Hello, Summer!

Another School Year.... Completed!

Marcella Hill Award for Creative Writing

At the year-end awards assembly at Sam's elementary school, Sam received two awards, one for attendance and one for writing. The writing award was especially prestigious, it is given to one fifth grader each year, for creative writing. Since Anna finished her freshman school year early, she was able to attend and take photos of her brother. Congratulations, Sam!

Welcome Back Carter!

After a year of studying in Beijing, Carter is back home, in time to complete his senior year in high school. We drove up for a quick weekend to welcome him home. He brought back Nike soccer jerseys, green tea, and red tassel ornaments for everyone. The paparazzi was out in full gear, with camera phones, selfie sticks and GoPros in hand. Welcome back, Carter!

The Darbros

Outside of immediate relatives, the Dabros are our best family friends. We've traveled with them and spent lots of time with them, and the kids all get along great. Usually we have a bbq at their ranch house near Mount Baldy, but today we had a potluck at our humble abode.

Bolsa Chica Wetlands

The Bolsa Chica Wetlands is a place where we've hiked, and where Sam's running club has met up until recently. When we first came here as a family years ago, Sam was fascinated by the poster of animals at the start of the trail. It included coyotes, but we've mainly seen marine life and lots of birds... there are often avid birdwatchers, I believe this is a type of heron.

Jumping Around at UCSB!