Cousins and Shelly

We were so excited to have Shelly and Kevin in town with the twinsies this week.  Bryn was head over heels about these little girls and couldn't believe how much they'd grown up since we last saw them.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Part of beach week every year is going to the Boardwalk on cheap night and riding all the rides.  This one got six kids at once which is probably our record for the evening.  It's craziness trying to coordinate twenty-something people of varying ages and still get everyone on all the rides they want.  (Casualties this year include Kellie and me as we didn't get on a single ride.  Giant Dipper, I miss you!) 

This ride was Owen's first of the evening.  He started stomping around and whining while in line, and I thought he'd gotten scared and was wimping out.  Nope, he wanted to go ride the big roller coaster that's right behind this ride.  Grow, Owen, grow, so I can have a roller coaster riding buddy.

The Claire Bear's ride selection is limited, but she enjoyed everything she went on.  And I guess I lied above because we had adults, teens and little kids on this ride.  And also, I went on it, so I guess I did ride a ride, even if I did just stand next to Claire and make sure she didn't dismount while in motion.  I love the Looff Carousel.  I have so many childhood memories of pulling the brass rings and throwing them at the clown mouth. I never made it in.  Oh well, it's the fun that counts.  It's hard for me to believe it will be 100 next year, and I'll have been riding it for a third of that time.

Twinners!

We stopped and saw Shelly and Kevin's new twin girls on our way to the beach.  They're just a month old but very clearly have their own personalities already.  It's always so sweet to snuggle a newborn.  Owen doesn't feel quite the same way, but I'm giving him a pass since he's four.  And we didn't even bring Claire, because I don't know what she'd do, but I'd be scared to see it.  Bryn wanted to sneak one of the babies home with us!