Missions #11 and #12

Our trip to Solvang meant we were in a new part of CA, and we got to add two more missions to our list. Daddy-o hasn't gotten to be with us for all of them, but the kids and I have now seen 12. I don't think any of them care quite as much as I do about seeing them all, but I figure we've come this far, we might as well, haha. 9 more to go.

Sunday morning, we made a quick stop at La Purisima Mission in Lompoc on our way to church. We didn't have long at all, and this is one that would have been fun to do a little more exploring.

After church, we stopped by Mission Santa Ines in Solvang before driving home.

We had a little longer at this one to poke around in the museum and see some of the old artifacts.  

I can't ever get enough of the painted ceilings. I think I need to have a painted ceiling in my house someday.

Looking out to El Camino Real.

Danish Days

Solvang, CA--where you can immerse yourself in all things Danish.

We went on their special Danish Days weekend, so the experience was even more elaborate than normal.

Funny story: We didn't realize until just before we left for the weekend that when we told the kids that we were going to Danish Days, Bean was thinking a festival celebrating these delicious pastries, kind of like the garlic festival in Gilroy. When we said that everyone wears their Danish outfits to church on Sunday, she was picturing people in pastry costumes!  Guess the fact that we've been willing to drive hours for our favorite apples, donuts, and custard, it's not unbelievable that we'd drive that far for danishes.

Solvang did not disappoint. I think this may be my new favorite spot in CA.

We started the day with an abelskiver breakfast

and watched some dancing.

Maybe this is the original Fight Song.

We wandered around the beautiful town,

with all the cute features

and beautiful architecture.

So many people in Danish clothing.

There were wood carvers,

abelskiver eating contests, for kids

and adults. This was the reigning champion. He beat his previous record, and only lost because a professional eater entered this year.

There was a parade in the afternoon

that we watched with our friend, Jamie, and a bunch of her friends from L.A. Jamie had the privilege of growing up by Solvang.

Such a fabulous place!

And we ended the night with dinner at Jamie's parents' house with the crowd of friends and family who were there for Danish Days. The evening included great food, fun conversations, and an after-dark tour of the town, Los Olivos, which is the perfect image of small-town life. As we walked around the dark streets to see the local church labyrinth and the old train depot and the flag pole, it was quiet (except the kids with us) and lovely, and felt like the perfect place to let your kids explore and be independent. And this was at 8 p.m. on a Saturday night. Not much going on, which is just my speed. I love a place that you can go to bed early on the weekend and not be missing out on anything ;)

Such a great weekend, which did involve eating lots of danishes.