Sports Saturday

Today was the first day the kids had their sports classes. Isaac is signed up for a 9 week sports clinic and Elizabeth is signed up for a 9 week multi-sport class. Today her class focused on soccer, volleyball and tumbling. She had fun at moments but I think she was intimidated by how many adults and kids were in the class because she would suddenly become shy and cry. When she wasn't fussing, she was having a great time. Hopefully next week she will do better.
Isaac was a stud. He went in and had no problem following instructions of the coaches and making friends. After 45 minutes of drills and techniques, they had a 15 minute scrimmage which he really liked. After getting a few good kicks to the shins, we went after class and bought him some shin guards. I think this class with be great for him to learn proper soccer skills and technique.

Livin the Life

 Isaac, William and I took a trip to LA for a week while Jim and Elizabeth stayed back in Wisconsin. What originally was a trip for just me and William, turned into a trip for 3 of us when Isaac's friend's Mom, Luisa, called and asked if she took care of Isaac's flight, if he could come out too so he could play with her son, Jasper. What kind of mom would I have been if I said no? Isaac and Jasper met at Malibu Presbyterian Preschool and became the best of friends. I have never seen such a strong bond between 2 young kids. Their friendship is effortless and Isaac gets along with Jasper better than any other kid I know.

I was spoiled because Isaac didn't stay with me one night that I was there. He stayed with Jasper in Topanga the whole time minus Sunday during the day so we could go to church and so he could play with his church friends. We met up with Jasper at the grocery store and Isaac and Jasper ran out of their vehicles and gave each other a big hug. I loaded Isaac's things into their convertible porsche and off they went in PCH.  Luisa kept the kids busy. The kids kept Luisa and her husband, James, busy! They went on hikes, played in the backyard, went out to eat, visited the zoo, played on trains at the train park, went to school and even hit up the beach! Isaac was having so much fun that everyday when I would call to check in and see how things were going, he didn't even want to talk to me. Luisa said it was awesome to have the house filled with laughs and giggles.

 While Isaac was staying in Topanga, William and I stayed in the guest house of one of our friends, The Kellers, in the Pacific Palisades. It was a slice of heaven! During my stay I was able to go to Myriah's bridal shower, go out to dinner with friends and eat delicious food, see friends from church and Malibu, go to Pepperdine and head to Disneyland.

Myriah and I spent an entire day at Disneyland WITH OUT kids! My friends were so kind to watch William so I can have a fun adult day and that is exactly what we did. I was so tired by the end of the day!

On Sunday when I went to visit my old ward, I realized how much I miss living in Malibu. I not only miss the Pacific and Disneyland, but I really miss my old ward and all the people in it. It was so nice to welcomed back with open arms with people hoping that my visit meant I was moving back. I was constantly surrounded by intelligent, strong willed, independent women when I lived there and I really miss that. They made me strive to be a better person and helped me notice strengths in myself that I didn't even know I had. I feel like the people that I surrounded myself with brought out the best in me. I can't wait to go back and visit everyone soon.

The day before I left, I made it up to Malibu and was able to visit with some of the soccer girls that became part of our family when we lived on campus. They were always over our apartment and we all had so much fun together. It was nice to have an hour or so to catch up.

Everyone enjoyed meeting William and of course no matter where I went, he was a great baby. It was a fantastic trip for the 3 of us and we can't wait to get back to LA. It was also a great time for Jim and Elizabeth to have some time together. When Jim did go to work, Elizabeth had some play dates with friends and when Jim was home they had fun painting nails, seeing a movie and going to Costco (Elizabeth's favorite place.) 

Pictures

After playing outside all day, she sure looks homeless

This is one of my favorite pictures of the two of them

Bath Time

 Elizabeth has a way with William that I don't yet understand. He just adores her despite the numerous times she pokes him in the eyes, pulls his ears or gets in his face. Today she wanted to help me give him a bath and it was the sweetest thing to watch. As she would squirt him with water, he would start to giggle and then she would giggle. I have tried countless times to capture him giggling on the camera but this is my first successful attempt. I was unsuccessful at getting a still shot of a smile, though.

It's Warm Outside

I think spring is here! We are having above normal temps this week and we are really enjoying it! All this week it will be in the 70's and a couple of days ago it was in the 60's. The kids are thrilled, as am I, to be able to play outside! Isaac is missing his wii but when the sun is out, I have a problem with him inside playing video games. Because we just signed up Isaac for a 9 week soccer clinic and Elizabeth for a 9 week multi-sport clinic, I thought I should take out the baseball tee and the soccer goal to get the kids going again. Isaac kept saying he was playing for Team Wisconsin and Elizabeth was just trying to get her coordination together. They are having fun playing sports outside along with playing at the park and riding bikes. (Elizabeth's bike is new.)

Swim Lessons

After much thought, I decided to sign the kids up for swim lessons. Even-though I get a 50% discount for working at Harbor, I still can't stand the fact that I have to pay for someone else to teach my kids how to swim when I do that as my job! Nonetheless, they are doing FANTASTIC! I think they are willing  to be more risky when someone else asks them to do something. I was a little nervous to see how Elizabeth would do in a class since she is not even 3, but she has surpasses my expectations. When they swim with me, all they want to do is play. Both kids are going under water, getting rings off the bottom of the pool and swimming on their tummies by themselves. I think I will sign up for another session to get them ready for summer. They also think that they are awesome to take swim lessons.

Old

 I thought it would be fun to post some old photos of Isaac and Elizabeth. Isaac is Elizabeth's current age in these photos and Elizabeth is William's current age in these photos.

Quick Trip

 This past weekend William and I left Isaac, Elizabeth and Jim and flew to CA to surprise my Dad for his retirement party. My brother flew in from NY too. It was a quick, but fun 4 day trip. The day that I flew in, the Wuehler's picked me up from the airport and I got to hang out and visit with them. William enjoyed seeing them, his Aunties and cousin, Daniel. We all went to Porkey's for dinner and that is where I surprised my Dad.

On Friday my dad, brother and I went shopping and got new things to wear for the retirement party that night. We had a nice time at my Dad and Uncle's retirement party. It was nice to see all the family and they were all happy to finally get to meet William.

On Sunday we had a family day and took the ferry to San Francisco.  We couldn't have asked for better weather. It was a clear, sunny day in the low 70's which felt like summer to me. We had a nice walk and ate lunch at the Fog Harbor Fish House. I had a yummy garlic roasted crab! I just really enjoyed the company and absorbing as much vitamin D as I could.  Later that night Ryan and I met up with some of his friends at Sundance to go country dancing. My two step was a little dusty but after a couple of dances, I was doing just fine.

Monday I was able to sneak in a visit with my grandparents in the morning before I had to catch my afternoon flight. It was a short visit but it was a nice one.