Life's Rad in Carlsbad

If you drive around these parts, you can't miss the ubiquitous license plates boasting that Life's Rad in Carlsbad. We spent Day 3 of Joey's week-long vacation here.

Carlsbad Outlets. We dropped off grandmas.

Then took the kids to Sea Life at Legoland. Definitely a rad museum for kids. Everything is at their eye level....so you don't have to constantly pick them up to see all the marine life.

I still have to cart around my bottle warmer EVERYWHERE for this kiddo. She absolutely refuses to drink her milk cold.

Japanese King Crab. See relation of size to baby in stroller?? I was afraid one of these would find me in my sleep. Amazing and freaky at the same time.

Tons of activity stations for kids--this is an aquarium built for kids in mind!

Tunnel walkway

Yes, that is a Legoman scuba-diving inside the water...you know, like in the wild.

Ended the day with dinner at Carlsbad Souplantation. The only restaurant that can feed all four Ohs right now. And baby's first meal "out". What would we do without Souplantation??

La Jolla Coves

We took our family to La Jolla Coves the day after Milly's party.

I love the (rarely photographed) natural smile on Big Kid's face...but could someone photoshop out that piece of hair on my face???

Playing with Wiki sticks at brunch.

Waiting for our food at The Cottage. Cute place, good food. But I miss Marston's in Pasadena.

Strawberry stuffed french toast

Exploring mussels and anemones

The big kid loves to go for an occasional carrier ride. But at 32+ lbs, it gets pretty heavy.

Shopping in downtown La Jolla

The family left....and returned this week! Haha. Husband's in Michigan for a Pastor's Conference, and we decided to have Reunion #2 with the grandparents. I could use these breaks on a once-a-month basis.....=)

Amelia's First Birthday

Well, it's over. The last Dohl I ever have to throw. Haha. I enjoyed it, most of the time. My goal was to cut $1K from what we spent on Big Kid's party, and I pretty much achieved it. That translated to more DIY and more work for me, but it was worth the money saved.

Thanks to my BIL, David, for taking most of these photos.

Welcome sign by Aileen.

Head table. Collaboration between Edible Delights and myself. DIY burlap flowers on wall, burlap runner & bunting.

Mini macarons and "1" sugar cookies.

Photo board from Costco, DIY letter "A" made from yarn & burlap, DIY star wands made from washi tape.

Grandma Ellie from Portland and my sister from Seattle.

Birthday girl

SD Church Senior Pastor

Eyeing dessert table

Helpers

Making lemonade

Gymnasium next door. Kids running around had a blast.

My two lifesavers, Monica & Aileen

Guests

Pastor Liwanag, giving prayer

Clinton, our MC. Hands down best MC ever.

My cousin & her B/G twins. Their Dohl is a few months away.

Ben's parents

Traditional Korean food. SD catering isn't bad.

Fruit tray by MIL

Becca, at a reunion with all her 20-something friends. There were other kids her age at this party, but she spent the whole afternoon with all her old LA friends. She's been missing them a lot.

Balloon Chef. I randomly found him on the internet, and he didn't turn out to be a con.

Our little family

Monkey in a palm tree

I present these next 5 photos to point out how long girlfriend took in deciding her "fate".

She would touch one item...

...then the next...

and the next....then look out at the audience and stop.

She finally decided on the coins. Here's to fortune!

Darth Vader

I wanted a teal & brown burlap rustic theme for this party. The cake matched perfectly!

Ten bouquets of ranunculus, from a flower field in Vista. Got 'em all for $35 bucks!

Thanks to my FIL for picking up the food that morning and delivering it to the church, to the grandmas who made salad/homemade dressings/fruit salad, and to Jen/Dave & my sister Hanna for helping to set up the church on Saturday night. It was a hectic weekend, and it wouldn't have been possible without all of your help!