First Day of School

Pinterest is either a lifesaver or a complete time vortex into which I lose hundreds of hours.

Luckily this week, it's a lifesaver.

Frittata muffins...
 

Overnight oatmeal in mason jars...

Banana carrot oatmeal muffins... 

All prepared so we can get out of the house on time for school!

 

Up, dressed, fed, washed & packed up in plenty of time this morning!

Super excited for Transitional Kindergarten with Mrs. Beye...

We even beat the rush into school.

Miracle of miracles.

 

Lots of new faces, but luckily, some old familiar ones too.

Paisley took Kenzo's hand, but he was already getting annoyed by having to wait to go inside for so long.

Not today with the snow, but this is the real view from the playground. 

Not too shabby!

A real school bus (aka: a bus with no seat belts) took Kenzo to A+ after school program - literally 1/2 mile from the school.

"1465 thumbs up for today!" 

Safe to say today was a success!

He was also in bed at 6:45pm that night - haha!

More August Happenings - PHEW!

Hip hop class!

So cute and awesome and R A D !

I wish this was offered every day!

Kenzo "free stylin'! "

Melanie and Neil's annual summer party - tons of friends and tons of food!

Zuli and Kenzo loving Neil's Burning Man creation, complete with ray gun!

Dinner at the Dietz's home!

Kelly whipping up a delicious meal for us... 

Bill too!

A great team in all aspects of their lives! 

Leslie and me.

Marshall, Leslie & Ellis.

Ready to chow down!

Kelly and me.
 
A great night with great old friends.

Stayed one night at Takemi's new place in Concord - so nice and quiet, especially after the last spot in busy downtown Oakland.

Shopping and lunch in Walnut Creek with my little travel pal...
 

Picked up Michelle & baby Axel and headed to Aptos!

Dinner at the Hagglof home - delicious leftovers only when you're staying with outstanding caterer friends. 

Michelle and Derek.

Me and Jen.

Fire pit by the barn.

Derek's cool Airstream trailer restroom!

Kenzo and Axel watching Kjell's skateboard moves.

The bar in the barn is super hip and cool!

Breakfast the next morning, complete with hot chocolate....

Capitola beach time!

No plans to hang here, so no chairs, sunscreen, bathing suits, etc. 

PERFECTION!

A bit of fog in the morning, but clear and sunny and warm the rest of the day.

Another lunch, another plate of sushi!

Tekka maki and ikura nigiri for this kid.

Hard to leave Sand Rock Farm. 
 

A quick, but awesome visit with friends.

One more night on the road at Tim & Michelle's spa resort.

Breakfast on the patio with soon-to-be-Captain-Kenzo!

So nice to have great friends in great spots...with extra beds for us!
 

August Happenings

Where'd everyone go???

Back to our quiet life, but not sitting around....

A cloudy day was perfect for a little round of mini golf!
 

27 holes of good fun.
 

"I want to touch the spider!"

"I don't want to touch the spider!!!!"

 

Bear hugs.

Kenzo got a hole-in-one on the castle hole!!

Playdate with Willy.

Off-road riding in Sugar Pine Point State Park - check!
 

Al fresco lunch - check!
 

Super heroes to save the day - check!

                                         Playdate with Cody and Bridger too! 
              Cody and Kenzo have been in hip-hop dance class this week...super cute!  

Quick scramble up to Eagle Rock.
 

Looking back towards Tahoe City.

      And then there's this....I think it's safe to say he's ready for the ladies of kindergarten!

Family Fun - Round Two Continued

Sunday afternoon - Alvarez and Menchaca families at Northstar...we stayed back to chill.

Had a short but sweet visit from Sam, my best friend from junior high school! 

 

Kenzo and Eric took advantage of the quiet house and crashed out!

 

Our annual parent's night out at West Shore Cafe!

Nick, Henry & Eric.

Kara, Kari & me!
 

Ready to chow down!
 

View from our table inside.

The next day, we hit the water for our 2nd annual boat day!

 

It's really this blue.
 

First pit stop for jumping in!

 

Cold, but fun!
 

Such a gorgeous day out!

We boated from Sunnyside to Emerald Bay, which is a long way.

Someone got a bit seasick...

 

Ah, Emerald Bay!
 

Enjoying the sunshine.

Captain Kenzo at the helm.

 

Caribbean blue in Tahoe!

Laila and Maya getting ready to take the plunge.

Besties Nick and Henry taking the plunge into Big Blue!

 

Apres boating lunch at Sunnyside.

Hitting the Rubicon Trail through D.L. Bliss State Park.
 

My little trooper.

1.5 hours of hiking and he did awesome!
 

Breathtaking views from this scenic trail.

 

Vista point photo op.
 

Kenzo (4 & 11/12)
Naomi (11 & 5/6)
Maya (9 & 1/3) 

Coming soon to a holiday card near you...?

Low tide this summer at Common's Beach!

Cousin love!

Last afternoon Meeks Bay session.

Love the late afternoon session when everyone leaves and we have the beach to ourselves!

BBQ.

S'mores cones!
 

Messy!

Someone is going on a sugar detox after this vacation!

Notes from the nieces upon their departure...

 

Pretty darn sweet.

Through the drama, whining and tears, I guess they really enjoyed their time here!