to hold Baby Lexi!

More Grammy Camp Fun

A few more shots of the fun when all the cousins were here for Grammy Camp.
 Bath time!  Libby with Ty and Max - now that's one full tub!
 I LOVE this picture of Lexi!  Who else could make camping look so good?!?
 Grammy treated all the kids to shakes or ice cream cones and Libby was in heaven!
 Britt's first time holding Lexi.
 Despite the craziness, Grammy did manage a few solitary moments to do what grandmas do best!
 Swinging in the hammock was a hit!
 Summer with Lexi.  (Sorry, couldn't figure out how to rotate it!)
 Lexi and Ty.
Another brief, peaceful moment with Grammy.  Thanks for putting on another AMAZING camp!  I'm so glad that my girls and I (and Brad, too!) got to join the fun this year!

First Time Campers!

This year's Grammy Camp was entitled "Camp Beach Bums" and we certainly lived up to the name!  In addition to lots of beach going during the day, we also camped at El Moro Canyon right between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach.  We had an awesome site right on the cliff overlooking the ocean and had a wonderful time.  It was both Libby and Lexi's first time and I'd say we definitely made believers out of them!  Well, Libby for sure...Lexi, it's anyone's guess.
 The camping champion!  She woke up very early each day (too early, if you ask the rest of us) and would jump around saying, "Camping!  In a tent!" all day long.  She was absolutely adorable and the highlight of the trip.  This smile says it all.
 Max and Libby - best camping buds!
 This is Lexi lounging on Aunt Jen's bed, where she spent a good portion of her time.  Jen was soooo helpful, it was awesome!  Definitely couldn't have done it without her help (or the rest of the family, for that matter - they were all awesome!).
Grammy went all out, as always. Here are the world's greatest grandparents with all ten of their adoring grandkids decked out in their camp shirts and hats/visors. Can we say, "spoiled"?!?


The entire Foster Family 
The Macbeth four
 
 Libby and Max loved playing in the sand and burying their feet.
 On Saturday, we packed up all the bikes and bonfire stuff and headed to Huntington for the day.  Here's the first round of bike-riders enjoying the boardwalk.  A second shift went later that afternoon.
 The only bummer about the campsite was you weren't allowed to have fire or charcoal (lame, I know!), so we had to do our foil dinners somewhere!  Huntington was a great option!
 Roasting marshmallows for smores and the Openshaws' new treat "woof 'ems".
A bit chilly, but a raving success nonetheless!

Beach Time with the Whole Gang

Both of my sisters and their families came into town a week after Lexi was born, so she got a "baptism by fire" into the family!  Since they both live out of state, beach time was a top priority...and who am I to object?!? ;)
 Lexi enjoying the beach from her tent and carseat.
 Her first time out of the carseat at the beach.  Ahhhh, how sweet!
 And, wouldn't you know it - as soon as Lexi vacated, Libby jumped right in!  She loves Lexi's little tent (maybe because deep down inside she knows it was hers first!).
 This was another trip to the beach a few days later.  We had quite the group!  And, notice I am laying on my stomach!  Woo-hoo!  It's been WAY too long!!!  I was reveling in the moment.
 We also got to see dolphins swimming super close to shore.  Jen and Libby named one of them Cookie and the bigger kids were able to swim really close to them.  I swear, I never tire of seeing dolphins - they're so cool!
Another tent beach trip for Lexi.  Who knows what she's doing in this one, but I think it's hilarious!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Sea World - Take One

One of the first activities for Grammy Camp this year was a trip to Sea World.  All the moms and kids (plus two fun guests, Lena and Hailey) spent the day enjoying the park. It was yet another all-day adventure for a very new baby girl!  Lexi sure is getting to experience a lot!
 What a group!
 First stop:  the Shamu Show. 
 Libby was in heaven!  She kept shouting, "It's a big one!" and absolutely loved watching Shamu splash everyone, including all her cousins and aunts (we steered clear of the Soak Zone ourselves!).  She loved it so much we had to go back for a second time later that day!
 Shamu is even cool when he's not performing!
 Max and Libby became best buddies on the trip and Syd was GREAT with them, as always!
 Me and my girls at the Shark Encounter (though you can't tell by the picture).
 Aunt Amy took Libby and Max on the spinning starfish.  She was a little nervous by their faces at first, but they both ended up loving it.
 Then it was Elmo's Flying Fish ride which, according to Libby, is just "like Dumbo!" at Disneyland.  She was sold immediately!
And we closed out the park at the starfish pool.  Holding starfish and a seaslug were pretty big highlights for the little ones, too.  The adults and bigger cousins all loved the new rollercoaster, Manta and each went on it several times.  Everyone had a blast and some of us (the Stewarts and Macbeths) loved it so much, we ended up going back for a second visit a week later.  So, I now have a pass till the end of the year and can't wait for more visits!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Three Great Shots

My sister, Jen brought her nice camera when they came down from Montana and she took some great pictures of Lexi.  Again, Lexi wasn't the most cooperative model, but Jen worked wonders and got these three great ones!
 What a precious little angel!
 Oh, life is so exhausting when you're a baby!
We love you, Lexi!

Just Because

More pictures of our cute girls!
 SISTERS! 
 What a cute little sister!
 Big Sister Libby is all about feeding herself lately.  It makes for a very messy experience, but she sure loves it!
 Lexi loved her Grandma-time.  Don't they look so cute in their matching blues?!
 Ahhhhh....
 Nothing like a mirror to entertain a baby!
 Lexi brought Libby a new toy when she came home for the first time - her very own bike!
(Notice the slave-labor in the background.  My parents came over and did some major yard work for us.  Thanks, Mom and Dad!  Sorry it was more than you signed up for!)
 Thanks, Lexi!
And Grammy and Pops got Libby a new toy, too.  Her water toy is a new favorite.  Thanks, Grammy and Pops!