January 17 - No Wind for Kites

Dara got a kite for her birthday so we decided to try to go to the park and see if there was enough wind.  With little success at the park we thought we would try plan B and headed for the beach.  Unfortunately today was a remarkably calm day.  And while we are mostly happy for calm days - it is not so good when one is trying to fly a kite.  I was able to get it in the air, but not enough for Dara to be able to hang onto it.  Luckily she loves the beach and the sand and we have dubbed this year "The year of getting Dirty".  One might ask why - well in all honesty I have spent the first 3 years of Dara's life trying to not let her get dirty, because I really do not like cleaning.  However, I have noticed that she has a bit of an aversion to dirt (with the exception of sand).  Dara spent a good deal of time rolling around in the sand on this beach trip - and then continued to remind me that this was the Year of Getting Dirty!!!

sand angels!!!

buried feet

Pier and waves - gorgeous

shadow from the water

Dara, kite and Pier.

p.s. - Christina - this is what I was doing when I was talking with you about running, ministry and kids.

January 16 - In the Night (ok like 6:30)

Well, I probably have a better setting on my camera for night pictures, but I have not figured it out yet - and I guess it wasn't happening as I went down to touch the water.  We had a busy day today for Dara's birthday and I did not make it down to the water, so when Tim got home we tried to make it happen.  Tim and Dara drove me down and parked as close as then could.  I walked across the promenade and past a group of guys chatting.  Down the dark, dark stairs to the water and hoped I was not going to get bowled over by a wave.  It was dark . . .

it's dark

feet in the foam

Tim and Dara in the car

January 15 - The Beginning the Celebration

Dara turns 3 tomorrow and so we decided to celebrate a little early with the Jones family and head to the spot where she had her first birthday.  I preached at 3 services in the morning and then met Tim and Dara at the beach (Surfer's Point).  Once the Micah got there we played a little and ate some cake, but it was a surprisingly cold day so the festivities did not last too long . . . Dara and Tim did see a Red Tail Hawk on the beach before I got there.

Dara watches a hawk (if you can't see it here, check the last pic)

Cairns at the point with surfers in the background

feet in the water

rocks and water

laughing friends

ready for cake

hawk by the water

January 14 - Early Morning

Had an all day meeting in Pasedena today and got up early for a workout and then a quick stop at the beach.  The walk on the sand was so cold.  So cold that my legs ached.  I was so glad to get to the water, and to know that the walk back to the car was not far.  What impressed me most was how warm the water felt - beautiful amazing morning!

soft morning colors

warm water

view from the car

January 13 - Playing with friends

This morning I told Dara we could go to the beach and stay for as long as she wanted.  She had asked if I would invite a few of her friends.  Hooray that Bryan and Micah could join us.  After the past almost 2 weeks of mostly quickly running down to the water and home, or not being able to have "time"  this worked out great.  The weather was actually HOT - rarely does that happen at the beach - so we all had a great time, digging in the sand, running around, playing and enjoying the sun!

testing the water

run fast Dara

feet in the water

playing with Bryan and Micah

footprints, shadow and water

January 12 - A Moment to Enjoy

another gorgeous day at the beach - had fun in the sand and on the play ground.  Dara loves the beach (and can you blame her?)

running near the water

Dara, shadow and reflection

leg in the water

foot prints

shoes

January 11 - Marina Park (or "barina" park)

It was coolish today and I had been promising to take Dara to a park that we don't usually get to, but it is great fun.  I think this was the first time we even went down to the water, usually we just play in the sand by the park equipment or there is this great Pirate Ship and zip line that Dara likes.  It was kinda cool to walk down to the water here so easy - hard to believe that we waited so long.  - Check out Dara's cool shell here.

running to the park

sunset and jetty

wheeeeeee - on the zip line

reflections in the sand

in the water

bird in flight

you can almost see our smiles!

January 10 - Run Fast Mom

I ran down to the beach today before picking up Dara at pre-school, admittedly I was cutting it close, but did not want another struggle like we had last night.  Also after a number of days taking pics on my own I am getting little more artsy.  However, I am not sure it was worth the 14 minutes I left myself to run up  the hill to the pre-school.  (last pic of the pier from 2 blocks down the hill from the preschool) ugh!

the pier is by the tiny trees in the middle

January 9 - Almost

We almost didn't make it to the ocean today.  Dara was in no mood to get out of the house and actually threw a little tantrum (which is almost unheard of for her).  Finally I got her out of the house and she agreed to just run quick to the water and back to the stroller to get home - surprisingly that is exactly how it went down and I barely even got time to snap a pic.  but did manage to get a few good ones.

running to the water

a quick moment in the water

post sunset

January 8 - Reflections in the Sand

This evening we walked down to the beach before dinner and let Dara play in the sand again.  A little more wind today - but still gorgeous.  Very low tide makes for some great beach walking too.  If you are up for it, low tide is a good time to look for beach glass . . . (maybe when Dara is a little older) - but whether you are looking for something or not - the reflections on the water soaked sand are really cool!

January 7 . . . This morning I had a long workout with yoga and running and walking to and from the Farmer's Market.  I was not too keen on walking down to the beach, but what a beautiful day!  Tim even when out for an afternoon surf which is rare around here since there is almost always wind in the afternoon - but not today- if you can pick out the flag on the pier in these pics you may notice the amount of non-windiness!  Thankfully I had some good company with Tim and Dara, walking down to the beach.

January 6 - Epiphany - waves and rocks

Today we had some big"ish" surf and a high tide in the morning - so I ran down to the boardwalk before Tim went to work to check it out.  Not the biggest I have seen here, but fun to take some pics of the waves on and the rocks.