The Beautiful Bay

It was so fun walking around and checking out the maritime museum. Willie took the kids on a tour of all the old ships and sailboats you see in the background. Boyd enjoyed people watching, but didn't enjoy the wind so much.

Checking out the Sites

The cable car was super fun. We got off on Lombard Street (the crooked street) and Willie and Shelly met us there and we hopped in the car and drove down that street. We also rode the trolley and drove across the Golden Gate bridge. We ran out of time in the day, so we couldn't walk across. It was crazy foggy and windy that day.

Having fun with Baby Boyd

We just got back from visiting Quentin and Shelly and the cutest, chubbiest, and most adorable baby, Boyd. We spent the holiday weekend with them in Gilroy. Boyd is 9 months old and we had such a great time getting to know him. These photos are from Friday in San Francisco. Boyd is just the cutest. He smiles all the time and so easily. He loves the kids and liked pulling Maddie's hair. The kids can't stop talking about him today. We miss him already. He loves to roar like a lion and he loved our dog, Strudel. He learned to say dog too. He would crawl after Strudel saying, "da, da".

I also had to put the pics of the kids having fun together. Sometimes I wonder if they even like each other, but then there are moments like this, so happy. I live for those moments.

We had such a fun day! We did tons in one day.

I will post more tomorrow. I gotta get to bed.

Zach has morphed

Found: a new creature. Name: Zrudel

This creature is known to give no harm to any other creature on planet Earth.

This species is only known to live on Earth.

(posted by Willie for Zach)

Hooray for the Garden

Our little experiment is turning out to be quite fun. This our first time using seeds for most of our veggies. The cucumber plant is taking over. We finally got a cage for our huge tomato plant and the cherry tomato plants are just gonna climb our lattice hopefully. We have three pea pods, but it has been struggling since the tomato plant has been covering it. The eggplant is finally growing too. The radishes were great, but so spicy. I don't think we'll do that again. The beets are a hit. Willie has been boiling them and slicing them up for the kids and they actually fight over them. WOW!
The onions are coming along slowly and we only got one carrot out of our 16 or so seeds. I did plant a seedling basil plant that has just taken off and I made pesto last week. Yum!
Carina shared her pinwheel that she got at a b-day party. Isn't it fun?
The whole family has been involved and we are learning at the same time. What a blessing that Heavenly Father has given us to be able to have all these yummy things to eat that come from the earth.

I love Summer

We had a relaxing day at the beach last Friday. We got up, ate breakfast, picked up Marshall, and off we went. It is so weird to just go to the beach and not have our suitcases in the back of the car. I'm still adjusting to living here. I know it's been six months, but it is still strange sometimes. Willie asked me what my favorite part of the day was and I said, sitting on the beach and reading a book. I know, I am making my Arizona friends so jealous. Sorry!

Dodgers for Family Home Evening

As we walked through the parking lot at Dodger Stadium Carina said, This is my first Big Baseball game! As you can see, we were the second from the last row in the nosebleed section, but what a view. We had a great time, especially after the nachos, Dodger dogs, and double plays got going. The Dodgers won 3-2 that night against the A's and had 4 double plays. I had to put that pic of myself in there because Willie teased me about not wearing blue. I can't help it, it's just not my color. Of course, Marshall had to join us. Those two are joined at the hip.

The Derby

Carving in G-Pa's workshop

Rough shaping complete

Wacing wiff a Wiimote

So the pinewood derby was last night, and Zach had lots of fun.
His car was pretty fast, and he won some races.

What a good lookin' little dude.

Summer Haircut

This is the new Carina. We cut off about 6 inches. She has been asking me for a haircut for a few weeks, but I just wasn't doing it. Today I told her that her cousin Claire got a haircut and she said she wanted one too. So we went for it. She wanted to go shorter but I just couldn't do it. This way we can still do ponies. What a cutie!

5th Grade Awars Assembly

Maddie with her two best friends Alexis and Lucy. She really loves these two girls. They are such good girls and we are happy she is making such great choices in the friends she chooses. Maddie received an Academic Achievement Award in Creative Writing. If you know Maddie, you know she is the best storyteller ever. When she was little and I would put her to bed, I would tell her a story and then I would say, Maddie, now it's your turn. She would go on and on. I thought it was to prolong bedtime. But it wasn't! She just loves to make up stories. We are so proud of her!

Our Little Reader

Carina received an Academic Achievement award last week in Reading. She has taken off with reading the last 2-3 months. These were the end of the year awards for all Kindergarten classes. From her class and from left to right: Ms Hession(Principal), Kevin, Brenden, Mark, Carina, Ida, and Mrs. Marquis(Carina's teacher)

It's fun to stay at the... YMCA

The Junior Village People. Yes, one of them is a Jedi. I couldn't help myself. I've been looking at some old pictures. Aren't they adorable.

Switzer Falls

For Memorial Day we went on a hike and picnic to this super fun area. We've really been having fun exploring places every Saturday. Switzer falls is about 30 minutes away from here. We hiked about 4.5 miles roundtrip and the kids were amazing! Never a complaint. It took us along time to hike in to the falls because we stopped and climbed, took pics, found sticks, lizards, etc. but that's what it's all about, adventure!