So the idea of a vacation (even a short one) is so much more fun than the reality of traveling with a four month old. (Actually, Isabella was probably the least cranky of us all. ) In the end we were glad we went but accepted the fact that 3 days away was the absolute most we could handle. :)
The purpose of our trip was to visit Cousin Jack for his 8th year birthday party!! The pool party was Ninja-themed. (Kudos to Christa for the attention to detail and all the delicious Ninjian food).
How Isabella passes the time during the long car ride. That and sleeping. zzzzzzz
Lest you think Isabella is really a snowbird on her way South to Florida...
I don't know why I felt like propping the kid up in front of a bunch of cans of pea soup.
It's Anderson's and they're famous for their pea soup, what else is there to do?
Nana and the babe.
A bunch of firsts for Isabella: First toe dip in a pool, first toe dip in the ocean, first toe dig in the sand. Isn't life grand?
Surviving the heat by eating her shirt.
The pool party!
Ninja Jack
The cake!
Christa the Queen of all things Ninja...
Meeting cousin Erin for the first time!!
There's that darn snowbird again...
Our dear family friends, the Stiefvaters, treated Isabella to her first tea party--a fabulous way to celebrate girlhood in all its glory! Isabella also officially received her Indian princess name as chosen by the great East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon: Princess Spring Vine. Way back when we were kids several of the Theta Chi daughters were given special Indian princess names by Annie Stiefvater (East of the Sun, West of the Moon). We spent long summer hours playing outside and swimming in the pool at Casa Accampo donning our Indian Princess monikers. I was Princess Fishing Water, Mary was Princess Plum Tree and Kate was Princess Moonbeam. It seemed only fitting to have our new little princess receive a name of her own. Welcome to the tribe babe!
East of the Sun and West of the Moon with Spring Vine
Princess Plum Tree and P.S.V.
Marion Bratton, another wonderful family friend joined us too!
The Princess enjoys her "tea"
The site of the tea party was the beautiful Sheraton Palace in San Francisco
Sitting close to us was a group of women, the Sisters of the (Tea) Leaf, who once a month get together to have tea somewhere in Northern California. They were the sweetest ladies and we were envious of their hats and wraps. 
Before we knew it Mary had become one of the Sisters...
The cute girlie tea party clothes came off (the baby, of course) as the fatigue set in. Nothing like sitting in a chair fit for a Queen as you are drifting off to dream land.
