Summer, thus far

This year has zipped by so far. I blinked and we passed the year mark of moving to California. I love living here. It is beautiful, the weather is ideal, and Edward has actual time with us. It is a serious relief after Germany, where I rarely saw the man. We eat dinner together every night, have guests, feel like real people. We even strung up lights in the backyard so we can drink wine and hear the seals barking in the evening.
Is this what it's like to be a civilian?
This time in California is charmed, and a consolation.

In May, I flew out to Minnesota with Daniel to visit some college friends. I don’t know how ready I am to travel with him again—picture delay after delay in an airport with a walking toddler—but it was great to see my friends. We didn’t even go anywhere! We simply sat around drinking coffee and laughing while kids played and read books.

I tried out my wetsuit finally! The water of the Pacific, especially central California, is icy. I think last month it was 56F, so I haven't even attempted it. For my birthday, Edward bought me a wetsuit and I hopped in the water for a quick trial.
I was not prepared.
The suit kept my body protected, but my hands and feet and head were stinging and screaming within seconds. If I ever hope to swim for longer than 3 minutes, I'm going to have to find some booties, gloves, and a hood.
So insanely cold.

Edward made a standing high chair! It has changed my life. Daniel doesn't like to sit to eat, but he will stand happily. Dinner has become infinitely more enjoyable.

We took a trip to Big Bear Lake, CA for a reunion with family from my husband’s side. The weather was wonderful and the company was grand. We somehow managed to shove 8 adults and 9 kids into one home, and all emerge unscathed. We walked the downtown Village, rode the mountain coaster, played mini golf, lounged in our hot tub, drank cocktails, fished, boated, and swam in the lake. The water was cold, but swimmable…although perhaps I should say that it was swimmable to me. I was one of the few (if any) adults in the water. But I love swimming. I measure a vacation by how much time I get to spend in the water.

We spent a few days in LA visiting some friends—gosh, there is some good food there—and followed it with drive along the California coast. Lunch and a walk through Santa Barbara, overnight in Moro Bay, a gorgeous drive along Big Sur and Carmel. I want to go back to Santa Barbara to explore more. It seems a neat place—mission style buildings, good eating, lovely shores. If you are asking though, I would skip Moro Bay and head right to Carmel.

The drive ended up being far longer because of construction.
After sitting at a standstill for 45 minutes, Edward turns to me.
E: I spy with my little eye, something that is brown.
Me: (looks around) That UPS truck?
E: Yes.
I laughed until I cried. Goodness that man is funny.