tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17920816912856611012024-03-04T20:15:22.142-08:00Adventures of a RandyA record of my adventures as a human, motorcyclist, and father.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-29015473626040866202014-07-18T14:59:00.000-07:002014-07-18T14:59:00.122-07:00Final PostThis is the final post of this blog. I plan to keep loving this family of mine, riding motorcycles, appreciating friends, and contemplating this life experience that is mine.<br />
<br />
I look forward to years of watching and thinking about what I see. I look forward to learning more about what makes a marriage work, a life interesting, a human a human. I look forward to watching my beautiful son and daughter grow and learn and discover and ask. I look forward to seeing what they do with their minds, athletic skills, bravery, and contemplativeness. I look forward to their hugs and kisses. I look forward to spending time and sharing meals with family and friends and appreciating their hugs and kisses, too. I look forward to being, to riding, to walking, to what more life has for me.<br />
<br />
A few months ago Tami overheard a song called Life is Better With You by Michael Franti. She bought the song and it has become a favorite in our household. I told Tami that if we were to get married today that this would be our song. She smiled and told me she had thought the same thing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9z_OFv0kBy4?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-25414757184512944012014-07-17T15:55:00.000-07:002014-07-17T15:55:00.050-07:00Wrapping Up BlogIt's just about time to wrap up this blog. If you would like me to send you an email notification if/when I start a new blog, feel free to enter an email address in the form below and click on submit button.<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14DUWTxeTGjSvrYtwiRGDT7dTmyLpwBFfKn5xQV-5iAs/viewform?embedded=true" width="760">Loading...</iframe>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-5104074858657034222014-07-16T15:53:00.000-07:002014-07-16T15:53:00.021-07:00First Half of Summer 3 of 3Fran's brother was getting his son a new bigger bike. Fran said Enzo could use a first bike and so it was that Enzo got a bike. Tata brought over the surprise.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8yWWFZOID04/U8MFz1GdoPI/AAAAAAAFX_w/6bSk4Roo5Kw/s1600/IMG_8097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8yWWFZOID04/U8MFz1GdoPI/AAAAAAAFX_w/6bSk4Roo5Kw/s1600/IMG_8097.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Enzo was happily surprised.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kOXOUe-RS60/U8MFz8KXojI/AAAAAAAFX_0/svqa8YE8uA0/s1600/IMG_8101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kOXOUe-RS60/U8MFz8KXojI/AAAAAAAFX_0/svqa8YE8uA0/s1600/IMG_8101.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I was stunned however, when Enzo taught himself how to ride on two wheels and started peddling short distances within minutes. Yes, minutes. No training wheels. First time using brakes. Within the hour he was ridding his bike for the distance of two houses without putting his feet down. There were no tears, no dramatic struggles, no weeks and weeks of effort, no movie-like moment where a parent let go as he peddled on. He just got on, practiced, got the hang of it and kept practicing. It was amazing!!!! He is 4 and a half and taught himself to ride in an afternoon. After a bit of play, the kids took a nap and ate dinner. Then, they got back outside and hopped on their wheels, Enzo on his bike and Ana on her scooter. Enzo was then ridding non stop to the end of the street! Enzo, still on that very first day of ever peddling on two wheels, just went and went and went... All around our neighborhood like a pro. Tami and I walked while Ana scooted and Enzo rode all the way down to a local park where he continued to speed along, make u-turns, experiment with ridding over grass, looped around objects, and went as fast as he could. I kept telling Tami I could not believe that was possible in one day. I was truly amazed. Someone had told me a long time ago that the secret to kids learning to ride was to put them on a bike with no peddles or a scooter-like bike without peddles. And that's what I did when I bought them the orange scooter. Enzo and Ana have been riding that thing for a very long time now and I think that made the world of difference. They are great at balancing now, already know how to peddle from tricycles, and the transition to two wheels was super smooth for Enzo. But still, I had no idea it could be that smooth. I remember being older, maybe 6 or so, and having to struggle for days and days and days to learn to ride on two wheels. But how awesome it was to ride once I got it. I see that happiness in Enzo when he rides. Ana is clearly going to need a bike soon, too. She wanted to be on Enzo's bike so much.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-luEs1XMWD24/U8MF0Ar9poI/AAAAAAAFYAA/7kx0AEZp-9o/s1600/IMG_8179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-luEs1XMWD24/U8MF0Ar9poI/AAAAAAAFYAA/7kx0AEZp-9o/s1600/IMG_8179.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHlvAqvRAIA/U8MF0Yn6OnI/AAAAAAAFX_4/uWKer-kuliw/s1600/IMG_8240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CHlvAqvRAIA/U8MF0Yn6OnI/AAAAAAAFX_4/uWKer-kuliw/s1600/IMG_8240.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Nathan invited me to be a passenger in his race car on a track day at Sonoma Speedway. That's a picture of me in the car. The next one is a picture I took of Nathan driving (he is in the car in the middle, the black car after the blue and white car). I had no idea how fast a race car goes before it brakes hard into a turn. The range finder in my brain was saying "this is impossible to not be slowing down yet" at every turn. Crazy! Fun, but crazy. I admittedly became a bit queazy, tossed around in my seat at such speed, sweating hot in a helmet with the outside temperature in the 90's. After a few laps of holding back any motion sickness and anxiety from being so hot, it was time for me to get out and enjoy the rest of the day as a spectator. Luckily I was clear headed enough during my first ride in a race car to memorize and appreciate some of the experience and the feelings of moving so fast around a road track. I had often wanted to see what that would be like and now I know. I am super grateful that Nathan thought of me and invited me to join. And, as always, I enjoy hanging out with that guy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2WqIU4inI8/U8MF09rxYnI/AAAAAAAFYAM/N-6x-u8-E1A/s1600/IMG_8312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2WqIU4inI8/U8MF09rxYnI/AAAAAAAFYAM/N-6x-u8-E1A/s1600/IMG_8312.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8s5BXQpPY8I/U8MF1zAIeyI/AAAAAAAFYAY/6nWBpBz6h3g/s1600/IMG_8361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8s5BXQpPY8I/U8MF1zAIeyI/AAAAAAAFYAY/6nWBpBz6h3g/s1600/IMG_8361.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
After the track day, we loaded up the car into the trailer and headed off to enjoy dinner together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlL3c-IT6a0/U8MF1tDCd7I/AAAAAAAFYAU/TN234wTLlYc/s1600/IMG_8376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlL3c-IT6a0/U8MF1tDCd7I/AAAAAAAFYAU/TN234wTLlYc/s1600/IMG_8376.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-2hJK8miUc/U8MF2KzuLLI/AAAAAAAFYAc/P0UAe8ymrJo/s1600/IMG_8415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-2hJK8miUc/U8MF2KzuLLI/AAAAAAAFYAc/P0UAe8ymrJo/s1600/IMG_8415.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Later that week, the kids and I went over to Nathan and Laurie's house to play and have dinner with them and their kids. They played in the pool and tested out their new life vests we got them before our next camping trip where there is a swimming hole. I didn't get any pictures of once we got in the water but they would have had a lot of smiles. Nathan started spinning Charlotte around in the water and once Jack, Enzo and Ana saw that, Nathan didn't get a break for a long time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0w-oyfn2zk/U8MF3KsCZ0I/AAAAAAAFYAs/24gf1XktHJQ/s1600/IMG_8426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0w-oyfn2zk/U8MF3KsCZ0I/AAAAAAAFYAs/24gf1XktHJQ/s1600/IMG_8426.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The kids swam, jumped on the trampoline, ate a delicious home cooked meal, and played for hours. It makes me happy to see our kids playing together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BoZ3TS11j2I/U8MF3dYRmkI/AAAAAAAFYAw/KRwMAv2zefg/s1600/IMG_8427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BoZ3TS11j2I/U8MF3dYRmkI/AAAAAAAFYAw/KRwMAv2zefg/s1600/IMG_8427.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Years ago, about 12 or so years ago, I spent the summer working at San Jose Family Camp near Yosemite. This summer, for the first time, I spent several days there as a guest with my family. Traci and Fran even joined us for a couple of the days.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_SrB4rQHVc/U8MF3uDVvPI/AAAAAAAFYBE/y4K66poEh5U/s1600/IMG_8440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_SrB4rQHVc/U8MF3uDVvPI/AAAAAAAFYBE/y4K66poEh5U/s1600/IMG_8440.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fI4TYdIqtc/U8MF4jhZ10I/AAAAAAAFYBA/ANJWdfG35Sg/s1600/IMG_8506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fI4TYdIqtc/U8MF4jhZ10I/AAAAAAAFYBA/ANJWdfG35Sg/s1600/IMG_8506.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-juSscZe3OTE/U8MF6JBoOmI/AAAAAAAFYBg/YP44EECfGGY/s1600/IMG_8558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-juSscZe3OTE/U8MF6JBoOmI/AAAAAAAFYBg/YP44EECfGGY/s1600/IMG_8558.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nzWoMX7tUEk/U8MF6qEx8vI/AAAAAAAFYCg/msypHoh3tXc/s1600/IMG_8570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nzWoMX7tUEk/U8MF6qEx8vI/AAAAAAAFYCg/msypHoh3tXc/s1600/IMG_8570.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bvmLwu5mQyU/U8MF8WflGYI/AAAAAAAFYB8/Jpoki75TxDM/s1600/IMG_8604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bvmLwu5mQyU/U8MF8WflGYI/AAAAAAAFYB8/Jpoki75TxDM/s1600/IMG_8604.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkVwyTEULYI/U8MF9KsricI/AAAAAAAFYCI/Zi-8i3GYPdc/s1600/IMG_8605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkVwyTEULYI/U8MF9KsricI/AAAAAAAFYCI/Zi-8i3GYPdc/s1600/IMG_8605.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8S7lp5sfJyw/U8MF99BEQKI/AAAAAAAFYCU/eof3l8I0T08/s1600/IMG_8622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8S7lp5sfJyw/U8MF99BEQKI/AAAAAAAFYCU/eof3l8I0T08/s1600/IMG_8622.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The kids played in the water multiple times each day. They loved it. I am pretty certain that the swimming hole was their favorite feature of the camp.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyP2TxDWn1s/U8MF-PDr2VI/AAAAAAAFYDA/3ljSVim82dQ/s1600/IMG_8635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyP2TxDWn1s/U8MF-PDr2VI/AAAAAAAFYDA/3ljSVim82dQ/s1600/IMG_8635.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R26DIdVWglU/U8MF-hxtj3I/AAAAAAAFYC0/MmCeh_3I_2Y/s1600/IMG_8675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R26DIdVWglU/U8MF-hxtj3I/AAAAAAAFYC0/MmCeh_3I_2Y/s1600/IMG_8675.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
View from my cot during nap time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BOczgzHzKA/U8MF_R_PY-I/AAAAAAAFYCs/lu-OoXRWjzk/s1600/IMG_8705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BOczgzHzKA/U8MF_R_PY-I/AAAAAAAFYCs/lu-OoXRWjzk/s1600/IMG_8705.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The kids and Tami getting down during a dance party, one of the many daily activities.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAvW2X1mz9w/U8MGA4MOkMI/AAAAAAAFYDE/3NQ3Brs59Gk/s1600/IMG_8741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAvW2X1mz9w/U8MGA4MOkMI/AAAAAAAFYDE/3NQ3Brs59Gk/s1600/IMG_8741.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Ana loved leaving the kid section to kick and practice swimming in the deep pool when ever Tami or Aunti Tia would be out there. I don't know how a kid can be so fearless as she. I am always impressed with these kids. And more importantly, always entertained to watch their discoveries.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nO7d0kPKaE/U8MGBqmmPMI/AAAAAAAFYDQ/dr3rcz6Y-6I/s1600/IMG_8773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nO7d0kPKaE/U8MGBqmmPMI/AAAAAAAFYDQ/dr3rcz6Y-6I/s1600/IMG_8773.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
On one day the kids, Tami and I walked up river and then cruised back on the tubes we brought up with us. I have no pictures of that. I was soaked and we all enjoyed ourselves. Later, Traci the kids and Tami did it again. I got some pictures of them as they floated back into camp while I read along the river.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BsrUT9eW03Y/U8MGCIXAylI/AAAAAAAFYDU/MyU2Vp9t9i0/s1600/IMG_8775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BsrUT9eW03Y/U8MGCIXAylI/AAAAAAAFYDU/MyU2Vp9t9i0/s1600/IMG_8775.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cXIM9XUWS4w/U8MGGFdd1xI/AAAAAAAFYEM/IdP0I_0jnac/s1600/IMG_8782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cXIM9XUWS4w/U8MGGFdd1xI/AAAAAAAFYEM/IdP0I_0jnac/s1600/IMG_8782.jpg" height="71" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43YqcuyEVRw/U8MGD_L_RUI/AAAAAAAFYDk/i27s7FWnfhQ/s1600/IMG_8798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43YqcuyEVRw/U8MGD_L_RUI/AAAAAAAFYDk/i27s7FWnfhQ/s1600/IMG_8798.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
After the water, Enzo's favorite part of the experience had to be the nightly camp fire complete with silly and fun camp songs. He was into it. He sat up front away from us and gave his full attention.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5U7j-q2-84/U8MGDtP6TWI/AAAAAAAFYDg/M4QPJm18KMY/s1600/IMG_8806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5U7j-q2-84/U8MGDtP6TWI/AAAAAAAFYDg/M4QPJm18KMY/s1600/IMG_8806.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-z1EGoGPHM/U8MGFdN74gI/AAAAAAAFYD4/WVUsv8rjTwg/s1600/IMG_8807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-z1EGoGPHM/U8MGFdN74gI/AAAAAAAFYD4/WVUsv8rjTwg/s1600/IMG_8807.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rkw1Xonzhxc/U8MGGqAk-xI/AAAAAAAFYD8/Qlrzt9l_4Wo/s1600/IMG_8810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rkw1Xonzhxc/U8MGGqAk-xI/AAAAAAAFYD8/Qlrzt9l_4Wo/s1600/IMG_8810.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Ana, however, was usually fighting off sleep by the time the camp fire started. Still, she hung in there because after the songs the sticks and marshmallows were handed out and it was roasting time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJqD4RmBW-A/U8MGG0t0igI/AAAAAAAFYFY/ba0PovSg0M8/s1600/IMG_8817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJqD4RmBW-A/U8MGG0t0igI/AAAAAAAFYFY/ba0PovSg0M8/s1600/IMG_8817.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
They talked with a couple of kids during the trip but this girl next to Enzo in the picture named Lilly, a little older than Enzo, became the one they always looked for.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JuIdcTFiBIY/U8MGHuoLhzI/AAAAAAAFYFU/RT9dO7yVdtk/s1600/IMG_8848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JuIdcTFiBIY/U8MGHuoLhzI/AAAAAAAFYFU/RT9dO7yVdtk/s1600/IMG_8848.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
This is silly but I am proud of the fact that I tied the bikes to the top of the car for this trip. It turns out bikes aren't even allowed in the camp so we couldn't use them. And that makes sense, the camp has a lot of hills and people walk all over and no one has to worry about kids on wheels. Besides, there was enough time to play in the water that they weren't too sad to leave the bike and scooter alone for a few days. But the reason I started this paragraph was to say that I realized I was proud of having tied the bikes to the roof. I didn't even know until I did it that I always wanted to tie stuff to the top of a car and drive far. Somehow that image had gotten into my head as one of those things I would like to do in my life. And I did it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m2I5KzMhgqc/U8MGHdcSkaI/AAAAAAAFYEU/iaz9yJCuic0/s1600/IMG_8851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m2I5KzMhgqc/U8MGHdcSkaI/AAAAAAAFYEU/iaz9yJCuic0/s1600/IMG_8851.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
This is a cool fish that Enzo invented. It has spikes on its fins and tail. He explained that these were defenses, like some plants have, to protect it from sharks. He drew it himself and cut it out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hCAZapLV5zs/U8MGIPerp7I/AAAAAAAFYEg/5U9qNSbNelI/s1600/IMG_8852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hCAZapLV5zs/U8MGIPerp7I/AAAAAAAFYEg/5U9qNSbNelI/s1600/IMG_8852.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nx6HHr6UfYA/U8MGIt-gvfI/AAAAAAAFYEo/zfi2RReV_l8/s1600/IMG_8930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nx6HHr6UfYA/U8MGIt-gvfI/AAAAAAAFYEo/zfi2RReV_l8/s1600/IMG_8930.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Remember this guy? I hardly get to see my friend Don lately but we did get to meet one day in Campbell on my way home from work. Good times.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q87TjYzIn7M/U8MGI3OXIEI/AAAAAAAFYFM/6VrzNNkSXgc/s1600/IMG_8933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q87TjYzIn7M/U8MGI3OXIEI/AAAAAAAFYFM/6VrzNNkSXgc/s1600/IMG_8933.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I bought a couple of new books for the kids which they began "reading" right away. It's neat to listen to them explain the story they see.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QMi-MHY_-w/U8MGJco85NI/AAAAAAAFYE0/1kNCAq4L93E/s1600/IMG_8944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QMi-MHY_-w/U8MGJco85NI/AAAAAAAFYE0/1kNCAq4L93E/s1600/IMG_8944.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
To celebrate Tami's birthday, we had a BBQ at Baylands park. There were bikes and kites and food and fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AC2jAyJL9JM/U8MGJqEFa5I/AAAAAAAFYE8/4ylJ7n_8OwE/s1600/IMG_8968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AC2jAyJL9JM/U8MGJqEFa5I/AAAAAAAFYE8/4ylJ7n_8OwE/s1600/IMG_8968.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0dttiXa0es/U8MGJ1duVQI/AAAAAAAFYFE/1n8o3Fn4b80/s1600/IMG_8969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0dttiXa0es/U8MGJ1duVQI/AAAAAAAFYFE/1n8o3Fn4b80/s1600/IMG_8969.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYyUgJ77cpU/U8MGKRiqgKI/AAAAAAAFYFI/Stmf3gx1r7U/s1600/IMG_8979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYyUgJ77cpU/U8MGKRiqgKI/AAAAAAAFYFI/Stmf3gx1r7U/s1600/IMG_8979.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The BBQ did end a bit early with a bit of a sad situation. Enzo fell off a bench he was standing and spinning on and hit the ground pretty hard. His leg and chin were scraped up. Two fat lips. Bruised forehead. Bruised purple gums. Front teeth were shifted a bit. That part of the day was not fun and neither was that night. We are waiting for a few days to see how things settle to see if we need to do anything at the dentist. It is nice having a family friend, Jean, in the dental business to call and get advice from. Poor kiddo. He is handling it all well, better than I am. He plays and goes about as normal. I worry a bit and cringe once in a while thinking about it. This life experience can be a bit stressful at times when someone I love is hurt. Life is worth the tough times, but it is a bit of a challenge, none the less. And I sometimes find it harder to convince myself to be calm and patient until the challenge passes. But, as Tami said, Enzo is ok and it was a good day up until that point and there were good memories made that very day out there in the park.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xaEtektubN8/U8MGKgvx1wI/AAAAAAAFYFQ/zZTuehMqZFg/s1600/IMG_8995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xaEtektubN8/U8MGKgvx1wI/AAAAAAAFYFQ/zZTuehMqZFg/s1600/IMG_8995.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
So, I think about the happy memories as I deal with my sympathy for my Enzo as he heals. The swelling has gone down considerably as I write this, 24 hours later. He plays and eats. He is fine even if bruised and I know he would be on his bike at the park right now if we let him. Still, I know I will have much to think about when this is a bit more behind us. I'll get to remind myself how some situations can raise great stress but work out just fine. I'll again get to ponder how I react to seeing those I love be injured. I still remember all of my emotions associated with Ana getting stitches. Yet, all of this is balanced with the fact that I tear up happily when I remember clearly all of the emotions I experienced when Ana and Enzo were each born. I still smile when I choose any of thousands of mental memories with these kids, my wife, my family, and my experiences to ponder. It is so good and sweet to be alive even as it is sad at times, but mostly sweet. We are lucky, to be sure. Being a parent is wonderful and it comes with some challenging times. I suppose that explains much of life, marriage, work... just about everything to some degree.<br />
<br />
(*Update- the scheduled dentist visit and exam for after the swelling went down a couple days after the fall showed that healing is going well and no procedures were necessary. We go in for another check up in two weeks to see how his front teeth are doing and to be sure they are ok.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-39501781767333039362014-07-15T14:34:00.000-07:002014-07-15T14:34:00.362-07:00First Half of Summer 2 of 3We went camping with Shea and Nicole to Big Sur.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0xpLQQiI6g/U8MFSGbddWI/AAAAAAAFX30/wdLL889lyf0/s1600/IMG_7338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0xpLQQiI6g/U8MFSGbddWI/AAAAAAAFX30/wdLL889lyf0/s1600/IMG_7338.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Played games.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--VhKjFWNrY4/U8MFSkPs0dI/AAAAAAAFX38/_fS72umz-V4/s1600/IMG_7348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--VhKjFWNrY4/U8MFSkPs0dI/AAAAAAAFX38/_fS72umz-V4/s1600/IMG_7348.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Were visited by a skunk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-er5kWv-QPpA/U8MFV3utT9I/AAAAAAAFX44/Pm7bu38q4Ss/s1600/IMG_7360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-er5kWv-QPpA/U8MFV3utT9I/AAAAAAAFX44/Pm7bu38q4Ss/s1600/IMG_7360.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The kids used the morning fire as a train engine. More accurately, Shea was hanging out by the morning fire when the other kiddos decided they could make a line around her with chairs and use the fire smoke as train smoke. Shea played along though. It's great that these kids all get along.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iv0xGc77tGo/U8MFWlIshFI/AAAAAAAFX40/PfMTm1yNoHc/s1600/IMG_7387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iv0xGc77tGo/U8MFWlIshFI/AAAAAAAFX40/PfMTm1yNoHc/s1600/IMG_7387.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1yWjxSuPSYE/U8MFXedB22I/AAAAAAAFX48/DU0fA7LwLAg/s1600/IMG_7388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1yWjxSuPSYE/U8MFXedB22I/AAAAAAAFX48/DU0fA7LwLAg/s1600/IMG_7388.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2O18_ZWJ5lQ/U8MFYkFeMBI/AAAAAAAFX5Q/cYrwh83ouX0/s1600/IMG_7393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2O18_ZWJ5lQ/U8MFYkFeMBI/AAAAAAAFX5Q/cYrwh83ouX0/s1600/IMG_7393.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMnpMthS4M0/U8MFYrzhegI/AAAAAAAFX5M/kmbxwIQ2AIo/s1600/IMG_7395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMnpMthS4M0/U8MFYrzhegI/AAAAAAAFX5M/kmbxwIQ2AIo/s1600/IMG_7395.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fa61vNjy7KI/U8MFZLPjguI/AAAAAAAFX5U/KjQzrzGrkes/s1600/IMG_7399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fa61vNjy7KI/U8MFZLPjguI/AAAAAAAFX5U/KjQzrzGrkes/s1600/IMG_7399.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Op9SfGYwh7s/U8MFaz2mtgI/AAAAAAAFX5k/-T6u2IOtDyU/s1600/IMG_7410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Op9SfGYwh7s/U8MFaz2mtgI/AAAAAAAFX5k/-T6u2IOtDyU/s1600/IMG_7410.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6qaxM7HQTL4/U8MFcJSUwiI/AAAAAAAFX54/unDrVJh2tmE/s1600/IMG_7432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6qaxM7HQTL4/U8MFcJSUwiI/AAAAAAAFX54/unDrVJh2tmE/s1600/IMG_7432.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Tami even packed up her laptop and took it with us as she had a lot of work to do before her first year in grad school would wrap up since she took summer classes. This picture above represents the only time she pulled out her laptop. You can see it there, snug in it's case by the fire, Tami's eye's closed as she slept. This is about as productive as one needs to be when camping.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-urQ3NfRmiEk/U8MFcRsdWSI/AAAAAAAFX6I/8yK_dVBTuAQ/s1600/IMG_7437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-urQ3NfRmiEk/U8MFcRsdWSI/AAAAAAAFX6I/8yK_dVBTuAQ/s1600/IMG_7437.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwXaMXzxwkw/U8MFcoxLjtI/AAAAAAAFX6E/vEYfsMvZifs/s1600/IMG_7444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwXaMXzxwkw/U8MFcoxLjtI/AAAAAAAFX6E/vEYfsMvZifs/s1600/IMG_7444.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Our skunk friend came out again another night.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5OUoXwl_cA/U8MFdsyBN-I/AAAAAAAFX6M/nCTzAXsJtvs/s1600/IMG_7470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5OUoXwl_cA/U8MFdsyBN-I/AAAAAAAFX6M/nCTzAXsJtvs/s1600/IMG_7470.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bzJ9BUuL4nk/U8MFeWLa73I/AAAAAAAFX6Y/i8_xryKKVrI/s1600/IMG_7510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bzJ9BUuL4nk/U8MFeWLa73I/AAAAAAAFX6Y/i8_xryKKVrI/s1600/IMG_7510.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
No need for sprinklers when camping next to a river.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q71UCOdgHHI/U8MFgoD3AII/AAAAAAAFX68/TcNlay1K1Mw/s1600/IMG_7559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q71UCOdgHHI/U8MFgoD3AII/AAAAAAAFX68/TcNlay1K1Mw/s1600/IMG_7559.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSooiFMsJ5s/U8MFhUqlIkI/AAAAAAAFX7M/zLO8LBBFRjA/s1600/IMG_7564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSooiFMsJ5s/U8MFhUqlIkI/AAAAAAAFX7M/zLO8LBBFRjA/s1600/IMG_7564.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Ana liked to take breaks sometimes and wrap herself in a Hello Kitty towel then sit back with me before going back in the water.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5GnqmAUEcsE/U8MFh9FQ8JI/AAAAAAAFX7Y/_IFBGXca2m8/s1600/IMG_7583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5GnqmAUEcsE/U8MFh9FQ8JI/AAAAAAAFX7Y/_IFBGXca2m8/s1600/IMG_7583.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vn9HmU0H4cI/U8MFkC6f35I/AAAAAAAFX7s/fwR-JNaiZd0/s1600/IMG_7593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vn9HmU0H4cI/U8MFkC6f35I/AAAAAAAFX7s/fwR-JNaiZd0/s1600/IMG_7593.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BlbaYs9n1SI/U8MFkR6w56I/AAAAAAAFX70/kOtPfcZB_L0/s1600/IMG_7605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BlbaYs9n1SI/U8MFkR6w56I/AAAAAAAFX70/kOtPfcZB_L0/s1600/IMG_7605.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X1cr0L5Dlcw/U8MFmCZJaaI/AAAAAAAFX8M/mHTukNNAPeE/s1600/IMG_7631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X1cr0L5Dlcw/U8MFmCZJaaI/AAAAAAAFX8M/mHTukNNAPeE/s1600/IMG_7631.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B8HHkJjJzmE/U8MFnJ6d8XI/AAAAAAAFX8k/RuKelDiz-cc/s1600/IMG_7644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B8HHkJjJzmE/U8MFnJ6d8XI/AAAAAAAFX8k/RuKelDiz-cc/s1600/IMG_7644.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmfL0FUEmrQ/U8MFoPRU8FI/AAAAAAAFX8o/tV4XDTXccVY/s1600/IMG_7661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmfL0FUEmrQ/U8MFoPRU8FI/AAAAAAAFX8o/tV4XDTXccVY/s1600/IMG_7661.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WztAYLeDMA/U8MFoQw8sGI/AAAAAAAFX8s/vDBHW2bmbPI/s1600/IMG_7688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5WztAYLeDMA/U8MFoQw8sGI/AAAAAAAFX8s/vDBHW2bmbPI/s1600/IMG_7688.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We stopped for a view along Highway 1 on the way home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-li9Da23v4KE/U8MFpRw1pdI/AAAAAAAFX88/-dHFZ4zpPFw/s1600/IMG_7700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-li9Da23v4KE/U8MFpRw1pdI/AAAAAAAFX88/-dHFZ4zpPFw/s1600/IMG_7700.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQown3xp264/U8MFqTbUiEI/AAAAAAAFX9M/BOQAV2Hq-Ec/s1600/IMG_7704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQown3xp264/U8MFqTbUiEI/AAAAAAAFX9M/BOQAV2Hq-Ec/s1600/IMG_7704.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Ana was quite happy with the comfortable accommodations at the look out point.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAQa1eby5-0/U8MFrIqayEI/AAAAAAAFX9g/QQX9rxLZ60s/s1600/IMG_7715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAQa1eby5-0/U8MFrIqayEI/AAAAAAAFX9g/QQX9rxLZ60s/s1600/IMG_7715.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MDPSKpubCT8/U8MFrhTMyVI/AAAAAAAFX9o/plsGndEeJLE/s1600/IMG_7721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MDPSKpubCT8/U8MFrhTMyVI/AAAAAAAFX9o/plsGndEeJLE/s1600/IMG_7721.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-jJAORdeEI/U8MFs7VE_lI/AAAAAAAFX94/3aqxdYqgmck/s1600/IMG_7732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-jJAORdeEI/U8MFs7VE_lI/AAAAAAAFX94/3aqxdYqgmck/s1600/IMG_7732.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_0XkENRuPg/U8MFtdv4qUI/AAAAAAAFX-I/nbzhEQ6tLa4/s1600/IMG_7781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_0XkENRuPg/U8MFtdv4qUI/AAAAAAAFX-I/nbzhEQ6tLa4/s1600/IMG_7781.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I took the kids to a park in Campbell that has a water feature. It is a great big park that is always well used. Enzo loves to run through the water.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rq0EvvA4Ddk/U8MFtyfsV1I/AAAAAAAFX-g/kRR0i3dYJJM/s1600/IMG_7801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rq0EvvA4Ddk/U8MFtyfsV1I/AAAAAAAFX-g/kRR0i3dYJJM/s1600/IMG_7801.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ana loves to climb. She went up that net so many times. She would then call out to me "Papi!" so that I would see her. Then, climb down, play in the water, and eventually climb up the net again. That Ana loves to climb.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0boqzEMHBY/U8MFwo4BjCI/AAAAAAAFX-8/MKWkBe2ajZE/s1600/IMG_7887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0boqzEMHBY/U8MFwo4BjCI/AAAAAAAFX-8/MKWkBe2ajZE/s1600/IMG_7887.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4cyCq2LF1mE/U8MFxb20CLI/AAAAAAAFX_I/H5_YZbiliEk/s1600/IMG_7902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4cyCq2LF1mE/U8MFxb20CLI/AAAAAAAFX_I/H5_YZbiliEk/s1600/IMG_7902.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-D1lhgdAYw/U8MFyFYe7iI/AAAAAAAFX_Q/EsdgHgpHTcs/s1600/IMG_7928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L-D1lhgdAYw/U8MFyFYe7iI/AAAAAAAFX_Q/EsdgHgpHTcs/s1600/IMG_7928.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQfNsnEnw7M/U8MFySefbJI/AAAAAAAFX_Y/WaV_Dl-J_M8/s1600/IMG_7929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQfNsnEnw7M/U8MFySefbJI/AAAAAAAFX_Y/WaV_Dl-J_M8/s1600/IMG_7929.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BdHZa2ZWVjk/U8MFy0oNJrI/AAAAAAAFX_c/UvO5AtYVtPc/s1600/IMG_7936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BdHZa2ZWVjk/U8MFy0oNJrI/AAAAAAAFX_c/UvO5AtYVtPc/s1600/IMG_7936.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Ana was having troubles jumping on the rocks the way Enzo was. Enzo got down, went to her, and coached her through one time, even giving her his hand at a few points. He would say "I'll help you Ana, you can do it, here, I'll show you how." Then they jumped and walked from rock to rock before getting tired and ready for a nap. Well, maybe it was me who was ready for a nap, not sure I remember for sure now. But that was a good day at the park.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-14106462423845301862014-07-13T17:15:00.000-07:002014-07-15T04:48:36.418-07:00First Half of Summer 1 of 3Here are some photos I have collected in this first half of Summer.<br />
<br />
Enzo was in a recital.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLdFVv5smHI/U8MFFIfAHMI/AAAAAAAFXzw/JIIkPmLsJ_M/s1600/DSC03631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLdFVv5smHI/U8MFFIfAHMI/AAAAAAAFXzw/JIIkPmLsJ_M/s1600/DSC03631.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Here he is in costume back stage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Em9Fr3rBdOs/U8MFE2J82jI/AAAAAAAFXz8/BukPWY-hqKA/s1600/DSC03642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Em9Fr3rBdOs/U8MFE2J82jI/AAAAAAAFXz8/BukPWY-hqKA/s1600/DSC03642.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Ana and I were back stage hanging out, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5l7idOWW8k/U8MFFPpcfDI/AAAAAAAFXz0/8t6uu_nVPSI/s1600/DSC03654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5l7idOWW8k/U8MFFPpcfDI/AAAAAAAFXz0/8t6uu_nVPSI/s1600/DSC03654.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGBWoFYX258/U8MFGTIWemI/AAAAAAAFX0Q/4kxr8qMLCog/s1600/DSC03668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGBWoFYX258/U8MFGTIWemI/AAAAAAAFX0Q/4kxr8qMLCog/s1600/DSC03668.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Here are a few shots from one of the times Enzo was playing with mud lately.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Knvpo_jQtts/U50BAPJUWTI/AAAAAAAFXyM/mCOGN901rfU/s1600/IMG_68932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Knvpo_jQtts/U50BAPJUWTI/AAAAAAAFXyM/mCOGN901rfU/s1600/IMG_68932.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXpiYP_R5vE/U8MFG2onwZI/AAAAAAAFX0U/qvJrcmBZVmM/s1600/IMG_6897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QXpiYP_R5vE/U8MFG2onwZI/AAAAAAAFX0U/qvJrcmBZVmM/s1600/IMG_6897.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aVYa8ULI9qU/U8MFHb3sG6I/AAAAAAAFX0Y/ZdnSy0xsQYk/s1600/IMG_6904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aVYa8ULI9qU/U8MFHb3sG6I/AAAAAAAFX0Y/ZdnSy0xsQYk/s1600/IMG_6904.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Moa78NTR8I8/U8MFIjBpchI/AAAAAAAFYFk/ZVsbirH2hrI/s1600/IMG_6914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Moa78NTR8I8/U8MFIjBpchI/AAAAAAAFYFk/ZVsbirH2hrI/s1600/IMG_6914.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I took the Harley for the long way home after work, via a 100 mile loop. That was very nice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wD7sKrJ0owU/U8MFIQxR9rI/AAAAAAAFX0o/Hq4X5DGcEpc/s1600/IMG_6949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wD7sKrJ0owU/U8MFIQxR9rI/AAAAAAAFX0o/Hq4X5DGcEpc/s1600/IMG_6949.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I mentioned this earlier but I found a picture. This is the bee that started it all. Now Enzo has a world of paper drawings cut out to play with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKlV_T6ucPw/U8MFIjb58KI/AAAAAAAFX0w/7sCFledko-4/s1600/IMG_6952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKlV_T6ucPw/U8MFIjb58KI/AAAAAAAFX0w/7sCFledko-4/s1600/IMG_6952.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Ana played with her camera while Enzo cut out his first creature.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gKAhUqUwDE/U8MFJVdAkJI/AAAAAAAFX1A/GAjQVq34af0/s1600/IMG_6974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gKAhUqUwDE/U8MFJVdAkJI/AAAAAAAFX1A/GAjQVq34af0/s1600/IMG_6974.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
This was super cool. Tami took me and the kids to Petroglyph for my Father's Day present. To be clear, she took us a week before Father's Day so that I could have fun making something for myself, and the kids could make something for me, and then they would all be fired, done, and ready to use on the actual Father's Day. This was a perfect gift that I thoroughly enjoyed. Nicole and Shea joined us as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OF0z8VuZcLA/U8MFJtOddiI/AAAAAAAFX1k/2wc4kjw2r6Q/s1600/IMG_6976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OF0z8VuZcLA/U8MFJtOddiI/AAAAAAAFX1k/2wc4kjw2r6Q/s1600/IMG_6976.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKd1eDU23HU/U8MFJ6Zh_EI/AAAAAAAFX1Q/4mJb4UEu-cY/s1600/IMG_7004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKd1eDU23HU/U8MFJ6Zh_EI/AAAAAAAFX1Q/4mJb4UEu-cY/s1600/IMG_7004.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1HvKocE4ss/U8MFKdGpr5I/AAAAAAAFX1g/LVKiI4_EkrA/s1600/IMG_7007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1HvKocE4ss/U8MFKdGpr5I/AAAAAAAFX1g/LVKiI4_EkrA/s1600/IMG_7007.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qp2b7b26_Cs/U8MFKgvVTvI/AAAAAAAFX1U/CEQeE0Ec4eY/s1600/IMG_7012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qp2b7b26_Cs/U8MFKgvVTvI/AAAAAAAFX1U/CEQeE0Ec4eY/s1600/IMG_7012.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
My beautiful ladies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJw5kOhJEnI/U8MFK_MVMFI/AAAAAAAFX1c/GKpR3Pcvwsk/s1600/IMG_7053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yJw5kOhJEnI/U8MFK_MVMFI/AAAAAAAFX1c/GKpR3Pcvwsk/s1600/IMG_7053.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Enzo wrote Papi on a cup he made for me in his own writing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmBkn-8EUmo/U8MFLdgrl_I/AAAAAAAFX1s/MW9FQ1vvdaU/s1600/IMG_7083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmBkn-8EUmo/U8MFLdgrl_I/AAAAAAAFX1s/MW9FQ1vvdaU/s1600/IMG_7083.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
One day, Enzo fell asleep playing. He fell asleep on a single chair. Tami found him sleeping and slid a second chair up to him so he could spread out a bit over two chairs. When I got home, this is how I found him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JT90Gr1S7ns/U8MFMFmp_kI/AAAAAAAFX14/rQbch0Ah1aY/s1600/IMG_7123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JT90Gr1S7ns/U8MFMFmp_kI/AAAAAAAFX14/rQbch0Ah1aY/s1600/IMG_7123.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Tami and I walked one day while the kids rode scooters. We found a place to eat and a place to play.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-KUirI9eXc/U8MFM4oSsOI/AAAAAAAFX3E/h5B_GFSdWDY/s1600/IMG_7142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-KUirI9eXc/U8MFM4oSsOI/AAAAAAAFX3E/h5B_GFSdWDY/s1600/IMG_7142.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
For Father's Day, we got to see the results of our painting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVTImtYghuE/U8MFN8NQhpI/AAAAAAAFX2w/KFmMrlUULWM/s1600/IMG_7166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVTImtYghuE/U8MFN8NQhpI/AAAAAAAFX2w/KFmMrlUULWM/s1600/IMG_7166.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Nicole's came out beautiful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RVSopzpvi9SZtLb014FFltq9Gi1Tl9mOQILz_EWUZ9ZqVSXKkqN1GQaVIGaCHuwLvz7tnrMDFa2sG5V-rHJNHxYXeXGmX29GSmMpGsqI8SnFGsgUPxDOcHkTiDqjv2pmSPOV3OKWaoGo/s1600/IMG_7170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RVSopzpvi9SZtLb014FFltq9Gi1Tl9mOQILz_EWUZ9ZqVSXKkqN1GQaVIGaCHuwLvz7tnrMDFa2sG5V-rHJNHxYXeXGmX29GSmMpGsqI8SnFGsgUPxDOcHkTiDqjv2pmSPOV3OKWaoGo/s1600/IMG_7170.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Enzo was very excited to wash the coffee cup that he made for me so that I could enjoy a morning cup of coffee in it. Sadly, it slipped in the sink while he washed it. He was pretty upset but eventually OK with the idea that these things happen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WX62FON5elc/U8MFOlIXAEI/AAAAAAAFX2o/i1aaAvFquHc/s1600/IMG_7172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WX62FON5elc/U8MFOlIXAEI/AAAAAAAFX2o/i1aaAvFquHc/s1600/IMG_7172.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We used the bowl that Ana made for me for breakfast. A gorgeous heart.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg1pSYOIVo0/U8MFO2G3zUI/AAAAAAAFX2s/Niop-G9gZAM/s1600/IMG_7175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg1pSYOIVo0/U8MFO2G3zUI/AAAAAAAFX2s/Niop-G9gZAM/s1600/IMG_7175.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I was pleased with how the cup I made came out. It has two flowers, one for each kiddo. A kite and the ocean, two things that remind me of good times with my family, and a heart with 8 dots on the handle to represent the 8 years of marriage and love with Tami that got us here. The theme in my mind was to paint a tattoo symbolizing Father's Day to me. Each time I use it, I think of how lucky I am.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zh1zdtMD068/U8MFPfkl1NI/AAAAAAAFX20/USKLPcF2_cA/s1600/IMG_7214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zh1zdtMD068/U8MFPfkl1NI/AAAAAAAFX20/USKLPcF2_cA/s1600/IMG_7214.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkVMFvL1nYY/U8MFQVMgh7I/AAAAAAAFX3M/813SMdSIQuo/s1600/IMG_7232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkVMFvL1nYY/U8MFQVMgh7I/AAAAAAAFX3M/813SMdSIQuo/s1600/IMG_7232.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmKB_vsgciQ/U8MFQ0uNRaI/AAAAAAAFX3Y/ySCC2KXQdOs/s1600/IMG_7238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmKB_vsgciQ/U8MFQ0uNRaI/AAAAAAAFX3Y/ySCC2KXQdOs/s1600/IMG_7238.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
With these summer days, it seems that the kids want to play in the water every day. Both of them do, but especially Ana. She goes through a lot of bathing suits.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V4ltQ3_BEpE/U8MFQuIzhyI/AAAAAAAFX3Q/1ipczPNPVOU/s1600/IMG_7255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V4ltQ3_BEpE/U8MFQuIzhyI/AAAAAAAFX3Q/1ipczPNPVOU/s1600/IMG_7255.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Here is Ana putting on her gloves. She has gone through a phase with wearing gloves. Check out that dress, too. My mom made it. My mom made her a whole bunch of clothes that Ana has really enjoyed. Impressive.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4aIwLb6G2k/U8MFRbryQuI/AAAAAAAFX3o/cjyKNo4LgRc/s1600/IMG_7282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4aIwLb6G2k/U8MFRbryQuI/AAAAAAAFX3o/cjyKNo4LgRc/s1600/IMG_7282.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
One day after work, three friends and I went on a nice ride up to Mt. Hamilton and down the back, around through Livermore, and back to the valley. That ride always makes me feel good. It is a type of meditation, I suppose.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRmQsyeBc40/U8MFRokARSI/AAAAAAAFX34/wjbikFN2gPo/s1600/IMG_7286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRmQsyeBc40/U8MFRokARSI/AAAAAAAFX34/wjbikFN2gPo/s1600/IMG_7286.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Here we were at the top with Lick Observatory.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-91424207172299246282014-06-17T13:32:00.000-07:002014-06-19T08:14:20.284-07:00What would happen if...?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Knvpo_jQtts/U50BAPJUWTI/AAAAAAAFXyM/mCOGN901rfU/s1600/IMG_68932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Knvpo_jQtts/U50BAPJUWTI/AAAAAAAFXyM/mCOGN901rfU/s1600/IMG_68932.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enzo filled up his digging hole with water.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">My son has hair on his legs. He’s a mammal so you are not surprised, I know. But it's getting darker and he is growing up! He was a baby once! And now an energetic four. Oh, my beautiful boy. This is just one more example of a nearly daily occurence where I am enthralled as I recognize the obvious; my children are growing and it is amaaaaaaazzzzzzing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm pretty sure Enzo is trying to play with weapons but knows that we, his parents, are against it, and so is trying to be creative in getting around it. A few days ago he asked me to make him a paper knife. Why, I asked. Pause. So I can cut pretend food, he answered. Hmmmm, I thought.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Recently I over heard him asking his Tata something about death and the answer had something to do with heaven. I don't remember the question or answer exactly but I did note at the time that Enzo has never asked me that exact question though asking me many many question per day including some on the general same topic of life and death, on occasion. Circumstantial, but I think Enzo has realized on some level that people are different and that, even as he works to make sense of this world, he has recognized that it is better in his mind for his interests, whether they be to play with certain toys or to avoid processing conflicting explanations of realities from trusted sources, to modify his questions and words for different audiences. It's neat to recognize this level of brain development. It will be interesting to watch him process the pile of variation his mind will accumulate in the coming years. As I recall, it was a major pain in the... head, reconciling and structuring a world picture out of what was left unresolved and requiring attention in the teenage years. Not sure if that mental torture laced with hormones is a valuable right of passage but I hope he does not suffer too much when it is his turn. Perhaps he will have less to process at that point in his life than I left for myself at that point in mine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Other updates on The Kid. I heard another cool milestone occur. I don't remember the song now, but I felt certain that I could basically guarantee that Enzo had never heard it before when I played it a few weeks ago. After hearing just a little, he began singing along with the chorus as well as other lyrics that hadn't repeated yet. You know what I'm talking about? This is a major skill! You know, when you are hearing and singing at the same time along with a song you are hearing for the first time? It's doable and the brain must be on high alert activity mode, processing the incoming sound with the known vocabulary and micro-temporally shifted vocal cords. My son is practically a full fledged human! At four! Humans are amazing. My son is awesome-amazing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Every now and then he will, as will Ana, tell me that he doesn't want me to die. It's happening less as time goes by since we have had to explain death to some degree. But one day he said something to me and I responded that he had to give me besos y abrazos (kisses and hugs) for ever, even when he is an old man. He calmly told me that no, he wouldn't, because when he was an old man I would be dead. Well, thanks kid! I said, yeah, well, I get them for as long as I can ask for them.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">His favorite color is red. That's what he has been saying recently. He really gets into imaginative play, talking for different characters that could be cars or planes or cut out paper. Not too long ago he asked Tami to draw him a bee. Then, he asked for scissors to cut it out. Ever since he has been playing with drawn paper toys. He asks me to draw new things regularly including spiders, sharks, dolphins, orcas, fish, rockets, and spaceships. Then he cuts them out. I always ask him if he wants me to draw them from the top view or from the side. He always thinks about it. Then he says from the top. He cuts them out and they swim or fly around the house, speak through his mouth, and sometimes crawl or swim on the paper oceans or spiderwebs that he draws.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">He really likes watching Bill Nye the Science Guy. I had to purchase the second season. He is in to the first season but I thought it was time to add more variety. We don't watch them straight through in any order. I let him and Ana choose a topic from memory and occasionally I just announce a new topic and show a new-to-them episode. Then, they have a new topic to ask for. By far the most requested episode, this from Enzo, is “the eating plants one” which is really just called Plants and has a short segment about carnivorous plants like the Venus Flytrap that he is really fascinated by. I just realized this irony. The Kid is being brought up in a primarily vegetarian household and his favorite Bill Nye episode is the one where the vegetation is carnivorous. That's funny!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">An update on Enzo would not be complete without these next two items that I have saved for last. His favorite saying lately is “okay ma-maaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!” Ha! He says this so much. Not just to his mom. To anyone. Me, his mom, and his sister the most, I guess, as he sees us most often. I can't help but laugh. It's his equivalent of “what d-ya-know daddy-oh.” A phrase he can throw out regularly but, instead of as a start, it is a response. Ask him to do anything or remind him of something and he just might say “ok ma-maaaaaaaaaaaa!"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But there is nothing he says more these days than “what would happen if…?" And when he is on a role, these come rapid fire, many per 10 minutes on the clock, all over the place in topic. And this happens EVERY DAY. Here are some recent examples that come to mind, many of which are used multiple times over weeks as he sometimes returns to a theme.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What would happen </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">…</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If an adult couldn't walk</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If a baby didn't grow</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If someone never went pee</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If someone didn't have arms</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If a fish didn't go back in the water</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If someone picked up a starfish</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If a person didn't have ears</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If a person didn't have the hole in their ears</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If there were no trees</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If there were no plankton</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If their were no people</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If someone couldn't walk</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">…etc. and so on</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">…</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Awesome. And after each thoughtful answer I give (sometimes, instead, I ask what he thinks and sometimes he answers and other times he says "no, it's your turn!") in answer he responds with “why?” After the thoughtful answer to that "why" comes either a follow up “why,” or, if satisfied, “Papi.... What would happen if.....!"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually he moves on to a toy or, when it is late and he is in bed, I remind him that it is time to sleep. “Ok, Papi.”</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-85920460415149111812014-06-14T11:13:00.000-07:002014-06-14T11:13:24.822-07:00New Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpA3aiCJLqc/U5yPZmBWv1I/AAAAAAAFXxE/rdIMS3VJchE/s1600/IMG_7091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpA3aiCJLqc/U5yPZmBWv1I/AAAAAAAFXxE/rdIMS3VJchE/s1600/IMG_7091.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The entire Joseph Gomes Park in one picture.</div>
<br />
I have started a new blog project.<br />
<br />
You can visit it at:
<a href="http://bayareaparks.blogspot.com/">http://bayareaparks.blogspot.com</a>
<br />
<br />
There are a couple of blog projects I have in mind and this is the first of the new ideas that I am actually starting. Basically, I am creating a false need for myself to visit all of the parks in the area and make a short post about them. I imagine this means that I will get to know the area better, have another good excuse to go on new local adventures, and find cool new places to spend time with the kids, family, and myself.<br />
<br />
I am also trying to make the blog posts for this new blog completely on mobile devices like my iPhone. Yes, I did go get a new iPhone 5s. I couldn't wait any longer for a new one to come out, I needed a good camera. And it is a good camera. My replaced phone was an iPhone 4 and had an impressive camera. But in the years since it came out, the iPhone cameras have become even better. And lighter and faster and over all nicer.<br />
<br />
So, I came up with a template for the Bay Area Parks blog that I will cut and paste in for each new post. Then, I will make the applicable additions and changes using a few apps. That's the plan. I have been testing the apps, adjusting the blog settings, and trying things out. I think I have it mostly the way I want it.<br />
<br />
Starting small for a new blog, I chose the smallest park I know of and spent some time in it. It is the Joseph Gomes Park in Campbell. I have long wanted to stop by and never had. For years I have driven past and thought that I would stop by some day. That's a long time. And now I have literally stopped and spent time in the park exploring, taking pictures, and sitting on one of the two benches.<br />
<br />
Below is the template I am starting with. Perhaps it will go through some revisions. I am trying to keep it simple and interesting.<br />
<br />
Template:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Photo Collage<br />-<br />Park Name - Type<br />City, State<br />Latitude, Longitude<br />Altitude<br />-<br />Description<br />...<br />I would go to this park to...<br />Think, read, walk, nap, eat, cook, or...<br />-<br />I would take kids to this park to...<br />Run around, ride bikes, explore, play ball, play in the playground, play in water, fly a kite, have a birthday party, or...<br />-<br />Visited by the Bay Area Parks Guy on...</blockquote>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-35092820635323049312014-06-11T14:12:00.000-07:002014-06-11T15:33:45.544-07:00MAVEN Spacecraft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2DlINJQnmR8IftapgxiFK4qntCP_7oRI_KlUUMW5EkmJa-1x414Q_epaNJw0oLaDPC9Oh8l70sZdMCapvoNu4-1qpREwEcuknMbXXkpM-BaJsTnlWn5mm7el4QUgdYKbhX_w5BOCqZrV/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-08+at+5.48.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2DlINJQnmR8IftapgxiFK4qntCP_7oRI_KlUUMW5EkmJa-1x414Q_epaNJw0oLaDPC9Oh8l70sZdMCapvoNu4-1qpREwEcuknMbXXkpM-BaJsTnlWn5mm7el4QUgdYKbhX_w5BOCqZrV/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-08+at+5.48.16+PM.png" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The MAVEN Spacecraft is well on it's way to Mars. It is supposed to arrive to orbit Mars on September 21, 2014. It launched November 18, 2013. A while ago I mentioned that anyone could send their name up to Mars on a DVD that MAVEN would carry through space, by submitting their name through a website. I sent mine, Tami's, and the kids' names up. They are hurling through space as I write this. There was also a Mars haiku writing contest through the same website. I submitted two:<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Beautiful and cold</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">You are watched and roved and probed</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Spinning there in red</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Holding ice inside</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cold, imagination warmed</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Reflecting red far</span><br />
<br />
<br />
It was fun to encapsulate a thought within a haiku's structural limitations. Here were the winners voted on by the world:<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It’s funny, they named</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mars after the God of War</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Have a look at Earth</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">-Benedict Smith , United Kingdom</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Thirty-six million</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">miles of whispering welcome.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mars, you called us home.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">-Vanna Bonta , USA</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Stars in the blue sky</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">cheerfully observe the Earth</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">while we long for them</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">-Luisa Santoro , Italy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">distant red planet</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">the dreams of earth beings flow</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">we will someday roam</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">-Greg Pruett, Idaho, USA</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mars, your secret is</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">unknown for humanity</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">we want to know you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">-Fanni Redenczki, Hungary</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-33297980299902879002014-06-10T15:22:00.000-07:002014-06-10T15:22:00.198-07:00Kansas City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cousin Martina was getting ready to graduate in Kansas City, Missouri. Tami and the kids really wanted to go but I could not leave work for those days. Somehow, they convinced me, yet again, to be OK with them all going on vacation without me. It's not even a sob story for me anymore. They've now gone to Southern California, Puerto Rico, Hawaii (for a few days before I joined), and Kansas City without me. I guess I'm going to have to get use to it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But before they left, I bought myself a new toy with the VW Bug money to keep me occupied. If I was going to get something anyway, may as well get it before they were gone.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-esBLifwafvw/U4FINtkUMcI/AAAAAAAFXi4/bye-OCVdcL8/s1600/IMG_6789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-esBLifwafvw/U4FINtkUMcI/AAAAAAAFXi4/bye-OCVdcL8/s1600/IMG_6789.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fXvSeRn1i_E/U4FIOP789MI/AAAAAAAFXi8/9ULGBEEigtY/s1600/IMG_6790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fXvSeRn1i_E/U4FIOP789MI/AAAAAAAFXi8/9ULGBEEigtY/s1600/IMG_6790.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
This is the latest member of our garage of toys. A 2005 Harley Sportster made in..... Kansas City, Missouri! It was actually made in the same plant that Tami and I toured years ago when we first went to Kansas City together. And as it turns out, I am really enjoying this bike. It's all I've ridden since. Tami said the other bikes are going to get jealous. I told her that the other bikes remember what it was like to be the new bike.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbR_ePRxr78/U4FIOTHRLrI/AAAAAAAFXkU/v-F7ZKpzVzU/s1600/IMG_6805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbR_ePRxr78/U4FIOTHRLrI/AAAAAAAFXkU/v-F7ZKpzVzU/s1600/IMG_6805.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, it did come to pass that I took Tami and the kids to the airport to say good bye.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhZZjEqUV-4/U4FIOiYwh8I/AAAAAAAFXkQ/mN87fVmdZ3E/s1600/IMG_6807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhZZjEqUV-4/U4FIOiYwh8I/AAAAAAAFXkQ/mN87fVmdZ3E/s1600/IMG_6807.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
The kids ran up to the sign that said ANA on it after I pointed out Ana's name on it.<br />
<br />
And eventually, sadly, I said bye and they all went in past security. Here are some of the pics Tami sent to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCV1jkF1WSWTux1BEsN6-1bi0-aUXmKGotrViuFHogL7TlQfcPOnDcAif09Qr63FAmBqFfzxd6_mAmc1y92DSXy3Ew_ZRFvgNpJIPwBA-bWlLx-VmlKSZ8_TxdYcw7dte89f7E8NhVXq-/s1600/IMG_6814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCV1jkF1WSWTux1BEsN6-1bi0-aUXmKGotrViuFHogL7TlQfcPOnDcAif09Qr63FAmBqFfzxd6_mAmc1y92DSXy3Ew_ZRFvgNpJIPwBA-bWlLx-VmlKSZ8_TxdYcw7dte89f7E8NhVXq-/s1600/IMG_6814.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QsMsxtc7t8w/U4FIPCFFxwI/AAAAAAAFXjc/3u20aWFt5sg/s1600/IMG_6815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QsMsxtc7t8w/U4FIPCFFxwI/AAAAAAAFXjc/3u20aWFt5sg/s1600/IMG_6815.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZCWFBYZjl8/U4FIPqZY1GI/AAAAAAAFXkA/iHT3Ru2eboc/s1600/IMG_6822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZCWFBYZjl8/U4FIPqZY1GI/AAAAAAAFXkA/iHT3Ru2eboc/s1600/IMG_6822.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Enzo accidentally stepped on this snake when they were out walking. Both were fine as a result and Enzo was excited to tell me that the snake slithered away after.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rC0fC1lTYo/U4FIPc4k04I/AAAAAAAFXkE/gZpTyWVFv7U/s1600/IMG_6818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rC0fC1lTYo/U4FIPc4k04I/AAAAAAAFXkE/gZpTyWVFv7U/s1600/IMG_6818.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
They got to play with cousins.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qD3T7xEU-1M/U4FIOmTG-SI/AAAAAAAFXkM/8ULJbWzPZ28/s1600/IMG_6812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qD3T7xEU-1M/U4FIOmTG-SI/AAAAAAAFXkM/8ULJbWzPZ28/s1600/IMG_6812.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
And visit a few airports.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wyuc_2gPZw4/U4FIQl8KOsI/AAAAAAAFXj0/9LKOHR6_3Bw/s1600/IMG_6834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wyuc_2gPZw4/U4FIQl8KOsI/AAAAAAAFXj0/9LKOHR6_3Bw/s1600/IMG_6834.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
I sat around the house and moped.... But when I could get myself together, I had a blast riding my Sportster in the hills.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, the time went fast enough and the family was home, playing in the yard, cuddly as ever.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8cbiZQY_ARs/U4FIQGGM2vI/AAAAAAAFXj8/qfylODFw97M/s1600/IMG_6832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8cbiZQY_ARs/U4FIQGGM2vI/AAAAAAAFXj8/qfylODFw97M/s1600/IMG_6832.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-19906070941860120292014-06-09T16:39:00.000-07:002014-06-09T16:39:00.268-07:00Park and Beach in One DayStill writing catch-up blog posts! I think the following happened about three weeks ago.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpH288KqgDE/U4FIAyHABoI/AAAAAAAFXgg/dswI1VPGqEQ/s1600/IMG_6633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpH288KqgDE/U4FIAyHABoI/AAAAAAAFXgg/dswI1VPGqEQ/s1600/IMG_6633.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I took the kids to Vasona to fly our kite. I was determined to get that kite up in the air as I had been carrying it in the trunk of my car for weeks and having no luck with wind.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cpv9NCFsyAM/U4FIBy5Bm2I/AAAAAAAFXgs/rDiW6hzKyOs/s1600/IMG_6643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cpv9NCFsyAM/U4FIBy5Bm2I/AAAAAAAFXgs/rDiW6hzKyOs/s1600/IMG_6643.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0zUdvHqb8U/U4FICK3NOwI/AAAAAAAFXgw/di6umZlYSwY/s1600/IMG_6644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0zUdvHqb8U/U4FICK3NOwI/AAAAAAAFXgw/di6umZlYSwY/s1600/IMG_6644.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Thankfully, we got a little wind that day. Ana held the kite while Enzo chased the kite's shadow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XojLxU-RqzI/U4FICl6-NlI/AAAAAAAFXg0/aFxqqXhXYEM/s1600/IMG_6648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XojLxU-RqzI/U4FICl6-NlI/AAAAAAAFXg0/aFxqqXhXYEM/s1600/IMG_6648.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Tami was at home and I was tasked with entertaining the kiddos so that she could get homework done. A pretty good task. Kite having been flown relatively early in the day, it was time to take the kiddos a little further...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LamzWu--wo/U4FIC3I-o7I/AAAAAAAFXg4/yWcJoyev3Ng/s1600/IMG_6663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LamzWu--wo/U4FIC3I-o7I/AAAAAAAFXg4/yWcJoyev3Ng/s1600/IMG_6663.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
...All the way to the beach. Not bad. Flew a kite at Vasona, ate pizza in Aptos, and then played in the water at Seacliff Beach by the concrete ship.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kiLWhdHS848/U4FIDEam4JI/AAAAAAAFXg8/GMx1VlmPOtk/s1600/IMG_6667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kiLWhdHS848/U4FIDEam4JI/AAAAAAAFXg8/GMx1VlmPOtk/s1600/IMG_6667.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTb3w_czRhQW_fhnIYj0srdVYySB5K6qIGTUoIsBFqmZt786_-UPJuaBkMyQZeOMMD7ATjVmY-AxqXz538rLwXpjZZJHRoyA9_GPWyFc-Bb2hJXmJ8-5WMgrmfiuJw37zh1vXYzwBXQ4R/s1600/IMG_6676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTb3w_czRhQW_fhnIYj0srdVYySB5K6qIGTUoIsBFqmZt786_-UPJuaBkMyQZeOMMD7ATjVmY-AxqXz538rLwXpjZZJHRoyA9_GPWyFc-Bb2hJXmJ8-5WMgrmfiuJw37zh1vXYzwBXQ4R/s1600/IMG_6676.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wh25vBbkX9w/U4FIDyJullI/AAAAAAAFXhE/FMq1ncVBoto/s1600/IMG_6678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wh25vBbkX9w/U4FIDyJullI/AAAAAAAFXhE/FMq1ncVBoto/s1600/IMG_6678.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXtjN8RjdsE/U4FIEKmaLWI/AAAAAAAFXhI/9BfXT0Uw0iM/s1600/IMG_6684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXtjN8RjdsE/U4FIEKmaLWI/AAAAAAAFXhI/9BfXT0Uw0iM/s1600/IMG_6684.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sy-48I9_N5A/U4FIEb61fxI/AAAAAAAFXhM/zXKU93wtNhs/s1600/IMG_6686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sy-48I9_N5A/U4FIEb61fxI/AAAAAAAFXhM/zXKU93wtNhs/s1600/IMG_6686.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vT3cLvNrrzE/U4FIEleXPbI/AAAAAAAFXhQ/BCS1iQP5CKk/s1600/IMG_6688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vT3cLvNrrzE/U4FIEleXPbI/AAAAAAAFXhQ/BCS1iQP5CKk/s1600/IMG_6688.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pG8NomWco5M/U4FIE-VzSbI/AAAAAAAFXhU/nqyeVG-8UK4/s1600/IMG_6689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pG8NomWco5M/U4FIE-VzSbI/AAAAAAAFXhU/nqyeVG-8UK4/s1600/IMG_6689.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
The kids were so funny. They played with the waves, you know, taunting them, running up to them and then laughing as they ran away, only to come back to the water again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGI4dTJn5Vw/U4FIFezwuCI/AAAAAAAFXhc/i8LS-FMFQAM/s1600/IMG_6690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGI4dTJn5Vw/U4FIFezwuCI/AAAAAAAFXhc/i8LS-FMFQAM/s1600/IMG_6690.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTzXgI8Ivk0/U4FIFt64srI/AAAAAAAFXhY/beFL0HCjGhE/s1600/IMG_6693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTzXgI8Ivk0/U4FIFt64srI/AAAAAAAFXhY/beFL0HCjGhE/s1600/IMG_6693.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R74kXBPbY7U/U4FIGYGr2cI/AAAAAAAFXhg/T6XdAh5E3w0/s1600/IMG_6695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R74kXBPbY7U/U4FIGYGr2cI/AAAAAAAFXhg/T6XdAh5E3w0/s1600/IMG_6695.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjuL2_cLfH8/U4FIGwAlo8I/AAAAAAAFXhk/4ZczolnhkBY/s1600/IMG_6700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjuL2_cLfH8/U4FIGwAlo8I/AAAAAAAFXhk/4ZczolnhkBY/s1600/IMG_6700.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ssnCNYn9JGA/U4FIHQ55UgI/AAAAAAAFXho/jDmTirLbJSg/s1600/IMG_6704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ssnCNYn9JGA/U4FIHQ55UgI/AAAAAAAFXho/jDmTirLbJSg/s1600/IMG_6704.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFuJHLqeJEs/U4FIIH_ezZI/AAAAAAAFXhw/xa5lxUlx1Uw/s1600/IMG_6711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFuJHLqeJEs/U4FIIH_ezZI/AAAAAAAFXhw/xa5lxUlx1Uw/s1600/IMG_6711.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_VYaN51XEo/U4FIIYImmfI/AAAAAAAFXh0/htQxrcVpDpU/s1600/IMG_6712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_VYaN51XEo/U4FIIYImmfI/AAAAAAAFXh0/htQxrcVpDpU/s1600/IMG_6712.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cKjn2mHyOxI/U4FIIrg7LyI/AAAAAAAFXh4/8hc7b1lQXF4/s1600/IMG_6716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cKjn2mHyOxI/U4FIIrg7LyI/AAAAAAAFXh4/8hc7b1lQXF4/s1600/IMG_6716.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8IprcIow88/U4FIJMhY8lI/AAAAAAAFXh8/oKQClfgMRsw/s1600/IMG_6717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8IprcIow88/U4FIJMhY8lI/AAAAAAAFXh8/oKQClfgMRsw/s1600/IMG_6717.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu2QUjSt-8A/U4FIJbFRnRI/AAAAAAAFXiA/eW02wprpjx0/s1600/IMG_6722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu2QUjSt-8A/U4FIJbFRnRI/AAAAAAAFXiA/eW02wprpjx0/s1600/IMG_6722.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2rnFmZkjP5k/U4FIJtn-neI/AAAAAAAFXiE/hmSf44Cv0nA/s1600/IMG_6727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2rnFmZkjP5k/U4FIJtn-neI/AAAAAAAFXiE/hmSf44Cv0nA/s1600/IMG_6727.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aFpiNiVJXlY/U4FIJ6uzqCI/AAAAAAAFXiI/vsyV1yRR9pY/s1600/IMG_6729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aFpiNiVJXlY/U4FIJ6uzqCI/AAAAAAAFXiI/vsyV1yRR9pY/s1600/IMG_6729.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Wv59CI8sk/U4FIKHSaJ4I/AAAAAAAFXiM/xozVQkAeG20/s1600/IMG_6733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Wv59CI8sk/U4FIKHSaJ4I/AAAAAAAFXiM/xozVQkAeG20/s1600/IMG_6733.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujzAdDSzC-8/U4FIKunSn6I/AAAAAAAFXiQ/Ml2adyR1y5w/s1600/IMG_6737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujzAdDSzC-8/U4FIKunSn6I/AAAAAAAFXiQ/Ml2adyR1y5w/s1600/IMG_6737.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-fc81_VspI/U4FIK-UZR9I/AAAAAAAFXiU/sp4yIdw_2Fw/s1600/IMG_6742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-fc81_VspI/U4FIK-UZR9I/AAAAAAAFXiU/sp4yIdw_2Fw/s1600/IMG_6742.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQZDS0wbIfI/U4FILNO1aeI/AAAAAAAFXiY/S2aT6BIM4lo/s1600/IMG_6746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQZDS0wbIfI/U4FILNO1aeI/AAAAAAAFXiY/S2aT6BIM4lo/s1600/IMG_6746.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XzKQjKPcfx8/U4FILl3JVHI/AAAAAAAFXic/Nlc1MKd-2ZE/s1600/IMG_6756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XzKQjKPcfx8/U4FILl3JVHI/AAAAAAAFXic/Nlc1MKd-2ZE/s1600/IMG_6756.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XDelbE-RPaY/U4FIL8pAWBI/AAAAAAAFXig/TRdNQsB8k_g/s1600/IMG_6760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XDelbE-RPaY/U4FIL8pAWBI/AAAAAAAFXig/TRdNQsB8k_g/s1600/IMG_6760.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
The beach makes me happy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BISTgE1nsg0/U4FIMKrwTiI/AAAAAAAFXik/PsTWHfxcfuk/s1600/IMG_6767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BISTgE1nsg0/U4FIMKrwTiI/AAAAAAAFXik/PsTWHfxcfuk/s1600/IMG_6767.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Someone had left this seesaw made from drift wood. Ana and Enzo had a great time with it and would probably still be playing and balancing on it today if I hadn't finally convinced them it was late and time to head home for dinner with Mami.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KSNLIq-OQXU/U4FIMdZnDNI/AAAAAAAFXio/MIpJS7N-9JY/s1600/IMG_6769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KSNLIq-OQXU/U4FIMdZnDNI/AAAAAAAFXio/MIpJS7N-9JY/s1600/IMG_6769.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfNm-viGmqk/U4FIM-WkQEI/AAAAAAAFXis/ayc8Jq0jLjo/s1600/IMG_6773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfNm-viGmqk/U4FIM-WkQEI/AAAAAAAFXis/ayc8Jq0jLjo/s1600/IMG_6773.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XPqI0dQ1h3g/U4FINAnKl5I/AAAAAAAFXiw/mYc0HG5qLJE/s1600/IMG_6774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XPqI0dQ1h3g/U4FINAnKl5I/AAAAAAAFXiw/mYc0HG5qLJE/s1600/IMG_6774.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOUbq5Y4CAI/U4FINeJQ6wI/AAAAAAAFXi0/4R1p52qF-zU/s1600/IMG_6778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uOUbq5Y4CAI/U4FINeJQ6wI/AAAAAAAFXi0/4R1p52qF-zU/s1600/IMG_6778.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-87939993525886319972014-06-08T14:27:00.000-07:002014-06-09T16:27:17.036-07:00Ana's Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Several days after Ana's third birthday, we had an Ana B-Day party.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MEUxaUwJUx8/U4FGQaPMOoI/AAAAAAAFXas/Azxoura0UEs/s1600/DSC03376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MEUxaUwJUx8/U4FGQaPMOoI/AAAAAAAFXas/Azxoura0UEs/s1600/DSC03376.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Many distinguished guests were present such as Baby Avonlea.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0k9PYOk6C-E/U4FGSreHGxI/AAAAAAAFXa4/YxjDQa__Jxk/s1600/DSC03383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0k9PYOk6C-E/U4FGSreHGxI/AAAAAAAFXa4/YxjDQa__Jxk/s1600/DSC03383.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Baby Jack joined as well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aggeqd4CptU/U4FGU1c6FWI/AAAAAAAFXbE/PO1-OthWFGg/s1600/DSC03390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aggeqd4CptU/U4FGU1c6FWI/AAAAAAAFXbE/PO1-OthWFGg/s1600/DSC03390.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hhNnvG_y80/U4FGV7MefhI/AAAAAAAFXbM/j5M-501nLs0/s1600/DSC03393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hhNnvG_y80/U4FGV7MefhI/AAAAAAAFXbM/j5M-501nLs0/s1600/DSC03393.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iFI0ytpOWCI/U4FGW9bKjuI/AAAAAAAFXbQ/RSSekW7u5JM/s1600/DSC03395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iFI0ytpOWCI/U4FGW9bKjuI/AAAAAAAFXbQ/RSSekW7u5JM/s1600/DSC03395.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Baby Alex, however, is getting to that point where we won't be able to call him Baby Alex for much longer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v89s1yUcab0/U4FGXP17F7I/AAAAAAAFXbU/ABKTZIB3ySo/s1600/DSC03399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v89s1yUcab0/U4FGXP17F7I/AAAAAAAFXbU/ABKTZIB3ySo/s1600/DSC03399.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ana and her friend Rachel decorated the birthday cake this year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dc4LWvI-BLU/U4FGYhzzi2I/AAAAAAAFXbc/FBcFAtR9V4w/s1600/DSC03401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dc4LWvI-BLU/U4FGYhzzi2I/AAAAAAAFXbc/FBcFAtR9V4w/s1600/DSC03401.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NeyPePP9-gc/U4FGaYqjC7I/AAAAAAAFXbk/IO4skhYuMVU/s1600/DSC03412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NeyPePP9-gc/U4FGaYqjC7I/AAAAAAAFXbk/IO4skhYuMVU/s1600/DSC03412.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Grandma brought over a cool game that they made where the kids picked a card, matched the number on the card to the big decorated wall, punched their hand through, and pulled out a prize. A cool surprise.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yagUJb4H22U/U4FGawKudCI/AAAAAAAFXbo/fVUwKmJ-jBI/s1600/DSC03417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yagUJb4H22U/U4FGawKudCI/AAAAAAAFXbo/fVUwKmJ-jBI/s1600/DSC03417.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xaZdi_sSN5U/U4FGcC99tHI/AAAAAAAFXbw/2TmWwdRG8VI/s1600/DSC03424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xaZdi_sSN5U/U4FGcC99tHI/AAAAAAAFXbw/2TmWwdRG8VI/s1600/DSC03424.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The bubble surprises were quite popular.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mgihpS7IG4/U4FGdOJu3ZI/AAAAAAAFXb0/e4o4SS1ABKY/s1600/DSC03429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mgihpS7IG4/U4FGdOJu3ZI/AAAAAAAFXb0/e4o4SS1ABKY/s1600/DSC03429.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf_HeqbIvYE/U4FGdiL5LhI/AAAAAAAFXb4/LVKLu_unKUA/s1600/DSC03432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf_HeqbIvYE/U4FGdiL5LhI/AAAAAAAFXb4/LVKLu_unKUA/s1600/DSC03432.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zMxRrusSyC0/U4FGeaWlOoI/AAAAAAAFXcM/Insua9fCOsg/s1600/DSC03434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zMxRrusSyC0/U4FGeaWlOoI/AAAAAAAFXcM/Insua9fCOsg/s1600/DSC03434.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bkXMlBciUQo/U4FGfhDYTvI/AAAAAAAFXcA/WJvA2NYOne0/s1600/DSC03442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bkXMlBciUQo/U4FGfhDYTvI/AAAAAAAFXcA/WJvA2NYOne0/s1600/DSC03442.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I2_rJbeRrl0/U4FGgR6hhKI/AAAAAAAFXcE/LjorXogcku0/s1600/DSC03445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I2_rJbeRrl0/U4FGgR6hhKI/AAAAAAAFXcE/LjorXogcku0/s1600/DSC03445.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--OM4V-iQXCg/U4FGhaBwg2I/AAAAAAAFXcI/cI9ZRBtIRr0/s1600/DSC03451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--OM4V-iQXCg/U4FGhaBwg2I/AAAAAAAFXcI/cI9ZRBtIRr0/s1600/DSC03451.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTfVHP2LdA8/U4FGilRC8GI/AAAAAAAFXcU/BdEUE7akF9M/s1600/DSC03468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTfVHP2LdA8/U4FGilRC8GI/AAAAAAAFXcU/BdEUE7akF9M/s1600/DSC03468.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubVUHuA_jSM/U4FGkFIorxI/AAAAAAAFXcc/ZVdOygLUd6M/s1600/DSC03472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubVUHuA_jSM/U4FGkFIorxI/AAAAAAAFXcc/ZVdOygLUd6M/s1600/DSC03472.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r677Yfy_fiY/U4FGkkfLg4I/AAAAAAAFXcg/JO1HbFNSPEM/s1600/DSC03474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r677Yfy_fiY/U4FGkkfLg4I/AAAAAAAFXcg/JO1HbFNSPEM/s1600/DSC03474.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SP0TMNGjlDc/U4FGlGZmYQI/AAAAAAAFXck/Nulkiy-zy40/s1600/DSC03477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SP0TMNGjlDc/U4FGlGZmYQI/AAAAAAAFXck/Nulkiy-zy40/s1600/DSC03477.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NShbSrMDIQk/U4FGlypI_zI/AAAAAAAFXco/L9E5YroFr7c/s1600/DSC03485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NShbSrMDIQk/U4FGlypI_zI/AAAAAAAFXco/L9E5YroFr7c/s1600/DSC03485.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YsIYid-_9iA/U4FGnMZnZZI/AAAAAAAFXcs/QgrSOwpZxRc/s1600/DSC03487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YsIYid-_9iA/U4FGnMZnZZI/AAAAAAAFXcs/QgrSOwpZxRc/s1600/DSC03487.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLmVfnmF1z0/U4FGngLWpYI/AAAAAAAFXcw/-dahEQf2uoY/s1600/DSC03489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLmVfnmF1z0/U4FGngLWpYI/AAAAAAAFXcw/-dahEQf2uoY/s1600/DSC03489.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05xuwkk9lVg/U4FGoNy9v2I/AAAAAAAFXc0/VOnrY7ph7zM/s1600/DSC03507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05xuwkk9lVg/U4FGoNy9v2I/AAAAAAAFXc0/VOnrY7ph7zM/s1600/DSC03507.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The piñata worked this year! Yay! The pull strings worked. The last year of pull strings but they worked well and we enjoyed the piñata.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dUQgtkr24yFET4p0SxvMR6Og2xnP84gnKAUQ8c7qxJOs4Y5E7BL4RB0gRjZegDEcw4aze6v1k6jtypGsnrGedtQjcMdEZTvrdpHdG5Fa_gFh-gr3SpO0vOZoiOVh3N-_19k3Ym2_TouU/s1600/DSC03514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dUQgtkr24yFET4p0SxvMR6Og2xnP84gnKAUQ8c7qxJOs4Y5E7BL4RB0gRjZegDEcw4aze6v1k6jtypGsnrGedtQjcMdEZTvrdpHdG5Fa_gFh-gr3SpO0vOZoiOVh3N-_19k3Ym2_TouU/s1600/DSC03514.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tBGJvTpOKzA/U4FGpn-qtII/AAAAAAAFXc8/7vAc33u7qqI/s1600/DSC03519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tBGJvTpOKzA/U4FGpn-qtII/AAAAAAAFXc8/7vAc33u7qqI/s1600/DSC03519.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E2vtbONuSWc/U4FGqVGbZeI/AAAAAAAFXdA/k5SXofWOi8U/s1600/DSC03524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E2vtbONuSWc/U4FGqVGbZeI/AAAAAAAFXdA/k5SXofWOi8U/s1600/DSC03524.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--IMlzf1c_g4/U4FGrPRnlEI/AAAAAAAFXdE/P7wASWjqFXg/s1600/DSC03529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--IMlzf1c_g4/U4FGrPRnlEI/AAAAAAAFXdE/P7wASWjqFXg/s1600/DSC03529.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0TNGKU-X4M/U4FGr-xdqqI/AAAAAAAFXdI/oTwRS70fKMo/s1600/DSC03531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z0TNGKU-X4M/U4FGr-xdqqI/AAAAAAAFXdI/oTwRS70fKMo/s1600/DSC03531.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZ8bRXd0gNY/U4FGt3COIRI/AAAAAAAFXdU/u75vy864qTg/s1600/DSC03541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZ8bRXd0gNY/U4FGt3COIRI/AAAAAAAFXdU/u75vy864qTg/s1600/DSC03541.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7w0ue3YecQU/U4FGuh9POuI/AAAAAAAFXdY/e4zMAKx6lvk/s1600/DSC03549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7w0ue3YecQU/U4FGuh9POuI/AAAAAAAFXdY/e4zMAKx6lvk/s1600/DSC03549.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d2fRVa2jB5g/U4FJUcR8HLI/AAAAAAAFXkk/WS17kxsPK2M/s1600/DSC03551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d2fRVa2jB5g/U4FJUcR8HLI/AAAAAAAFXkk/WS17kxsPK2M/s1600/DSC03551.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bmN3ZabEv3U/U4FGwGMTgDI/AAAAAAAFXdg/ypTjlkDK34Y/s1600/DSC03556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bmN3ZabEv3U/U4FGwGMTgDI/AAAAAAAFXdg/ypTjlkDK34Y/s1600/DSC03556.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpIljLtwX2w/U4FGwvfErlI/AAAAAAAFXdk/04yVzips2Co/s1600/DSC03563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpIljLtwX2w/U4FGwvfErlI/AAAAAAAFXdk/04yVzips2Co/s1600/DSC03563.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZC2_JODKF2A/U4FJWqWntNI/AAAAAAAFXko/G7_qQOlUk7g/s1600/DSC03580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZC2_JODKF2A/U4FJWqWntNI/AAAAAAAFXko/G7_qQOlUk7g/s1600/DSC03580.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fn3TJu9Cb0M/U4FGykrH2dI/AAAAAAAFXds/lBib3uA8xHk/s1600/DSC03595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fn3TJu9Cb0M/U4FGykrH2dI/AAAAAAAFXds/lBib3uA8xHk/s1600/DSC03595.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kH5nknbjHXU/U4FG0aOTKCI/AAAAAAAFXdw/9q54PGIBvhw/s1600/DSC03609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kH5nknbjHXU/U4FG0aOTKCI/AAAAAAAFXdw/9q54PGIBvhw/s1600/DSC03609.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1R6uio8_Xc/U4FG1gJZ2dI/AAAAAAAFXd0/IQmOj7RWeRs/s1600/DSC03611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1R6uio8_Xc/U4FG1gJZ2dI/AAAAAAAFXd0/IQmOj7RWeRs/s1600/DSC03611.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Both Grandpa's took naps.<br />
<br />
<br />
After the cake was gone and most of the kids had left to take their naps, Enzo and Ana decided to play in the water a bit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6tLCZnLBmQ/U4FG3PRMNhI/AAAAAAAFXd4/CbXywIsnMjA/s1600/DSC03612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6tLCZnLBmQ/U4FG3PRMNhI/AAAAAAAFXd4/CbXywIsnMjA/s1600/DSC03612.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8gF8tFXqPA/U4FG4i0kkDI/AAAAAAAFXd8/xm6P5shX4XQ/s1600/DSC03613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8gF8tFXqPA/U4FG4i0kkDI/AAAAAAAFXd8/xm6P5shX4XQ/s1600/DSC03613.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WC5sK_vgyHo/U4FG8TN9wfI/AAAAAAAFXeM/PWIfGdWf-ak/s1600/DSC03625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WC5sK_vgyHo/U4FG8TN9wfI/AAAAAAAFXeM/PWIfGdWf-ak/s1600/DSC03625.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Baby Avonlea got some attention.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAsN56vsQZc/U4FG9ofYfnI/AAAAAAAFXeQ/e4c_JBW_ywU/s1600/DSC03627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAsN56vsQZc/U4FG9ofYfnI/AAAAAAAFXeQ/e4c_JBW_ywU/s1600/DSC03627.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
And Tata humored the birthday girl.<br />
<br />
Another great birthday party and celebration.<br />
<br />
Happy Birthday to Ana.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-26178968961581250182014-06-04T15:00:00.000-07:002014-06-12T18:47:16.085-07:003 Transportation Pics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c93DNOnmweA/U4GHGbbiMvI/AAAAAAAFXlM/4o2ududVikg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-24+at+11.00.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c93DNOnmweA/U4GHGbbiMvI/AAAAAAAFXlM/4o2ududVikg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-24+at+11.00.27+PM.png" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
We said goodbye to the bug. Yes, we actually said goodbye and sold the bug... back to Matt whom we had bought it from. Me and the kids did a few laps in the cul-de-sac after I told them we were selling it. I was ready for another toy and knew I could not add one but I could swap one. I contacted Matt to see if he was interested in his bug since I was looking for a new toy... and he was. Let the search for a new toy begin. The kids were both content with the explanation that Matt wanted to buy it back. I showed the kids some of the options I found on the internet to buy. Enzo liked them all but was leaning towards a red Porsche 914. A few days later it turned out the 914 was sold, and the search continued.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fRvdv9r3svM/U4FH_Zoq_NI/AAAAAAAFXgQ/MKeRlURo23s/s1600/IMG_6625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fRvdv9r3svM/U4FH_Zoq_NI/AAAAAAAFXgQ/MKeRlURo23s/s1600/IMG_6625.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Ana got a car, though. This is the super cool piñata that Grandma got for Ana's upcoming birthday party in May. She loved it. It was hard to get her not to play with it or pull out the Hello Kitty toy before the party. It was impossible, really. Several times we found her, Hello Kitty in her arms, playing with her piñata.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MgSnAn1gh2c/U4FGQV28jvI/AAAAAAAFXao/4kJGxSnEJ34/s1600/DSC03374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MgSnAn1gh2c/U4FGQV28jvI/AAAAAAAFXao/4kJGxSnEJ34/s1600/DSC03374.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
This made me laugh. Ana got this horse as a present on her actual birthday from Sarah and Vincent. One morning she decided to dress it. Those are socks on the fore legs, Ana's something and a pair of Enzo's underwear on the horse's neck. Well done!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-40947711976817785242014-06-03T16:30:00.000-07:002014-06-08T18:30:12.050-07:00Ana is Three!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ana is 3! My beautiful Ana is three years old. No more wonderful twos..... it's the threes and above from now on with my wonderful love Ana. No less wonder-full, I am expecting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5WXLUXpQRU/U4FE6xcPkvI/AAAAAAAFXXE/UXUPKHFqLGw/s1600/DSC03141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5WXLUXpQRU/U4FE6xcPkvI/AAAAAAAFXXE/UXUPKHFqLGw/s1600/DSC03141.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3a3iuOR6NDw/U4FE7bHCdhI/AAAAAAAFXXI/rtFOvopDCzo/s1600/DSC03142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3a3iuOR6NDw/U4FE7bHCdhI/AAAAAAAFXXI/rtFOvopDCzo/s1600/DSC03142.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
For her birthday, I took the day off from work. Tami and Ana made a birthday cake.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aE2WlzyiGm8/U4FE7zV8JqI/AAAAAAAFXXM/UuYn1KoaMkk/s1600/DSC03145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aE2WlzyiGm8/U4FE7zV8JqI/AAAAAAAFXXM/UuYn1KoaMkk/s1600/DSC03145.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6cI0YIySp9A/U4FE8tytZnI/AAAAAAAFXXQ/d96YWvg3s5s/s1600/DSC03147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6cI0YIySp9A/U4FE8tytZnI/AAAAAAAFXXQ/d96YWvg3s5s/s1600/DSC03147.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Enzo drew his sister a picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7vh6fOPg8Q/U4FE9WQgS-I/AAAAAAAFXXU/gOWw6xEra5M/s1600/DSC03158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7vh6fOPg8Q/U4FE9WQgS-I/AAAAAAAFXXU/gOWw6xEra5M/s1600/DSC03158.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bk0_Ds-Gd0o/U4FE98QipBI/AAAAAAAFXXY/jpIZrVnwwQE/s1600/DSC03160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bk0_Ds-Gd0o/U4FE98QipBI/AAAAAAAFXXY/jpIZrVnwwQE/s1600/DSC03160.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Then we all got to lick chocolate cooking tools.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMP5qBZI1fQ/U4FE-Q8lTHI/AAAAAAAFXXc/RLqzrGV7cjU/s1600/DSC03165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMP5qBZI1fQ/U4FE-Q8lTHI/AAAAAAAFXXc/RLqzrGV7cjU/s1600/DSC03165.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H99DsOQdDt4/U4FE_GXRLaI/AAAAAAAFXXg/ZIOL1RVLe-U/s1600/DSC03167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H99DsOQdDt4/U4FE_GXRLaI/AAAAAAAFXXg/ZIOL1RVLe-U/s1600/DSC03167.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCCDzs2NkuY/U4FE_grS9WI/AAAAAAAFXXk/X32Ors2an2Q/s1600/DSC03169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCCDzs2NkuY/U4FE_grS9WI/AAAAAAAFXXk/X32Ors2an2Q/s1600/DSC03169.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1HWwUYB48I/U4FFAKQ1CeI/AAAAAAAFXXo/EN_5DEuWWIU/s1600/DSC03170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1HWwUYB48I/U4FFAKQ1CeI/AAAAAAAFXXo/EN_5DEuWWIU/s1600/DSC03170.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UeIelVz0ipQ/U4FFAlSbmQI/AAAAAAAFXXs/jAakVejZ_d8/s1600/DSC03171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UeIelVz0ipQ/U4FFAlSbmQI/AAAAAAAFXXs/jAakVejZ_d8/s1600/DSC03171.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1EaHuhRrlZs/U4FJRsXTWxI/AAAAAAAFXkg/zULUVE2yk1w/s1600/DSC03176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1EaHuhRrlZs/U4FJRsXTWxI/AAAAAAAFXkg/zULUVE2yk1w/s1600/DSC03176.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NcfNgbYTk5M/U4FFB7hsEtI/AAAAAAAFXXw/FRbX-rwFaFc/s1600/DSC03181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NcfNgbYTk5M/U4FFB7hsEtI/AAAAAAAFXXw/FRbX-rwFaFc/s1600/DSC03181.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XoGj3NdNWKM/U4FFC6PDvDI/AAAAAAAFXX0/NjA6VhCHrL4/s1600/DSC03182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XoGj3NdNWKM/U4FFC6PDvDI/AAAAAAAFXX0/NjA6VhCHrL4/s1600/DSC03182.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIg6YD8Yt18/U4FFEJiq7-I/AAAAAAAFXX4/jji91nWKvEU/s1600/DSC03184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIg6YD8Yt18/U4FFEJiq7-I/AAAAAAAFXX4/jji91nWKvEU/s1600/DSC03184.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVq2wLvSfS4/U4FFFUdANfI/AAAAAAAFXX8/MbjmOrKK5-E/s1600/DSC03185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVq2wLvSfS4/U4FFFUdANfI/AAAAAAAFXX8/MbjmOrKK5-E/s1600/DSC03185.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrh-OQTJewI/U4FFGw3wzMI/AAAAAAAFXYA/qa4CkIXaogE/s1600/DSC03188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrh-OQTJewI/U4FFGw3wzMI/AAAAAAAFXYA/qa4CkIXaogE/s1600/DSC03188.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EyC3tQDWzmg/U4FFH2EaeyI/AAAAAAAFXYE/kCQKP9Pz7vo/s1600/DSC03193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EyC3tQDWzmg/U4FFH2EaeyI/AAAAAAAFXYE/kCQKP9Pz7vo/s1600/DSC03193.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUDGbjE03Jo/U4FFJCv55vI/AAAAAAAFXYI/CjMMStMDlnY/s1600/DSC03194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TUDGbjE03Jo/U4FFJCv55vI/AAAAAAAFXYI/CjMMStMDlnY/s1600/DSC03194.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZYAeMm8loY/U4FFKHHVrxI/AAAAAAAFXYM/AZgbzmjjO54/s1600/DSC03201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZYAeMm8loY/U4FFKHHVrxI/AAAAAAAFXYM/AZgbzmjjO54/s1600/DSC03201.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Ana always wants to play with a camera. We got her a camera of her own. That was my suggestion. She also likes to have painted nails so Tami's suggestion was to purchase a couple colors of water based earth-friendly nail polish for her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-52RcA89Vv4M/U4FFLVgp_iI/AAAAAAAFXYQ/vdXOkz41qQQ/s1600/DSC03206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-52RcA89Vv4M/U4FFLVgp_iI/AAAAAAAFXYQ/vdXOkz41qQQ/s1600/DSC03206.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
She was quite happy with the gifts and Enzo's picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBseYYdrMt4/U4FFMblffaI/AAAAAAAFXYU/ZvTFLPr77Oc/s1600/DSC03208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBseYYdrMt4/U4FFMblffaI/AAAAAAAFXYU/ZvTFLPr77Oc/s1600/DSC03208.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Tami painted Ana's nails, toe nails and finger nails, then Ana painted Tami's finger nails.... and fingers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-azC9oXat8/U4FF90PmZlI/AAAAAAAFXYk/3x07yPN08MQ/s1600/DSC03211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-azC9oXat8/U4FF90PmZlI/AAAAAAAFXYk/3x07yPN08MQ/s1600/DSC03211.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8m0XjZ8WOY/U4FF8yXKZTI/AAAAAAAFXYc/QC60C36xJ_s/s1600/DSC03213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8m0XjZ8WOY/U4FF8yXKZTI/AAAAAAAFXYc/QC60C36xJ_s/s1600/DSC03213.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVxfw6XCrxQ/U4FF9UJV1FI/AAAAAAAFXYg/xp48A6jHBrw/s1600/DSC03214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVxfw6XCrxQ/U4FF9UJV1FI/AAAAAAAFXYg/xp48A6jHBrw/s1600/DSC03214.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phoYn0c0MaM/U4FF-3Bj73I/AAAAAAAFXYo/pOOy9PArNoA/s1600/DSC03215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phoYn0c0MaM/U4FF-3Bj73I/AAAAAAAFXYo/pOOy9PArNoA/s1600/DSC03215.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rQIXXpaujCQ/U4FF_AK2OqI/AAAAAAAFXYs/MnYko0HoEHQ/s1600/DSC03216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rQIXXpaujCQ/U4FF_AK2OqI/AAAAAAAFXYs/MnYko0HoEHQ/s1600/DSC03216.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOoVn-Zho_4/U4FF_rFmM4I/AAAAAAAFXYw/n958Q2-0Gnk/s1600/DSC03222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOoVn-Zho_4/U4FF_rFmM4I/AAAAAAAFXYw/n958Q2-0Gnk/s1600/DSC03222.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wDfMw2nUXEE/U4FGDJyQQ2I/AAAAAAAFXZE/_SbJSRmKROY/s1600/DSC03239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wDfMw2nUXEE/U4FGDJyQQ2I/AAAAAAAFXZE/_SbJSRmKROY/s1600/DSC03239.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Though I had the day off and could have taken the kids anywhere, Ana did not want to miss her dance class or a visit to her pre-school that day. So, we played together and made sure not to miss a little time at pre-school and all of dance class.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WonupsAmPgo/U4FGD6Z_XDI/AAAAAAAFXZI/rcUW-2MXe2M/s1600/DSC03270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WonupsAmPgo/U4FGD6Z_XDI/AAAAAAAFXZI/rcUW-2MXe2M/s1600/DSC03270.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xoWiIdcVy3U/U4FGEcORx8I/AAAAAAAFXZM/Qe0Mofpkh8A/s1600/DSC03272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xoWiIdcVy3U/U4FGEcORx8I/AAAAAAAFXZM/Qe0Mofpkh8A/s1600/DSC03272.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-owuGHy-aeBQ/U4FGE-reanI/AAAAAAAFXZQ/3BRELs3Qo_o/s1600/DSC03273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-owuGHy-aeBQ/U4FGE-reanI/AAAAAAAFXZQ/3BRELs3Qo_o/s1600/DSC03273.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TG_3z9axvwo/U4FGFBWS7oI/AAAAAAAFXZU/r-goyiOk_xw/s1600/DSC03274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TG_3z9axvwo/U4FGFBWS7oI/AAAAAAAFXZU/r-goyiOk_xw/s1600/DSC03274.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TlIcjE5Oqdc/U4FGF3mLIOI/AAAAAAAFXZY/KN1WsTpeMIc/s1600/DSC03278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TlIcjE5Oqdc/U4FGF3mLIOI/AAAAAAAFXZY/KN1WsTpeMIc/s1600/DSC03278.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXmjI2RT90g/U4FGGbNqgoI/AAAAAAAFXZc/g-bV0Mzyo9k/s1600/DSC03298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXmjI2RT90g/U4FGGbNqgoI/AAAAAAAFXZc/g-bV0Mzyo9k/s1600/DSC03298.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G75gZqqgV_Q/U4FGGyfTHSI/AAAAAAAFXZg/eMd5STeN-AM/s1600/DSC03305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G75gZqqgV_Q/U4FGGyfTHSI/AAAAAAAFXZg/eMd5STeN-AM/s1600/DSC03305.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We stayed for Enzo's class as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4E8ShrSMyM/U4FGHe2W5uI/AAAAAAAFXZk/dumZyT3nvSg/s1600/DSC03311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4E8ShrSMyM/U4FGHe2W5uI/AAAAAAAFXZk/dumZyT3nvSg/s1600/DSC03311.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJQZHLr3Mlw/U4FGH0SXPqI/AAAAAAAFXZo/RYmS6JPK6pc/s1600/DSC03316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DJQZHLr3Mlw/U4FGH0SXPqI/AAAAAAAFXZo/RYmS6JPK6pc/s1600/DSC03316.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UgKSEvnzsCw/U4FGIclqu1I/AAAAAAAFXZs/s3pCvn3wOqo/s1600/DSC03319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UgKSEvnzsCw/U4FGIclqu1I/AAAAAAAFXZs/s3pCvn3wOqo/s1600/DSC03319.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then we went to dinner with family.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLK7o43_07c/U4FGI0edkmI/AAAAAAAFXZ0/lyALIOAtqrA/s1600/DSC03337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLK7o43_07c/U4FGI0edkmI/AAAAAAAFXZ0/lyALIOAtqrA/s1600/DSC03337.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C7c_q4pJPns/U4FGJtdkGvI/AAAAAAAFXZ4/32xADInEvnc/s1600/DSC03338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C7c_q4pJPns/U4FGJtdkGvI/AAAAAAAFXZ4/32xADInEvnc/s1600/DSC03338.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15bMBRFfG1M/U4FGKELNFJI/AAAAAAAFXZ8/ZTQkwINi6ys/s1600/DSC03342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15bMBRFfG1M/U4FGKELNFJI/AAAAAAAFXZ8/ZTQkwINi6ys/s1600/DSC03342.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-myFOYo74M4M/U4FGKnd4xnI/AAAAAAAFXaA/fQzY2Kbzkqg/s1600/DSC03346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-myFOYo74M4M/U4FGKnd4xnI/AAAAAAAFXaA/fQzY2Kbzkqg/s1600/DSC03346.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvccM1aTiwY/U4FGLUylx7I/AAAAAAAFXaE/PiTrz8KvHlA/s1600/DSC03350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvccM1aTiwY/U4FGLUylx7I/AAAAAAAFXaE/PiTrz8KvHlA/s1600/DSC03350.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4EY7Yhenorg/U4FGL3BNyaI/AAAAAAAFXaI/DPUv3jO1H9s/s1600/DSC03355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4EY7Yhenorg/U4FGL3BNyaI/AAAAAAAFXaI/DPUv3jO1H9s/s1600/DSC03355.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sv2e8dap7AI/U4FGMO7c2FI/AAAAAAAFXaM/zLIbkuxt-yE/s1600/DSC03360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sv2e8dap7AI/U4FGMO7c2FI/AAAAAAAFXaM/zLIbkuxt-yE/s1600/DSC03360.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzBNLBF8uco/U4FGNg0Da4I/AAAAAAAFXaU/WTOLJSoYxqA/s1600/DSC03364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzBNLBF8uco/U4FGNg0Da4I/AAAAAAAFXaU/WTOLJSoYxqA/s1600/DSC03364.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LsnLHAvG19o/U4FGNwVPoyI/AAAAAAAFXaY/HS9IvDFQKfg/s1600/DSC03368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LsnLHAvG19o/U4FGNwVPoyI/AAAAAAAFXaY/HS9IvDFQKfg/s1600/DSC03368.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Somehow my parents slipped in presents for Enzo though it was Ana's birthday. I forget the reasonable excuse given but it worked out well. Kids like presents and certainly notice when they are not opening any. Enzo's birthday being so close to Christmas, Ana gets plenty of presents around the time that Enzo opens birthday presents.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MPbL1fPQ7A/U4FGOUhb24I/AAAAAAAFXac/VGHlKUTRi1k/s1600/DSC03369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MPbL1fPQ7A/U4FGOUhb24I/AAAAAAAFXac/VGHlKUTRi1k/s1600/DSC03369.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Looking cool with his new sunglasses!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1c4m_k8OzO8/U4FGO5FzIFI/AAAAAAAFXag/S31VQWUzOR8/s1600/DSC03370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1c4m_k8OzO8/U4FGO5FzIFI/AAAAAAAFXag/S31VQWUzOR8/s1600/DSC03370.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
In fact, they both got sunglasses. Nice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yDKZZ1OSses/U4FGPUAm6GI/AAAAAAAFXak/0uJUZLR769M/s1600/DSC03371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yDKZZ1OSses/U4FGPUAm6GI/AAAAAAAFXak/0uJUZLR769M/s1600/DSC03371.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I am sure I have mentioned this before, but Ana is really growing up. Her sentence structure is becoming more complex and more similar to Enzo's on occasion. She loves to give me huge hugs! Except when she doesn't. She always seems to have an absolutely passionate opinion on what she wants. So, I love it when it's a giant hug for Papi that she wants to give. Sometimes, often lately, she will jump on me before I leave for work and hug me so tightly and tell me she does not want me to leave. I am a sucker but it is the sweetest feeling to get those hugs. Even in a huge rush and running late for work, I stand around for a little more time with her holding me tightly when ever I have the opportunity.<br />
<br />
A funny thing is the "but, why?" that she likes to ask. Why? is a common kid question and she certainly uses that phrase a lot. But it amuses me how often she adds a little extra personality with a "buut wHY?"<br />
<br />
She is a big girl now, bigger than a baby, I guess, is what I am saying.... I guess I'm saying, yet again, that my beautiful Ana is not a baby anymore. She still jumps to sit in the hook of my legs when I fold them to my right side while sitting in the corner of the couch. She still likes to laugh and play and chat and sometimes cuddle. She still loves to climb, dress herself, and declare her opinions and wants. She still is willing to hold out for a very long time to get what she wants. She still cries in frustration when she does not get what she wants (not talking about buying things like toys here, but about decisions like who gets to turn out the lights or help her with pajamas or what she wants for breakfast, etc.) and still snuggles in with me sweetly as if all is forgiven after a tantrum when I try to help her fall asleep. Well, quite a while after I start trying to help her relax and sleep. As I said, she holds out for her decisions for a long time.<br />
<br />
And,<br />
<br />
I love my beautiful Ana.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-36478928265583904682014-06-02T21:12:00.001-07:002014-06-02T22:29:39.094-07:00Driving Around and Sleeping Laughter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JRAKtXRx9L8/U4FH-S8NW3I/AAAAAAAFXgE/9M54nrO-o-g/s1600/IMG_6612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JRAKtXRx9L8/U4FH-S8NW3I/AAAAAAAFXgE/9M54nrO-o-g/s1600/IMG_6612.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Kids playing around in the car after eating dinner at a restaurant. I have to admit that on days when I pick them up, we often go to dinner. Tami is way better at making dinner as a regular habit than I.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7oMeIsXjfI/U4FH_EXBfRI/AAAAAAAFXgM/QNKEqD3q_JI/s1600/IMG_6623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7oMeIsXjfI/U4FH_EXBfRI/AAAAAAAFXgM/QNKEqD3q_JI/s1600/IMG_6623.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Here are more pics of the kids borrowing my sunglasses on another sunny drive home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uybzzYHlqaI/U4FH-uX9diI/AAAAAAAFXgI/WZw0VEtnANU/s1600/IMG_6619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uybzzYHlqaI/U4FH-uX9diI/AAAAAAAFXgI/WZw0VEtnANU/s1600/IMG_6619.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Recently I mentioned how cool it was that I got to hear Enzo laugh in his sleep. It is one of my favorite notable achievements in life to laugh in my sleep and to become aware of it. So, I am always made happy at the opportunity to hear others laugh in their sleep. It is a rare treat to hear but so special. Well, so soon after her brother's recent sleepy laugh, I had the absolute pleasure in May of hearing Ana talk in her sleep and then start cracking up laughing! Oh, so awesome!!!! She fell right back into quiet sleep afterwards and I am so glad that she happened to be sleeping next to me in the morning, and that I was awake, when this happened. My smile was huge. It is better than catching a shooting star.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-47741995529213297742014-05-30T16:00:00.000-07:002014-05-30T16:00:00.914-07:00Camping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think it was more than 15 families that went on the family camping trip this year with my kids' school. It was great, even better than last year. It's basically a giant playground for the kids to live in and picnic in for a few days and they don't have to go home when it is time for a nap. Watching so many kids play and laugh for a few days straight is rejuvenating.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bgZI9NmArK0/U4FEoa7HV_I/AAAAAAAFXVw/ndrpSpccUiI/s1600/DSC03076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bgZI9NmArK0/U4FEoa7HV_I/AAAAAAAFXVw/ndrpSpccUiI/s1600/DSC03076.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Enzo found a banana slug and showed his friend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CO9zgZfASTs/U4FEodDX6JI/AAAAAAAFXV0/zkmmddxe1xY/s1600/DSC03077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CO9zgZfASTs/U4FEodDX6JI/AAAAAAAFXV0/zkmmddxe1xY/s1600/DSC03077.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4uUlxlxDQas/U4FEpuHvp5I/AAAAAAAFXV4/WPvbRlEsDbo/s1600/DSC03078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4uUlxlxDQas/U4FEpuHvp5I/AAAAAAAFXV4/WPvbRlEsDbo/s1600/DSC03078.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xTJJv6FgyI/U4FErA79WZI/AAAAAAAFXV8/Em8hlbaFPj0/s1600/DSC03080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9xTJJv6FgyI/U4FErA79WZI/AAAAAAAFXV8/Em8hlbaFPj0/s1600/DSC03080.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dydWVdcMAdw/U4FErUIesGI/AAAAAAAFXWA/ap8imifqKsQ/s1600/DSC03081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dydWVdcMAdw/U4FErUIesGI/AAAAAAAFXWA/ap8imifqKsQ/s1600/DSC03081.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlEqL7xsIDE/U4FEsOb6pJI/AAAAAAAFXWE/mpb4ff0VCVw/s1600/DSC03082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlEqL7xsIDE/U4FEsOb6pJI/AAAAAAAFXWE/mpb4ff0VCVw/s1600/DSC03082.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C8-POIWvk5k/U4FEtU1Ua3I/AAAAAAAFXWI/tRygpg6V2bY/s1600/DSC03086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C8-POIWvk5k/U4FEtU1Ua3I/AAAAAAAFXWI/tRygpg6V2bY/s1600/DSC03086.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzd090f0nv0/U4FEutMj9oI/AAAAAAAFXWM/ZsgUAsPSZ6A/s1600/DSC03087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzd090f0nv0/U4FEutMj9oI/AAAAAAAFXWM/ZsgUAsPSZ6A/s1600/DSC03087.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjOwIQppFuk/U4FEvUGOw2I/AAAAAAAFXWQ/6xc4QtzdbZY/s1600/DSC03092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjOwIQppFuk/U4FEvUGOw2I/AAAAAAAFXWQ/6xc4QtzdbZY/s1600/DSC03092.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bM9fe9hDk98/U4FJP5EVoWI/AAAAAAAFXkc/LQcc7JV6QQY/s1600/DSC03096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bM9fe9hDk98/U4FJP5EVoWI/AAAAAAAFXkc/LQcc7JV6QQY/s1600/DSC03096.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DccOho7RM_4/U4FEww5UsPI/AAAAAAAFXWU/mTFO829XO0Y/s1600/DSC03101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DccOho7RM_4/U4FEww5UsPI/AAAAAAAFXWU/mTFO829XO0Y/s1600/DSC03101.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Ana, camping or at home, prefers to dress herself almost always. And, she likes layers. Tutu, and Hello Kitty skirt, and jeans? She pulls it off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xvOH3WD--8M/U4FE1KzJKiI/AAAAAAAFXWk/gSB9IwKEQpc/s1600/DSC03114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xvOH3WD--8M/U4FE1KzJKiI/AAAAAAAFXWk/gSB9IwKEQpc/s1600/DSC03114.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gsRL5p_1h5k/U4FE2uCKB2I/AAAAAAAFXWs/MGtio7F9mNM/s1600/DSC03120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gsRL5p_1h5k/U4FE2uCKB2I/AAAAAAAFXWs/MGtio7F9mNM/s1600/DSC03120.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lNr2PQ_d1Mc/U4FE3nMsENI/AAAAAAAFXWw/3ngVXbMf0Ck/s1600/DSC03123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lNr2PQ_d1Mc/U4FE3nMsENI/AAAAAAAFXWw/3ngVXbMf0Ck/s1600/DSC03123.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPFU1PRoQg4/U4FE4KvDBrI/AAAAAAAFXW0/jswTA0hCEwk/s1600/DSC03124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPFU1PRoQg4/U4FE4KvDBrI/AAAAAAAFXW0/jswTA0hCEwk/s1600/DSC03124.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtbeq4bEBd4/U4FE5r0sr9I/AAAAAAAFXW4/U9XdtkkDPn8/s1600/DSC03128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtbeq4bEBd4/U4FE5r0sr9I/AAAAAAAFXW4/U9XdtkkDPn8/s1600/DSC03128.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkHe9XYAmZE/U4FE5nPR0XI/AAAAAAAFXW8/YA1STez3ih4/s1600/DSC03134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkHe9XYAmZE/U4FE5nPR0XI/AAAAAAAFXW8/YA1STez3ih4/s1600/DSC03134.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1m1eBCO-m6c/U4FE6cQausI/AAAAAAAFXXA/TOEok5lnd-w/s1600/DSC03139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1m1eBCO-m6c/U4FE6cQausI/AAAAAAAFXXA/TOEok5lnd-w/s1600/DSC03139.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-15951313749906349952014-05-29T17:00:00.000-07:002014-05-29T17:00:01.350-07:00Easter and Parks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Part of being on vacation (it was an April break) is going to parks that we don't go to very often. This one is in Campbell and has a water feature and sand.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UdWy09Hg8Cg/U4FH81iobvI/AAAAAAAFXfw/sqo1T1KY8VM/s1600/IMG_6159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UdWy09Hg8Cg/U4FH81iobvI/AAAAAAAFXfw/sqo1T1KY8VM/s1600/IMG_6159.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAan9wjxHYQ/U4FH8KobKeI/AAAAAAAFXfo/p4xuTrAKvjc/s1600/IMG_6180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iAan9wjxHYQ/U4FH8KobKeI/AAAAAAAFXfo/p4xuTrAKvjc/s1600/IMG_6180.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b8MaRN6UaKo/U4FH8fWEBTI/AAAAAAAFXfs/N0KRSlNHTbI/s1600/IMG_6217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b8MaRN6UaKo/U4FH8fWEBTI/AAAAAAAFXfs/N0KRSlNHTbI/s1600/IMG_6217.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
We decorated eggs for Easter.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gysBmWvNPcE/U4FEeeb4w6I/AAAAAAAFXU4/k8aZnP91c90/s1600/DSC02951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gysBmWvNPcE/U4FEeeb4w6I/AAAAAAAFXU4/k8aZnP91c90/s1600/DSC02951.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--WNTevM3D-4/U4FEfF7s93I/AAAAAAAFXVA/iPlrpjPTelc/s1600/DSC02970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--WNTevM3D-4/U4FEfF7s93I/AAAAAAAFXVA/iPlrpjPTelc/s1600/DSC02970.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVmXfDsfrZ8/U4FEfD3SKQI/AAAAAAAFXU8/Y4HkxqlEj8E/s1600/DSC02973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GVmXfDsfrZ8/U4FEfD3SKQI/AAAAAAAFXU8/Y4HkxqlEj8E/s1600/DSC02973.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7gdBlnzB46M/U4FEfxp1GZI/AAAAAAAFXVE/Rl4gRYUidFw/s1600/DSC02975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7gdBlnzB46M/U4FEfxp1GZI/AAAAAAAFXVE/Rl4gRYUidFw/s1600/DSC02975.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzPbKuDGkqU/U4FEge1yFqI/AAAAAAAFXVI/e-pO8avQmEY/s1600/DSC02978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzPbKuDGkqU/U4FEge1yFqI/AAAAAAAFXVI/e-pO8avQmEY/s1600/DSC02978.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vAgkAkujsps/U4FEhMTEVLI/AAAAAAAFXVM/ZSkSM3v10Rs/s1600/DSC02980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vAgkAkujsps/U4FEhMTEVLI/AAAAAAAFXVM/ZSkSM3v10Rs/s1600/DSC02980.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Nathan had a birthday. As a surprise to him, Laurie invited Tami and I to ride in a limo with them up to a very nice French restaurant in San Francisco called Fleur de Lys. The food was delicious as were the wine parings. The portions were small but not small enough to stop me from feeling incredibly full after the numerous courses.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBOQn8lTsmg/U4FH81T-ykI/AAAAAAAFXf0/-wJ9TtatSmE/s1600/IMG_6225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBOQn8lTsmg/U4FH81T-ykI/AAAAAAAFXf0/-wJ9TtatSmE/s1600/IMG_6225.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vyNEHsMQlaE/U4FH9GOUIhI/AAAAAAAFXf4/wX2Q-KdB8qA/s1600/IMG_6227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vyNEHsMQlaE/U4FH9GOUIhI/AAAAAAAFXf4/wX2Q-KdB8qA/s1600/IMG_6227.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
After, we took the limo up to the Coit Tower to enjoy the view of the city at night before heading home. That was a good time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQryywcWphU/U4FH9zQW86I/AAAAAAAFXf8/-y5WclX73z8/s1600/IMG_6250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQryywcWphU/U4FH9zQW86I/AAAAAAAFXf8/-y5WclX73z8/s1600/IMG_6250.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Easter morning and the kids went through the baskets that Tami prepared for them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BLw9qGyZ8z4/U4FEhrc7fQI/AAAAAAAFXVQ/Y9KqwY9f5tg/s1600/DSC02997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BLw9qGyZ8z4/U4FEhrc7fQI/AAAAAAAFXVQ/Y9KqwY9f5tg/s1600/DSC02997.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Ana, Enzo, and Shea had made these egg shells with dirt and seeds a few days before Easter. Ana and Enzo kept them watered. This was all Phyllis' doing as she planed these and got the ingredients all together. The grass grew in as hair in time for Easter and the kids, and me, enjoyed watching the hair grow in. A cool idea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3DgHKJrpAw/U4FEiEKuYrI/AAAAAAAFXVU/wopybpRoybs/s1600/DSC03003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3DgHKJrpAw/U4FEiEKuYrI/AAAAAAAFXVU/wopybpRoybs/s1600/DSC03003.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMaXlD62ZhQ/U4FEipf3gKI/AAAAAAAFXVY/zjfMsisSZe0/s1600/DSC03005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMaXlD62ZhQ/U4FEipf3gKI/AAAAAAAFXVY/zjfMsisSZe0/s1600/DSC03005.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The kids got new toys from Grandma and Grandpa.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W4w6l8bCQp0/U4FEjKCSwII/AAAAAAAFXVc/ZAOVrMUkyaU/s1600/DSC03011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W4w6l8bCQp0/U4FEjKCSwII/AAAAAAAFXVc/ZAOVrMUkyaU/s1600/DSC03011.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
And played and made a mess of the paper grass decorations in the Easter baskets. It was a good morning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kG5pOnx5G70/U4FElC2_wyI/AAAAAAAFXVk/Xzaq0pHb_n0/s1600/DSC03014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kG5pOnx5G70/U4FElC2_wyI/AAAAAAAFXVk/Xzaq0pHb_n0/s1600/DSC03014.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Later, the kids did an Easter egg hunt and family came over for dinner. I didn't take pictures but I always like having family and friends over. It feels good to share days with people I care about and to know that my kids are surrounded by good people.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9toKgJd-0AQ/U4FEktcO98I/AAAAAAAFXVg/nM3ieCEWiB0/s1600/DSC03031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9toKgJd-0AQ/U4FEktcO98I/AAAAAAAFXVg/nM3ieCEWiB0/s1600/DSC03031.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vnd-p4ozjas/U4FElcgwYJI/AAAAAAAFXVo/xSys-lYns-E/s1600/DSC03034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vnd-p4ozjas/U4FElcgwYJI/AAAAAAAFXVo/xSys-lYns-E/s1600/DSC03034.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJa4DT3JWUk/U4FEmXMaahI/AAAAAAAFXVs/cdpB49_bPgU/s1600/DSC03060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XJa4DT3JWUk/U4FEmXMaahI/AAAAAAAFXVs/cdpB49_bPgU/s1600/DSC03060.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jjsu8-ir8MM/U4LVDCBk4TI/AAAAAAAFXnI/Omt0y7Iytx8/s1600/IMG_6567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jjsu8-ir8MM/U4LVDCBk4TI/AAAAAAAFXnI/Omt0y7Iytx8/s1600/IMG_6567.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
I scratched up the glass over the camera lens on my cell phone so all of my phone pics are now fuzzy. I am trying to wait for a new iPhone to come out. We shall see how long I can hold out. The camera is the most utilized function of my cell phone. The above is a picture of Ana doing what she does. That is, climb everything. Another significant fact about this is that it occurred on a play date. The first play date that I personally, all by myself without Tami, arranged. It was oddly a nervous experience. I felt like I was asking someone out and I was 16. It was so silly! Would I be rejected? Am I supposed to get a phone number? Do I just ask to meet at a park? Do I need to break the ice first or engage in idle chit chat? Do I initiate a play date the first time I speak to this parent or am I supposed to develop some sort of relationship first?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_0Yp7BBnB8/U4FH-LmbHsI/AAAAAAAFXgA/X0OmaHKTAos/s1600/IMG_6577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_0Yp7BBnB8/U4FH-LmbHsI/AAAAAAAFXgA/X0OmaHKTAos/s1600/IMG_6577.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Parenting is so funny. Anyway, there was a matchmaker so it worked out pretty well. One of the teachers at the kids' school mentioned that a play date with a certain girl in their class would be a good idea when I picked Ana and Enzo up from school one day. Before I got the kids all ready to go that same day, the mother of the other girl came in. I started wrestling with the above questions when the teacher mentioned something casually about a play date to the mother and so I jumped in and started talking. Next thing I know I'm looking sly like the cool parent that I am, giving my business card and walking out with her digits and a plan for a date..... a play date, some time in the future. Yep, I still got it!<br />
<br />
Ha! Anyway, after a couple of emails we worked it out to meet at a nearby park to picnic and play. The kids had a great time, we adults had a nice conversation, and I accomplished yet another of the available parent experiences common to my culture.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-23704745371356880162014-05-28T18:00:00.000-07:002014-05-31T10:41:03.529-07:00Paint and Water<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hIbb6-IScP4/U4LU9kdoKoI/AAAAAAAFXmI/qdC0GDWhDrM/s1600/IMG_6314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hIbb6-IScP4/U4LU9kdoKoI/AAAAAAAFXmI/qdC0GDWhDrM/s1600/IMG_6314.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Does my Ducati look a little more special? Yes it does. I bought this bike because it is beautiful. Really, especially in person. A beautiful piece of rolling Italian art. And, because it was the bike I wanted so badly when it was new and I was a high school student. Part of the dream look included that little cover that you see over the passenger seat in the above picture. It was a dealer option at the time and part of how I wanted my bike to look. My Ducati, when I purchased it, did not have that piece. It's pretty rare and comes up for sale rarely and for a dear price on the internet. But, with patience, I found one at a reasonable price when it popped up on eBay and I got it! It was the wrong color, a metallic black that was very rare and, I believe, only made for one year. So, I got this cool little passenger seat cover piece that is supposed to be body color and I was excited. I checked the internet and found that the Rust-Oleum brand gloss red auto spray can matches Ducati red very well. Then, I red up on how to spray with a can to make the result look professional. I figured, why not? If I mess it up, I'm no worse off and will get it done professionally. Then I figured I may as well repaint the mirrors as they were pretty scuffed up. What you see here are the results. I am pretty happy with how it all came out. Not at all perfect but now I know what I am doing and what I read on line all makes more sense now. I know how to fix them to be perfect and how to do it better next time. This time, however, I am decided not to fix them. Not now, anyway. They look good for the most part and the rest of the paint is 22 years old so having the mirrors and seat cowl be perfect is not at all necessary to make them look like a match. Anyway, it is one of the great pleasures in life to study how and then to do something new. This type of experience is among my favorite types in life. The results and memory become their own trophy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XulpXKesOg/U4LU9eGTDnI/AAAAAAAFXmA/tuVDHwQKHhM/s1600/IMG_6337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XulpXKesOg/U4LU9eGTDnI/AAAAAAAFXmA/tuVDHwQKHhM/s1600/IMG_6337.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Crazy kids. This is not behavior that I condone, even if it is cute and amusing and they are giggling like the children that they are. Sometimes I like to take them to a Japanese restaurant by my house and they always seem to have a good time. Usually with the chopsticks and the miso soup and the food but on occasion, with a tackle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lFzNaWL_KkQ/U4LU9iDtqpI/AAAAAAAFXmE/6z9CxgtXDHg/s1600/IMG_6339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lFzNaWL_KkQ/U4LU9iDtqpI/AAAAAAAFXmE/6z9CxgtXDHg/s1600/IMG_6339.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The sun has been out. And I have two pair of sunglasses in my car. Recently, Ana asked if she could use one pair and then Enzo asked if he could use the other. They look pretty cool to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZBWvHL6U8g/U4LU-NX6y-I/AAAAAAAFXmM/fYXWMt1R8rI/s1600/IMG_6347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZBWvHL6U8g/U4LU-NX6y-I/AAAAAAAFXmM/fYXWMt1R8rI/s1600/IMG_6347.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CUc2tHlkLFc/U4LU-hId4tI/AAAAAAAFXmQ/47eAC-Fznfg/s1600/IMG_6348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CUc2tHlkLFc/U4LU-hId4tI/AAAAAAAFXmQ/47eAC-Fznfg/s1600/IMG_6348.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qq8hLwU-I5Q/U4LU-8ifE9I/AAAAAAAFXmU/Dh-ZQMAiN24/s1600/IMG_6351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qq8hLwU-I5Q/U4LU-8ifE9I/AAAAAAAFXmU/Dh-ZQMAiN24/s1600/IMG_6351.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NCLr5mgIn0Y/U4LU_G-ed1I/AAAAAAAFXmY/0fNzIKSx4_I/s1600/IMG_6353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NCLr5mgIn0Y/U4LU_G-ed1I/AAAAAAAFXmY/0fNzIKSx4_I/s1600/IMG_6353.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YR4xGjVkuss/U4LU_NyhBuI/AAAAAAAFXmc/MNbkdbz9ww8/s1600/IMG_6372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YR4xGjVkuss/U4LU_NyhBuI/AAAAAAAFXmc/MNbkdbz9ww8/s1600/IMG_6372.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
One day, while Tami worked, me and the kids went to Vasona and Shea and Nicole met us. We made quite an event out of it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8frAKam_Ql0/U4LU_32SZgI/AAAAAAAFXmg/b6_VtVxQMKU/s1600/IMG_6409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8frAKam_Ql0/U4LU_32SZgI/AAAAAAAFXmg/b6_VtVxQMKU/s1600/IMG_6409.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
We rode our scooters all over the place and rode the train, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USjFKp9B7kA/U4LVAYKCq6I/AAAAAAAFXmk/vlO97ya9Jyg/s1600/IMG_6412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USjFKp9B7kA/U4LVAYKCq6I/AAAAAAAFXmk/vlO97ya9Jyg/s1600/IMG_6412.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zkut22XVUZ4/U4LVAr4GdSI/AAAAAAAFXmo/F8gBu58BqNo/s1600/IMG_6446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zkut22XVUZ4/U4LVAr4GdSI/AAAAAAAFXmo/F8gBu58BqNo/s1600/IMG_6446.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Then we went on a paddle boat! I love boats. They are like mobile bridges on the surface of the water. Bridges and boats..... awesome things. So, we went on a boat in Vasona. I don't think I have been on one of these since I was a kid though I have been to the park so very many times over the years. Cool. And peddling these things is actual work. So, good thing the kids think it is fun. We all took turns, even Ana and Enzo, as peddlers and steerers, and observing passengers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ogEwKxephmk/U4LVA1oRs1I/AAAAAAAFXms/DgVxUp0fEA0/s1600/IMG_6447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ogEwKxephmk/U4LVA1oRs1I/AAAAAAAFXms/DgVxUp0fEA0/s1600/IMG_6447.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8a3m2NJIvWE/U4LVBl-YqfI/AAAAAAAFXm0/3hXz4sXoJUs/s1600/IMG_6453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8a3m2NJIvWE/U4LVBl-YqfI/AAAAAAAFXm0/3hXz4sXoJUs/s1600/IMG_6453.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e0vayU0sUGA/U4LVB9efznI/AAAAAAAFXm4/yKGWvTD_jVc/s1600/IMG_6460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e0vayU0sUGA/U4LVB9efznI/AAAAAAAFXm4/yKGWvTD_jVc/s1600/IMG_6460.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9_Hwqz-Drw/U4LVCvC9VeI/AAAAAAAFXnA/idTuVuayJNo/s1600/IMG_6471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9_Hwqz-Drw/U4LVCvC9VeI/AAAAAAAFXnA/idTuVuayJNo/s1600/IMG_6471.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
As if that wasn't enough, after the boat ride we crossed the bridge and played in the playground for a very long time. When it was time to go, we decided we would all meet at a Starbucks. This was because it was getting late and I was still craving a cup of coffee never found all morning or day. And, because I knew the kids needed to get moving soon and to take a nap so I bribed them to leave and get a chocolate milk. So, Shea and Nicole rode off and me and the kids scooted back to the car. After we got in the car, I didn't even get out of the parking lot before they were both asleep. Shea and Nicole were on bike and foot and beat us there. We chatted while the kids slept. When it was time to go I drove home the slowest way possible to let them sleep. Almost home, they woke up and wanted to know where their Starbucks chocolate milk was. How did they remember that as the first important thing when they woke up? So, I pulled into a Starbucks next to an OSH. They got the chocolate milk and then we walked around the hardware store...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2nFYIbi3G3Q/U4LVC29O11I/AAAAAAAFXnE/Gy3TSi_xan0/s1600/IMG_6513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2nFYIbi3G3Q/U4LVC29O11I/AAAAAAAFXnE/Gy3TSi_xan0/s1600/IMG_6513.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
And went home with these various hardware store items that we made into a fountain! It was a cool project. I had wanted to build a fountain for a while. The kids were happy to help me pick out times as they drank their chocolate and then just as happy to help me cut the bamboo, set up the pump, and glue and place the objects in the tub. This was made in early April and we are still going outside and turning on the fountain a couple of times each week. We purposely made it to have three different sounds of water splashing. That was inspired by Japanese gardens. Eventually, Tami bought a few feeder fish and placed them in the fountain. To my surprise, they are still doing well in there weeks after the fact though the fountain has no filter or temperature control. The plant is doing great and, as simple as it is, I really enjoy watching the water and listening to the splashes. The kids really enjoy not listening to adults and sneakily playing with the splashing water when ever they think they can get away with it, it seems. So, we are all getting something out of the fountain and that's what's important I guess. You know, for a family fountain.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-25287734431230146522014-05-27T22:40:00.001-07:002014-05-27T22:40:12.409-07:00To a Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZP-ShEIHGyQ/U4FG-sD23wI/AAAAAAAFXeU/SD1yMb9uNJw/s1600/IMG_5913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZP-ShEIHGyQ/U4FG-sD23wI/AAAAAAAFXeU/SD1yMb9uNJw/s1600/IMG_5913.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
But first, look how excited Enzo is about the "chip sandwich" he made. This is essentially a stack of chips. But way more exciting.... a chip sandwich! And Ana? She is just thinking about life.<br />
<br />
Ok, we went to a birthday party for one of the kids' friends from school. And now, everything will be different. It's kind of funny to me but this one party, which was fun and all around great, did several things that we have sheltered our kids from until that day. And now we won't. The theme was a commercial theme; Frozen. The piñata was hit with a bat. Yeah, I know that is normal. Still, we always use the pull kind where kids pull strings and one of them is designed to actually open the piñata. So, our kids had never hit a piñata before. And, our kids had never played with a toy weapon before; no, not even a water gun. They have water squeeze toys in the tub, but no devices manufactured to be like any toy weapons. Judge all you want, I have no problem admitting we are granolas. Anyway, these things changed at one party...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZhpGg-oYN0/U4FG_U_3lDI/AAAAAAAFXeY/Va6V4NuySlI/s1600/IMG_5924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZhpGg-oYN0/U4FG_U_3lDI/AAAAAAAFXeY/Va6V4NuySlI/s1600/IMG_5924.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Ana at a water table. Water tables and sand tables are just so fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBHNS33vhPU/U4FHAUVXC4I/AAAAAAAFXec/3wcBUg8f9ic/s1600/IMG_5928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBHNS33vhPU/U4FHAUVXC4I/AAAAAAAFXec/3wcBUg8f9ic/s1600/IMG_5928.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
They had a trampoline, too. That's Enzo on the right in there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tH0LEY8IMDM/U4FHBSjWQ4I/AAAAAAAFXeg/2GRSYqnGXlg/s1600/IMG_5938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tH0LEY8IMDM/U4FHBSjWQ4I/AAAAAAAFXeg/2GRSYqnGXlg/s1600/IMG_5938.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Ok, this may be hard to see, but that is Enzo filling up a water gun for the first time. Documented. Many trees were watered as a result by he and his friends.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJ78ZHl0t5E/U4FHCKSR-gI/AAAAAAAFXek/Ng_xPqsEMm4/s1600/IMG_5944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJ78ZHl0t5E/U4FHCKSR-gI/AAAAAAAFXek/Ng_xPqsEMm4/s1600/IMG_5944.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Isn't may Ana beautiful? I almost typed baby girl but I stopped as my mind reflected on how she is growing up so much. Her sentences are so much more complicated and her speech more clear. She is a strong willed young lady with a magnificent hug.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMamDiYb6Iw/U4FHDAy4pYI/AAAAAAAFXeo/KX16cM8WJvg/s1600/IMG_5949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMamDiYb6Iw/U4FHDAy4pYI/AAAAAAAFXeo/KX16cM8WJvg/s1600/IMG_5949.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fb64QpA4lts/U4FHEGM42NI/AAAAAAAFXes/zWwyahRlwQE/s1600/IMG_5966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fb64QpA4lts/U4FHEGM42NI/AAAAAAAFXes/zWwyahRlwQE/s1600/IMG_5966.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFY5oDIaBEA/U4FIQk_jsMI/AAAAAAAFXjw/e03mU7mFgg4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-21+at+6.58.12+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFY5oDIaBEA/U4FIQk_jsMI/AAAAAAAFXjw/e03mU7mFgg4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-21+at+6.58.12+PM.jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a></div>
Ana's first hit of a piñata!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AtKi_u6RLzQ/U4FIQ_QEW0I/AAAAAAAFXj4/oTNLnrvzfmY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-21+at+6.58.39+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AtKi_u6RLzQ/U4FIQ_QEW0I/AAAAAAAFXj4/oTNLnrvzfmY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-21+at+6.58.39+PM.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></div>
Enzo's first hit of a piñata!<br />
<br />
So, a change is made. Tami and I agreed that this is the last year of pull string piñatas for the kiddos. After Ana's 3rd, we will start beating up piñatas. Funny how a party and time can change an experience. Funnier still the silly ways to mark the passage of time and such changes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4j75gIUoUHE/U4FHEy8RMVI/AAAAAAAFXew/zwn3CGeay8Q/s1600/IMG_5974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4j75gIUoUHE/U4FHEy8RMVI/AAAAAAAFXew/zwn3CGeay8Q/s1600/IMG_5974.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Ok, this is Ana with a jackpot of tickets. It was Aunti Johna's birthday party at Dave & Buster's. We took the kids and played some games with them and they had fun. Some of the games gave a few tickets here and there as the kids played. Then, the kids were playing this game where they launched five rockets towards a space station with revolving objects all around. The almost impossible highest ticket-paying target was to send a rocket through every obstacle by timing it just right so that every movement lines up to let the rocket pass when it approaches and it reaches the center. On Ana's last rocket, she made it all the way in. Jackpot! It was around 500 tickets or something. They came out for so long. The kids got excited and then started folding them and then they just kept coming out. The thing about a family is sharing so, they both got a few toys from the ticket exchange, Ana's treat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pbBL68ERDNc/U4FHFp39_9I/AAAAAAAFXe0/CL6Pp6qZRsg/s1600/IMG_5988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pbBL68ERDNc/U4FHFp39_9I/AAAAAAAFXe0/CL6Pp6qZRsg/s1600/IMG_5988.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
This is a photo of the art wall. As you can see, painting is in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yjIkXifUXDg/U4FHGpsNTEI/AAAAAAAFXe4/1diI8nAmHcw/s1600/IMG_5996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yjIkXifUXDg/U4FHGpsNTEI/AAAAAAAFXe4/1diI8nAmHcw/s1600/IMG_5996.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Here are the kids and Shea playing with my Criss Cross Crash Hot Wheel track from when I was a kid.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbkbgOLh2Qc/U4FHHa-SdaI/AAAAAAAFXe8/wP1j1MDrd30/s1600/IMG_6036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbkbgOLh2Qc/U4FHHa-SdaI/AAAAAAAFXe8/wP1j1MDrd30/s1600/IMG_6036.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
I took the kids to a park. That is Ana pushing her baby doll in the swing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XgLUvRBNZCE/U4FHIOq3J6I/AAAAAAAFXfA/q7_-KZLMS7k/s1600/IMG_6058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XgLUvRBNZCE/U4FHIOq3J6I/AAAAAAAFXfA/q7_-KZLMS7k/s1600/IMG_6058.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
I took the kids to breakfast and the beach in Santa Cruz, too. This was part of a week off from work in April. Tami still worked and had classes so the kids and I did a lot of fun excursions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ywyvkoVRKcU/U4FHJFUi8pI/AAAAAAAFXfE/DkpyeVqn8Co/s1600/IMG_6061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ywyvkoVRKcU/U4FHJFUi8pI/AAAAAAAFXfE/DkpyeVqn8Co/s1600/IMG_6061.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bInX--mOuE4/U4FHJ4P3SNI/AAAAAAAFXfI/s9ZMonjXQHM/s1600/IMG_6075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bInX--mOuE4/U4FHJ4P3SNI/AAAAAAAFXfI/s9ZMonjXQHM/s1600/IMG_6075.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPxP5qWihUY/U4FHLFfGCmI/AAAAAAAFXfM/lVtXnIocsGQ/s1600/IMG_6082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oPxP5qWihUY/U4FHLFfGCmI/AAAAAAAFXfM/lVtXnIocsGQ/s1600/IMG_6082.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kSoSQ24sbJ0/U4FHL-L6r-I/AAAAAAAFXfQ/jzQwzTXhymQ/s1600/IMG_6095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kSoSQ24sbJ0/U4FHL-L6r-I/AAAAAAAFXfQ/jzQwzTXhymQ/s1600/IMG_6095.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
This picture is one of my recent favorites.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MHFTqihxMo/U4FH6V6CX0I/AAAAAAAFXfY/-4dF39A01CA/s1600/IMG_6106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MHFTqihxMo/U4FH6V6CX0I/AAAAAAAFXfY/-4dF39A01CA/s1600/IMG_6106.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
I took Ana to dance class.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXXQhJ_NRfs/U4FH64nqz3I/AAAAAAAFXfc/DE2iaPj7Jpg/s1600/IMG_6110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXXQhJ_NRfs/U4FH64nqz3I/AAAAAAAFXfc/DE2iaPj7Jpg/s1600/IMG_6110.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtLWA9BFc4M/U4FH6_n5EEI/AAAAAAAFXfg/YxUKymr2MMk/s1600/IMG_6112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtLWA9BFc4M/U4FH6_n5EEI/AAAAAAAFXfg/YxUKymr2MMk/s1600/IMG_6112.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've only been to their dance class a couple of times now. It's neat to watch them. They are in two different classes based on their age so Ana's is first and Enzo's occurs a little later.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-61511034499160982232014-05-24T22:49:00.002-07:002014-05-24T22:49:31.627-07:00Wrapping Up the Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sv2e8dap7AI/U4FGMO7c2FI/AAAAAAAFXaM/zLIbkuxt-yE/s1600/DSC03360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sv2e8dap7AI/U4FGMO7c2FI/AAAAAAAFXaM/zLIbkuxt-yE/s1600/DSC03360.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, I think it's almost time to wrap up this blog and make a final post soon.<br />
<br />
I have a 3 and a 4 year old now.<br />
<br />
I started the blog about me. "Adventures of a Randy: A record of my adventures as a human, motorcyclist, and father." But so much of who I am am at this point is my children. And now that they are 3 and 4, it's about getting to that point where it is unfair of me to put so much of them out into the internet world. They will have to wait until they are older to decide what gets out there.<br />
<br />
Not sure what I will do next. I still plan to take lots and lots of pictures and to to curate them into annual folders. But what will I do with those and how will I share them with close family but not on the web? I don't know yet. And will I start a new blog that really does focus on the parts of me that will not over expose my children? Maybe, but I don't know yet. I imagine there will be a time in the future where writing about my days will involve my children less. Though I can not imagine ever loving them less than much more than I ever did hours before any given moment. For now, it is so much about my children. They really are the most significant part of my life. I like to read my own blog often and smile and get excited to read again and see again those photos of my kids. I love these kiddos.<br />
<br />
I don't know when the last post will come. I had thought it was coming soon and now I think sooner. I thought perhaps when Enzo turns 5 or Ana 4. But now I think it is time to wrap up much sooner; weeks instead of months. Perhaps the specific day does not need to be an anniversary of any kind. Or perhaps it will. In about two weeks it will be the 5 year anniversary of my first post. Five years of posting will come June 8th. I think this blog will likely get it's last post on or thereabouts. We shall see.<br />
<br />
I have photos from very significant times in the last month that I have yet to post. I'll certainly be posting a series of posts in the coming days to capture this last month in photos and notes. The notes are kind of funny. I have a habit of thinking of posts to write in my head and forgetting most. For a few I jot down simple notes somewhere to remind myself of what I was thinking so that I will write when it comes time to post again and I'm reviewing the previous days. This works pretty well but on occasion the notes become a bit aged and I can hardly remember the multiple paragraphs written in my mind at the time or even the basic ideas. "Pee" is one of the notes from this last month, for example. I remember that I intended to write about Enzo peeing standing up on a couple of occasions that inspired a mental post several paragraphs long.<br />
<br />
Something happened today in which a note would likely be written, if I ever remembered to write it, as "holly crap." Why? Because today Ana was on my lap as I was curating digital photos and I made a mistake. I accidentally mumbled "holly crap." Odd because I don't think this is a common phrase of mine and also because I am pretty good about only using words around the kids or in general that I am ok with them hearing and saying. Of course, Ana asks loudly, "why did you say holly crap, Papi?" You know, there are a lot of other phrases that I say that she doesn't ask loudly about. Anyway, that made me laugh.<br />
<br />
So, I plan to look over some of these short notes, and perhaps write what comes to mind as I look over the last month of photos. Then, I plan to post my last post to this blog when the time is right. Just for the fun of it, the first post to this blog was titled:<br />
<br />
"Tami is Pregnant!"<br />
<br />
I am a very fortunate man. I mentioned the impending end of this blog to Tami. She said I had mentioned thinking this before. I guess I forgot about that. Then I told her what the first post here was and she smiled and said "we are very lucky." Yes, we are very lucky, my love.<br />
<br />
We are lucky mud.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-48442685326731457052014-04-25T11:30:00.001-07:002014-05-28T00:06:59.221-07:0016 Years!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Svg8YLHtS4C8fl7p5VX-yTXhVHy0gB-77hyphenhyphensS6sBjsUNUocq2NnmR9D39hDTW5xCkTyLFRloCTJK5A2XM1ONQIdw65IJ_QB016S2yNd5QhOLLiY9W2c33XKY9YuoJ1XJ33_pMkUUNOVt/s640/blogger-image--1384899233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Svg8YLHtS4C8fl7p5VX-yTXhVHy0gB-77hyphenhyphensS6sBjsUNUocq2NnmR9D39hDTW5xCkTyLFRloCTJK5A2XM1ONQIdw65IJ_QB016S2yNd5QhOLLiY9W2c33XKY9YuoJ1XJ33_pMkUUNOVt/s320/blogger-image--1384899233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Today is my 16 year anniversary of riding home on my first motorcycle! It's raining in San Jose and so today, rather than ride to work to celebrate, I am "riding" around on my desk at work where it is dry. Thankfully, I did get to ride this week and it should be dry this weekend. In the mean time... Mwaaaaaaaaa-ahhhhh-yahhh... Vrooooommmmm-mwaaahhhhh-ahhhhhh...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-54751358896111257672014-04-16T09:45:00.001-07:002014-04-16T20:35:17.754-07:00Bundles of JoyHappiness is created by these kiddos. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uEJaaAcJDJDdlH6rxjKT7a3gcf2nYgowEUAjQSjFJi55Fe12wXSR9G2hDDFf31RBw2YMK-gALj2Mfz7vtwcruccZK3zYRP8Pa-PWEt2WgRIvDE7C86khKR7TAy7WGfcIOiuqhc0h53nH/s640/blogger-image-980714143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uEJaaAcJDJDdlH6rxjKT7a3gcf2nYgowEUAjQSjFJi55Fe12wXSR9G2hDDFf31RBw2YMK-gALj2Mfz7vtwcruccZK3zYRP8Pa-PWEt2WgRIvDE7C86khKR7TAy7WGfcIOiuqhc0h53nH/s640/blogger-image-980714143.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Earlier this week I woke up with Enzo sleeping next to me, face to face. Waking up next to one or both kids is pretty common. If they wake in the night or early morning they often come in and join us. Usually I know when Ana joins as she is a bit obvious. Enzo can be a bit of a ninja and get in without us noticing. </div><div><br></div><div>So, I awoke and see my beautiful boy in front of me. A short while later he starts laughing in his sleep. My day was made from that. After a bit of a laugh he settled down and continued sleeping, without waking during his laugh. Laughing during sleep is high on my ultimate scale of goodness. It warms my heart to be able to witness it in someone I love so much. </div><div><br></div><div>Yesterday I got to watch Ana in her dance class. And that was fun. But the most awesome part was towards the end. The kids were to do do somersaults on the mat which was about 12 feet long. Each kid got up in turn and then a teacher would direct the kids head down with a gentle nudge and sort of push them into a roll from their hips. It took a while for each to cross the mat as the kids did about 5 or so rolls to cross. Ana was last. When she got to the mat the teacher was just moving to direct her head down when... she was too late. Ana was already rolling! Super fast, roll after roll, the teacher just trying to catch up but never quite catching the rolling Ana! Ana came up to standing for a second after each roll and dove back in with a flurry from her skirt and dress, yes- she put on both. She looked like a swimmer doing a butterfly stroke, popping up briefly and then back in with skirts instead of water whirling around her. When she got to the end she popped up and it was all done in no time, the teacher just catching up. The teacher, me, Phyllis, and Tami were left laughing as Ana casually went back for the next activity. That was a good laugh. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-31427260551014497122014-04-15T00:19:00.000-07:002014-04-15T00:19:00.228-07:00Recent Pictures, Part 2 of 2<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VgG8qQjZ2wQ/U0Ssfhb2UcI/AAAAAAAFUmw/QPZDTbEy6wU/s1600/IMG_5399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VgG8qQjZ2wQ/U0Ssfhb2UcI/AAAAAAAFUmw/QPZDTbEy6wU/s1600/IMG_5399.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
We celebrated Shea's birthday with our own small party.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBNTFZBNTww/U0SsfzXW5qI/AAAAAAAFUm0/UgAhafiLfaE/s1600/IMG_5415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBNTFZBNTww/U0SsfzXW5qI/AAAAAAAFUm0/UgAhafiLfaE/s1600/IMG_5415.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Shea cooked and decorated her cake. It was delicious and beautiful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFCm0WR7X94/U0SsgWtjpII/AAAAAAAFUnE/wA2IOT1Xvtg/s1600/IMG_5433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFCm0WR7X94/U0SsgWtjpII/AAAAAAAFUnE/wA2IOT1Xvtg/s1600/IMG_5433.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Ana and the rocket man.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rERxcW6wN-I/U0SsgQ3qb2I/AAAAAAAFUm8/hCbST-P4Zxc/s1600/IMG_5434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rERxcW6wN-I/U0SsgQ3qb2I/AAAAAAAFUm8/hCbST-P4Zxc/s1600/IMG_5434.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Ana in dance class.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pGjgqWlOXE/U0SshDgUtNI/AAAAAAAFUnM/-_pHcAip82Q/s1600/IMG_5447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pGjgqWlOXE/U0SshDgUtNI/AAAAAAAFUnM/-_pHcAip82Q/s1600/IMG_5447.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Me and the kids stopped at a park on the way home one day. A nice treat. I surprised them with pizza that I picked up on the way to get them. Then we ate in the park watching a kids soccer league practice. After, we played. Enzo and Ana are also very into paper airplanes lately.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0A3aFjCVz24/U0SsheMazPI/AAAAAAAFUnc/QzorDNKU74k/s1600/IMG_5461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0A3aFjCVz24/U0SsheMazPI/AAAAAAAFUnc/QzorDNKU74k/s1600/IMG_5461.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jA55h7UpR74/U0SshysgmdI/AAAAAAAFUnY/qS7VK7ABj-U/s1600/IMG_5462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jA55h7UpR74/U0SshysgmdI/AAAAAAAFUnY/qS7VK7ABj-U/s1600/IMG_5462.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KT-ixQ_qQs/U0SsiX1VRAI/AAAAAAAFUnk/-qvNWxl_eC0/s1600/IMG_5467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KT-ixQ_qQs/U0SsiX1VRAI/AAAAAAAFUnk/-qvNWxl_eC0/s1600/IMG_5467.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b3ouCGs7lmQ/U0SsilOri7I/AAAAAAAFUn4/UOGhR5RVZUw/s1600/IMG_5468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b3ouCGs7lmQ/U0SsilOri7I/AAAAAAAFUn4/UOGhR5RVZUw/s1600/IMG_5468.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nGM-pW8BM5g/U0SsjL_Re2I/AAAAAAAFUns/_syyEClRQk8/s1600/IMG_5478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nGM-pW8BM5g/U0SsjL_Re2I/AAAAAAAFUns/_syyEClRQk8/s1600/IMG_5478.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MEfhipgIqQ4/U0SsjS2WokI/AAAAAAAFUn8/2lZlgnwJm0M/s1600/IMG_5479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MEfhipgIqQ4/U0SsjS2WokI/AAAAAAAFUn8/2lZlgnwJm0M/s1600/IMG_5479.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AEncQHCnofA/U0Ssj69XIOI/AAAAAAAFUoE/4Y-GoqNA2vw/s1600/IMG_5512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AEncQHCnofA/U0Ssj69XIOI/AAAAAAAFUoE/4Y-GoqNA2vw/s1600/IMG_5512.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
We went to the annual Clubmans British Motorcycle show at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. They also have a Japan and Europe exhibition in another building. I took them myself this year. And, I have almost no pictures because of it. Kiddos are a lot of work. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R2vIvhLbHJM/U0SskUAEuTI/AAAAAAAFUoQ/JcI7VibCMg4/s1600/IMG_5555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R2vIvhLbHJM/U0SskUAEuTI/AAAAAAAFUoQ/JcI7VibCMg4/s1600/IMG_5555.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
There were two moments of relatively mellow peace when I took pictures. They were during the 10 minutes it took them to eat nachos on the floor of the British bike flea market area and the 3 minutes they were mesmerized by the little motorcycles they found as they struggled with my repeating "no touching" as their brains compelled them closer with every desire to touch and sit on the bikes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6WwtJSj0wzI/U0Ssksx-5xI/AAAAAAAFUoY/0xrJIFt-qDg/s1600/IMG_5561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6WwtJSj0wzI/U0Ssksx-5xI/AAAAAAAFUoY/0xrJIFt-qDg/s1600/IMG_5561.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
After the bike show, we hung out at Grandma and Grandpa's.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2oDX5JoDNBU/U0Ssk2Q57_I/AAAAAAAFUoU/j43hIV7FYTE/s1600/IMG_5594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2oDX5JoDNBU/U0Ssk2Q57_I/AAAAAAAFUoU/j43hIV7FYTE/s1600/IMG_5594.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Enzo got a haircut.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wo76aA491T8/U0SslW2ev8I/AAAAAAAFUoo/IZCjzjmYfjw/s1600/IMG_5624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wo76aA491T8/U0SslW2ev8I/AAAAAAAFUoo/IZCjzjmYfjw/s1600/IMG_5624.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Ana got a pretend haircut because she wanted one too. Ana, when you read this, I love you, and, your haircut was staged.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pcR6_62SDJw/U0Ssl2sZASI/AAAAAAAFUos/gfz43gNlO3M/s1600/IMG_5626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pcR6_62SDJw/U0Ssl2sZASI/AAAAAAAFUos/gfz43gNlO3M/s1600/IMG_5626.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjiISkB1LWIQrHcXmj4h5htdchvooKSqB5ncjGLnG5dwomrweHxOra-HQtXT0kCyEFcXhbo75TYvcDLGzIpqi4bchc6HnVN9jd_HrPnFQuwSIPp3PXOaUQbjbJWGDz3a4VWhSUSEo3Czf/s1600/IMG_5630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjiISkB1LWIQrHcXmj4h5htdchvooKSqB5ncjGLnG5dwomrweHxOra-HQtXT0kCyEFcXhbo75TYvcDLGzIpqi4bchc6HnVN9jd_HrPnFQuwSIPp3PXOaUQbjbJWGDz3a4VWhSUSEo3Czf/s1600/IMG_5630.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pPxQvXeyb_M/U0Ssmtzv2KI/AAAAAAAFUo8/acMkK5Bjnqw/s1600/IMG_5633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pPxQvXeyb_M/U0Ssmtzv2KI/AAAAAAAFUo8/acMkK5Bjnqw/s1600/IMG_5633.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
The rain was coming down steady. Neither rain nor bubbles, apparently, photograph well from my phone. But, I took pictures anyway. The kids sat in the door way blowing bubbles out into the falling rain for quite a while at Grandma and Grandpa's.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_McVerdfiw/U0Ssm7y0ycI/AAAAAAAFUpA/KJVx7FpR1eY/s1600/IMG_5637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_McVerdfiw/U0Ssm7y0ycI/AAAAAAAFUpA/KJVx7FpR1eY/s1600/IMG_5637.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KI-4d2cUv4/U0SsnRowI4I/AAAAAAAFUpI/ZrfX1A-jD2c/s1600/IMG_5643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KI-4d2cUv4/U0SsnRowI4I/AAAAAAAFUpI/ZrfX1A-jD2c/s1600/IMG_5643.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-CT_R9dxgM/U0SsnrmqS2I/AAAAAAAFUpo/6j0440W3HUE/s1600/IMG_5653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-CT_R9dxgM/U0SsnrmqS2I/AAAAAAAFUpo/6j0440W3HUE/s1600/IMG_5653.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Much more recently, we went to Charlotte's birthday dinner and played in the park after.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jwLnldx70Z8/U0SspDAkreI/AAAAAAAFUp4/vcs1Hq3IZOE/s1600/IMG_5724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jwLnldx70Z8/U0SspDAkreI/AAAAAAAFUp4/vcs1Hq3IZOE/s1600/IMG_5724.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXA_Xz2Jy8Q/U0SspR6xJzI/AAAAAAAFUqA/6KLL6GN0NQ8/s1600/IMG_5758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXA_Xz2Jy8Q/U0SspR6xJzI/AAAAAAAFUqA/6KLL6GN0NQ8/s1600/IMG_5758.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hxjKNu9REd8/U0SspqDmpYI/AAAAAAAFUqE/SQ1C-GzlQUk/s1600/IMG_5770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hxjKNu9REd8/U0SspqDmpYI/AAAAAAAFUqE/SQ1C-GzlQUk/s1600/IMG_5770.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DKN3S5xd2pQ/U0SsqVce1_I/AAAAAAAFUqM/XwYl4hEk-tg/s1600/IMG_5803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DKN3S5xd2pQ/U0SsqVce1_I/AAAAAAAFUqM/XwYl4hEk-tg/s1600/IMG_5803.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afqtGQELpEs/U0SsqvgSZqI/AAAAAAAFUqY/cNiKnOAzDuE/s1600/IMG_5812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afqtGQELpEs/U0SsqvgSZqI/AAAAAAAFUqY/cNiKnOAzDuE/s1600/IMG_5812.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Just this past weekend the kids and I went to the annual Kelly Park VW show. My parents met us there also.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFyC9AzgeRc/U0SsrD0FEAI/AAAAAAAFUqc/scwyo7SjH7s/s1600/IMG_5816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFyC9AzgeRc/U0SsrD0FEAI/AAAAAAAFUqc/scwyo7SjH7s/s1600/IMG_5816.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
The kids were looking for the points where train tracks came together and left a gap in the rail.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMOIgXhSdCQ/U0SsrbH3IyI/AAAAAAAFUqk/YIH7IOlPGts/s1600/IMG_5864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMOIgXhSdCQ/U0SsrbH3IyI/AAAAAAAFUqk/YIH7IOlPGts/s1600/IMG_5864.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
They like trains and Kelley Park has several.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v37bcqgGZ5E/U0Ssrv_ONWI/AAAAAAAFUqs/CvO4gn4pETw/s1600/IMG_5870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v37bcqgGZ5E/U0Ssrv_ONWI/AAAAAAAFUqs/CvO4gn4pETw/s1600/IMG_5870.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
This was my favorite VW accessory. A pop up tent on top of a bug. Cool.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym0A9HoODgc/U0SssLSLbZI/AAAAAAAFUq0/ADp60h1JghQ/s1600/IMG_5879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym0A9HoODgc/U0SssLSLbZI/AAAAAAAFUq0/ADp60h1JghQ/s1600/IMG_5879.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YK1amyR-gWA/U0SssZhI2CI/AAAAAAAFUrE/ZOHJKpzdsHs/s1600/IMG_5884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YK1amyR-gWA/U0SssZhI2CI/AAAAAAAFUrE/ZOHJKpzdsHs/s1600/IMG_5884.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
A special treat at the show; we had ice cream. They look happy about the rare treat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w3wR0lBWiic/U0SstMiuxRI/AAAAAAAFUrI/WNeu9rqiUoY/s1600/IMG_5903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w3wR0lBWiic/U0SstMiuxRI/AAAAAAAFUrI/WNeu9rqiUoY/s1600/IMG_5903.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
This is cool. After the show my parents took me and the kids out for dinner. Look at the butterflies. Ana was totally coloring inside the lines. I had never seen that before. My mom was not surprised and told me how the last time she hung out with the kids, she and Ana were practicing coloring in the lines. I am impressed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DpFiuH_UfM/U0SstWteYcI/AAAAAAAFUrM/pH1XK9HCg2c/s1600/IMG_5908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DpFiuH_UfM/U0SstWteYcI/AAAAAAAFUrM/pH1XK9HCg2c/s1600/IMG_5908.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
And here, because of our crazy weather, the second first rose bloom from our yard this year.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-591505951022265762014-04-11T15:57:00.000-07:002014-04-11T15:57:00.262-07:00Recent Pictures, Part 1 of 2Here is some of what has gone on in the last several weeks, recorded in pictures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ANomP_EUMk/U0SsZp0Tg8I/AAAAAAAFUlE/Ci7bI2lVELI/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ANomP_EUMk/U0SsZp0Tg8I/AAAAAAAFUlE/Ci7bI2lVELI/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
My kids playing in the yard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FSHJLkB9nnE/U0SsZ3vz6EI/AAAAAAAFUk4/BY7L0VQLurY/s1600/IMG_5231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FSHJLkB9nnE/U0SsZ3vz6EI/AAAAAAAFUk4/BY7L0VQLurY/s1600/IMG_5231.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
I bought them this lighted magnifying glass because, well, because I am trying to subtly direct them to a life of science. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3EvO-WCVRk/U0SsaL766SI/AAAAAAAFUk8/ep66Vnhc0mI/s1600/IMG_5235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3EvO-WCVRk/U0SsaL766SI/AAAAAAAFUk8/ep66Vnhc0mI/s1600/IMG_5235.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Tami got free tickets to an organic farm tour in the Santa Cruz Mountains. A parent at our kids' school already had purchased the tickets but then couldn't go. It was an interesting tour.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4qECDxkUctAOh98zYOA4oCv0UuQcZvCv61aJu0COS9npybiTgTe721WxKA_Aacxki9bxdF8zX3iVHkFaQbb9Z2-XKM315L247jPg3bfcRl8W7hJVoP2aQSkSdeGASHqqP2rr7mwP-wxe/s1600/IMG_5238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4qECDxkUctAOh98zYOA4oCv0UuQcZvCv61aJu0COS9npybiTgTe721WxKA_Aacxki9bxdF8zX3iVHkFaQbb9Z2-XKM315L247jPg3bfcRl8W7hJVoP2aQSkSdeGASHqqP2rr7mwP-wxe/s1600/IMG_5238.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
I believe they said it used to be a small vineyard and that, at one time, it was a childhood home of the Smothers Brothers. The big deal now is that they specialize in edible flowers and we got to sample many on the tour.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJU7pmFYLig/U0SsbBEiZ3I/AAAAAAAFUlU/HQzWXw5VQfs/s1600/IMG_5251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJU7pmFYLig/U0SsbBEiZ3I/AAAAAAAFUlU/HQzWXw5VQfs/s1600/IMG_5251.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnowQTbQ-gc/U0SsbaCpEiI/AAAAAAAFUlc/vhXG5icVnYk/s1600/IMG_5262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnowQTbQ-gc/U0SsbaCpEiI/AAAAAAAFUlc/vhXG5icVnYk/s1600/IMG_5262.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcN6LJ7C1CU/U0Ssb8iqZKI/AAAAAAAFUlk/6EYEDlSvm8Q/s1600/IMG_5265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcN6LJ7C1CU/U0Ssb8iqZKI/AAAAAAAFUlk/6EYEDlSvm8Q/s1600/IMG_5265.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HxiPcp2SU8/U0SscWtDLXI/AAAAAAAFUls/sUTXDU9-pNk/s1600/IMG_5277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HxiPcp2SU8/U0SscWtDLXI/AAAAAAAFUls/sUTXDU9-pNk/s1600/IMG_5277.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Here the kids are eating more flowers they had just been given.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LiBwUDTHYs/U0Ssc1G2YHI/AAAAAAAFUl0/fb8TsWCBcD0/s1600/IMG_5279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LiBwUDTHYs/U0Ssc1G2YHI/AAAAAAAFUl0/fb8TsWCBcD0/s1600/IMG_5279.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
They weren't excited by the flavors so much. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YfKI6ftti4U/U0SsdGbpF8I/AAAAAAAFUmA/_c7TpP4eBiI/s1600/IMG_5296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YfKI6ftti4U/U0SsdGbpF8I/AAAAAAAFUmA/_c7TpP4eBiI/s1600/IMG_5296.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
I think I had more fun watching them interact with the animals at the end of the tour. They got to pet two goats and a chicken.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-itjxJRPkCLU/U0SsdlygZsI/AAAAAAAFUmI/C9oe53AQKW4/s1600/IMG_5343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-itjxJRPkCLU/U0SsdlygZsI/AAAAAAAFUmI/C9oe53AQKW4/s1600/IMG_5343.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2y67ChsN4II/U0Ssd_OF2oI/AAAAAAAFUmE/ydEiRRa-EYw/s1600/IMG_5366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2y67ChsN4II/U0Ssd_OF2oI/AAAAAAAFUmE/ydEiRRa-EYw/s1600/IMG_5366.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Another day I went for a ride with Nathan, always a treat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFDznHAWpdY/U0Sseb0TqqI/AAAAAAAFUmg/62nRDTju-VA/s1600/IMG_5392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFDznHAWpdY/U0Sseb0TqqI/AAAAAAAFUmg/62nRDTju-VA/s1600/IMG_5392.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Then there was the annual Bring Out Your Almost Dead event hosted by the Norton Owners Club. A good time to learn, socialize, look at bikes, and eat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujsZaKI47mc/U0SseoUXIQI/AAAAAAAFUmY/wlo2cw5CzF8/s1600/IMG_5394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujsZaKI47mc/U0SseoUXIQI/AAAAAAAFUmY/wlo2cw5CzF8/s1600/IMG_5394.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
That silver bike in there is only the second Norton Atlas, other than mine, I have ever seen on the road. And, only the third other I have seen in person. That third having been in the Clubman British Motorcycle Show this year and last. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-enSmJB68C3E/U0Sse5UdlII/AAAAAAAFUmk/vPQII1IyjaM/s1600/IMG_5398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-enSmJB68C3E/U0Sse5UdlII/AAAAAAAFUmk/vPQII1IyjaM/s1600/IMG_5398.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
This picture was taken for proof. Tami took me to a see the musical Spamalot that my sister in law was performing in. My parents watched our kids. After, we planned to go out for a drink. My mom and my sister-in-law laughed and said Tami wouldn't make it out that late. Tami made me take this picture with her phone as proof. I do enjoy date nights.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-86222662800460237722014-04-10T15:42:00.000-07:002014-04-10T19:20:23.281-07:00BabiesMy kids never whined or cried so much as they do now... when playing babies. It almost seems daily these days. Things I hear a lot recently:<br>
<br>
<div>
Whaaaaa!!!aaaahaaaaahhh! (And variations on this theme.)</div>
<div>
Are you ok baby? </div>
<div>
What do you need baby?</div>
<div>
I'm the mommy. </div>
<div>
You are ok. </div>
<div>
I'm the baby. </div>
<div>
Ahhhhhhhhhhh-whaaaa-aaaaaaahhh!!!<br>
<br>
They take turns being the baby. I am so glad this was not the reality while they were babies. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Recently I came home, trying to unlock the door, to screams. I started wondering, as I struggled with the keys, what was going on. Surely Tami was checking on the kids during this interminable screaming. Or was she hurt too? Or had she just given up on parenting? Why wouldn't the darn key open the door!?!?</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
I got it opened after a miniature-forever and, half restraining my nerves said "what's going on!?"</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Response from the couch was ever so calmly "I'm the baby." "Oh," I said, to Ana. Enzo just looked at me patiently, standing by Ana. A second more of silence. Then, "ahhhhhhhhAAAAAHHHHeeeekkkkkk!" And so on. Tami, unfazed, worked away on her computer. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1792081691285661101.post-68678526760371424702014-04-09T16:37:00.000-07:002014-06-12T18:43:20.947-07:00GardenLast weekend my kids' school had their annual parent work day. Tami asked if I would build a replacement for the old frame for vine plants in the garden. It was just two lean-to ladder structures attached at the top. Kids could walk through it. It was getting old and weak.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm very proud of this. </div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjPmWx7ayOg/U0SsoN0JhPI/AAAAAAAFUpc/30gsEadSnV0/s1600/IMG_5718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FjPmWx7ayOg/U0SsoN0JhPI/AAAAAAAFUpc/30gsEadSnV0/s1600/IMG_5718.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Had I had the time, I would have built it in my garage with more tools and it would have been closer to perfect. But, letting that go, accepting a few more imperfections then normal, I'm quite proud.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cMwJ0nYNLms/U0SsoaIMMhI/AAAAAAAFUpg/Qh2_35ylrHg/s1600/IMG_5720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cMwJ0nYNLms/U0SsoaIMMhI/AAAAAAAFUpg/Qh2_35ylrHg/s1600/IMG_5720.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I mentally sketched the idea during my morning shower that morning. Then, Enzo and I went to the store to buy the wood. We loaded a few tools from the garage and headed to the school where Tami and Ana later met us. Enzo had a great time at the hardware store measuring the wood we selected with our measuring tape. Then he helped me load it all up. At school, he helped me unload our materials and tools. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Once there, I started building. Enzo and Ana, and occasionally a friend, held the tape as I marked off cut lines. Then they would run off to play while parents worked on various projects from cleaning to planting and more. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Had I built the structure at home I would have taken two days and made three or more trips to the hardware store. Instead, I built this in four hours with materials on hand including a mid-construction change in design plan. </div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwSopgGK2Fg/U0Ssorsj8xI/AAAAAAAFUpk/3zIb9qNMTu0/s1600/IMG_5722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwSopgGK2Fg/U0Ssorsj8xI/AAAAAAAFUpk/3zIb9qNMTu0/s1600/IMG_5722.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, I was proud of it when finished but not nearly as much as I am now. When I picked up the kids from school this week, I walked into the school to find Ana and two friends chatting while sitting on the benches and Enzo playing in the garden. Now I am super-duper proud. Yes, super-duper. While I was there all four of them used the benches and played around it. I don't think I have ever built anything in four hours, and few projects have made me as happy as when I saw the kids using this. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com