A little bit about our daily life

Olivia helps wash her breakfast dishes every morning. Although she does like to help, she's mainly in it for the bubbles. Then it's off to the park to play.

Swimming

Warming up with my baby after swimming.

Being funny with her Dad.

My Mom gave us a great bread recipe and it really does turn out every time. We make it about once a week, 3 loaves per batch. Tifiny and I tag team which makes it seam easier. I like to start the bread and time it all out, and she loves to punch it down and knead it. See recipe below.

Tifiny and the girls!

Olivia just became interested in her baby doll and stuffed animals this week. She was caught feeding her baby milk.

Whole Wheat Bread

INGREDIENTS
3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast (4 1/2 tsp. of bulk yeast)
1/3 cup honey
5 cups bread flour
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon salt
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons butter, melted

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 5 cups white bread flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.

Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.

Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes; do not overbake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely.

Playing

At the mall play area.
A friend who kept kissing her cheeks.

She had to be right in the middle of the big kids playing.

Loves the red car.

Didn't want to leave.

Playing with her favorite "kitties." She makes most words plural, inclduing "Daddies."

She loves to be in the face of danger and gets swatted at frequently. Good thing for no front claws.

Family Outing

Saturday afternoon Bill and I took Olivia to Old Town Temecula. We forgot to bring the stroller, so she walked a long way. By the time we were ready to go home, she was begging Daddy to hold her.

On the way to the car. At one point, there was a long line of drool hanging from her mouth, down Bill's head, and onto Olivia's leg. She was tuckered out!

Sooooo tired.

Swimming

We spent an afternoon with Esteban's parents at Aunt Judy and Uncle Franky's and we got to swim and eat pizza. Olivia was in heaven in the "wa wa."

"more" is a common word at our home every day. Always "mo" with Olivia!

Under the pool waterfall.

Bubbles in the hot tub.

The beach in Del Mar. We set up shop on a grassy knoll and were under a great pop up shelter thing the Valenzuela's have. The beach was just a short walk from the grass. Very family friendly too!

Esteban and Belle.

Tifiny, Bill and Olivia after riding waves.

The west coast is stunning.

Olivia with a mid-day snack.

A few pics from the Valenzuela's home!

Olivia found a "chair" within the first few mintues of arriving.
My mom holding Belle, with Olivia insisting she's ready to hold her.

Olivia is so proud of her baby cousin (Belle is 4 months old)

She also has to try everything Belle does.

Belle

My mom warmed up to Theo, and he loves to lay at her feet.

More to come soon!

from Salt Lake City to LA

This is the view on I-80 in Utah--a lot of salt!
Beautiful rock formations in Nevada

Our new state!

San Francisco from the Bay Bridge at sunset.

We stayed Saturday night with my dad's cousin Jill and her husband Elias. We had a great time and had a personal tour of the city from Jill in the morning. We hope to see them and their family a few more times while we're out here!

The view from Elias and Jill's living room window. If you look closely, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge.

Alcatraz at sunrise from their window.

Lombard Street (I jumped out of Jill's car to get this, so that's why you can't see the actual curvy street. We are literally at the very bottom, and there weren't cars behind us.)

Downtown SF

Chinatown

Heading toward the Marina (Golden Gate park is to the left, and the Wharf is to the right.)

Jill and me

Jill and Elias on their patio.

Bill and I went back to the park and hiked up to and walked out on the bridge.

View of SF from the Golden Gate.

Funny seals

Sunday night we stayed in Fresno and headed out Monday to Sequoia National Park.

General Sherman the Sequioa is the largest living tree on Earth (total mass-wise)

The views were breath-taking!

We arrived in Sun City Tuesday afternoon and have been here a week! Bill starts classes Thursday and is almost all set on campus. It's sureal to be out here!