Piggy GIVEAWAY!

Just wanted to make sure you're all "in the know"... Piggy is doing a freebie giveaway on the blog right now. It's super easy to enter. And if you enter... well... you could WIN! :) Check it out.

Friends

Ever since Linden arrived as part of our family, our first child (the hairier, darker, creature living in our house) has been a little stand-offish. Don't get me wrong, he tolerates Linden, even protects her around strangers, but all-in-all he's kept his distance, and seemed to accept his demoted status in the family ("get off Linden's blanket, Otto", "stop running around, Linden is sleeping", "get off the couch, I need to feed Linden", etc, etc. - poor guy).

Well, in the last week I've noticed some changes. For one, we usually get up, have breakfast, and then Linden gets some time on the floor to play. The last few mornings, Otto has run up, sniffed her head and proceeded to give her a couple of licks (which always takes L by surprise - she makes the funniest face.) Secondly, I've caught him snuggled up against her while she's playing. Here are a few pics of the two exploring their new friendship - which mostly consists of Linden tugging, patting, pulling, grabbing, and poking Otto, and he patiently takes it.

Here are the playmates holding hands...

Makes a Mommy proud to see her kidlets getting along! :)

Splish Splash!

Linden got to swim in a pool for the first time today... and she absolutely LOVED IT!

Dad was so excited that he bought her an "inflatable whale" to float around the pool.

We didn't catch it on camera, but she was screaming and splashing... much to Kacy's delight.

Our happy little swimmer...

Walking on the steps...

More Concert in the Park Fun...

Yes, this really is one of our favorite activities in the summer, and here a few more pics of the fun! Linden is a really social baby so far, and she's usually happy going from person to person during our picnic!

Here's Linden showing she is her Mother's Daughter, and chomping down on a snickerdoole right under Ange's nose! Never underestimate a woman with a sweet tooth!

And here's the little lady with Marissa, flashing a big old grin (and showing some of that scrumptious belly). If you look close you can see her two bottom teeth. And don't worry, just as we were getting used to having two teeth, her top two just broke in this week. We're working on her "rabbit" impression and will post pics soon.

Fun weekend w/ visitors

The Yardley's had a fun weekend w/ a few visitors. Leo and Marko drove across the U.S. from Washington D.C. and made a stop to see us in Santa Barbara.

We love having visitors, as it forces us to be tourists in our own town!

We started out the weekend our favorite way. Breakfast burritos at Alice Keck Park (aka Turtle Park)

Later we enjoyed our new guilty pleasure... Yogurtland! Marko didn't realize you weren't supposed to eat the spoon...

Santa Claus Lane Beach. Linden doing her push-up regimen.

Thankfully Linden was holding up the umbrella.

The tower atop the Courthouse

A short hike to Knapp's Castle (in 95 degree heat!)

Sunday night, Leo and sous chef Marko cooked a delicious traditional Brazilian dish for all of us... Mmmmm!

Enjoying dinner on the patio. Brian with cough syrup?

We were sad to see them go. Although short, it was a good weekend!!

You can track their road trip on Leo's blog. Happy trails guys!

Happy Strollin'!

We were strollin' around downtown today... and Linden really got a kick out of it.

Here's a glimpse of her mood... please excuse her father's childish behavior.

Concert in the Park...

One of our favorite activities during the summer are the Concerts in the Park at Chase Palm Park. Although the music is secondary...

We have a standing "date" with friends and show up when we can on Thursday nights. Tonight was Linden's first concert!

Family Shot. Linden was yelling at the photographer... probably something about lighting and composition...

Linden took a break from her toy to look at Dad.

One of her favorite activities... gnawing on a plastic water bottle.

Kacy and L trying to pose...

L subsequently grabbing her sunglasses.

The best toys are always trash!

Enjoying the view...

Linden loves watching the activity outside. Especially the cars that drive by.

Wordless Wednesday