::The Klipsteins Come for a Visit::

We are just coming off of 3 weeks STRAIGHT of family visits ~ both here and away!

We feel very blessed to have so many people come & see us this year, especially to see Beck.

I just counted our visitors in our guest book and we've had 11 sets of company in less than 9 months:

{WOW}

But, back to the visitors at hand...my brother Adam & his wife Rachel came down from Portland for an entire week...it was a great time for Chase to bond with them & also for them to meet Becker.

They've both had full year's with both work and school, so I think this was a much deserved and needed vacation for them.

We had a really fun, full week.  We'd have a big outing one day and then stay close to home the following.

I'm still not at100% energy level due to my waking nights :)

They came one of the hottest weeks, although they are all turning into the hottest weeks ever!

We're OVER this hot!  What happened to our perfect San Diego weather I ask!?!

They arrived on Saturday and we cooled off in the pool.

Chase has gotten really confident in the pool this summer with floaties on.

Sunday, after church, we borrowed a friend's van so we could all be together, had a picnic in the car on the drive :) and went down to the San Diego Bay and went (for the first time) on the ferry over to Coronado Island.  It was a gorgeous, blue skied day...

We went over, walked around some shops, had a little snack & cold beverage...played at the playground, stopped in Starbucks for another cold drink, and headed back over to the Mainland!

Monday we stayed nearby and went to the mall...Rachel & I love to shop!!  

The next day we went to the world famous San Diego Zoo...

They totally treated Chase to a super face paint spectacular.  It was awesome! Had all the bells & whistles.

:: Have you ever seen a smile so big??::

The next night we had a sitter come for the kids, and we got to go out as true adults!!

We found a fun little wine bar pretty close by.

John took an afternoon off and we went to Del Mar Beach for the afternoon.

It was such strange weather...it cooled off a bit and I think we may have seen a few drops of rain.

We ate a yummy dinner at Smashburger that night, one of our faves!

One of my all time favorite pictures~ so sweet!

Friday was a low key day and they took Chase on a date to paint pottery. 

Here is that masterpiece (I was warned prior to picking it up - it looks like she was in an accident!)

They also were so kind to let John & I go on a date.  We went to Macaroni Grill for a delicious dinner and then to the Batman movie.  Whoa!  That was a late night for us.  What a long, dark movie.  But fun nonetheless to be alone together.

And then the last day, we did our "new" family hike with them - Torrey Pines Beach.

We love it and it is not an easy hike, especially with children strapped to you.

Oh Adam & Rachel how we loved this time with ya'll.

Thanks so much for spending your vacation with us, we know there are more exciting places in the world to visit.  Chase & Beck both loved their time with you, whether they know it or not...

...and so did WE!!!

We'll be seeing you again before we know it!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. 

A moment I want to pause, savor,  and remember.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. 

A moment I want to pause, savor,  and remember.

{Princess Dance Camp}

An advertisement came through my email for a Living Social voucher for a Princess Dance Camp at a local dance studio earlier in the summer.  I knew Chase would not do it alone...she's not that kind of gal!

But we found a sweet friend to do it with, then Chase said she didn't want to go :(

So I didn't buy it.  

At the very last moment before the deal expired, I asked her one last time, and lo and behold,

she said YES!  So I quickly snatched it up before she could change her mind.

We borrowed tap shoes, ballet shoes and leotards and away she went!!

Slightly hesitant the first day, but not bad at all.

It was Monday thru Friday, 9-12.

Each morning they started in ballet shoes with some movement/music...

then I don't know what they did!!

I know they made a craft each day, had a snack, did some tap...

then at 11:30 each morning a "REAL" princess showed up.

Monday was Sleeping Beauty...

Learning how to wave like a princess

Tuesday was Ariel...

Wednesday and Thursday were REALLY real princesses...as in the girls that are doing the beauty pageant circuits (I think)...

And Friday was the culmination with Cinderella.  

They also did a performance...

I've got some cute videos but need to figure out how to get them on here.

Another day!  I just needed to post these because I've got others that need to get on here too.

She really enjoyed it.  I don't think we'll be signing up with a "real" dance studio yet.  But surprisingly she liked the tap best.  I'm going to see what the Y is offering.  I think she loved seeing the princesses the best.

Did you notice that all 3 dress up princesses are the same lady??

We've had such a fun and busy summer.  It's been a blessing.

I was worried at first, but we're down to the last 2 weeks and those are full of family.

We hope ya'll have had a blast too :)