"Happy Birthday Susie and Andrea"

Happy Birthday to you both...we are so lucky to have you two in our lives. Our Aunt Susie has always been the rock to our family. She's the one that keeps us all together.

Andrea is a super sweet person, with an amazing little girl. She brings so much laughter to our gatherings. It was a lucky honor to host your celebration at our home. Happy Birthday to you...! And many more...

Alex and Ava...what a great Papa!

My uncle Alex took Ava, his granddaughter around in the kayak and she loved it! They looked so peaceful ...I loved having them at our place...where the weather is cool...and our time so relaxing...

Cheers!

Fun in the sun....celebrations....with family

After everyone arrived and we had a full patio, everyone enjoyed kayaks, boating, and time together. Little Cameron was a trooper. She's a very sweet good baby..

Pictured, is my Aunt Lynda, Cameron, Tori, Kali and my sister...

And the two beautiful girls....Kali and Ava.

Birthday party fun...July 18th 2009

The weather was great...my family came to the beach for the day..and we celebrated with sunshine, drinks, and laughter. My favorite kind of day.. Ava found a crab, she named "Johnny"-And after some playtime, she let him go. He was a happy crabby....Jerrick is enjoying some ocean jumps...Aaron, Jerrick and Parker played on the dock the entire time. Kali took them for a boat ride too!

Seal Beach Jr. Lifeguards- Boat Speed Jump Drill July 17th 2009

Kali is currently enrolled in Seal Beach Jr. Lifeguards, 5 days a week. The lifesaving drills taught are plentiful, and the workouts are extreme. A terrible tragedy took place this week at the Huntington Beach Jr. LG's. An 11 year old girl was struck and killed by the operator of the Lifeguard boat. These programs have taken place since 1967, pretty much accident free. This was an aweful "accident". Our thoughts and prayers are extended to her family and those involved in this terrible incident. This morning Kali and I were running behind...,normally we are one of the first families to arrive at the beach. While she jumped out of the car..with our hurried "I love you's " I noticed the lifeguard boat off shore, waiting for a group of kids. I then noticed, it was her instructor, "Nate". stretching and getting his kids ready for "Their jump" - With this said..I of course grabbed my camera, my phone and hightailed up the ramp onto the pier. As she ran out to the water, I continued on the pier, watching their faces, the excitement, yet the feeling I'm sure all of us felt..."that poor little girl that lost her life doing this same drill"- So I sat there in silence, said a little prayer, got goose bumps on my arms, and watched my baby, swim out...crawl onto the boat..and go through steps, while listening closely to her instructors, and driver..and out they went. Here are a few pictures. We do alot of boating, and stay on the beach alot, therefore, these survival drills will only help Kali, or perhaps someone we know, or don't know. Cheers Kali! We're so proud of you-

Way out in the distance...

The only shade at "Shamu"

This place is very big...and very well organized, but on a hot day...it's a little hard to stay cool at shows. Each venue, Kris would scope out the best shade...seat...and place for us girls to sit. Here we are at Shamu...with a 3X3 spot of shade. Cheers to Shamu!...really cute show. And if you want to get wet...right down in the front is the place to be. Seems the little kids love it.

Kendra has a plan...

Seems she thinks it's funny that Kris doesn't want to get wet! heee...We all got soaked! Funny funny funny!

"Shipwreck Rapids"

Kris did not want to go on this ride...he was watching the faces of everyone getting off, and he said they "look miserable"- Kali was just worried about her phone....and I of course just wanted to cool off and have fun...Well...the faces were right...we got off super soaked...from head to toe...laughed super hard...and dried in about an hour...clothes can dry....but memories of laughter will never fade. Way to go Kris! We did it!

Sea World Sky Ride...2009 Kris & Kendy

The day was beautiful...Sunny and warm. This ride over the harbour was really pretty. The view is amazing..

Hear me roar......

This exhibit is cute, and normally they just lay there and sleep. During this moment, the bear was talking to the other bear, and begins to head over....Super cute.

"Shamu"

A super cute show...Kris, Kendy and Kali checking her out..

Sea World July 2009

After a long night in a grody hotel, entering Sea World is easy, quick and beautiful. The landscape they have to offer is one of my favorite things in the park. It's beautiful. Our first "Mission" was Shamu. We were excited and happy to see all the Sea Life and shows....Lot's of cool shows. The weather was hot...

SBJG- Kali...Seal Beach Jr. Lifeguards

Kali is currently in the Lifeguard Program in Seal Beach and loves it! If you know Kali and how much she loves a solid workout..this is her thing. Each week they swim out to the end of the pier, back and run down to the jetty. The ethics, training and survival technique is vital to time spent on the beach and in the water. And our family does both. Our hopes for Kali in this training, is a lifelong lesson to protect herself in situations, and anyone in need of help. Cheers Kali! You are an amazing kid!

Mom the Paparrazi

If you know me...and my children, you know I take ALOT of pictures of them and I journal to them about...almost anything. Well, Kali recently asked me "to not hang out too long at drop off in the morning and to "Please Stop" taking pictures of her..."It's embarrasing"- So...this shot is me hiding by my car...zooming in to take my last final shot. Can't promise I won't take more..but I will ease up. Back when we were kids, my parents caught important memories..but not the everyday ones. I hope she looks back on some of my pictures someday and enjoys the little memories I do catch.

Cousins

When I hear the word "cousins" I think of these two little girls who love eachother, try to understand eachother and laugh until they can't laugh any harder. They've experienced some great times and silly memories together, and I hope they hold on to eachother like this forever...

Family

My most happiest moments are those shared with my family and babies. This day...in our favorite cove, I captured this picture of the most important people in my life. And they look so content. What a way to spend the day. Where's Bill...? He is wiping down the boat. ahhh.

Silly I know..but I love these moments

To some feet are gross...to others maybe not. But when we sit in our pool in Havasu, recapping from our world at home...work...stress...and many others I'm sure most are familiar with, I love to grab his feet in mine and just sit there. Well....I took a picture. To you maybe...yuk..to me..? Smiles..

The famous "dive"

I've captured this dive a few times before throughout the years of them. Kali was just a little girl when Bill taught her how to dive...and each summer I snap another shot. Here they are...and if you notice her little feet are getting big...she'll eventually catch up to her dad.

The Channel June 2009

The funny part on seeing myself in pictures; I'm never in them. I take so many...love so many..but I'm on this side.. Here we are....B and Me...staying hot in Havasu...CHEERS!

Surprise...Surprise... FINALLY!

Kali was made to wait for a phone. For several reasons we just delayed the whole phone thing, and on her birthday, Dad surprised her with this amazing phone she didn't even expect. The funny part is we wrapped it beyond silly other gifts in bigger boxes. The entire trip up...she asked and hinted about her concerns...REALLY concerned she got MORE clothes. She really deserved it....with good grades, amazing sportsmanship...and being a great girl...it's was time.

Silly Boy

Let the good times roll, and the fun times start....Krissssoopher

Best Friends

Carly and Kali met in Preschool in 2001- Several years later, they rekindled their friendship in 7th grade. After realizing just how much they mean to eachother, they continue to keep their friendship strong..enjoying fun times together... Havasu 2009

Copa Copana Sand Tournament-Santa Monica 09

Kali's team participates in Sand Tournaments each Summer. Talk about fun. Hard work, YES, but great fun for the girls, and parents. We manage to enjoy good food, wine, and the girls get to hang out in a different environment. I look forward to our gathering every year. This one took place in Santa Monica. Although the area was very different for us, it was a beautiful view looking down at Malibu. Cheers United Girls! You did awesome Champions!

Happy Fathers Day....2009

Father's Day represents so many things in our house. It represents a man who stands up for his family. A family that was given to him. A girl that would do anything for him and he the same for her. I thank him for his hard work, his amazing little surprises and love he offers to us. His strength to get us through the challenging days, and his patience to guide me down the path I need at times. I love you Bill. I will love you for the rest of my life.

Our little scary buddy...

Look what the kids noticed crawling out of the bbq little cabinet. Bill had just did his usual bug spraying..and to the kids surprise, this little guy came out... sorry to say we escorted away. It left the willy's in me all weekend. I kept getting wiggly each time I would see a little something on the ground in the house or outside... ughh. This land is your land buddy.

In our favorite cove..

After a little picnic, family time and good fun memories...Havasu June 2009

And our baby turned 13

It's funny to look back when she was a little baby...smiling at me, with all that hair...so happy, such a sweet baby. Now's she turned 13...spent at the Lake at our Love Shack, celebrated with family...just a small cute gathering. A storm decided to pass. We loved it though. Clouds and sprinkles on a hot day couldn't be better. And in the pool! Looking forward to many many more years with a beautiful little girl. Time is precious. Family moments we cherish every trip.