Visits With Nana

So yes, we did just see my mom and Will (and much more family) earlier this month and now we're seeing Mom and Will again. The timing wasn't the greatest, but things just happened to work out that way and...well what can ya do?

On that note, here's a bit about our visit with Nana and Ogi (Will's grandpa nickname) for Cara's first birthday party :)

Thursday Mom flew in and since Will was driving in from Vegas he just picked her up from the airport and they came to the house themselves. Since travel days can be pretty taxing we obviously didn't plan much except dinner and some catching up in the living room. I try and make our home feel more comfortable rather than stiff so I really just wanted them to feel that on their first day in so I think we accomplished it (although there was probably less TV watching than they are used to).

Is this not the cutest picture ever?
Nana and Cara watching Moana together

Friday we met up with Grandma and Cindy (and her girls) at Tracy Aviary to do some bird watching. Cara loved the plants and the peacocks, but the rest of the time she just wanted to walk around. It was really cute how curious she was AND it was fun showing off how well she walks. I feel bad when others want to hold her and she just wants to explore, but that's my little girl!



Looking at birdies...or fishies...or just the water

She stole my necklace.
Also, we both make goofy pics

Getting close to the Peacock

After the Aviary, we did lunch at Hires downtown where we found you HAVE to specify you want fries with your burger (what??) and the apartments are VERY expensive (like whoa!). Then we hit up the Planetarium (since it's free!). I couldn't tell you how funny it was to see Cara through the planetarium. I know she's too young to really understand what it is, but she LOVED it. She was obsessed with the tornado simulator and she loved the things she could touch! It was so cute seeing her curiosity come alive. We took a scenic drive home (i.e. the freeway was backed up so we took a lot of side streets) so she got a nice little nap in before we got home.

She was obsessed with this simulator

Besides being free, the best part of
The Planetarium is that she can touch
Things there!



Saturday we decided to hit up the zoo with Grandma. We let Cara walk a bit on her own, but mostly kept her with our group. We got some lunch there and she LOVED the fries she got. It was a regular zoo visit though, nice, but nothing special.

That night we introduced Mom and Will to Settlers of Catan (the game)...I'm not sure they loved it, but we had fun playing with them! Cara was excited to sit with Nana while she played :)

Sunday was full of party prep and then Cara's Party. You can read about her party here. The day was fun, Mom was REALLY helpful with getting things done and getting it ready. I was so happy with this day there wasn't anything else I could ask for!

Monday was our goodbyes. Even though they didn't lave until Tuesday, Mom and Will were spending the night at Grandma's. We did hit up the Aquarium earlier in the day though as a last activity together. Cara had fun walking up and down the ramps and walking way ahead of the group and then turning around to go back to the group (she is definitely getting used to those legs of her and working on that walking skill. There was even an older couple who commented on how good of a walker she was for being so small...I love hearing things like that). When we finally got to my favorite part - the shark tank - she was passed out so she didn't get to see it. But I think we'll have to take her back when the weather is colder outside so she can see it all again.

Saying goodbye is never easy, but we had such a good trip. I think the hardest part of this visit's goodbye is that we aren't fully sure when we're seeing each other again. Mom said she's going to come out after our Little Minion is born, but we don't have exact dates. Either way, it's nice to see them and talk with them and catch up. I do look forward to our next visit!