This is our friend Maui, who we got to feed with lettuce, at Sea Life Park. Yes, Sea Life Park is where they filmed "50 First Dates".
Hang loose in Hawaii!
Mr. Professional Model, posing for Aunt Claudia!
Here's "Miss Ham 2008"
He's so cute!!!
Posted in: on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at at 2:45 PM 0 comments
Sea Life Park on Oahu had really neat interactive experiences. Here, the kids got to pet a turtle. All the turtles had their names written on their backs. This one is Gizmo.
Father / daughter moment while the kids pet the turtles and starfish.
Another father / daughter moment! Looking out into the ocean.
Ok, that's cool! Sea Life Park boasts the only known "Wholphin" where a false killer whale has bred with a dolphin. 
OOh! aaaah! Good shows!
Posted in: on at at 2:38 PM 1 comments
One of our last days of the Hawaii trip, we visited the Polynesian Cultural Center, which is so neat. They set it up like several islands of Polynesia, and you go around to each one and experience the culture through food, shows, hands on activities, etc. 
Here is where they welcome us with shell leis
It's a bright, bright, bright, sun shiny day!
I think our favorite "island" was SAMOA, where this guy shimmied up a coconut tree! then they demonstrated how to open one up super fast, drain the liquid inside, and squeeze out the meat to make milk. They also showed us how to make fire!
Also, the information guy in SAMOA was very funny.
Posted in: on at at 2:30 PM 1 comments
The kids got to learn some hula dances at the Polynesian Cultural Center. 
My first (and only) tattoo!
Cool tattoos in "Tahiti" at PCC.
Don't mess with me; I'm cool!
Yes, I'm capturing it all on film!
Posted in: on at at 2:24 PM 0 comments
Sydney had her 9th birthday party a little early in June, so that her school friends could celebrate with her, and so that it wouldn't interfere with her trip to Hawaii! I mean, come on, we have priorities here! :) She celebrated by having a few friends join her at the Color Me Mine ceramic cafe, where you pick a piece of pottery to sit and paint. 
Her theme choice was butterflies, so we made two butterfly cakes together and lit them up with butterfly candles (and, of course, used m and m's to color them). 
You get to bring your own music that they play for you. Thanks, Hannah Montana for being our inspiration! The girls got busy dancing too! Behind Syd are all the color choices for the projects, painted on tiles so you can see them.
The party package included Syd's fabulous straw hair-do! Plus she was given a GONG that she range anytime she needed our wonderful party hostess / instructor.
This was a snapshot of Syd her last day of 3rd grade, where they also celebrated her birthday at the end of class. Here she is with her teacher.
Posted in: on Monday, August 04, 2008 at at 10:17 PM 3 comments
Sittin' outside Syd's school watching her practice with her Heartlight Aerobics Dance team.
She's done! And she saved a big hug for G'ma!
Cooling off (and celebrating) with frozen yogurt! Golden Spoon always has a "buy one / get one free coupon" out there. Come to Santee and try it!
Chocolate lipstick is all the rage in France, don't you know?
Posted in: on Friday, August 01, 2008 at at 11:41 PM 1 comments
Look at Syd roll them dice! One of the kids' favorite things is to play games. Princess Monopoly is pretty fun; especially when you get to bump your opponents castle off the real estate. Sweet niblets!
Shrek Checkers is pretty cool too. Apparently Syd likes to try to change the rules in her favor on a regular basis. At least, when Mom and Dad aren't around to catch her!
Mom likes to get gardening tips from Texas Grandma. Here, we ventured out and purchased a new experiment - a Passion Flower. No, they are not plastic booms from the Walmart craft section. They are FOR REAL!
It's working! It's our experiment to grow Jacaranda trees! Texas G'ma showed mom how to pop open the seed pods and plant them. Cool! They are a little rare here lately after a harder than normal freeze here a few winters back.
Posted in: on at at 11:30 PM 0 comments
Texas Grandma got to come along this year. Here she is reading to London in her classroom while Mom attends the "parent meeting" before the big field trip. Basically, "don't let your kid get eaten by a rhino. " ha!
Skyfari ride, you rock! We're up stinkin high! Mom, why are you gripping the side so hard? 
Outside the polar bear exhibit here are a couple of hams.
A new experience this time - after the zoo we rode the Balboa Park train ride. It choo-chooed us right underneath huge blooming Jacaranda Trees, full of fluffy purple blossoms. Our favorite! See London cuddle the flesh-eating tiger.
Posted in: on at at 11:20 PM 0 comments
Ikea store is so fun!
This trundle bed set up would work perfect in some of the homes we've been looking at!
IKEA day is really a "play day." Here Syd plays kitchen chef.
It's not just a hamper anymore!
Posted in: on at at 10:56 PM 2 comments
A cold day in Coronado!
Never too cold for Ice Cream, however. We stopped at one of the cute diner places walking around Coronado Island and had crazy huge ice creams. Mom can live without ice cream, so she had the hot fudge cinnamon nachos and ate AROUND the ice cream. Mmmmm.......
Always up for an adventure!
Putt Putt on Memorial Day - had to go to Boomers!
Cuddle break with Texas Grandma!
Posted in: on at at 10:38 PM 1 comments
Go Daddy! Getting ready to race in the Dam Sprint Triathlon in May '08. It was beautiful Perris, CA. 
Yes, it does get cold out here for California girls. 
Daddy is walking up from the beach after the swim; biking is next! His favorite!
There he goes. We are cheering!
congrats, dad! He won 3rd place in his age division!
Posted in: on at at 10:23 PM 1 comments
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