tar pits

about 3 weekends ago sam sam (grandma), papa, me and the kids took at trip to la to visit auntie jody and charlotte and go to the tar pits  i had never been and didn't know what to expect.  it was a really nice trip.  the tar pit museum is great. lots of fossils and the grounds the museum is on are beautiful.  next time we go i'll know to bring a picnic so we can spend more time hanging out.  it is so weird, the tar pits are smack dab in the middle of the city, not where you'd expect them to be.  miles loved it and frequently asks when we can go back to the dinosaur museum? We also celebrated jody's birthday while we were there.  we ate an awesome rib dinner at huntington rib co. lots of fun.  it was a quick fun trip with the family. 

auntie cha's early b-day...

auntie charlotte was in california for a month working on her medical degree.  we got to see her three times while she was here.  we got to go to the la brea tar pits with her (i'll post pics later),  i got to go to the movies with her and miles and maisy got to spend quality time with her too.  on her last night here, we took her out to dinner for her ummm...21st birthday, yeah her 21st birthday.  we had a yummy dinner at shaw's and she really enjoyed her b-day gifts.

i don't think i've told you this, but maisy loves everything you give her to eat.  she has never made a face at anything i've given her... eggs, jello, steak, mushrooms, asparagus, carrots, prunes and as you can see in the pics, even pickles.  we are trying to get her into the habit of trying everything at least once.  so far so good. 

february in california...

the weather in santa maria has been amazing.  i've been taking the kids to the park and maisy and i sit on the grass in the front yard to watch miles ride his big wheel around the cul-de-sac.  david didn't have to work on sunday, so be decided to go to the beach, have lunch and let the kids play at the park.  people were in their bathing suits and swimming in the ocean.  the kids were in their bare feet and just loving the amazing weather.  maisy had a blast swinging in the swing and miles and david had fun throwing the frisbee.  i LOVE this weather and really don't miss the cold winters at all.

my new *BFF*

sorry miss swapp, but i have a new BFF and her name is donna downey.  a few weekends ago, jr designs, a local scrapbook studio hosted  3 classes taught by *the* donna downey.  (those of you who are not into scrapbooking, will not get the whole donna downey thing, but she is an amazing artist) i loved all the projects we did with her, but my favorite was the paint, watercolor and doodle class.  it really opened me up to all kinds of new techniques that i can't wait to try.  donna if you ever read this, thanks for giving me a hard time, it really made me relax and enjoy the process.  you ROCK girlfriend!

so proud...

photo taken by christopher o'callaghan  july 2008

I am so proud of my cousin toph and the career he is making for himself. please check out his new website... here

WAY TO GO!!! 

a new day...

what an amazing day!  what an amazing man! 

time to play catch up....

so much to talk about.  we have been really busy and my computer is giving me a hard time, so i know i haven't been very good about the blog... sorry.  i am going to try to give you the highlight of the trip so far...  david left today, me and the kids still have a week here.  here are the highlights of our time here so far...

1.  arrived in cambridge, 12.23.08

2. had picture taken with santa

3. miles finished his letter to santa

4. made x-mas cookies for santa 

5. christmas eve dinner at auntie frans

6.  kids got there x-mas jammies

7. took trip to scicuate 

8. played in the snow

9. went ice skating in boston

10. went to aquarium with cousin aidan 

11. attended cousin aidan's christening

wow, those are just some of the highlights, and we still have a week to hang out. christmas was so much fun miles loved all of his toys and maisy was starting to get the hang of ripping gifts open. i have to say the snow is pretty, but i don't miss it at all, and the cold... YUCK!  getting the kids dressed to go outside takes waaay tooo long, and they have so many layers on they don't even fit in the car seat. all in all though, having a really good time. i'll update again soon and add more photos. belated HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!!!  xoxoxoxo