In Rainbows...

The light and stage show was fantastic, the music...amazing. Some bands just can't help it, they sound incredible live, even in a large venue...at least those with real talent. Radiohead is definitely one of them! We were finally able to see them in concert. They always come to the Hollywood Bowl, the show is always on Sunday. This year, there was an additional Monday night show (I swear it was just for us!). Todd wouldn't have missed it for the world. What a great way to spend a few bucks and enjoy a couple of hours of musical magic! I would go again, and again, and again...

1st Grade!

He eagerly anticipated his first day...meeting his new teacher, making new friends...and then just like that, Monday dawned. Ethan is a bonafide 1st grader!

Before summer ends and school begins...

We took one last trip, one last family vacation. We headed out to the desert and enjoyed a few days with Grandma & Grandpa and even Aunt Traci (guess I should have grabbed the camera before she left!). I think all we did was swim, swim, swim, and that's all we wanted to do. Oh yeah, and the Wii tournaments, of course!Thanks for the fun! We love you!

Yep! That's exactly what I think when I see Ethan in just his underwear!

We camped at the Beach...

The weather was wonderful and our campsite was really close to the beach trail and the bathrooms. The perfect set-up! Jenny and Rob and their two kids joined us for the 2 night stay.

This beach was pretty rocky. Fortunately there was sand too, so it wasn't all torture but my pedicure took a beating as the waves pounded the rocks into our toes and ankles. Ouch! Todd busted his toes up a bit playing Frisbee...I think he's still feeling the effects. I guess you can't get away completely injury free when camping. Something has to happen.

Though the rocks were painful, they were quite beautiful. Home decor possibilities? We collected far too many...(just ask Jenny who trudged up the steep beach trail with a 'too' large and heavy a bucket in one arm and Porter in the other!)

We built sandcastles,

Andrew ate sandcastles.

I think by the end of our stay Porter even began to 'like' Andrew a little more as he showed his affection with 'hugs' rather than the usual throw down! Ahhh, boys!

Everyone had a great time. Our next trip needs to be at least 5 days. Camping is way too much effort for such a short time...besides who wouldn't want to stay at the beach for 5 fun days?

Happy Birthday Todd!

Todd had a birthday... 08/08/08
This will be a good year!I am so grateful to have him in my life. Todd has taught me how to be patient, how to spend a bit of time and try to see things from another perspective, how to control my urge to say whatever is on my mind and not to "expect" the same quick response from someone else, and how to be kind, loving and affectionate. He is a wonderful example of what a father and husband should be, a hard-worker, teacher, and someone who does his fair share of the daily chores. I love that he initiates the doing of the dishes, the laundry or anything else for that matter. He has an excellent example of "dad" in his father and I couldn't thank Tom enough for that. Todd is my best friend, my superman, and my second half. Here's to your next 50 years! I love you!

Ok - that sounded wrong...Todd isn't actually 50...I just meant that I could expect him to live about 50 years more than the 30+ he has already survived. Is this more clear?

Swim Lessons Ended...

Ethan is now a much better diver, can retrieve rings off the bottom of a 12ft. deep pool and can manage a decent front crawl. He truly loves to swim.

Ava completed level 1 even though she didn't get into the water for the last 3 lessons. I guess she was able to demonstrate all they required the first week before I got all over her case and made her slightly paranoid. I have resigned myself to the happy peace that comes with knowing that she is an excellent swimmer with her pink noodle and will happily swim for hours, quite capably, as long as I don't mention 'swimming solo'. Oh well. I'm sure she'll outgrow it one day and never look back. As long as she's not 15 - I suppose I really don't care.