Visits and first days

My parents came to visit a few weeks ago. It was soo great to have them here. I really miss living by them and I love to have them see my kids. Sorry Mom for putting pictures of you on here, but I have to document your stay. Thanks for all of the help you guys gave me when you came to visit. I love you!

We didn't want to spend lot of money while they were here so we mostly went to the beaches. This is at Newport Beach by Balboa Pier. There's my dad in the ocean.

I had to put this one in to document that I did actually go on all of these outings. I am just usually the one taking the pictures. I'm the one in the shadow under the umbrella.

Having fun with Grandpa!

Lucy was fascinated by this boy that was buried in sand. The only thing poking out was his head. She kept going over there and staring at them.

Aliso Creek Beach--this is my first time at this beach and I love it because you can park right there. You don't have to walk up any stairs or down any steep hills lugging all of your beach items. You can leave things in the car and go get them if you need to. There is also a park for kids to play at and it's pretty! I think I found my favorite place to go. 

Anna's first day of dance. Doesn't she look like a pretty ballerina?

Lucy's first day of preschool. She was so excited to wear her backpack and to be going to school like her big sister.

There's my cutie coloring at preschool.

Spencer with Grandpa Spencer (can you guess where I got his name?) at Dana Point. Spencer looks huge!

Grandma and Grandpa Spencer with the kids at Dana Point.

We went to dinner at our friends' house, the Lakes, and Lucy accidentally got hit in the head with a baseball. Can you see the stitches? Poor girl. She recovered quickly, though.

The Great Southern California ShakeOut!

Mountains and Forests

I recently travelled to Washington for work. What a beautiful place! I was fortunate enough to catch a job just north of Olympic National Park. I flew into Seattle and drove south through Tacoma and then north to Port Angeles. Here are some photos from the trip.

And yes, Leslie was jealous.


Token tree photo, taken at 65 mph.

Here's a picturesque "stick-out" near the ferry landing (yes, I rode the ferry).

Evidence of man's destruction of the forest, i.e. the place where your house came from.

Mt. Ranier from 30,000 feet.

1st Day of 1st Grade

 Picture #1, Anna the happy!

Picture #2 and she's already sick of me taking pictures of her.

Too bad I am going to take a million more.

A happy one!

Outside of her classroom. It's weird because they do 

everything outside here. They eat outside, their backpacks 

and lunches stay outside, they line up for school outside. 

Also each grade has it's own building so they have to go 

outside to get anywhere else. I guess that's California for you. 

Anna had a good first day despite someone taking her lunchbox on accident and getting into an argument with another girl. She made a new friend that just moved here, too. They both like Littlest Pet Shop and had little animals attached to their backpacks. We missed Anna while she was gone (especially Lucy, she asked me all day long when we were going to go get her), but we are excited for her to be in school. Anna loves school and really thrives when she is in it.