Birthdays, Princesses, and Tooth Fairies

We had a belated 2nd birthday party for Kate with Granny, Gee, and her aunties.  Kate loved celebrating her birthday for the whole month!!

Modeling her party dress.

Opening a few presents.

Hamming it up in her new dress-up clothes.

Nothing like getting pretty clothes dirty!

Thanks Auntie Tin for another delicious birthday cake!!

 

Kate dressing-up in her Princess clothes that were a birthday gift from Auntie Megan.  By the way, Dylan LOVES to dress-up Kate!

Dylan's first tooth came out on August 15.  He was very excited to show-off his new smile.

Monterey Bay & Capitola Beach

We decided to squeeze in one last little trip before the summer ended...Monterey!  Here are the kids outside of our hotel, The Clement.

(firetruck driving by)

A few of our favorite sights at the aquarium:

Playing at Capitola Beach:

Dylan had a blast getting chased and soaked by waves.

Kate happily watching from the dry sand:

Getting drenched!!

Ice cream sandwiches!

Our surprise vacation in Chicago

Thanks to some strategic decisions on our part (giving up our seats for travel vouchers) and a mechanical issue when we actually got on a flight, we ended our East Coast trek with 4 nights (courtesy of United Airlines) in Chicago!

We rode the double-decker bus, seeing all the sights and stopping for some great strolls around the city...

 

Dylan being a conductor on the "L" train...

A priceless photo opportunity (in a hotel that the kids could have only dreamed about)...

  

A day at the zoo (as if all days aren't)...

 

Question- Who's the higher mammal?

Kate pointing out a brick chimney..aka "Fred Dibnah Chimney" thanks to Gee's thrilling teachings...

 

Farewell Chicago!