Instax Friends and Family

I decided to take some instant photos of the St. Louis family and friends while we were home. I wanted a photo with everyone we saw. Mostly, a success, though we did miss a few people. But I have these little souvenirs of a fantastic time at home with a bunch of my favorite people! :)

Grandma and Prince with me.

A Trip Home

Almost one year, to the date, since we moved away from St. Louis, we made the trip back home. There was Dewey's Pizza, Ted Drewes, soon much Imo's, White Castle, Gingham's breakfast, and grandma's cooking. We loved the time with friends and with family. I loved the frigid air and the snow on the ground - Kim didn't appreciate that as much, my warm air loving wife. :) I got to do some fix-up's at grandma's house, including shoveling snow! We saw the Blues win a game on home ice. And we loaded up on Imo's pizza, including two extra large pizza's that we packed up and brought to our freezer in California. It was a great trip. :) We didn't spend a ton of time with our cameras out, instead, just enjoyed our time there. Here are the few snaps I did get, and there will be some instant film in blogs to follow! 

Grandma and Kim, waiting for Prince to piddle. 

Grandma Cookies

My grandma sent me my very favorite cookies for Christmas this year. Dreams really do come true. And I might almost need a refill already!

Seal Beach with Family

These photos are from around Seal Beach. Under some sad circumstances, we got to spend some time with some of Kim's cousins and family a couple of weeks ago. We had a great Indian dinner, breakfast at the beach, lots of time sitting around talking and enjoying a fire pit, lots of good food, and even a little walk on the beach. 

Dyeing Eggs

Easter egg fun night. 

Grandma's House

These photos are from way back in February. I took a new camera on a little visit at Grandma's house. The film got developed right away, but I have held on to the photos for all of this time. These are from a snowy day in February, way back in St. Louis.

My aunt and wife both grabbed cameras and went out to play, too. The dogs were running around while we snapped photos. Grandma was inside making us hot cocoa to warm up with when we came back inside.

[Superheadz Ultra Wide Slim | Fuji Superia 400 | Developed at One Hour Photo by Walgreens]

Dolphin Watching!

We went out on a boat ride in the Pacific Ocean with hopes of finding some dolphins and whales. Our hopes came true. We floated right into the middle of a huge dolphin party. They swam and splashed and flipped all around us... hundreds of them. It was so cool! We managed to see a large whale, too. And several sea lions! The photos don't fully tell the story of how magical it was to have these creatures so close to us. This was an experience that I will not soon forget, and honestly, will try to experience many more times. 

(Thanks Genevieve and Vicki for sharing this experience with us!)

Sun bathing ocean lion. :)

Being out in the middle of the waves, in the middle of the big, blue ocean, is truly something to experience. It was so fun.

At first sight, it seemed like a bunch of birds were out in the ocean... but no, dolphins. So many dolphins!

Another boat of watchers...

Right next to the boat! I'm literally leaning over the railing to get this picture. I love these creatures.

These jet skiers might have had a better view than us. Maybe. :)

And then, a big whale!

And then, a bunch of napping sea lions!

These guys are kind of smelly, but their faces sure are cute.

The little ones in the water were asking for a place to sit. :)

"Please, just scoot a little, let me up in the sun!"

Pulling back into our dock, I spotted this large fellow napping on a boat. I'm not sure I'd try to get him to move if I needed that boat. This guy was big.

Back on dry land, waiting for the car. We all stood in the shade, while my wife, of course, waits across the street in the sunshine. :)