Cousins!

My cousin David and his family from Washington are here visiting, which has made for some fun times with family. Nici and Aaron hosted a big beach day and BBQ at their house in Newport Beach on Saturday.

Some of the crew!
David, Stacey, Nici, Aimee, Dennis, & Scott

Steve and Aaron.

Sand Mermaid Ella.

Earlier in the week, while Steve was back at work, Kate and I drove down to Newport by ourselves to visit and Kate had her very first trip to the beach! After Nici and I hauled her stroller across the sand and we got a chair and an umbrella set up, she was a happy camper.

Beach Baby.

Of course, no trip to the beach is complete for a girl without a new swimsuit. As we were planning the day, Nici asked if Kate had a bathing suit and I said "No." She said that she would take care of it and boy did she ever. When we got to her house on Tuesday, Nici handed me a "Little Brown Bag" from Bloomingdales. Inside was this adorable light pink suit with tulle netting and pastel flowers across the top. 

Little Surfer Girl.

Kate met a new best friend this week. David's wife, Amy Jo, is a baby whisperer. She loved Kate and Kate really loved her!

After dinner on Tuesday as I was nursing Kate, these two peeked their heads in and asked in the sweetest voices if they could hold her.

Drake, my cousin Dennis' son.

 Kate started crying while he was holding her and without any prompting from the adults in the room,
he started singing the song "Hush, Little Baby" to her.

Poor Em. She wants nothing more than for Kate to play with her.
By the time she got to hold her, Kate was tired and this is what she got!

We sure loved the special times this past week and introducing Kate to more of her family.