Finn's Smooth Jazz

I heard some smmooooooth jazz jamming from downstairs... rolled down to find this guy jamming out.

Tessa's 2016 Spring Recital

Another year of dance comes to a close - it was a big year for Tess as she is getting more interested in dance and taking more classes at Carlsbad Performing Arts.  This is her 3rd year performing in this recital.  The academy enrolls kids from kindergarten to seniors in high school.  Every year they acknowledge the seniors showing pictures of their progression through dance over the years.... I can't help but realize how fast it will go by and we will be watching Tess up there as a senior doing her last recital.  I hope Tess continues and hope the academy will continue to be the excellent center it is.

Tess did three performances this year, Ballet - The Music Box Dancer (which was a song that I remember as a kid listening to with Dee Dee) Tap - Lips Are Movin' and Jazz - Dear Future Husband.
Here they are:

Finn's Big Hit T-Ball

This year Finn started playing T-Ball - more of  practice session - not quite little league.   Here is a little game that they played.

Camp out at the new old house

The movers had to be pushed but we wanted to stay in the house.   So we brought down some mattresses and had a camp in. 

Happy Valentines

Tessa's 8th Birthday

This year we decided to team up with her friend Aryana to have a joint birthday party. Aryana's birthday is on the 17th. Tess actually has two other good friends who are on the 15th with her (Mylie - from soccer and her "bff" Haley)

Here is some video from the night of her actual birthday - the neighbors (Ella, Evan and Ethan came over for some brownies). We had take-out PF Changs by request (Tess didn't want to eat at the restaurant - insisted on eating in)
Here is video from the joint party

Brian Head Trip - Christmas Break

Our first trip to Brian Head for Christmas Break 2015/16. Owen really progressed snowboarding, Tess mastered the "Falling Leaf" and Finn did some ski school.

Twas The Night Before Christmas

A little peek into the night before Christmas, 2015.

Finn's first Lego build

What is more impressive is that Finn was missing pieces so he had to find other pieces to improvise. 

Gingerbread Houses and Finn's request to Majic

Tessa's note to "Magic"

A note to our elf on the shelf

The annual Christmas Card

Ah.... The annual quest to nail the perfect shot for the holiday card. 

I think we nailed it. 

Finn's First Ride

Finn hasn't had much time on the bike with the remodel and craziness of three... he had a few good solo attempts but tonight he was really nailing it. Still needs to work on stopping a bit more.

Happy Turkey Day

A note from Finn 

Father Daughter Dance

Tess assures me that we will go to prom together too.  

Tessa's first All-Star Try Outs

Tessa had a great season and she was selected to try out for All Stars.  There are about 70 girls.   Tess, Holly and Mylie were selected from our team.  

11 Years Old

Time flies by fast.   It definitely feels like just the other day, we were in Pacifica and I was walking Rupert up the hill for his morning walk.  Kim started have contractions but we thought we would have more time... by the time I got back from the walk with Rupert - the contractions were super close together.... a mad dash up to the hospital but only to wait for 12 hours as Owen was not quite ready to come.  He needed a bit of help and convincing and finally - we just had to reach right in and bring him into the world.   And we can't imagine a world without him (or his sister or brother :) The birthdays fly by - from his first and now on his eleventh.

Tessa's first attempt

Tessa paddle out with me beyond the inside white water to the outside.  We waited and caught a few on our bellies.  She even tried to stand up on one.

Best day ever (for Finn so far this week)

Started with pancakes followed by trip to LA to see and "meet" The Wild Kratts then char boiled burger at Astro Burger and a celebratory sundae at Menchies (because Finn touched the soccer ball ten times during his game) 

Finn's First Day of Kindergarten

Made it through the first day.  

Post school snack - graham crackers and milk (he had to settle because we were out of Oreos)