First Day of School

We can hardly believe our "baby" is going into 1st grade!

Yes sir, our handsome boy is going to be a 3rd grader, where has the time gone?

Play hard or go home....... we played hard and are finally back home and back to school!

"Daddy's NOT going to like this!"

Much to our dismay Benny had to leave Newport early to get back to work.... yes, this was a tragedy to us all. Apparantley I am not that great because shortly after he left the kids wanted to know when he was coming back. They kept a running commentary about all the things that would have been better if dad had been with us. We love our Daddy!

Anyone who knows Ben knows it is difficult for him to leave his little family and not be there to keep them out of harms way..... well as mother nature would have it, the kids got to experience their first EARTHQUAKE while Daddy was away. All of a sudden the house started shaking and rumbling and car alarms were going off everywhere. At lightning speed Poppy snatched up Auntie Dana's sleeping baby Carston and ran to safety. Daimon and Ellie were playing on the beach with uncle Rick and couldn't figure out why they kept falling down. Grandma Robin and Grandpa Rich were at the grocery store and the isles were swaying so bad all the groceries were falling off the shelves and food was spilling everywhere...... glad we didn't have to clean up that mess! Needless to say poor Daddy was in a panick and immediately called to see if we were all ok. To his relief all was well and we survived with everyone intact.

Playing with Grandnana and Poppy

 

Jellyfish..... a wonder of the ocean, the kids loved seeing them in the inlet each morning in Newport Beach.

Checkers anyone..... Poppy's are so much fun

it this checkers or tug-o-war?

Aiden and Ellie joined in the fun too!

Nana and Ellie square off.......

Nana's are so much fun too!

Whooo Hoooo!

Good times!

Newport Beach, CA - Playing with your Cousin

Like birds of a feather, we stick together!

Sand, sand, and more sand.

AAAAHHHHH!

Catch me if you can......

Let the fun never end.

First Crush!

Lady's Man

Nothin' like a little snuggle time on the couch with your secret crush. Daimon is thoroughly enjoying his movie with the girls while the grown ups play dominoes.



First Crush!

This is Kaitlyn..... her family came on a trip to Rocky Point, Mexico with us a year or so ago and has been smitten ever since! He is always suggesting we should have her family over for dinner. "And they call it, puppy love...."

Dominoes

We love to have impromptu dinner parties! I was cooking up some Quincy Jones ribs and thought...."what could be better than great ribs.... great company to go with them!" Our friends the Heuer's, Lines, and McKee's joined us for some grub and games. We feel so blessed to have such great friends to share this wonderful roller coaster ride called..... LIFE.

Swimming Party with Cousins

 

Time to Go Home

Something our family looks forward to every year is our summer vacation to Mission Beach, San Diego. As you can see from the pictures it is a huge family affair. We enjoy the time to reconnect and strengthen those family bonds that are so important in this fast pace life. We are always sad when the sun sets on the last night and we know morning brings an inevitable departure from our "beach bum life."

~Kelly

Picture Day - San Diego

What better photo-op than the beach? Daimon and Ellie were great sports and happily posed for countless pictures and backdrops. If only they were this willing to do everything we asked them! Thanks to Grandma Teri and daddy our star photographers! Watch out Ansel Adams you may have some competition......

~Kelly

Caffe Bella Italia - San Diego

A true foodie will appreciate this segment dedicated to my favorite thing to talk about...... FOOD! A visit to one of our favorite dinner spots is always must during our stay in San Diego. Should you choose to follow in our footsteps you will NOT be dissapointed! Our delectable dinner started with an appetizer of bacon wrapped scallops and asparagus tips in a creamy saffron sauce which left the kids asking for more. Daimon suggested I get the recipe from them so I can make it for him at home..... if only I'd been brave enough to ask! We chased those scallops down with a salad of spinach, goat cheese, golden raisins and pine nuts and a light and flavorful soup of pureed vegetables. With our stomachs sufficiantly "primed" we dove into our entree's with gusto only a foodie can muster. A butternut squash ravioli lightly drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with parmesan and poppy seeds..... delicate and delicious. Our second dish was rosemary roasted filet mignion with polenta, roasted potatoes and juienned carrots and zucchini, savory and succulent! Daimon and Ellie went with the classic pizza and spaghetti with meat sauce that would satisfy any adult pallet. As if that wasn't enough we continued with the devotion of a true foodie and shared a chocolate volcano soufle topped with vanilla gelato. The entire meal was perfection from the attentive staff to the amazing food. My mouth waters just thinking about it and I can't wait for our next visit!

~Kelly

http://www.caffebellaitalia.com/index.html

Sailing - Mission Bay

Sea World