Beach Trip

My family and I took Chiara to the beach today, which was probably one of the highlights of her whole life. :) She has no fear, so she would run toward the waves with unreserved enthusiasm. My heck, this child ... until she's old enough to understand danger I'm going to spend her every waking moment just trying to keep her alive.  She runs circles around me, and people often ask me (complete strangers, mind you) how in the world I keep up with her. I'm not sure, but I think I have divine help. :) It's been especially challenging during the last four months as I've been struggling with all the sickness and fatigue that come from pregnancy. I have no idea how women do it with more than one child on the outside. :)

But today was a wonderful day, and I promised Eldon I would post some pictures so he could witness her first beach trip. He's been gone for two weeks, and I can tell you ... his girls miss him like crazy. This class in LA ends in two more weeks, and we're counting down the days until he gets to come home.

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While I'm talking about his class, I'm just going to "casually" mention that Eldon has aced every test he'd taken down there. He's just so smart, it blows me away. This class is a full year's class - two semesters - crammed into one month. But he got 95% on his first test and 98% on the second, with another to take on Monday that I'm sure he'll ace as well. It's such a blessing to be married to such an intelligent and capable man ... It sure makes me feel safe and secure. I'm just so proud of him. He can do anything he puts his mind to. It's not my favorite thing about him, and goodness knows I'd still be crazy about him even if he weren't such a wonderful provider. I'm just grateful that he is, that's all. There are a lot of things about him I love more, though.

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So, here's our little lamb at Baker's Beach in San Francisco. When we live in Oregon we'll be less than an hour from the beach, so I think she and I will be going there often. :)

We spent 5% of our time playing with new beach toys. All she was interested in was the danger.

Nice Eeyore sweatshirt purchased at a thrift store on our way over ... I hadn't packed anything warm. :)

This picture is deceiving, because she's not avoiding the waves as much as she's gaining momentum for a bigger splash when she hits the water.

"Come on Grandma!" Chiara called, gesturing with her hands. "Watch this, Grandpa!" She loves them.

Running toward the waves at full speed.

And more running. We kept carrying her away just so we could see her run toward the water because it was so darling and she was so happy and excited. There's nothing cuter than your own child's joy.

Looking for the white rock she dropped in the sand ... never to be found again.

Did I mention I had to take off her pants because she pulled a fast one and plunged into the water during the split second it took Grandpa to adjust his grip on her hands? :) 

Determined to get her bum in the water if it was the last thing she did. 

It was a cold morning, but that sure didn't stop her. I don't even think she noticed the temperature at all. All she cared about was the novelty of ocean waves. 

"It's coming!!" she'd yell out, and start running toward the froth of the tide. Maybe we'll only go to the beach when Daddy can be there too ... Keeping her alive at the beach might be a two-person (at least) job. She scares us to death. :)

Filling in for Shelli

I am sure Shelli won't mind if I post a few pictures.  Isn't that why she made me an administrator?  If the quality isn't quite up to normal standards, Shelli can change it when she gets back. The following is Chiara getting in the middle of my packing job....literally.

You haven't really lived until you witness the world through the eyes of a child where even the most mundane job of packing is wonderful entertainment.  She does love her daddy and she is quite a bit more easily understood in person than over the phone.