I know, it is so cruel to announce our marriage on the isle of Kauai without providing luscious photos…they are coming! (I have added one to the previous post). So please, be patient…

In the meantime, I would like to offer a picto-logue of the first part of our vacation, which took place in California. Suffice it to say that I was SO VERY READY for some serious R&R after tax season, the move, other sundry activities, and an international flight with baby… And of course Soenke is always ready for a vacation.
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The first thing we had to do on US soil was go pick out Soenke’s wedding ring! And off we set to Tiffany, where our baby girl entered those hallowed gates for the first time (you’d think I could have gotten a photo of the store itself too, but in all the excitement… I forgot!):

And here is the beautiful box every lucky Tiffany customer comes home with. Half the fun is the box!

When we saw my folks, my Mom complained that she didn’t have enough photos of Sophie with me. So as of that date, Soenke began dusting off his photography skills…

Here, Sophie takes her first ride on a Carousel… over at Fashion Island, Newport Beach. We had just popped into my office there to introduce her to my long-time business associates, and headed out to enjoy the sun.

And a Very Special California First….. a trip to the Beach! (Yes, it was THAT WARM!). We headed to my childhood favorite, Corona del Mar, where Sophie donned her supermodel sunglasses and got ready to practice being a Beach Babe:

Sophie’s little toes touch sand for the first time! She is very curious…

Here is an idyllic photo of Corona del Mar and adjacent zillion-dollar-houses:

Enjoying some rest time with the Soph:

Notice her t-shirt!

Sophie touches the ocean for the first time! She’s not sure she likes the chilly waters…

And another first, off to Downtown Disney! Not much to do there except walk and shop, but it was gorgeous outside and we were happy to continue soaking up the sun:

Why is Soenke wearing a scarf with his Hawaiian shirt? He was sick. And he sure got some funny looks from people:

Sophie finds a crown that suits her:

A few days later, Hauke and Antje (Soenke’s folks) arrive from Germany, and we whisk them off to the famous Laguna Beach Shake Shake for a casual lunch and ocean view:

And then, up to the Block (outdoor shopping mall) to find the perfect Hawaiian shirt for our wedding:

The World’s Greatest Hawaiian Store…Hilo Hatties !

Hauke finds his perfect model!

And after all this fun, my family conks out:

And to conclude, obvious evidence of my daughter’s brilliance:

P.S. A little video of our Inaugural Beach Experience…