Sunday with cousin Sophia

Lori and Sophia came to visit Grandpa Bill and Grandma Gaylynn and we all had dinner together last Sunday. They live in Spain so we don't see them much. We met Sophia when she was a baby and now she's 4. Josie and Sophia hit it right from the beginning. They were so cute together. We'll see each other in Sept for Lori's sister Rebecca's wedding.

Washing hands together and making their way to the barn.

Uncle Bill and Aunt Gaylynne taking the girls for a ride on Max.

Feeding Max and Monty watching all the action. 

Grandma Shirley (Gahaus) and Grandpa Rich join in the fun. 

Next a visit to the chickens Buelah and Bertha.

Three generations. Bill, Lori & Sophia

Cousins

Giggling girls

Shirley gave Sophia princesses and gave Josie Alice in Wonderland characters.

 

Saturday Redwood Shores Library & Pizza dinner

On Friday we walked right past the Redwood Shores Library and Cafe along the Bay so on Saturday we went back to check it out. In the mail that morning Josie and I received a box from our Chicago friends; Sandy, Brian, Catherine & Emma. It was belated birthday gifts. Josie receive this cute sundress and Stuart Little dvd and I received the first season of the Walton's. One of my favorite childhood shows right up there with Little House on the Prairie. Can't wait to watch it. Thanks guys! After Josie put on her dress she ran and got her giraffe hat. Goofy girl.

I ran a 10k while Josie and daddy went to swimming lessons. Josie was trying on my lucky #13.

Eating a granola bar on the way to the library.

We spent quite a bit of time in front of the library so Josie could play with the sculpture.

 

 After hanging out for awhile the mobile aquarium pulled up with a tiger shark. It was fun to watch the girl catch it. They brought it to story time and let the kids touch it. Josie touched it but we didn't stay for story time.

The kids section is really cool. Josie went right for the computer but then off to books after a couple min. They have a neat reading room with a boat and other fun places to sit and read.

Our recent book selection. "Salt in His Shoes" is a cool book written by Micheal Jordan's mom. 

 On the way to the car we found some more sculptures. Josie didn't want to leave.

Our next door neighbors, Shuli & Satoshi came over for pizza. They wanted to see how Eric made it so here the chef is sharing his techniques.

After dinner Josie wanted to have a tea party.

Friday Fun 6/22

We went for a walk with Shuli, Annie, & LuLu along the path by Oracle. It was kind of a gray, cool morning but the sun came out by the end around 11:30. What's up with this chilly weather? Annie and Gary just adopted LuLu so we met her for the first time. She's so cute and cuddly. At the end of the walk Josie and Shuli had fun on the par course.

Josie's sweet singing voice

We've been listening to a cd in my car on and off in between listening to Pandora music. Josie never sang along with it until this week and now she sings all the songs from it. She often is singing the songs from Pandora music but since it's on my phone I can't video her singing.

Father's Day Weekend

Friday night our niece Allison graduated from Summit High School and there was a family celebration at John & Jody's. Papa Andy and Grandma Kay were there to celebrate. Not pictured but also there Shirley & Rich, Gaylynne & Bill, John's sisters Jean and her two sons, and Bill and Shirley's cousin and husband. We're so proud of Allison and wish her many blessings as she heads to Univ of Arizona in the fall.

On Saturday Josie and I went to swim lessons; I went on a run, after a few months of not running, and pushed Josie in the Bob stroller; then we ran through the sprinklers at the park. After lunch and naps Josie and Eric planted some flowers out front.

On Sunday Josie woke up and wanted to drink warm milk and snuggle with daddy.

Swedish pancakes for breakfast with Lingonberries and Canadian Maple syrup.

After church we drove to Half Moon Bay and hiked at Purissima Creek. The weather was gorgeous. We had fun hiking and exploring and eating our lunch by the creek.

Josie is saying Happy Father's Day but you can't really hear it.

Santa Barbara 6/6-6/9

Last Wed Josie and I drove down to SB. My mom rode in our car and my dad drove their car. They were returning from a trip and driving home so we went along. We surprised Katie who was performing in her school play Alice in Wonderland. Josie did great in the car thanks to Gram entertaining her and they both napped. We stopped at a park for our picnic lunch and made two potty stops. It took us 6 hrs and we got to Katie and Karen's school with 5 min to spare to be there just as school was getting out. 

At the end I posted a video of the surprise meeting. Here they are at school and Katie was showing Josie around her campus.

Josie and I stayed at Karen, Luke & Katie's house. They all went to school on Thursday and we had a leisurely morning at home playing on the swing and Josie loved playing in Katie's room.

 We picked up Gram and met Karen at Summerland Park & Beach by school and hung out a bit and went to lunch. Beautiful day.

 

We went back to Gram & Papa's to take a nap but that didn't happen. 

 Having fun with Uncle Luke

 Thursday evening we went to Alice in Wonderland. What a great job the kids did. It was funny and the music was great. Katie took her part seriously and she was one of the few kids who spoke loudly and clearly while looking at the audience. Many of the kids had different parts on the 2nd day so we watched her perform for her whole school on Friday where she had a different role that I captured on video but don't have pictures. She played Alice's sister Matilda and you can see her counterpart playing the role in the top middle picture.

On Friday we went with Gram and Papa to a park across the street from the beach that had a merry go round. We had our own private ride. We played in the park and ate our picnic lunch. We went back to school for the play. Both times Josie did great and enjoyed watching it. It lasted 45 min. Once we got home I was trying to sing one of the songs that was stuck in my head. I couldn't remember all the words and of course Josie remembered. Smart cookie. Friday night we had "Grandpa Anderson" sandwiches, a specialty of my grandpa. Basically grilled steak on great bread with melted butter. Our friend Linda came over for dessert of mini ice cream cones.

On Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market. It's huge with a lot going on between all the produce, flowers, musicians, samples, gift items. There was a bottle of oil named after us; Julie Joelle and Josephine Joelle. The lady gave us a tiny bar of soap with the Joelle label.

 We left after lunch to drive home. Josie fell asleep 10 min. into the ride and slept for 90 min. At the 3-hr mark she needed a potty stop and again about 30 min. from home. She was great in the car. We made it home in 5 hours.

Josies at the park #2

Josie and Josie met up again at the park for fun in the sun and the sprinklers on Sunday June 3rd. 

 Sharing snack: apples and crackers

Josie was on the big girl swing and after a few minutes slipped off face first into the bark and scraped her chin, cut her lip and tongue. It was a bit bloody and she cried for a couple minutes but got right back to playing. You can see a little scrap on her chin in the picture below. She is a tough little thing.