Summer 2013: A Retrospective

If I were to try to "catch up" with things on this blog, I would probably never blog again. But because Amelia is starting kindergarten tomorrow and I want to document her year (as well as other goings on), I feel I need to look back on Summer 2013, also known as "the summer that wasn't my favorite."

First, there was the move to a different house. I might also add that the longer we are in it, the less we like it. While we are grateful to have a roof over our heads, it seems that every month (sometimes every week) unveils a new problem: AC issues, ant issues, electricity issues, funky kitchen layout, etc. Thank goodness this is just a rental!! And in some ways, I feel as though we are still settling in. It doesn't feel like "home" yet. Sigh.

Second, I had my wisdom teeth out at the ripe age of 39. While it wasn't a TERRIBLE ordeal, it wasn't fun. And I'm still having an issue with my lower jaw that has yet to be resolved.

Third, Darryl has traveled for work most of the summer. Again, we are grateful he has a job and provides for us, but we've missed having him around.

We HAVE had some fun, though, especially these last few weeks.

First, Amelia's friend Grace and Grace's mom invited us to Houston to do the "American Girl" experience to celebrate Grace's birthday. Amelia didn't have an AG doll, but I had always figured she would get one at some point (plus we had been having a pretty blah summer), so we decided to live it up and go. We had so much fun, and the girls were great and pretty well behaved (except for one incident involving Pepper the Dog, a pet of Grace's doll). Yeah for all girls' trips!!

 On our way to Houston!

For Grace's birthday lunch, we dined in the AG Bistro. Amelia had fun helping her doll drink from the teacups.) (By the way, Amelia has named her doll "Amelia." That doesn't get confusing at all.)

Sweet friends.

IMMEDIATELY upon returning from Houston, Darryl, Amelia, and I went to California. (When I say "immediately," I mean that I threw out our dirty clothes from the Houston trip and packed our already-arranged-before-I-left clothes for California within an hour and we headed to the New Orleans airport.) Darryl's Aunt Margaret had passed away, and Darryl wanted to go to her funeral, so we tagged along as well.

We really enjoyed getting to see some of Darryl's family that we don't see that often. (Also, can I just say that the weather in California was nothing short of AMAZING??) We spent a few days just hanging out with family and catching up. One day, we strolled the Huntingdon Beach area. I would say that I plan to do a separate post on California, but let's face it...I probably won't. I'll just share some of my favorite photos.

 Somehow all of us girls (although I am by far the senior member of this group) ended up playing various games with a ball with Amelia in Aunt Margaret's front yard. At some point Amelia left, and we realized we were still playing... Lots of laughs with this crew!!

 Here we are at Huntingdon Beach.

 Malorie and Amelia watch the surfers as they attempt to catch some good waves.

This is how Darryl cooperates with my requests to take a photo.  He looks like he would rather be getting a root canal.

 Amelia enjoyed riding on Uncle George's shoulders.

A few shots of places we visited our day at the beach.

The last two days we were there, we decided to have a little fun by going to California Adventure and Disneyland. The first day was a shorter day because we wanted a chance to visit a little more with Darryl's family that evening (family members were gradually starting to fly home by that point), but the next day was a long one.

California Adventure was pretty awesome. Just their Cars attraction alone is reason enough to go; it is amazing. And the park is pretty new (I think it was built in 2001?), so it just feels newer. We all loved it.

Disneyland (which we didn't even get to the first day) was lots of fun as well, but I think Disney World in Orlando is better. Disneyland has a certain retro charm to it, though, and it has some of the things like Tom Sawyer's Island and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride that aren't at Disney World any longer.

I have TONS of photos of those two days, but because I need to wrap this up (and because I'm tired and still have several things to do before going to bed), I'm just sharing a few. Maybe I'll share more later, but...possibly not. (You know how I am.)

 Radiator Springs!! (Seriously...it was amazing.)

 I just realized that this is the photo that has Amelia with closed eyes. I know I should put a better one, but...

 Darryl does the "spinning round and round" rides with Amelia because I don't like 'em.

 This was as we were about to depart on the Radiator Springs Racers ride. This is BY FAR the most popular attraction at California Adventure. We were grateful we were able to ride it three times over the two days!

 If any of Darryl's co-workers still check in on this blog...you're welcome.

 Amelia in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle!

This photo makes me LAUGH AND LAUGH whenever I see it. (Yes, I'm wearing a fedora. I needed a hat ASAP because of a sunburned scalp.) (And to Darryl's co-workers...you are welcome once again.)

And FINALLY, a few days after we returned home from California, Amelia and I took a road trip to Florida to see my parents. I did a horrible, horrible job of taking photos on that trip. I think I took one. I'm pretty sure my mother will blog about it, though...so I'll link up to her much-more-thorough recap when that happens.

So here we are, at summer's end. I'm glad we ended on a high note. :-)  I must say, however, I'm LONGING for some routine and structure.

Tomorrow I'll be sure to document Amelia's first day of kindergarten!

(I'm not even proofreading this post. The English teacher in me disapproves, but the rebel in me applauds.)