Julia is pretty sweet, in case you didn't know.
I took her and Jonathan to the barbeque at work on Wednesday. Every year we have a barbeque, pull up chairs, and watch the Thunderbirds perform for graduation just across the interstate. The kids had a great time. At one point I was trying to explain to Julia that the pilots were "the best of the best". After a few moments Julia looked at me and said, "Dad, if you were selected to be a Thunderbird pilot, I bet you'd be the best in the group". And then she wanted to make sure I didn't tell anyone she said that because it was "embarrassing".
The other cute thing Julia does right now involves "B" and "Ni-nights". They are still key members of her bedtime routine. Several times in the past couple of months I've come back to her room after we have put her to bed. When I get outside her room I hear talking, but she's the only one in the room. She's having a conversation with "B" sometimes, yes, but other times, she's telling her blanket all about her day or some other subject. I didn't know little girls like to bear their souls to their "perfect corner". What a riot.
31 May 2014
26 May 2014
Memorial Day 2014
This year we went to the Memorial Day BBQ at the community center. This was our first event in the new neighborhood, and one of the main reasons we chose the neighborhood. Although the pool was open, the weather wasn't that warm yet. That didn't stop the kids. We ate some food and then played around in the water for a little bit until they got too cold. Jonathan liked the water cannons and kept trying to shoot his sister.
They had a lot of fun even though it didn't last long. There will be plenty of opportunities this summer though!
They had a lot of fun even though it didn't last long. There will be plenty of opportunities this summer though!
24 May 2014
Some Fun Pictures
Here are some fun pictures of the kids at Chick-Fil-A with Emma, Evie, and Colton, the kids having lunch one day while Stacey "works", and two peas in a pod watching the iPad on our bed while I was getting ready for the day.
16 May 2014
AT&T Park
On the last night here I decided to check out the ballpark. I've seen Giants games on television in the past, and, because of its location, wanted to see it first hand.
After class (located in the Marriott Marquis), I went up to the top of the hotel to check out the view from the restaurant. It provided a great view, almost 360 degrees, of the the city. The sun position didn't make for a lot of good pictures, but the view was pretty neat.
Later that night I walked the 1.5 miles from my hotel to the baseball game. There wasn't much between the two worth talking about. However, the views from the park were probably the best I've ever seen from any stadium I've been to. It was pretty neat to see the bay from my seat. On the big monitor throughout the game a camera crew provided live shots of the city when the sun was going down, ships crossing on the water, and great shots of the outside of the stadium. On the other side of the stadium the Bay Bridge was visible. I just happened to make my way over to that side when the sun was going down. It was pretty cool to see the bridge at dusk.
Because of the view I didn't end up watching much of the game. There was too much to see. I didn't want to miss the sun going down on the city and the bridge, as it was too impressive and a fitting end to my time.
After class (located in the Marriott Marquis), I went up to the top of the hotel to check out the view from the restaurant. It provided a great view, almost 360 degrees, of the the city. The sun position didn't make for a lot of good pictures, but the view was pretty neat.
Later that night I walked the 1.5 miles from my hotel to the baseball game. There wasn't much between the two worth talking about. However, the views from the park were probably the best I've ever seen from any stadium I've been to. It was pretty neat to see the bay from my seat. On the big monitor throughout the game a camera crew provided live shots of the city when the sun was going down, ships crossing on the water, and great shots of the outside of the stadium. On the other side of the stadium the Bay Bridge was visible. I just happened to make my way over to that side when the sun was going down. It was pretty cool to see the bridge at dusk.
Because of the view I didn't end up watching much of the game. There was too much to see. I didn't want to miss the sun going down on the city and the bridge, as it was too impressive and a fitting end to my time.
12 May 2014
Marin County
On our last day together we decided to spend some time on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. I know I already have plenty of pictures of the bridge, but I can't seem to stop taking them.
In the morning we drove around Sausalito for a little bit before heading back to the apartment to do a little work. The afternoon was the highlight of the day though. Even though we had walked a lot yesterday, we decided to do the 3.5 mile hike round trip to Tennessee Beach. As mentioned by our host, this black sand beach was pretty quiet and devoid of tourists.
We sat on the beach for about an hour, feet in the sand and watching and listening to the waves. It was nice and relaxing...and much better than snow. The water was pretty cold on my feet though. Since I only had one water bottle, I stuck to the path and didn't head for the Oregon border.
In the morning we drove around Sausalito for a little bit before heading back to the apartment to do a little work. The afternoon was the highlight of the day though. Even though we had walked a lot yesterday, we decided to do the 3.5 mile hike round trip to Tennessee Beach. As mentioned by our host, this black sand beach was pretty quiet and devoid of tourists.
We sat on the beach for about an hour, feet in the sand and watching and listening to the waves. It was nice and relaxing...and much better than snow. The water was pretty cold on my feet though. Since I only had one water bottle, I stuck to the path and didn't head for the Oregon border.
11 May 2014
A Stroll Around the City by the Bay
Today we walked and saw a lot. The apartment that we're staying in is located in the Marina District, so it's within walking distance of many notable things in the city. We first walked a few blocks to the water and found a bunch of people running a 5k around Marina Green. A couple blocks over we checked out a farmer's market in the old Fort Mason Historic area, and then had lunch at In and Out Burger near Fisherman's Wharf. Along the way we met some very cute baby skunks at the park. From that area we were able to take a few good pictures of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.
We stopped back at the apartment for a short break before heading over to The Palace of Fine Arts and the Presidio (and the National Cemetery located there). We made sure to find the site of the old Letterman Army Hospital where I was born in the Presidio. I sent my Mom a picture of me standing in front of the building - it is Mother's Day after all. The Army hospital and surrounding buildings had been torn down and rebuilt, but the location was the same. It's now a digital arts campus and houses Lucasfilm in one of the buildings nearby.
Thinking back over the years, this is probably the third time I've spent a day or two in this area. I obviously enjoy the area but that's because it's very pretty and there is a lot to see.
We stopped back at the apartment for a short break before heading over to The Palace of Fine Arts and the Presidio (and the National Cemetery located there). We made sure to find the site of the old Letterman Army Hospital where I was born in the Presidio. I sent my Mom a picture of me standing in front of the building - it is Mother's Day after all. The Army hospital and surrounding buildings had been torn down and rebuilt, but the location was the same. It's now a digital arts campus and houses Lucasfilm in one of the buildings nearby.
Thinking back over the years, this is probably the third time I've spent a day or two in this area. I obviously enjoy the area but that's because it's very pretty and there is a lot to see.
10 May 2014
Golden Gate Bridge
Our flight in on Friday night went well. We arrived after bedtime, so we decided to stay Friday night in a hotel next to the airport. The next morning we woke up and met Stacey's brothers for coffee. Coincidentally, Matt was down from Seattle visiting Pat on the same weekend. We were the only Caucasians in that Starbucks in South San Francisco, which was a good opportunity to use the phrase, "we're not next to Kansas anymore". As a related side note, this place truly does get visitors from all over the world. We've heard many different languages spoken.
After coffee we walked across the bridge and back. It was fun, but the traffic noise was so loud it made it hard to have a conversation and unnecessarily tiresome. The bridge itself was obviously impressive and it was worth doing once in my life. Personally, I like the views from the Marin County side better than the San Francisco side. It was very pretty, especially considering the temperatures and snow scheduled at home the next day!
I think Stacey enjoyed the walk too, although I can't be sure now that I see the middle picture...
After coffee we walked across the bridge and back. It was fun, but the traffic noise was so loud it made it hard to have a conversation and unnecessarily tiresome. The bridge itself was obviously impressive and it was worth doing once in my life. Personally, I like the views from the Marin County side better than the San Francisco side. It was very pretty, especially considering the temperatures and snow scheduled at home the next day!
I think Stacey enjoyed the walk too, although I can't be sure now that I see the middle picture...
09 May 2014
Julia's Dance Rehersal
We ended up missing Julia's dance recital because of our trip to San Francisco. However, she had a rehearsal a few days before that we were able to attend. I'm sure it wasn't the same, but it was pretty close. In fact, they ran through the number twice, so we may have seen more than if we would have attended the recital. She was very excited about getting to wear makeup with her dancing outfit.
Julia has been going to class every Wednesday after school with her friends and classmates Emma, Evie, and Avery. Emma and Evie's mom takes them home after school and then to class. Julia really likes dance, so it's possible she'll continue longer than just this session. She's obviously growing up and maturing, since she had no problem being on stage with the rest of her group. She said she was a little nervous, and you could tell she was, but overall she did great.
Grandpa and grandma took her to the actual recital. We made sure to get it on DVD and to have a bouquet of flowers waiting for her after the show.
Julia has been going to class every Wednesday after school with her friends and classmates Emma, Evie, and Avery. Emma and Evie's mom takes them home after school and then to class. Julia really likes dance, so it's possible she'll continue longer than just this session. She's obviously growing up and maturing, since she had no problem being on stage with the rest of her group. She said she was a little nervous, and you could tell she was, but overall she did great.
Grandpa and grandma took her to the actual recital. We made sure to get it on DVD and to have a bouquet of flowers waiting for her after the show.
01 May 2014
Little Competitor
Stacey took Jonathan to the park the other day. Another kid showed up on his bike. Jonathan's new friend followed him around for a little bit while Jonathan rode his scooter. After while of sizing each other up, both boys gave each other the look equivalent to revving your engine at a stop light. The paced gradually quickened until it was "race on". When the race began Jonathan put his head down and "dropped the hammer". Apparently, his burst of speed was quite impressive, leaving the larger kid in the dust. The other boy's grandpa wanted to know how old Jonathan was.
I heard all about the race against the "kid with the yellow bike" when I got home. Jonathan was very proud that he won. It's really funny to hear things like this and to watch him around the house with Julia. He hates losing, and loves racing. When the kids chase each other around the house, he gets this look on his face and clenches his teeth, until he is able to wrap his arms around his sister and take her to the floor. He's definitely got a competitive, strong-willed streak. That will be great going forward, as long as we can channel it in a positive way.
I heard all about the race against the "kid with the yellow bike" when I got home. Jonathan was very proud that he won. It's really funny to hear things like this and to watch him around the house with Julia. He hates losing, and loves racing. When the kids chase each other around the house, he gets this look on his face and clenches his teeth, until he is able to wrap his arms around his sister and take her to the floor. He's definitely got a competitive, strong-willed streak. That will be great going forward, as long as we can channel it in a positive way.
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