August Mid Cap

We did a little family getaway, (the first of the summer), down South (Newport Beach). David is super busy during the summer so it was a nice treat to spend a few days with having him all to ourselves!

A little pit-stop:

 A ferry ride to check out Balboa Island:

Beach fun at Crystal Cove:

I am a lucky gal to have these 3 in my life!

Vacationing with kids is getting easier every year.

Cheers!

Back in SB, we celebrated this little lady at a family birthday favorite:

Beachside Cafe
That sundae feeds at least four! It is huge and decadent.
They pre scoop McConnell's vanilla ice cream into the goblet and let it freeze.
This way the hot fudge doesn't melt your ice cream right away.
It's perfect!

 Can't believe she is 6!

Food Love

After we left Santa Monica, we stopped by The Grove, another favorite of mine. I just love the outdoor vibe. It is a retail shoppers happy place. But, since we were with the kids, I didn't get my hopes up for leisurely window browsing or purchasing. And that was perfectly fine, this time ; )

However, there was one place I wanted to pop in to: UMAMI BURGER! I have heard so much about this place, so naturally I had to taste for myself.

Their Truffle Beet Salad was so yummy! I also polished off their Port & Stilton Burger (see pic below). I think I'd polish anything off with carmelized onions. David had their Manly Burger (a cheeseburger with smoked salt onions strings and BACON lardons). Their sweet potato fries had a little cinnamon kick and their tempura battered onions rings were so light.

And just when you think you can't possibly eat anymore . . . 

Guess again!
How could we leave without indulging a little more.

California Love

On Saturday, we took a little day trip out of Santa Barbara. Not that the weather wasn't nice that day, but it's always fun getting out of town. And luckily, fun is just less than 2 hours away.

Yes, we are lucky to have "winter" days like these:

I love Malibu : )

And the kids . . . well they love:

Santa Monica : )

Sophia loves the ferris wheel

Kalista was thrilled to ride solo!

So was Mommy ; )

It was a sugar rush day : )

Hope you had a fun and fabulous weekend too!

Santa Monica

On Saturday we decided to take a little day trip to Santa Monica. Sophia loves the rides on the pier. We didn't tell her where we were going and she was fine with being surprised.

Just another sunny day : )

The Hall Girls

While Sophia & I waited for this . . . 

 . . . Kalista & Daddy were  riding this.

Kalista sporting some Bruin pride for her daddy.