San Fran

pretty gnarly

trying to pretend there is not chocolate waiting to be purchased!

Ghiradelli Chocolate making...YUM!

Our first excursion to San Francisco with the boys was so much fun. We went there with our friends the Schmitz Family. They are both from the Bay area...so we were trying to gleen some of their knowledge of the city. They showed us the steepest street in SF...which we went up and down on...that is kind of freaky. Then we found Lombard street...and went down it twice...just for fun. Then we parked at Pier 39 and checked out the sights around there. We did not make it to Alcatraz (yet)...the ferries were all sold out for the holiday weekend. And we did not make it on a cable car...the lines were also crazy for the holiday weekend. So we will be going back for another trip. some time during our time here. It was a great way to spend our 11th wedding anniversary...being together on another adventure.

Half Moon Bay...and the adventure

The whole fam at MavericksThe boys at Venice Beach

Me and my cuties at Mavericks

Watch out for the "deadly waves at any time"

The beautiful northern coast of CA

Next to the historical Distillary...classic NoCal green coastline!

One day after Gavin finished classes at Stanford...we decided we wanted to take the kids up to see the Golden Gate Bridge. We get off on our way and see the turn-off for Half Moon Bay...we pull out the map and see we can get to our destination coastally so we turn off . We make it to Half Moon Bay. Its pretty...but where's the beach! We searched. We found a little spot called Venice Beach. Then it dawns on Gav that a big surf spot called Mavericks is up this way. We ask several locals where it is exactly...got a few different instructions...took a few wrong turns...hiked up a wrong hill...then finally found the trail to Mavericks...around the Bay. It was a little hike to get around the point...and there it was. Well, at least the rocks were. The waves were not there at the time. But from some of the local stories...its a good thing. If the real Mavericks waves were breaking...we would have been washed away. It truly is a beautiful spot!

1st day of vacation in NorCal

Ever the cool kid!

Check out Christian's skills :)

Gav hadn't started classes yet so we tried out the pool here at our little home away from home. Its awesome. Most days we are the only ones there. And the boys are in water heaven. They could play in there all day every day. And Joel loves it too. He generally sits poolside in his Bumbo chair and watches all the crazy fun!

Staying inland for the sun

Lately here in San Diego the coast has had quite the June gloom. It has been a little too cool for fun family beach days...YET! So we headed up to Gav's aunt Julie's fun pool in Temecula...for a perfectly sunny and lovely day with cousins and aunties and family and lots of water!!

FATHER's DAY 2010

This father's day was not quite what it should have been. Of course, Gav was on call! We got to make him some breakfast and wake him up with lots of loves and singing....and then off to a whole bunch of crazy patients he went. He made it back just in time to go up to north county for a family dinner...which I was making the main course for. It was a sad day at church for our boys...missing their daddy to sing to :( But luckily, Gav didn't have to see any more patients once he got home around 4pm...and we got to spend the rest of the day with family!!

PS...Happy 40th Anniversary Gammy and Papa! That is quite an accomplishment...and a great example for all of us! You two are the best Gammy and Papa!!

7 1/2 months...

Guess who is sitting up like a big boy :)

Ra-rah!!!

Our sweet niece Sarah (Ra-rah to Shane when he was 2)has been the most perfect older cousin for our boys to emulate. Not only is cute and sweet, she is brilliant! She just graduated from Middle school with a 4.0 all 3 years! She also spoke at graduation and did a fantastic job. We are so proud of you Sarah!! And we are so glad we could be there for your special event! Keep up the good work and we can't wait to see you speak as Valedictorian in 2014!!

Closing Ceremonies

One last little league shout out for the season. We'd never been to a closing ceremonies before but it was great closure to the season. And truthfully, we would have likely not gone if Christian's coach hadn't insisted that he needed to be there. When we got there, we found out that Christian had been given the Sportsmanship Award for his team and he was one of only 7 that got it. Its much more impressive than the twinkie medal they got for the playoffs. So he was excited. We are proud of him for his hard work and he really did keep a good head on his shoulders for the most part...especially when it really looked like his team was the Bad News Bears. Hopefully this next year of baseball will a great learning and stretching experience for him...he may be a little humbled by what he is up against next. But that's good ;)

Piano Recital with Miss Erika

What a wonderful surprise it was when I found out my girlfriend, Erika, had started teaching piano lessons. With her only living about 5-8 minutes away, it was a perfect match. And Christian does have a soft-spot for cute ladies...so of course, he does everything she tells him and tries harder than normal to impress her. She planned an adorable recital with the theme "A Night at the Movies". The students presented pieces from various movies, old and new. Christian performed "Scooby-Doo Theme". He did great. I have to admit...that only a few weeks prior I had SERIOUS doubts that he could even get through it, let alone make it recital worthy. But, with school and baseball ending, we were able to dedicate more time to it. And Christian really pulled it out in the last week. He really does have so much natural talent for music. He fights me on it...but I feel like this is one thing I really want him to be able to do. I know I am glad to have the ability. As an adult, I have found it a peaceful release and a great source of service. Anyhow...Erika's recital was so perfectly put together...with the refreshments matching the whole theme. She just does not believe in doing anything half-way. She is such a gem!

Long lost PALS

Kind of a lame picture and sad that its the only one I got while they were here...but better than nothing. Its proof that we FINALLY got Ben and Shirley, our best friends from Texas, to come visit us here in San Diego. Its a perfect setup with Shirley's hubby working for Southwest...she flew Ben out to us, she flew back to UT to help out there, and then she came back on Friday to play for a short while ( I venture to say it was too short...but I will take what I can get ;)) and then flew back with Ben. Christian and Ben had the best time together. It was as if no time had passed at all...they jumped back into their games and imaginations. Its always sad to leave good friends...but I love when you become close enough that time and distance does not seperate your friendship. Shirley and I sat and caught up for hours on end...and I remembered to good ole' days in Corpus. Thanks for coming to play with us ...come again soon!!!!