Swim Lessons 2010

 

At the beginning of the summer we put Brandon in swim lessons at the pool here on base. I put him in the level 1, the same he ended in last year. I figured since we hadn't been in the pool all year that would be a good refresher course. It turned out that he only needed 2 weeks at that level and they bumped him up to level 2. By the end of the summer he was swimming almost the entire length of the pool and treading water! I wasn't even able to get Brandon out of the pool!!!

Hiking in California

OK, so I just recently decided I was bored of doing the same ole stuff every weekend so we have decided to start trying out some of the hiking trails here in S.California. It is suppose to be some of the best hiking, but personally I will always love the hiking in WA better. We have gone hiking the past two weekends and I believe the plan is to go again this weekend, it is so much fun and a great way for us to get good quality Dave time(It is great to see him and Brandon do total boy things on the trails!).

The first trail we decided to try said it was only 2.2mi & moderate---they lied! It may only be 2.2 mi but it is 1.1 mi straight up the mountain side and then straight back down. We were not prepared for this strenuous of a hike but we powered through because the view from the top was absolutely breath taking. This only reason people do this hike it for the trip back down, beautiful! So because of our first hike we decided to change the location for our second one. The second place was great also, it is an actually park with tons of trails coming and going. The trail we decided to pick was 1.5mi in to a waterfall, so 3mi round trip. Now Dave and I were expecting a WATERFALL, but when we got there it was an awesome rock wall with a little trickle down it with a few pools where the rocks leveled out. Still really pretty but no waterfall that we were used to. :) I think this weekend will head back to the same area and just pick a different trail. It is so relaxing for me and great to get away from all the hub-bub of LA!

Dave next to "The Waterfall"

The top of "The Waterfall"

Brandon Hike #2--Chumash Indian Hut

The Top!

Brandon & Shelby on Hike 1

Dave & Isa on the first hike!

Santa Monica Pier

 

During our wonderful spring break we went to the Santa Monica Pier. There is so much to do down there that every time I go down I swear we come across something new that we didn't see the last time. There is a restaurant called BubbaGump and outside sits Forrest's bench with the shoes and everything, so we couldn't resist. Also on the podium where you give your name are all these license plates, we again, couldn't resist. My older sister actually has the one on the right as her wallpaper on her phone because that phrase comes out of her mouth every 15min. HAHA!

A few more Easter Pics

Just a few examples of what a great big brother Brandon is, they are so in love!

Easter 2010

Easter this year was extra special. As I said before, my family, was in town for their spring break which happened to be over Easter. My Mom loves every holiday especially if it includes kids, so we decided to let mom & dad have a special grandparents/grandkids day. We woke up in the morning and did our usual breakfast and Easter basket hunting that the Easter Bunny hid the night before. Once we were finished with that all of the big kids (my brothers, my sister, my niece, hopeful sister-in-law, my husband, & I) all left to spend the day at Six Flags. While we were at Six Flags my parents finished the traditional Easter festivities. They put on an egg hunt. They each got their very own hunt, of course, each age appropriate! They absolutely loved it! After the egg hunt they packed a picnic lunch and went to the beach. All in all it was a great day and Brandon still talks about ittoday! Thanks mom & dad! You guys are the best!
 

 

Malibu Coastline

The beach right across the street from the Neptune Net is a huge surf spot. On any given day there is usually at least 20 surfers out there. Here are a few shots of how pretty it can be. Also in one of the pictures in the distance you can see a parachute from a wind surfer! It looks like a lot of fun but really hard!

Spring Break 2010

Since I have been living in the LA area my family has decided to spend their spring break vacations down here so they can get a break from the WA winter. I absolutely love it and we always have a great time.

We have made it a tradition to stop at the famous "Neptune Net Cafe" for lunch and an after flight adult beverage(You may have seen this in numerous movies). This place is only 20min down the road from my house and just north of Malibu so it is very convenient when taking trips to the airport.



Isa and Haley eating at the Neptune Net

Shannon, Brandon, and I enjoying our grub!!