The Harrer Happenings: Surf, Sand, and Tangerines!

Yep we went to Santa Barbara, California a couple weeks ago. We all had a blast hanging out with family and celebrating birthdays and anniversaries! My grandparents (and parents) really enjoyed visiting with Ellie and were fascinated at how much she had changed since they last saw her at Christmas.

Again, Ellie proved to us that she is a real trooper when travelling. Our flight leaving Boston was delayed by over 2 hours. We were supposed to leave right after her typical bedtime, but the little girl was up till after 9:45pm! She had fun running around the waiting area and making friends with a couple other over-exhausted toddlers. Her favorite place though, was the "make sure your carry-on fits" stand!

Ellie loved running around my grandma's backyard. My parents yard is a little full of trees, vegetable and herb gardens, and flowers. But Grandma Dolly has wide open grass areas! At my other grandparent's place, Ellie enjoyed the fish pond, although I was paranoid they would jump out and get her (or she would fall in trying to hug them)! These Koi were literally as big as she was! But her Grandpa kept her safe.

While out in Santa Barbara we couldn't let Ellie miss the sights! She visited the Mission, the zoo, the beach, and ate some terrific Mexican food! The zoo was awesome, I mean where else can you see the giraffes and ocean at the same time? Ellie wasn't a fan of the beach. She didn't walking in the sand at all (one day Ellie...). And the famous "June gloom" made for the visit a little chilly (but we didn't stress out too much about sunburns!) And the Mexican food, well we already knew she loved beans, cheese, and tomatoes, so it wasn't that much of a leap!

Although, I think her favorite things about California were playing with my old wagon and eating tangerines fresh off my grandma's tree! She loved riding in, pushing people in, and pulling the wagon. She was so sad to leave it behind! The tangerines! She couldn't get enough. We even let her (with a little help!) take them off the tree herself.

But the best part about visiting Santa Barbara, was seeing Ellie with my grandparents. Grandpa Van just turned 90 and Ellie even shared her (well, my dad's) ducks! Ellie loved showing how to care for her baby doll with Grandma Dolly. And Ellie would lead Grandma Van around outside!