Happy 2nd Birthday, Addi!

I was so excited to travel to LA for my niece's 2nd birthday. I hadn't seen Kathleen, Steve and Addison since Christmas and Skype just wasn't cutting it. Addison is developing such a funny, bubbly personality and I desperately needed to squeeze those cute cheeks. I was highly impressed with her iPhone skills. If you ever doubt the intuitiveness of Apple products, just give one to a toddler. Addison can find all of her favorite singers (Gaga, Katy Perry, Pitbull) on an iPod, and find shortcuts that we never knew existed.

We kicked off Saturday by visiting the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair. We had a great time checking out the booths, vendors, parade, rides and animals.

Princess wand for the birthday girl

Watching the parade

Her birthday party was later that day at Hermosa Beach and it was the most beautiful, perfect beach day. It was so sweet to see Addison's face light up when our cousins Patricia and Hani arrived with their children. Addison is obsessed with Mia, Madison, and Dylan and they had the time of their lives running and diving into the sand all day.

Obsessed with my niece!

Happy birthday, sweet girl

The next day, we went back to the Manhattan Hometown Fair so Addison could ride the ponies. She rode a horse for the first time with her cousins a few months ago and LOVED it. This video of her squealing throughout her first ride cracks me up. Maybe she'll have a horse obsession like her aunts! 

She had so much fun her second time around, too. Poor thing was so sad the minute the ride ended. Someone's asking Santa for a pony this year! 

A great weekend with family was just what I needed. Happy birthday, Addison! You are such a sweet, kind, loving girl and I can't wait to live closer to you and spend more time together.