December 28, 2011 by Dad.

What ? Another trip to the beach ? Do these mid-westerners ever tire of the sunny mild days here in California ? Everyday seems good enough to be called a beach day

Actually the in-laws ( mother, father and sister ) went “wine tasting” so we had a day to ourselves again and wanted to get out of the house as it was really a beautiful day - mid 60s F in December !! Eat that Chicago !

We first had lunch at a place on the beach and then found a spot on the sand and released the kids. It was already quite late in the day and the sun had started setting so the light was not great for photos, but in a matter of minutes my subjects had given me over 200 images and a couple of real gems ( especially Etienne - coming soon ).

It was really tough for us to tell if Cezanne had a good time, you be the judge

To say this child enjoys the beach, the sand and just being outside would be a major understatement ! I think if she could she’d live on the beach - just don’t give her any ideas, at least not yet !

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December 17, 2011 by Dad.

As luck would have it we ran into Santa (again) at the local firehouse here in Dublin. We walked over to see the jolly fellow and take some photos. Cezanne and Etienne got helmets and badges and were thrilled to see Santa and the fire engines.

Cezanne got to see a boy friend from her class and we got to tease her about it

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December 11, 2011 by Dad.

Lanelle’s mom & dad arrived to visit at the beginning of December and we decided to take them into the city (San Francisco) and show them the beach and bridge so we returned to Baker’s Beach on a much colder windier day. Cezanne and Etienne love the beach despite the weather and had just as much fun this time round. After some time on the beach we went to get some lunch and bumped into Santa ! What a lucky surprise ! We enjoyed our lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf and then went to see the giant Gingerbread House at the Fairmont Hotel. Cezanne got a chance to write Santa another letter and mailed it from the lobby of the Hotel.

Baker’s Beach & Golden Gate Bridge, Cezanne enjoying the sand…

Cezanne on the beach in December, only in California !!

Baker’s Beach & Golden Gate Bridge, with Mommy & Etienne

Santa in San Francisco @ Fisherman’s Wharf - lucky surprise !!

Cezanne and Etienne at the Fairmont in San Francisco

Cezanne writing and then mailing her second letter to Santa

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October 16, 2011 by Dad.

Cezanne asked when we were going on vacation again, so I asked where she’d like to go if we were to go on vacation. Her answer, the beach. Since this was something within our power to make happen, we did. We did a little research on where to go and then packed a bag with some towels, beach gear, sand toys and headed west. We found Baker’s Beach just south of The Golden Gate Bridge and the day could not have been any better. Overcast sky, no wind, temperatures in the mid 60s. Perfect !

Cezanne enjoying the beach more than most !

Name in the sand, sharing with brother, a mighty pose.

My family…

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October 11, 2011 by Dad.

The first official class trip for Cezanne and her K-3 kindergarten class.

Lanelle and Etienne were invited to join the class.

Cezanne got to pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch.

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October 2, 2011 by Dad.

We found somewhere to pick apples and keep the tradition going. It was a little further than the farm we picked at in Illinois, but well worth the drive. A lot of much smaller apple farms that were not too crowded and this made it great !

We found a few farm stalls selling pumpkins as well as apples and this one in particular had an amazing selection of different shapes and sizes of pumpkins.

Finally we stopped in to see good old friends and Cezanne got to fulfill a dream, riding a real horse. Just look at that face ! Clearly this was the highlight of the day !!

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June 12, 2011 by Dad.

The Lambert family are now residents of California… (Just don’t ask for our address - we don’t have one yet !)

How ironic that I end my posts from Chicago / Naperville with a photo of Cezanne on a carousel and here I start a new chapter with a photo of Cezanne on a carousel. Maybe this is how her life will be, one big fun round about. I certainly hope so

Queen of the Carousel !

One of the few good photos where both parent and child / children are looking at the camera and smiling ! What a happy family despite the last 6 months…

Cezanne, such a happy child. May she remain so always…

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June 5, 2011 by Dad.

Our last day in Naperville, last day in Chicagoland, last day in Illinois…
What better way to spend it than with friends at the zoo, especially when the weather is this good !

Above, Cezanne keeps a watchful eye on Etienne and stands still for just a moment with BFF Chloe.

Cezanne (and Chloe, Megan & Etienne) watch the dolphins from the underwater viewing area.

Cezanne reacts to Etienne’s silly behavior. Etienne was drinking his juice and then dribbling it down his chin. The girls thought this was totally hysterical and Etienne being a bit of a showman just had to entertain them.

Cezanne and the bears.

It sure was a hot day and near the end of our visit we found a cooling mist. The girls had to overdo it of course.
The final treat at the zoo is always a ride on the wonderful carousel. 

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May 30, 2011 by Dad.

Today was another wonderful Spring/Summer day and one of our last in Chicago. We decided to visit the Morten Arboretum’s Children’s Garden one last time ( so sad ).

Leading the way; Catching tadpoles; Etienne, Daddy & Cezanne; Conquering an big acorn !

Cezanne & Etienne; Tree-house Cheeeeese; Lost in Lavender; Big Hugs for Brother

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May 29, 2011 by Dad.

We decided that for her milestone 5th birthday we would treat Cezanne to a very special gift - a real American Girl Doll. These are very special dolls and there are only a few stores in the US, one just happens to be in Chiacgo. With our pending move to California and all that she has gone through and will still go through because of the move and the fact that she is turning 5 and add to all that the fact that she has been going on and on about this doll for months now, we felt it would be something we would do for her. We drove into the city on an overcast and rainy morning, parked the car and walked over to the store.

Etienne and I strolled around while Mommy and Cezanne looked and each and every doll and read all about each one. The girls had done some homework and had already figured out what they were looking for but still needed to look at everything, just to be sure they did not miss a thing. For those of you unfamiliar with American Girl Dolls this store and the associated dolls they each have a back story and the dolls try teach principles and life lessons through their stories, books and movies.

Cezanne finally picked Julie, the 1970s era doll who went through a big move to a new city, San Francisco coincidentally.

Once Julie had been selected and paid for we were trapped in the store by a torrential down pour. When there was a break in the rain we made a dash for an ice cream palor around the corner and enjoyed the most delicious milkshakes before heading home.

Cezanne & Julie, Mama & Cezanne in the American Girl Doll store in Chicago

Cezanne & Kanani, Cezanne and the recent dolls of the year, Cezanne picks Julie !!

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