Weekend in Big Bear

One of my mom's good friends has a timeshare in Big Bear and wasn't able to use it, so at the last minute we got invited to join my parents for a relaxing weekend of fun.  Believe it or not, this was my first time every going to Big Bear and we all loved it.

 Here are the four of us in the condo.  It was right on the lake and had amazing views!  We loved spending time on the patio.

 We took a really nice boat trip around the lake and had a great guide that told us lots of fun facts about the lake and its famous guests!

 The girls are all suited up and ready for a great time!

 Libby and I enjoyed the ride together - she was a little wild, so I probably didn't get as much info out of the guide as the rest of the group, but quality time with my girl is totally worth it! 

 At one point, Libby even got to drive the boat!  Watch out, world!

 Brad treated us to ice cream that night after walking around the cute little village area for awhile.  Libby was in heaven, of course!

 My dad and his #9 and #10 grandkids - how cute!

 The next day we hiked up to Castle Rock, the best view of the whole lake.  Brad sure got his workout with Libby!

 The guide books all said it was a "moderate to difficult" hike which had us a little worried with two kids, but we made it!  (Only Brad went to the tippy top of the rock, but we all made it to the top of the hike.)  It was gorgeous and we were so glad we did it!

 My parents were total troopers - way to go, Mom and Dad!

 This was mostly how the hike went:  Lexi asleep in the Baby Bjorn (thankfully!) and Libby running wild with her dad - from being in his arms to on his shoulders to holding his hand and getting swung up the rocks.  Like I said, Brad REALLY got a good workout out of it!

 Later that day we walked along the boardwalk bridge over the lake.

 And, if there's a swimming pool and hot tub involved, it's a MUST for Libby.  She sure is her Daddy's girl - hot tub or bust!

And even Lexi got to swim for the first time.  She loved the water and stayed in for a pretty long time.  More pool fun to come, I'm sure! 

What a great last minute get away!

One Month Old

Here are a few pictures of Lexi at one month. 

And a few others because I just can't help myself! ;)

 One month old and loving life!

 This is "Lexi's spot" at my mom's house for her monthly picture.  My mom was worried if she did Lexi's in the same place she took Libby's we wouldn't be able to tell them apart.  So, Lexi gets the wicker chair.

 Sisters!

 Libby looked so darling in her yellow dress from her daddy.  She spent all day twirling for us.

 Lexi in her "Little Sister" outfit.

 What a mature looking little girl!  And quite the show-off, too.  She loves to hold her head up and show off those strong neck muscles! 

 Not always the most comfortable of positions for Lexi when Libby is in charge, but what can you do?!

Giving loves or torturing?  - sometimes it's hard to tell.

 STRETCH!

Our colorful, summer-loving girl.

Summer Fun for Libby

Just a few fun summer days so far...

 Libby sporting her new bathingsuit from Grammy at the pool.  Is she cute, or what?!?

 Our little bathing beauty!

 We also spent a day at a place called Pretend City in Irvine where kids get to play all around in a miniature little city with everything just their size.  Here she is at the firestation - making her daddy proud!

Libby and Ian to the rescue!  Those two sure do love playing together and had a great time running all around the town!

Date Night

For our first Date Night since Lexi was born, we really got spoiled!  For Brad's birthday back in April, my parents got all four of us tickets to go see Les Misrables at the Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.  My whole family has always loved that play and Brad, not having seen it, wasn't converted yet.  So, it was the perfect gift and we made a believer out of him, too!

 Britt was our babysitter, fulfilling her role as the first babysitter for each of our girls.  Thanks, Britt!  Hope handling the two on your own wasn't too much trouble!  Good birth control, that's for sure! ;)

Here we are outside Segerstrom Hall after the show.  It was incredible!  They've changed it a lot since I first saw it back when I was 12, but it exceeded all expectations and we all loved it.  What a great night!  Thanks so much, Mom and Dad!  (Oh, and Britt survived just fine - the girls were really good! Hooray!)

Angels' Game

In true Macbeth fashion, it was only appropriate for Lexi to go to her first Angel game within her first month of life, too.  (It isn't ALL beach and theme parks, of course!)  So, on Friday, June 15th, Lexi went to her first Angel game at the Big A.

 All decked out in Angels gear and ready for a great time!

We went with a big group of our family and my parents ended up with extra tickets, so we got to invite our friends, the Vargas, too.  We all had a great time (well, maybe not Kirk), despite the Angels losing and had fun watching the fireworks afterwards for Big Bang Friday.  We love the Angels!

Pay It Forward

I think we've all heard the phrase, "Pay it forward" and I just got the best opportunity ever to do just that. 

When I turned 16, my sister Amy gave me our '82 Volvo stationwagon that had been in the family almost as long as I had!  It had been through both my sisters, earned the name "Norman", and was handed down to me on my birthday.  I was so grateful for her being willing to give it up and will always remember that special gift of getting the car keys.  Norman was my first love and will forever hold a special place in my heart.  Well, things have worked out perfectly for us to do the same thing for my niece, Summer.  With Brad's new job and the new car to go along with it, we just so happened to have a GREAT 2000 Honda Civic waiting around for someone to drive it.  Since Summer lives in Montana, she actually gets it a year early at just 15!  Again, this car holds a very special place in my heart and she better take good care of it! No pressure, though, Sum!  ;)

 The hand-off!

 There is one happy girl! 

Our attempt at the old Toyota commercials.  Yeah, not so great, but it was fun trying.

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!