Our new apartment

We will be moving 1.5 miles from Biola on Wednesday. We stopped by today and Olivia and I got to see it for the first time. These are "before" pictures and in a couple weeks (hopefully) I'll post "after" pictures. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a large living room, a dining room, & kitchen. There are lots of closets and we also have a locked garage and a carport. It has new carpet, blinds, kitchen counters and is freshly painted.

Living room with a huge fireplace and mantle

Master bedroom (downstairs)

Downstairs bathroom

Dining room on left and kitchen

Living room view from the fireplace

Front entry (I have plans for this)

Baby's room

Great closets in upstairs hall

Upstairs bathroom

Olivia's room (she's already in love with the closet and mirrors)

Eating pizza for lunch today

Our front door. The upstairs bedrooms are actually over one of two community laundry rooms.

Courtyard where the kids play during the day.

South Carolina

Olivia and I had the privilege of spending a week in SC with the Schmidt family. Kim and I have been friends since college and Ken performed me and Bill's wedding. They have 3 boys and Olivia loved being with them!



Olivia's first water color experience.

Outside

Olivia and Teddy (3 1/2 yrs old)

Henry (10 weeks)

Teddy, Calvin (5 yrs old), and Olivia

The boys are often in super hero costumes:)

She wanted to hold the baby all the time.

Guess something in the video caught their attention

Friends!!!!

Out on a family walk before bedtime. Olivia wanted to wear a hat like the boys.

Holding hands with Calvin.

Swimming

Olivia and I spent a week in Bakersfield with our friend Allison (Holly's college roommate and friend.) We had a great time at her housing association pool and went about 3 times. It was nice out, but the water was not heated, so I didn't get in very far.
Olivia making friends with toys she can play with.

Walking home all dried off and warm.

Only once did I have to jump in to rescue her. She kept telling her new friends there, "don't go deep--fall down!" It happened right after I took this video. She let go of the edge and off she went. I think it was a healthy dose of reality for her, although she seemed to enjoy it more than she should have.

Seaport Village

This is at San Diego's Seaport Village. Olivia is starting to say "cheese" when we take pictures.
A place to eat.

On the historic carousel. I let her choose which horse she wanted to sit on and she chose this fantasy dragon thing.

A view of the bay from the village.

San Diego

I just realized after Laura left, that I really didn't take many pictures of our outings. We've been to the San Diego Zoo, Dana Point at sunset, Hollywood, Malibu, La Jolla and I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Laura was very diligent at taking pictures, so I'll get some from her:)


This is on Mission Beach. It was only 60 degrees that day, but Olivia still wanted to go swimming. So, Laura took her and frolicked in the sand and water while I rested and watched the stroller and our purses.

Eleven years ago (in college,) I spent a summer here with Campus Crusade. We lived one block from the beach, and each had to find full-time jobs during the day. At night, we had Bible studies, group meetings, and did local evangelism. I worked at Taco Bell (with pride) and had to take a picture of the new building. The one I worked at is just behind this one to the right. Ah, the memories.

Dairy Farm

I have become a true city person who actually pays to tour farms so my child can experience them. We went to a dairy farm with a neighbor of ours and Olivia really liked all of the cows. She let a brand new calf suck on her hand and just smiled the whole time. At the end of the tour, we were served chocolate milk (made, bottled, and sold there) and cookies.

Belle's a "Wild One"

Esteban and Tifiny threw Belle a great party and she loved every moment of it! The theme was zebra print and bright pink. This is after the candles were blown out of her cake, and before she really dug in. Tifiny did a great job with the sweets!

Tifiny and her creations.

Olivia was right in the middle of the action. She did fairly well understanding it wasn't her party. We did have to strap her down in her high chair with food while Belle opened presents, though.

Loves to play outside in the "house."

Daddy and Olivia

Hilltop

Bill, Laura and I had the privilege of spending a few days at a retreat house in the mountains over Easter. It's called Hilltop Renewal Center. I rested a lot, and Bill, Olivia, and Laura hiked a lot. Olivia couldn't get enough of being outside. It was really peaceful and we had a great time there.

At Lookout Point

Bill, Laura and Olivia heading out on a hike.

We got to pick oranges and I saw a citrus tree up close for the first time. It rained last night, so as we pulled the oranges down, we were "splashed." Olivia liked that part the best. It takes two hands.

As we loaded up the oranges and grapefruit, she was allowed to play in the car.

Happy Birthday Belle!

Happy 1st Birthday to our dear niece, Isabelle Faith!! Time flies by so fast!