California 2011

The morning after Nick's change of command, we set out for a week in California.  As usual, we hit the pavement running to catch up with our families....I'll let the pictures tell the story...

Celebrating Mimi's last day of school.

Emmy and Andy played freeze dance with Mimi's first graders, they planted themselves in the center of the circle.

Mimi dancing with her girls.

Emmy is obsessed with ice.

Emmy cuddles with Grammy Horn.

Emmy and Daddy perfecting their stunts in the pool.

Hangin' with Uncle Ben and Uncle Grant.

The In-N-Our challenge! The kiddos probably could have competed in the french fry consumption category (had there been one.)  After they finished each of their cartons, they hunted Mom down and stole hers.

Nick hard at work.  He'd diligently "stretched" his stomach for the week leading up in preparation for this challenge...

...And it paid off! Nick beat the other competitors (from right to left: Uncle Kent, Dad, Bryce, Jamie, Nick and J.P.) with a whopping 5 3/4 double-doubles consumed in about 45 minutes.  I have heartburn just thinking about it.

Half Moon Bay!

Andy wasn't quite quick enough to beat the waves, so Daddy saved the day!

Time for dessert!

Clairey wanted to wrestle, and Emmy was loving it.

Clairey and Emmy wanted to hold hands.  So they did.

It takes a cast to hold Emmy's attention.

Clairey's much easier to please.

Emmy mastered the lego wall at "Zeum," a children's museum in San Francisco.

First time on a carousel!  She loved it!

Clairey...not so much.

A little smile to appease his crazy aunt.

Clairey and Kris finished the ride on the bench seat.

The three musketeers!

Curling up with a good book. :)

Horn family picture at our Father's Day BBQ.

Emmy and Great Grandpa Jack.

Odell-Horn-Sacksteder family picture.  No easy feat getting everyone into one frame (and looking at the camera, no less!)  Emmy was the toothbrush bandit during our stay in California.  No one was safe as she sought out new ones to feed her habit.

Muir Woods!  Looking forward to when our children have the stamina to do the full hike to the beach...I think we still have several years ahead of us until that happens, but it was still awe-inspiring.

Feeding the ducks at Blackhawk Plaza.

Long trip back to Tennessee...Flight delays led to an unexpected night spent in Chicago.  Nothing like drawing out the travel nerves into two days instead of one.  Emmy was positively manic by the time we got to the hotel at 10pm, with only a 20 minute nap since rising that morning.)  On a brighter note, we enjoyed both chicago-style hot dogs and deep dish pizza during our extended layover.