Author Archive
Dylan’s Birthday at School
February 2nd, 2010 Posted by Mike in Kids | CommentsDylan loves his school that he goes to and could not wait to go the day where they were going to celebrate his Birthday. It had to be postponed once as Dylan was sick around the time of his birthday but the following Tuesday it was his day at school. Tomi made some really good gluten free brownies, so that everyone could enjoy them, that Dylan got to take and share with his friends at school. Tomi got to have Dylan sit on her lap and she told stories of Dylans life for each of his first 3 years. He seemed to really enjoy this and had a huge smile on his face the whole time. After that, the teacher put on the birthday crown and cape and walked him over the rainbow bridge. Dylan thought this was great and couldn’t wait to tell me about it when I got home from work that day. It was a great day at school and one I think he will remember for a long time.
Dylan’s Birthday
February 2nd, 2010 Posted by Mike in Kids | Comments
Tomi and I can’t believe that Dylan is already 4 years old. He is growing so fast and everyday he makes me laugh about something totally new. The way he sees the world right now is so cool, and I feel I’m learning from him as he sees things for the first time. Hes always had a great love and interest in ocean life and I hope to make this fourth year of his life the one where we can really begin totake advantage of where we live and help him explore the California coast.
His Birthday was on 01/20 and he decided this year that instead of doing a big party like he has in the past, he wanted to either do Disneyland or Monterey with the Family (looks like we are going to Disneyland later this month), with the one condition that he got to spend his birthday with his friends Nate and Braden. So that night Shelby, Dustin and the boys came over after everyone got home from work. Tomi and I made bean and cheese burritos at Dylans request.
But Dylan, Nate and Braden were so excited to get back to their wii nobody really ate anything. After many sword fights, table tennis battles, and a few frames of bowling we were able to lure them back to the table with an Ice Cream Birthday Cake from Doc Burnstein’s, always delicious. Wii wasn’t enough to pull them away from the table now. With Dylan turning four there was the perfect amount of candles to be licked by the three boys and Aubri. After making sure that every last bit of ice cream was off the candles they finished of the pieces of cake. Dylan has made great friends here and was very happy to share his birthday with them.You can see more pics from the “party” here.
Naughty or Nice?
December 20th, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | CommentsTomi and Idelle took the kids to go see Santa at Santas Village by the mission in San Luis Obispo. As soon as Aubri got a glimpse of Santa she was done with the whole thing. She started crying and wouldn’t take her eyes off of him, they couldn’t even get her in the building. Dylan has been cool with Santa since the first year. He wasn’t very sure about telling Santa what he wanted thought so maybe he won’t get anything this year. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Dylan and Santa
Stewie and the Christmas Tree
December 20th, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | CommentsWe got our tree a little later then we normally like to this year. With me getting a new job, all the things the kids have going on and then getting a new cat we have been a little busy. But we finally did get it and are really happy with the one we picked out. It’s almost like Stewie knew he was the kids Christmas gift this year and parked himself right under the tree where all the other presents will be going. It gave Tomi a good opportunity to get our first real shots of him in his new home. So here is the newest member of the family…
Blackmail Pics
December 20th, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | CommentsJust to make sure Aubri hates us just a little bit when she brings home her first boyfriend Tomi got some pics of her that I am sure she would want no one else seeing. So here they are…. Tomi and the kids were getting ready to take a trip to Madera. Their bags were packed so Aubri figured it was time to go. She put on her beanie and flip flops and headed for the door. Luckily Tomi was able to get a few shots.
The Princess and the Frog
December 19th, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | Comments
Last night we took the kids to see their first drive in movie. It was a double feature playing the Princess and the Frog and The Blind Side. We have been wanting to see the Princess and the Frog so when our friends asked us to go to the drive in we thought it was a great idea. Dustin and Shelby have a Yukon so they took the third row and got stuck with all four kids. It was a little cold but with sweatshirts and blankets we were all comfortable.
The movie was great. After seeing this and Ponyo in 2009 I wish more studios were doing hand drawn animation. The story was real good, the songs were great and I laughed out loud a few times.
We didn’t stay for the second movie, that would have been too long for the kids, (especially since Aubri fell asleep before the first movie was over) and we were only really interested in The Princess and the Frog. It was a great night and highly recommend both the movie and going to the drive in.
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
November 28th, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | CommentsWes Anderson probably ranks a very close second to the Coen brothers when it comes to my favorite film makers. So a few months ago when I found out that he had made a children’s film, I was so stoked that I would be able to take the kids to see a movie that I knew they would enjoy but would also have some of the craziness that is Wes Anderson that I would love also. We saw it today and I think he pulled it off very well. He took a Roald Dahl book, the guy who wrote Charlie and Chocolate Factory, and made it his own. I have never read the book but from what I have read about this film he stayed pretty close to the original while adding his trademarks to it; great sound track, almost uncomfortable dialogue, perfectly framed shots, etc… The stop motion animation was nowhere near as polished as what you see with Tim Burton movies but it gave the movie an almost vintage feel that I think added to the whole vibe of the movie. When we left everyone said they enjoyed it, which to me is the perfect kids movie. Dylan enjoyed it for the cute furry animals that talked, and Tomi and I really enjoyed all aspects of the movie. I know not everyone loves Wes Anderson, hes kind of an acquired taste, but I think this is the one film of his that everyone will really enjoy. So go check it out.
Mike and Dylan save the world
November 1st, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | Comments
When we got to Disneyland the first thing Dylan wanted to do was go on the Buzz Lightyear ride. So we headed there first. He ended up getting a little freaked out by some of the things you see while the line winds around so he actually didn’t participate in the shooting of evil. But he sat with me and watched as I saved the world only to find out that both Tomi and Idelle did way better than I did. When the ride was over he wanted to go again, but we never made it for a second round. Im sure evil alien beings will still be trying to take over the world the next time we make a trip to the happiest place on Earth, and Dylan can see if his trigger finger is faster than mine.
I’m so cool…
October 12th, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | Comments
After seeing the picture Tomi took of Aubri today that is shown in the post below, I was telling her that she seems to get some really good pics with her iPhone. They aren’t the best quality, they are usually a little fuzzy and kind of beyond any touch up but they always turn out to be some of my favorites of the kids.
I got looking back through her phone and this picture is one of my all time favorites of Dylan. We were sitting at Honeymoon Cafe, our favorite place in the world, and he was just sitting back like no one was cooler than him. She got the phone out in time which is always easier than grabbing a camera and got this great shot of him. His hair was done which it never is, and he didn’t seem to realize Tomi was taking a picture or he would have turned away or given her some big dorky smile.
So because I like it so much I thought I would post it for everyone’s viewing pleasure. So here you go…
