Trip to Tahoe

Tracy and Ivy took a trip out to Tahoe to visit the Devine's new place.

They got to do all sorts of outdoor activities.

Ivy's Dance class.

It's been a while...

Sorry about the long layoff. I promise to start posting more regularly.

Here are some photos of the kids picking strawberries at Tanaka farms.

We got to ride in a wagon pulled by a tractor through the farm. They gave us samples of lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, green beans and peas.

Violet decided to eat her strawberries as she picked them. Her whole face was red from the juice. They were the best strawberries I had ever eaten, no joke.

Ivy showing off her bounty.

Ivy passes the survival float test.

Ivy has been taking swimming classes for two months now and to get to level 3 she has to pass the survival float test. With her shoes and clothes on she has to jump in and float on her back for ten seconds then yell help. The instructors said most kids don't pass on their first try. Not Ivy.

Ivy's first ballet performance.

So, Ivy's Pee-Wee Ballet class had their first performance at the annual Westminster Founder's Day Festival. They went on right after the Mayor spoke. It was pretty cute.

Check out the video.

Happy 1st Birthday Violet!!!

Violet having fun with her cake.

Mom and Violet hitting the huge hula girl pinata.

The kids lining up for their turn to smash the hula girl.

Violet concentrating on opening presents.

Orange County Obon 2009

Every year we go to a couple of the Obon Festivals during the summer. I have been going to them since I was just a kid, but they were in Hawaii. So when Ivy was born we figured we should take her and start a tradition. If you don't know what an Obon Festival is, it is a festival that honors the people who have passed away. There is lots of food and Japanese Dancing. The Devines joined us again this year and Great Grandma Violet was here from Hawaii.