Family Pictures

Okay- so we FINALLY got our family picture taken.  We haven't done this in over 2 years so this is a momentous occasion.  I just had to post em.

Labor Day 2008 - Big Sur

Labor Day weekend, and our last camping trip of the summer, was spent at Kirk Creek campground in Big Sur. We got an early start Friday morning and reached San Luis Obispo in time for breakfast at Frank's and lunch at Firestone, mmmmmmm. It was my first time back in SLO since graduating from Cal Poly. Time certainly flies. We arrived at the campground in full white-out fog, which lasted till the late morning.

Storytime

The S.F. Crew (aka Franco, Kristen, Tyler, and Plevy) drove down from the Bay. It made for great times with both family and friends. Plus, we had an additional 4 sets of eyes to monitor Bryce! Special thanks goes to Kristen, Ally had a great time with you.

Pastoral Bryce (very rare!)

This kid is such a handful! He definitely has more energy than Cyndi and I put together. Hopefully he makes it to kindergarten and the 'System' can figure him out. We sure can't! Seriously though, we love him a whole bunch and wouldn't trade him for the world. I kind of wished for a wild child, so I guess I got what I asked for.

Shark Bait...

We got out for a surf at Sand Dollar beach. Aside from big waves, there's nothing like cold slate grey water, bull kelp, and cloudy skies to get the 'were not in San Diego anymore' vibe going. I saw several large dolphins while I was out. My session got cut short when I had a late take off and snapped the sting of my leash plug. Though I did manage to get a few good ones beforehand, I wasn't ready to give it up and bobbed in the lineup trying to re-tie the string. No dice, floating like a lure would eventually compel me to call it quits.


Overall it was a unbelievable trip. When people speak about Big Sur they always mention raw energy and beauty. I agree with these descriptions wholeheartedly. Upon arrival, you can't help but be awestruck by the 'bigness' of Big Sur and the strength and wildness of everything around. It makes me feel very small, which I like. Nature has a way of showing you your place in the grand scheme of things. There's nothing like being alive in Big Sur.

First post acomplished. Hope everyone is doing well. Over and out - Will

The second day of school

We are already in the second week of school and every day has been a fashion show.  Ally is loving kindergarten.  She likes her teacher and all of the friends that she has made.  Her favorite part of the day is recess when she loves to go on the swings.  

Ally's School

The school is brand new so it's all really nice.  I posted some pictures mostly for the Grandmas, but it doesn't even do the school (or Ally) justice :)  

This is looking back at the main office building from inside the school.  Below is the kindergarten playground.  They haven't finished the big playground yet.  

First Day of School!

Ally loved her first day of school.  She came home boasting, "it was the best day ever and I get to go back again tomorrow!" 

Another trip to the ER

We made it home Sunday with only minor scrapes and bruises.  Apparently that was too good to remain because while in the bath, Bryce fell and split open his chin and had to get stitches.  He was really tough and didn't even cry until they were actually stitching him up.  Of couse, I was crying too, especially because I had to hold him down.  I am sure this is just the beginning of our adventures in the ER.  

Our Vacation

Lake Powell

We had a blast at Lake Powell swimming, tubing, hiking...

hunting for treasure...

fishing...

and most importantly, relaxing...

The funniest part was trying to convince Ally to go tubing or down the waterslide while Bryce was throwing a fit because we wouldn't let him.  No wonder he finished off the trip with stitches!  

Sedona

We camped in Flagstaff on our way to Lake Powell and in Sedona on our way home.  Both places were absolutely beautiful.  We checked out some ruins, a lava flow, swam in a stream, and Will did some mountain bike riding.  We set up our tent in Sedona minutes before a huge down-pour and the kids slept through the loudest thunder I have ever heard- it shook the ground! 

You're So Vain...You Probably Think This Blog is About You

I thought this was a fun game and decided to play along... here are the rules: 1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together.  It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!  2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.  It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.  If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you (and if this isn't there... I'll assume you're a procrastinator like me and will check back later!)

Disneyland

We had a blast at Disneyland on Monday, July 14th.

The new 3-D Toy Story Ride was the favorite of this trip! I don't know what we loved more: the ride or the glasses?

Fishing Trip

We went camping July 11th at Lake Cuyamaca.
Ally had fun fishing while Bryce had fun with the bait!

4th of July at the Beach

It was kind of a gloomy morning, but that didn't stop these water babies...

Fashion Show Birthday Party

This was Ally's 5th Birthday Party way back in March, but it was too cute not to post now that I created a blog. The girls had so much fun getting dolled up and putting on a show for the parents.

My Love

Camping Trip

Will & Ally went camping this weekend. We were all supposed to go, but I was stuck studying for a midterm and finishing a huge goup project for summer school so I missed out on all of the fun.

Ally's Tap Recital

Ally just had her first tap recital on June 14th and it was adorable! She practiced really hard and performed fabulously, loving every minute of it- the make up, the attention, the lights...
She is totally my girly-girl.

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