Meet Finnigan

Kindergarten Orientation

Planes

Finally took the boys to Disney's Planes, and we were lucky enough to be joined by my brother, David! So much fun spending time with Dave for me and the boys!

Uncle Time

Needless to say, the boys LOVE their California uncles!

SIX!!!!!!

Family Boogie Day

My brother Matt and his girlfriend Jessica drove all the way from San Jose (a 400 mile drive!) to visit with us and so that Jess could meet Braden for the first time. Braden wanted to show Matt and Dave his new boogie boarding skills, so off to the beach we all went...Dad, Pat, Jackie, Matt, Jess, Dave, and the boys and I--great family day!

Boy or Girl??

Huntington Beach

Pappoo and Grammoo took us to the dog beach at Huntington beach...another great beach day! Pappoo taught Braden how to boogie board, he's already a natural! He learned to wait for the "wave of the day" (famous words of Pappoo's when I was learning to boogie board) and begged to ride one more and one more---no one wanted to leave!

Corona Splash Park

We joined Charlie and Wyatt at the park by Michelle's house before heading to Grammoo and Pappoo's, great way to cool down on a hot day :)

Sea World San Diego

Michelle, Charlie and Wyatt joined the boys and I for a great day at Sea World in San Diego. We saw the pet show, very funny, and had to sit in the soak zone for the Shammu show...no joke, that soak zone, definitely got our dose of cold salt water! Really fun to hear about Braden's love for the sharks---he acted like an expert since he has watched a few shows during Shark Week!

Gold Mining

On Monday we joined Michelle and her family on the train ride and gold mine tour at Smith Ranch in Julian--what an adventure! We learned all about the California Gold Rush, explored a gold mine, and even got to pan for gold...very cool experience!

Friendship

Great bead store in Jullian, we stopped and Charlie and Braden made friendship bracelets! It was pretty serious too--all the matching beads stand for something: fun, creative, peaceful, bright, funny, all-American, together---and those are just the ones I remember! Great friends!

Celebrating 6 and 4

Wonderful day today celebrating both Braden's sixth and Carter's forth brithdays! Special thanks to Grammoo Pat, who planned it all as the boys' birthday gifts...so much fun! We had a great mix of family and friends at the Big Air Trampoline party house followed by pizza dinner and, of course, CAKE!

Crystal Cove

BEAUTIFUL day for the beach! Michelle and I took our kids to meet up with our longtime friend Korina and her family for an afternoon of sand and fun. Such a relaxing day of reuniting with friends and playing in the sand and surf...ah, I love California!

Happy Birthday to Me!

The whole two weeks in California for me was a celebration of my birthday, but I wanted to say a special thanks to my Mom and Carter for making me a great birthday cake!