Butterflies, Centipedes & Jellies

After Christmas, we took a short family trip up to Monterey.  On the way up we stopped by the Pismo State Beach Butterfly Grove, which has a present count of 28,000 monarch butterflies.

Once in Monterey, we explored the old town center, and were able to spot sea lions off Fisherman's Wharf.

The next day we headed to Cannery Row the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium to see a wide variety of sea life but we took time to check out a centipede first.

Once at the aquarium, Ava spent lots of time enjoying the jellies, fish, penguins, starfish, and seahorses. 

Grandma and Grandpa joined us at the aquarium before taking Ava for a few days to enjoy a mini-vacation in Oakland.

Brywood Blue Jays

Ava's first trimester as a Brywood Blue Jay culminated with the annual Brywood Kindergarten Holiday Show presented by all the kids with help from the teachers including Ava's teacher, Mrs. Vitarelli.

It was just a few months ago that Ava had her first day at her new school.

She quickly adapted and enjoys seeing friends old and new.

Ava has enjoyed her school work, homework, and had the chance to tell her class all about herself during her All About Me Week.

Ava and her friends all dressed up for today's Holiday Show.

All the kids sang a number of wonderful songs.

Ava introduced a song about the seasons.

After the show everyone gathered in the classroom and the kids (and kids at heart) were able to enjoy some sweets.

U...C...LLLLL...A

Ava recently took her first visit to Pauley Pavilion to check out the new and improved arena, and to get a preview of our gymnastics team.

The new arena is great and highlights the wonderful history and tradition of UCLA athletics and our 108 national championships. 

Joe and Josephine were on hand to cheer on the Bruins and we got to see the gymnasts run through their new routines. 

Of course no visit to the new Pauley would be complete without a visit with The Coach, John Wooden.

And no visit to campus would be complete without a visit with the Bruin Bear.

Merry Christmas!

From our house to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

This has been an especially busy holiday season for Ava with visits to Disneyland...

Ava's first handwritten letter to Santa...

Picking out and decorating our Christmas tree...

Decorating a gingerbread house...

Visits to Santa with Grammy and Poppy, and with Mommy and friends... 

And, of course, baking with Mommy!