It is so funny because we have had more visitors while living here so far than we ever had in San Diego. This month grandma and papa Anderson visited us for a weekend. We went downtown to the wharf where the kids got to hold a parrot.....pretty cool. Then, we drove the famous 17 mile drive where we stopped at the fancy shopping center and had lunch in our car. It was fun to have mom and Jack here to show them our new house, the kids new school, KC's new base and all the cool things to do around the town.
We are getting settled into our new 3 bedroom, 2 story, big front lawn, huge garage, great area home. We love it here and all the space. The kids got a tree swing for their birthdays and it fits perfect in the front tree. We have awesome neighbors who are friendly and helpful. We got the kids into Olson Elementary and things are looking good. This weather will take some getting use to (a bit colder than SD) but if that is the worse then we will survive.
What a bitter sweet day, Aug 1, 2010. We woke up Sunday morning, packed the car and said goodbye to family (mom, jack, becky, rob, sherry and frank). They had all come in town for the kids party and Seth's baptism. We all stayed at the Anderson's house. I cried as we said our goodbyes and gave hugs (picture below). I know we will be back but it is still hard to leave home.
What a special day. KC had worked the whole month of July in Monterey and the kids and I stayed in Oceanside. However, at the end of the month KC flew home for the kids annual combined bday party and then Seth's baptism. Seth was so excited about this day and very proud.....and so were KC and I. It was a very nice program with lots of songs, a talk by Jack and a few other talks. It was a very emotional day because we were so happy for Seth but we were also saying goodbye to so many close friends (this was the day before we all drove to Monterey). After the baptism/confirmation we had dinner at Chili's. We sure do love you Seth.
Well, we knew the boxes were off to Monterey and we had time to spend as a family (this was before the kids and I made our home at the Anderson's). We went on a week road trip. We visited with Aunt Chris and Uncle Irv out in Palm Desert and then off to the Meekers. We stayed with them for a couple of days where we got to spend a day on the water jet skiing and playing in the sand. Then, we all caravaned out to Deming for the annual Frank Knoop 4th of July. That is always a fun time with hometown get togethers and Frank's famous fireworks. We also got to see Travis and Stephanies home in Las Cruces. It is very nice. We had so much fun with family and friends.
The kids and I stayed at mom & Jack's while KC went onto Monterey to start work and to find us a house. We had renters in the condo, finally, and we gave ourselves a month to find something in Monterey. The schools start the new year in August so we wanted to get up there before then. So, the kids and I did our best to enjoy our time together while dad worked. Mailee came over one day for some water time and Preston stayed the night for Seth's birthday. We had a great time relaxing and spending time with family and friends.
Seth had another great year at Fletcher Hills. He had Mrs Wilkenson this year and he did very well with her. She wasn't my most favorite person but Seth liked her just fine. He had a fun year filled with field trips to the Balboa Park Science Center and the SD Zoo. He participated in the jog-a-thon and a patriot sing day. At the end of the year his grade had a fun games day out on the lawn with water balloons, relay races and pizza. His class presented him with a wonderful memory book filled with notes and pictures for him to look through and remember his friends. He was so touched by the gesture. We will miss his friends here at school.....and most of all Seth will miss Preston (below)....his best friend. *picture below is of Preston and Ashlyn
Cali had a great kindergarten year at Fletcher Hills with Mrs Goergens. She was the perfect teacher for Cali....sweet and loving but firm when important. Mrs Goergens allowed Cali to be herself and teach her a thing or two as well. Cali's year was filled with lots of fun memories from field trips to Oma's Pumpkin Patch and Sea World. She took a fun walking field trip to the park for St Patty's Day, had a "snow" day, got to be SuperKid for the week and much more. At the end of the year Mrs Goergens made her a crown to celebrate her summer birthday. Cali wore it to dance class after school. It made her feel loved and important. We sure will miss Fletcher Hills, the friends we made and the wonderful staff. 
