Knotts Berry Farm!

Yesterday we had a GREAT DAY! at Knotts Berry Farm. I regret that I didn't take a picture of the entire group -- we went with Dave's parents and Dave's brother Joe with wife Janell and kids Andrew and Emiley. It was nice to spend the day with everyone. The weather was great -- sunny and 70, and the park wasn't too crowded. We spent most of the day in Camp Snoopy letting the kids play although some took turns riding the big coasters. Since I'm 100 weeks pregnant I couldn't ride the big rides but it was still fun to just watch the kids who were so happy to be there!

Clare started the day a little timid. This was her response when we asked her if she wanted to go on the airplane ride with Calvin.


This car ride ended up being one of the favorites.


When Calvin went on this ride the first time he was laughing hysterically the entire time, especially as he got whipped around the corner.


I like this one becuase it also shows Emiley in the back as she is going around the corner.


Clare was too scared to go on it in the morning but by evening had gotten brave enough to give it a try.


She even put her hands up!


Emiley and Clare had a good time being together. They went everywhere in the back of the stroller together. I love cousins....we need some more.


This truck ride was another favorite. The horns were so fun (and so obnoxious for the adults)!


Clare's personal favorite was the bounce house. She did everything she could to stay inside, including running to the corner to hide when they said "time to get out" and jumping back in after we got her shoes on.

It's always fun when grandpa comes . . .

Dave's parents - Grandpa Dan and Grandma Linda stopped by yesterday for a visit. We went to the playground so calvin could show off his new bike and so we could get some wiggles out. Dave and I enjoyed watching grandpa chase the kids around the playground (usually our job) and were glad to see they warmed up to G & G so fast.

Grandpa has been doing a lot of woodworking projects lately and he brought these two puzzles that he made for the kids! Pretty impressive! I thought they were great. Calvin's is a little bigger than a regular piece of paper and it's pretty challenging. It took me 15 minutes to figure out. He cut out some pieces in the shape of C-A-L-V-I-N, which was really fun. Grandma colored/drew the picture.



And, after just one day, Clare now knows all the letters in her name and has mastered her little puzzle. It is just the right size and complexity for a 2 year old!

Early riser

On the side, I added a new little page element. It's called Time Calvin woke up. I wouldn't consider 4am early in the morning. I'd consider it still middle of the night. How about you? If the time is ever after 6 am you know that I am having a really good day. well, unless it's after 7, which means he's probably sick because otherwise he'd never sleep in that late. Lately he is up by 4:30. He is crazy. I usually don't get up until around 6 and some days not 'til 7. When Calvin does get up I get up and help him get his glasses on and find some food and then go back to bed. We have a rule that he is not allowed out of his room 'til 6 but he has been gradually breaking that rule and getting up earlier and earlier and he finds that he can sneak out if he doesn't come and bother us. Today he came out at 5 to eat breakfast with Dave. It's hard to enforce that rule when Dave is up and about. To be honest, it's hard to enforce the rule anytime. Clare sleeps most days 'til about 8:20when we wake her up to take Calvin to school. Let's all hope baby #3 is like Clare.

Today was a beautiful day so first thing this morning we went to the playground. We live a mile or so from the elementary school. Usually the school and playground are all locked up so we can't go and play there on weekends and holidays which is really a bummer. This week there are some people there doing a little work so the grounds are open. We've stopped by a couple of times to play.







Calvin got this bike for Christmas. We gave his bike away when we left Ohio and promised to get him a new one in SD. He enjoys his bike and is pretty good at riding. Dave is already telling him that soon (after he is 5 and gets really comfortable on the bike) we'll take the training wheels off!




Yesterday I pulled Dave away from the TV and bowl games for a quick hour at the park. The kids fight over his attention when we're there. they both want to swing with him and have him chase them, etc. So, here he is with both kids on his lap swinging.

2007 Highlights

January – Match Day! We got a phone call early in the morning telling us that Dave would be part of the UCSD neurosurgery program. We spent the next several months enjoying Columbus and getting ready to move.

February – Calvin turned 4 years old. We took a trip to Reno to see the Gonda family.

March – Calvin had ear tubes put in both ears. This helped get rid of his chronic ear infections, helped his hearing, and improved his speech. Also, Calvin was a perfect ring bearer at Pete and Jessica’s wedding.

April – Dave went to the dentist and had 7 cavities.

May – We enjoyed a lot of fun activities around Columbus and spent time with our friends during our remaining days in Ohio. Dave and Denise took a trip to Nashville without the kids!

June – Dave graduated from The Ohio State University Medical School and we moved from Ohio to San Diego where Dave started his neurosurgery residency!

July – San Diego summer with lots of swimming, beach trips, and Sea World passes.

August – Denise got called to be Primary Secretary. A great calling! Pete and Jessica left the Poway residence and went away to college much to the children’s despair. We miss them.

September – Calvin started preschool. He loves it! He goes M, W, F mornings and is a great student. He enjoys all of the activities and playing with his friends.

October – Dave’s hardest month of work. He put in many hours and enjoyed doing neurosurgery. Devastating wildfires came thorough our home town and destroyed 100’s of homes. We had to evacuate for a few days but luckily our home was fine. It sure made us appreciate what is important in life (each other). It also helped us realize that a lot of what we had at home would not have been missed if it had been lost in the fire so we have cleaned out a few closets and drawers with renewed purpose! Also, Calvin matched the score of his father this year with 7 cavities in his first trip to the dentist!

November – Clare turned 2. We all took a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. It was a nice get-away. Dave was on vacation for the month of November so we also did some projects at home and enjoyed being together. We visited Bakersfield for the blessing of our newest nephew Andrew and Grandma Linda visited us in Poway for a few days.

December – Dave and Denise celebrate their 7 year anniversary. Dave acquired a surf board and wet suit and is excited to learn to surf in the next few years. We are getting ready for the New Year and anxiously awaiting the Buckeyes National Championship game! We miss our Columbus friends terribly, but are loving life in San Diego!


It's amazing to look back over a year -- it seems like it goes by so fast, yet some things seem like such a long time ago!