Author Archive
The Princess and the Frog
December 19th, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | 419 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 | 482 Comments »Wes 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 | 693 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 | 444 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…
Good luck charm!!
October 5th, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | 415 Comments »I had to put this up as a good luck charm for the Dodgers who start the first round of the playoffs on Wednesday. They need any help they can get playing the Cards who seem to have the Dodgers number. Maybe knowing that Aubri is a Dodgers fan will help them win a series.
Go Dodgers!!!
Hi!!!
October 5th, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | 733 Comments »Aubri just wanted to say hi to everyone!!
Hi!!!
New hair cut
October 4th, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | 644 Comments »For almost a year now Dylan has been telling us he wants his hair long. A lot of the kids he knows here have longer/surfer style hair. So we let it go for quite awhile. But lately it had gotten so long that it was covering his eyes and even he started saying he was ready to get it cut. He still wanted it long, just out of his eyes. So we took him to get it cut yesterday, which I knew was probably a mistake. When she was done with him he kind of looked like Lloyd from Dumb and Dumber, pretty much a bowl cut. So we left thinking it would grow on us, but after having lunch decided it just wasn’t good. So we took him back to get it redone. On the way there he told us he wanted it spiky like he used to have it. So we went from one extreme to the other. We really like the way it turned out, he looks like a totally different kid . I think he will probably let it grow out again, but he is enjoying it spiky for now.
Before
After
First pumpkins of the season.
October 2nd, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | 831 Comments »
Tomi, Dylan and Aubri went to the Avila valley Barn to check out the animals, feed a couple of them and most likely grab some ice cream, which is so good there. They were not counting on encountering the first crop of pumpkins to be available. They had a ton out and were expecting more the following weekend. This is THE place in the county to get your pumpkins so they have a ton. It wasn’t even October yet so it was a little early to be buying our big carving pumpkins but Tomi let the kids each pick out a small one to take home.
Of course Dylan picked out the smallest one, because he is weird like that. And Aubri got a real nice perfectly round one. These were some of the most perfect pumpkins I have ever seen. Usually the little ones are all weird shapes but I guess it pays to beat the crowd. They had their pick of the litter.
They will be going back for more this weekend because Dylan says that he wants to bring a pumpkin to all the kids in his preschool class. I feel sorry for Tomi because he can be so picky it might take awhile to pick out the 10 or so pumpkins he will need. A new post will be coming when they get their carving pumpkins, with pictures of their creations.
Huggin at the beach
October 1st, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | 434 Comments »
Tomi, Dylan, and Aubri went to the beach with our friend Loopy and her daughter Kailani. This was their first trip to the beach together and they had a great time. After a few hours at the beach it was time to pack up the car. Tomi always has a lot of stuff when they are at the beach so it takes a little while to get the car loaded up. While she was putting everything away the kids climbed up on this rock/bench that was behind the car. She turned around and they had situated themselves like this. Now of course they love each other but more often than not they are arguing about something. So it took Tomi by surprise to see Dylan with Aubri in his lap and give her a big hug. She knew she had to get a picture for proof, and they stayed this way long enough for her to get the camera and take some great pics. Unfortunately the sun was hitting the SUV just right to get some weird glare, but it was still a great moment to catch on “film”.
Holding Hands
September 26th, 2009 Posted by Mike in Kids | 699 Comments »This is probably my favorite picture Tomi has taken. Everything about it just turned out good. They were getting along, it was a nice day, she got Moro rock in the background. I have some pictures on my desk at work and this picture by far gets the most compliments. I think it will be one of those pictures we look back on for a long time. Good job Tomi!!!
Dylan and Aubri Holding hands