For Easter this year, our cousins Dave & Carolyn drove up from San Diego to spend the holiday with us. The Easter bunny came and left baskets for everyone (including Mom & Dad and Dave & Carolyn)... Virginia's and John's were once again hidden somewhere in the house and they followed their clues to find their treats. After church (during which Dave was so awesome as to clean all the Easter grass off the floor!!!) we had a big brunch including a hash brown quiche from Carolyn which I will DEFINITELY be making again very soon.
PICTURES 4/4/2010
The week after Easter was V & J's spring break. We had a really great week... we spent enough time at home for the kids to play and relax. On Tuesday, Chris took a half day and we went to the (totally free!) California Science Center and the Exposition Park rose garden and had dinner at Zankou Chicken (yum-o). Thursday, Chris took the whole day off and we hit the beach. It was a perfectly beautiful day, aside from the globs of tar on the beach which we are still cleaning off our feet. Luckily Chris found that kerosene takes tar off bathing suits and V's brand new suit was not totally ruined (now it just smells weird). Friday we had a day long playdate with friends at home, the park and Taco Bell. We rounded out spring break with another track meet and celebrating Virginia's real 7th birthday by opening gifts and going to Panda Express (where else?) for dinner on Sunday). Her real birthday was on Monday and she brought a treat to school and we decorated special cupcakes after school.
PICTURES 4/6/2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
End of March Stuff
I had no idea (until the day before the first practice) that first graders could run track... but they can and I thought this was the perfect first team sport for Virginia. She loves to run! She enjoys both the practices and the meets. In the 3/21 and 3/27 pictures you will see photos and some videos of her first two track meets. The highlight so far is her first place finish in the 400m on 3/27!
Also in the 3/21 set are pictures from our trip to San Diego (right after V's first meet) to visit with our cousins Dave and Carolyn as well as Mike, Michele and Theo who were in town. Chris got to go out on the town with the boys Sat night and then make up for his lost sleep on the beach on Sunday. The beach was a pretty spot, with a grassy park area rights behind the sand and the kids had a great time in the sand and running around on the grass while the grown ups visited.
And finally in the 3/27 set are pictures from our double birthday party at the bowling alley! Sixteen kids celebrated Virginia's 7th and John's 4th birthday with us and we all had a great time bowling, and eating pizza and bowling birthday cake! And I must say I really enjoyed NOT cleaning my house before the party. :)
PICTURES 3/21/2010
PICTURES 3/27/2010
Also in the 3/21 set are pictures from our trip to San Diego (right after V's first meet) to visit with our cousins Dave and Carolyn as well as Mike, Michele and Theo who were in town. Chris got to go out on the town with the boys Sat night and then make up for his lost sleep on the beach on Sunday. The beach was a pretty spot, with a grassy park area rights behind the sand and the kids had a great time in the sand and running around on the grass while the grown ups visited.
And finally in the 3/27 set are pictures from our double birthday party at the bowling alley! Sixteen kids celebrated Virginia's 7th and John's 4th birthday with us and we all had a great time bowling, and eating pizza and bowling birthday cake! And I must say I really enjoyed NOT cleaning my house before the party. :)
PICTURES 3/21/2010
PICTURES 3/27/2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Valentine's weekend camping trip
And here are pictures from our first real camping trip with both kids over Valentine's Day weekend. Since we arrived and set up camp basically in the dark, the first pictures are from our morning excursion to Moro Bay and Moro rock. It was completely beautiful (as long as you didn't turn around and look at the power plant behind you). Moro rock is the rock "plug" that is left over from an ancient volcano. We walked out around the rock to a big breakwater protecting the harbor there. The waves were AMAZING. HUGE. You could feel it in your chest when they hit the breakwater. The little video doesn't really do it justice.
The next pictures show our camp site. It was down in a valley in the mountains just inland from Moro Bay. We had a creek running right by our campsite. Our new tent was very nice and the only person who was cold at night was me. :) My camp cooking turned out pretty good too.
Finally there are pictures from our day at Hearst Castle--William Randolf Hearst's "little ranch" and home to absolutely priceless art and artifacts. We went on a tour featuring one of the little guest houses, the main hall and dining room of the big house and both swimming pools. It was amazing and we'd love to go back and do a different tour.
PICTURES 2/14/10
The next pictures show our camp site. It was down in a valley in the mountains just inland from Moro Bay. We had a creek running right by our campsite. Our new tent was very nice and the only person who was cold at night was me. :) My camp cooking turned out pretty good too.
Finally there are pictures from our day at Hearst Castle--William Randolf Hearst's "little ranch" and home to absolutely priceless art and artifacts. We went on a tour featuring one of the little guest houses, the main hall and dining room of the big house and both swimming pools. It was amazing and we'd love to go back and do a different tour.
PICTURES 2/14/10
The Rest of January
Hi, all. It's getting to be birthday party time around here, so I figured I better get all my old pictures up on the website beforehand.
From way back in January we have some random pictures including: produce from our winter garden, camp chairs for the kids, Chris's new dart board (that he randomly won in a contest online and showed up while we were out of town for xmas), finishing up our new laminate floors, and the kids new favorite footie PJ's.
PICTURES 1/17/10
From less far back in January, we have pictures from a trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo.
PICTURES 1/23/10
From way back in January we have some random pictures including: produce from our winter garden, camp chairs for the kids, Chris's new dart board (that he randomly won in a contest online and showed up while we were out of town for xmas), finishing up our new laminate floors, and the kids new favorite footie PJ's.
PICTURES 1/17/10
From less far back in January, we have pictures from a trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo.
PICTURES 1/23/10
Sunday, January 10, 2010
2 Weeks Back East, pt., 3
We have reached the wedding day- 01/02/2010 (it's palindromic)! The day started early (5AM for hair) but the early morning went by quickly and smoothly. Ellen made us all egg sandwiches. No one asphyxiated on hair spray. The dog didn't touch Erin's dress. Everyone was beautiful for pictures at the reception venue (Fort Mitchell Country Club), including Virginia in her lovely flower girl dress and John in his size 4 tuxedo. Then we headed to the church (Blessed Sacrament). At noon, Erin & Tyler were married, we all cried, and the Christmas decorations made the church and everyone even more lovely. After a few more pictures (with the boys), we headed to the reception where we had a very good dinner, did the Chicken Dance, found the hidden Mickeys on the wedding cake and cried again when Ellen and the best man made their heartfelt toasts to Erin & Tyler's "happily ever after"!
PICTURES 1/2/10
Our last day in town was spent packing, of course. But we also got to visit with Mom & Dad Borths, Emily, Adam and Andrew one more time. We all met at Chedder's for lunch and then hung out at the Florence mall play area. Back to Mom & Dad Otte's house for a supper of soup and bread, with Mom, Dad, Ellen, Em & Lou. Then up early on Monday for a blessedly uneventful trip back to California. The state gave us a lovely welcome back with a particularly gorgeous sunset over the Pacific Ocean as we drove home on CA-1.
PICTURES 1/4/10
PICTURES 1/2/10
Our last day in town was spent packing, of course. But we also got to visit with Mom & Dad Borths, Emily, Adam and Andrew one more time. We all met at Chedder's for lunch and then hung out at the Florence mall play area. Back to Mom & Dad Otte's house for a supper of soup and bread, with Mom, Dad, Ellen, Em & Lou. Then up early on Monday for a blessedly uneventful trip back to California. The state gave us a lovely welcome back with a particularly gorgeous sunset over the Pacific Ocean as we drove home on CA-1.
PICTURES 1/4/10
Friday, January 8, 2010
2 Weeks Back East, pt. 2
After spending the evening together at Em & Bill's on xmas day, the Borths family gathered at Mom & Dad's house for a xmas dinner and gifts! It was so great to get some pictures of all the cousins together... especially in their new UK gear.
PICTURES 12/26/09
On Sunday, the 27th, we all gathered again for the baptism of our newest nephew, Andrew Jacob Forton, including some of the extended Borths/Dudzinski family. We then headed back to Emily & Bill's house where we had an awesome lunch of homemade soups, salad and sandwiches. While we were there, it started snowing and we "got to" drive home with snow falling and roads covered.
PICTURES 12/27/09
After the baptism, we spent a few more days at Mom & Dad Borths's house. On Monday, we made a trip to the Bellefountaine bowling alley where we had one lane for kids (Ethan, Adam, Virginia and John) and one for grown-ups (Emily, Chris and I) while Mom, Jenny and Eric cheered us on. We all had a great time! We had to say goodbye then to the Davises but Aunt Emily, Adam and Andrew joined us again the next day to eat Fazoli's and play in the snow. Adam let us use his new sled and there were icicles for everyone to eat. We also spent a lot of time each day trying to make Andrew laugh... Chris did a pretty good job of it with the "Trogdor the Burninator" song. :)
PICTURES 12/29/09
On the 30th, we drove back down to Kentucky in time for Virginia and I to get our wedding manicures and pedicures with my Mom, sisters and the mother of the groom. After that, we had a sisters and friends only bachelorette party for Erin at a local restaurant. We had lots of silliness and giggling but nothing too bad. ;)
PICTURES 12/30/09
For New Year's Eve, we headed back into Ohio to Chris's Aunt Julie and Uncle Rob's home where we had an hors d'oeuvres buffet and a lovely time catching up. The drive back into Kentucky, however, was more exciting than we'd planned, however. The rear passenger tire of my dad's van (which we were borrowing) completely blew out on the freeway!! But we were able to get over onto the shoulder, Chris was able to change it to the spare and we got home safe.
PICTURES 12/31/09
New Year's Day included the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner for Erin & Tyler's wedding. Everything went well at the church and the dinner at the Greyhound Tavern was very tasty. Then we all tried to get to bed at a decent hour because the hairdresser was coming at 5AM!!
PICTURES 1/1/10
PICTURES 12/26/09
On Sunday, the 27th, we all gathered again for the baptism of our newest nephew, Andrew Jacob Forton, including some of the extended Borths/Dudzinski family. We then headed back to Emily & Bill's house where we had an awesome lunch of homemade soups, salad and sandwiches. While we were there, it started snowing and we "got to" drive home with snow falling and roads covered.
PICTURES 12/27/09
After the baptism, we spent a few more days at Mom & Dad Borths's house. On Monday, we made a trip to the Bellefountaine bowling alley where we had one lane for kids (Ethan, Adam, Virginia and John) and one for grown-ups (Emily, Chris and I) while Mom, Jenny and Eric cheered us on. We all had a great time! We had to say goodbye then to the Davises but Aunt Emily, Adam and Andrew joined us again the next day to eat Fazoli's and play in the snow. Adam let us use his new sled and there were icicles for everyone to eat. We also spent a lot of time each day trying to make Andrew laugh... Chris did a pretty good job of it with the "Trogdor the Burninator" song. :)
PICTURES 12/29/09
On the 30th, we drove back down to Kentucky in time for Virginia and I to get our wedding manicures and pedicures with my Mom, sisters and the mother of the groom. After that, we had a sisters and friends only bachelorette party for Erin at a local restaurant. We had lots of silliness and giggling but nothing too bad. ;)
PICTURES 12/30/09
For New Year's Eve, we headed back into Ohio to Chris's Aunt Julie and Uncle Rob's home where we had an hors d'oeuvres buffet and a lovely time catching up. The drive back into Kentucky, however, was more exciting than we'd planned, however. The rear passenger tire of my dad's van (which we were borrowing) completely blew out on the freeway!! But we were able to get over onto the shoulder, Chris was able to change it to the spare and we got home safe.
PICTURES 12/31/09
New Year's Day included the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner for Erin & Tyler's wedding. Everything went well at the church and the dinner at the Greyhound Tavern was very tasty. Then we all tried to get to bed at a decent hour because the hairdresser was coming at 5AM!!
PICTURES 1/1/10
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
2 Weeks Back East, pt. 1
Okay, here we go! We spent 2 whole weeks in KY and OH over the holidays this year to celebrate Christmas, our newest nephew's baptism, New Year's and my sister Erin's wedding.
We flew into Cincinnati on the red-eye and it was snowing when we arrived!! Mother Nature payed us back this year for so many trips back East with no cold and snow. There was excellent snowman snow already on the ground and we spent some time building snowmen and having a little snowball fight that day.
**Forgot to mention when I first posted this because there are no pictures... we went tubing at Perfect North with my friend Heidi and it was awesome! Might have to become a tradition.
PICTURES 12/23/09
On Christmas Eve, we spent some time in the morning visiting my Grandma Otte in her new home at Carmel Manor in Fort Thomas. Then we had our immediate family celebration with Mass, cold cut and dip buffet and presents!
PICTURES 12/24/09
On Christmas morning, Santa Claus visited V & J at Grandma and Papa Otte's house. Then we went to my Uncle Ron and Aunt Jamie's house for the big Otte family xmas morning brunch and gift exchange. Since my sister Ellen and her fiancee Rick will also be getting married this year (in Oct), they were given xmas ornaments for their new home.
PICTURES 12/25/09
After the Otte family party, we packed up and drove to Columbus, to Aunt Emily and Uncle Bill's house. On the way, it was raining and we saw an amazing, beautiful Chistmas rainbow!! At first we could only see the ends near the ground, one on either side of the freeway. But after a while we could see the entire bow arching above us, spanning the freeway.
PICTURES 12/25/09
More to follow....
We flew into Cincinnati on the red-eye and it was snowing when we arrived!! Mother Nature payed us back this year for so many trips back East with no cold and snow. There was excellent snowman snow already on the ground and we spent some time building snowmen and having a little snowball fight that day.
**Forgot to mention when I first posted this because there are no pictures... we went tubing at Perfect North with my friend Heidi and it was awesome! Might have to become a tradition.
PICTURES 12/23/09
On Christmas Eve, we spent some time in the morning visiting my Grandma Otte in her new home at Carmel Manor in Fort Thomas. Then we had our immediate family celebration with Mass, cold cut and dip buffet and presents!
PICTURES 12/24/09
On Christmas morning, Santa Claus visited V & J at Grandma and Papa Otte's house. Then we went to my Uncle Ron and Aunt Jamie's house for the big Otte family xmas morning brunch and gift exchange. Since my sister Ellen and her fiancee Rick will also be getting married this year (in Oct), they were given xmas ornaments for their new home.
PICTURES 12/25/09
After the Otte family party, we packed up and drove to Columbus, to Aunt Emily and Uncle Bill's house. On the way, it was raining and we saw an amazing, beautiful Chistmas rainbow!! At first we could only see the ends near the ground, one on either side of the freeway. But after a while we could see the entire bow arching above us, spanning the freeway.
PICTURES 12/25/09
More to follow....
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