San Diego!

We wondered what to do for Max and Sonya's second birthday this year.  August in Arizona is not a great time for a birthday party at home -- so we decided to take a trip to the beach!  We played in the sand, went to Leggoland and to the Zoo Safari, enjoyed the week with the Clem family, and had a birthday party.  Very eventful....and we all got really sick with the flu.  The funny thing is that people tell us they are sorry our vacation was ruined, but it wasn't. Even though we were coughing and sneezing -- we were together, and loving it.  We spent the week sleeping in the same room and it was pretty cool.  We brought the kids sound machine, and Sonya would wake up in the middle of the night, turn it on and fall back asleep to Twinkle Twinkle.  We would all sit together sneezing and coughing and we would all take turns saying "bless you" and "doing ok" -- even the little ones! So beautiful to see everyone so loving at such a young age.  So vacation ruined.... nope!  

 Isobel's first sand castle

 Izzie insisted on trying to win the stuffed animal herself -- 

and she did it in two tries!

summer 2012

The fun continues this summer.  Swim, gymnastics, play dates, and birthday parties...... Izzie got promoted to the 5 year old class in gymnastics :) Max is such a gentleman -- a little girl was crying in swim class and he gave her all the toys in his bucket.  I think she stopped crying out of confusion.  Sonya is talking a mile a minute and acts like she is the big sister (at least with Max). 

 

 Izzie with her new gymnastics coach -- Coach Casey

 Kids playing hide and seek -- Izzie is counting and the twins are hiding :)

 Never too early to go to medical school -- kids at the science center with Tata

 The above are some fun ones from Kinley's cooking themed Birthday party!

The kids had a great time making their own pizzas and frosting their own cupcakes.

Sonya is totally into stickers right now, so I find them everywhere -- 

and on everyone.  I came home from work one day to find my father sitting on the

couch covered in stickers (thank you Soni).  She totally reminds me of Anju -- 

because Anju used to do the same thing with band aids.

San Francisco

Isobel and I took a weekend trip to San Francisco to visit Anju Auntie -- it was really fun to get some time with two of my girls (we missed you Soni).  As the kids get older I cannot wait for this to become a regular part of our summer.  Before the kids, Adam and I visited Anju at least once a year -- always doing something fun and different.

 The photos are a little out of order - but Izzie loved this umbrella from Chinatown and 

insisted on doing everything underneath it.

 Looking for faeries at the Japanese Tea Garden :)

 Izzie wanted to take photos by herself -- this is her first self portrait.

 Farmer's Market

2012 summer update

So what is happening with us - lost of posts with photos, but not enough words.... so here is one with only words :)

Lets see, Adam is traveling alot for work -- but Nana and Tata are making many visits to help while he is gone.

Isobel is doing well in gymnastics and swimming -- she is currently learning the breast stroke and the dolphin swim -- and doing awesome! Her gymnastics coach is very impressed with her balance and they took photos of her to post by the equipment to help the other kids!! Trying to get some copies for the blog :)  She is such a clever little girl and really keeps us on our toes.

Adam: Where did you get these new shoes Izzie
Izzie: (giving the Adam the look) From the store.....  


I love how everything is beautiful, and amazing, and awesome!! I hope she keeps that zest for life forever!

Mad Max is moving right along.  He is starting to speak in sentences and is starting to express his dislike for not getting his way.  He is getting better as swimming, but we think he likes running more -- soccer may be in his future.  We are noticing that he has some rhythm and like dancing -- hmmmm. Max likes to sleep with his O-pus, and Panda :)

Soni-Lu likes things just so.  She needs to sleep with all of her stuffed animals in place.  She also seems to like music, art and reading more that physical exercise -- but she still is a daredevil swimmer!! Also a climber, gymnastics may also be in her future.  Her verbal skill are also great -- and she often asks Max 'What doing Maki?'

Another thing I think is adorable is that Max and Soni refer to each other and Izzie as brother and sister instead of calling them by name.

Bounce House Birthday #2

I asked Adam what he wanted to do for his birthday this year - he said play in a bounce house with the kids.  I am not sure if he was serious -- we did it anyway!

Mother's Day Brunch 2012

We had a beautiful Mothers Day at the Royal Palms with Ivi and Ben.  Lots of food, and walking the gardens afterwards!   The kids were so tired, Max actually fell asleep with his water bottle in his mouth.