Long Beach Fix

We had the chance to be in Long Beach for a bit in August - always too short to see everyone we want to see, but we did get to see some friends and eat lots of Mexican food!  Excellent all around.

This is how we roll....

So, I estimate, since January, the girls have been on about 10 flight legs, maybe more.  They have a routine and know exactly what they do on the flight - iPad and/or satellite TV, Sprite and "Bits and Bites" (it's a Canadian snack - Chex Mix-type thing).  I'm pretty sure they can recite the safety protocol in English and French.  Lucky ducks!

More San Diego, Please.

When we came down to San Diego for the Trotter reunion, we decided to stay for a few days and be tourists.  We had a great time - Legoland, Coronado, the beach!  I love San Diego.

At Coronado Beach

Legoland, sponsored by Volvo.

Cute rides with lots of Lego creatures.

The girls loved all the water games.

Katherine's favorite ride.

And, this one too.

Hanging out with the locals.

Where we spent the majority of the day.

Torrey Pines State Reserve - beautiful views.

And, of course, La Jolla Shores....love those sea lions and seals!

And, who doesn't love a sky-writer?

Friends...with benefits.

We are lucky enough to have friends with cabins.  And, we are lucky enough to have friends with cabins who invite us to stay with them.  One such friend has a second home in Kimberley, BC - and this cute little Bavarian-esque town is a great spot for a weekend stay in the winter and the summer.  And, the drive to Kimberley - just under 4 hours - happens to be through 2 or 3 national parks and some of the most beautiful scenery we have seen - ever.  The drive always includes wildlife sightings.  We have seen bears (brown and grizzly), wolves, foxes, moose, elk, deer and bighorn sheep from the highway.  We were in Kimberely for the summer's first weekend - which also happened to be Canada Day. 

The weekend included a hike - just a short walk from their cabin.  

 

On Canada Day, we spent the morning at a local living-history-type place.  Aren't the mountains gorgeous?  

The kids dressed up for Canada Day - Red and White!  

Panning for gold.

And cake for the Canada Day celebration!  

 This is the guest cabin that is ours when we're in Kimberley - "Teeny, Tiny Cabin!"

Thanks Doering/Ringseis Family!  We love you and Kimberley!  

August 3, 1912

Fred Trotter, my grandfather.

One of the highlights of the summer was our trip to San Diego to be a part of a Trotter reunion at my aunt and uncle's home.  It was a great day of catching up and hearing the story of my grandfather's immigration to the United States from Ireland in August 1912.  He traveled on the famous Lusitania and landed in Ellis Island.  Following, he met up with his brother in Southern California and served as a Methodist pastor throughout Southern California for the next 40 years.  He and my grandmother, Hazel, had six children, thirteen grandchildren and twenty-two great, grand-children.  

The whole group!  

The 2nd Generation - my lovely cousins.

Katherine's favorite part.

January?

After hearing expert speculations about how this would be one of the coldest and longest winters ever, I was bracing myself (and buying lots of long underwear). But, so far, this fall and winter has been one of the mildest! Yesterday it was 60 degrees! And one day this week Calgary was warmer than Orlando. Go figure. I'll take it - 4 months of winter sounds a lot better than 6 months!


This is last year - note the snow....


This is this year. Not much snow.

Farmer's Market

Quick trip to the Calgary Farmer's Market this morning. Love this place! Great food, indoor playground and a fireplace. Can't beat it.