I still can't believe we're already more than halfway through September. It seems that if I blink, it will be October.
Here's the low-down on what we've been up to this past week:
1. Hiking (of course!!)
In Southern California, we don't have "seasons" the way many other places do, but we do see fall colors at random times throughout the year, usually not in the fall. The end of summer or beginning of winter is when we seem to get our fall hues and leaves-falling action. In case you were wondering, the fall temps have still not arrived. We have some of the looks of fall (see the picture top left especially), but the temperature has still been sitting in the upper 80s and 90s for the most part here.
So we hiked fairly early in the morning when there was still some cloud cover last weekend.
2. Disneyland (of course!!)
We hopped to the park for an evening. That day had been on and off rain and we got some sprinkles, plus this little rainbow as we entered.
Some lovely Disneyland views
Kayla and Chris were able to catch quite a few of the roller coasters, and while they did, the other gals and I met up with some of our favorite princesses. It never gets old to meet their elegant friends.
twirling!
Carousel selfie (this ride is always a hit too)
3. Party for the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary
Yes, we were VIPs. My godfather and his wife had a party and reserved parking in their driveway for us since we have little ones. Aren't they the best? It was quite the honor since the other party VIP was the priest, Fr. Alphonsus. The girls loved him and chatted and laughed with him non stop.
I'm pretty sure I blinded him with the flash since I pulled out the camera on the later side of the evening when the sun had already set.
4. Franciscan University Alumni Event
Last Sunday, we attended a SoCal alumni event for our alma mater. It began with a private Mass in the Father Serra Chapel at the San Juan Capistrano Mission celebrated by the current University President Fr. Sean.
The lily pond was in bloom and the girls loved it
Of special note is that next week on the 23rd of September, Father Serra will be canonized. We are blessed to live near a wonderful spiritual and historical site where he actually walked and celebrated Mass.
Fr. Serra, pray for us
After the Mass, we headed to a nearby beach for some food and fun. The kids played, we visited with old friends and made some new ones (I even met a fairly recent grad in my household that lives not too far from us), and we said a Chaplet together and listened to some University updates from Fr. Sean. A good time was had by all.
5. Mom's group and baby shower
This week my mom's group started up again and we had a baby shower for one of our newish members who had her first little one at the end of July. Welcome baby Ivy!
There were about 4 moms who joined us for the first time and a few of them with young kids which was fun. One mom who recently moved here from Pennsylvania had a little boy just 10 days older than Sophie.
6. Park Play Date
It's a fairly usual occurrence for us to hang out at a park with our buddy Gregory during the week. Jacinta and I get some time to chat and the kids get their Vitamin D and exercise.
Always a blast!
7. Preparation for the Big Visit from the Cincinnati grandparents
Kayla absolutely insisted that we buy some pretty flowers to put on our table as part of the "Welcome to California" effort for Chris' parents and 4 of his younger brothers. They left Cincinnati last Saturday and arrived here on Wednesday afternoon. The girls were beyond thrilled to see Grammy, Granddad and 'the Uncles', point out the sun flowers and offer them special "Welcome Cookies" made with love and the help of Kayla and Elise.
