Elisa's Visit

In August we had a very special visitor! Nick's niece, Elisa, came from France & stayed with us for 3 weeks. We ran all over San Diego, visiting the Zoo, Old Town, Del Mar Racetrack & Lake El Capitan, just to name a few spots in San Diego. We went to Coronado & Mission beaches, as well as the pool. While Nick was working, Elisa & I did a lot of shopping and eating at Avenue 5 & Yogurtland. Kelly loved having his cousin Elisa take him on walks & to the dog park. We also kidnapped Katie & made a trip to Knotts Berry Farm. Below are a few pictures from Elisa's trip.

San Diego Zoo

Del Mar Race Track

Paul, Katie, Nick, Elisa, Amy & Eric

Del Mar Race Track

Knott's Berry Farm

Elisa, Amy, Katie & Nick

Giddy-up!

Waiting for a roller coaster

Waiting for the "rapids" water ride

Elisa & Kelly

Elisa & Kelly

Elisa & Nick

Elisa & Katie

Amy - going really slow

Ojai

In June we took a trip up to Ojai, CA. Nick's very good friend Ryan got married and Nick was part of the wedding. We took a special guest with us, Mr. Kelly! This was our first trip with Kelly and it went well. He did great in the car (about a 3 hour drive) and we had his crate and toys in the hotel room. It was nice and hot in Ojai, so we took Kelly to the pool Saturday afternoon. Kelly was loving the pool area because he was able to run around. All of Nick's friends were there, but I guess it was too hot for Kelly, so he decided to go swimming (he actually fell in). He stared to sink to the bottom, but quickly realized he needed to start dog paddling. We pulled him out of the pool and he was fine. The wedding and reception were beautiful and we had a great time.

Morning walk with Kelly

Walking around Ojai

The wedding ceremony (Nick's on the right)

cheese!

Nick, Dad of the groom, Ryan (the groom) & Palo

Preston's Baptism

In April, we attended the Baptism of our good friend's Jen & Brian Tees' son, Preston. I was very honored to be asked to be Preston's Godmother. We drove to Simi Valley and spent some time with the Tees family the night before. Sunday we got to see friends & family before the ceremony, then Jen & Brian held a great afternoon party.

Before the Baptism

Nick & I with Preston

During the ceremony

Fernando (Godfather), Brain, the Priest with Preston, Jen & I

Godparents

Luna & Kelly Updates

Luna has made a full recovery since her surgery. She is eating again and off medication. We had to change her food and she is now on a special diet, but she doesn't mind the change. The vet ran some tests last week and found no signs of crystals in her urine. She is back to her old self, sleeping on the bed, tormenting Kelly & napping in the closet. We even bought her a "cat condo" so that she can lounge & escape from Kelly.

Relaxing on the patio

Kelly got his first big boy haircut about 3 months ago. He was very embarrassed of his new 'do at first, but is now use to it. He looks very handsome and Scottish! A few weeks ago Kelly got neutered and he is doing great. He had to wear a cone on his head, but didn't seem to mind it. He wasn't allowed to walk up & down the stairs or jump around for 2 weeks. He was very spoiled and is now back to his old self.

After surgery

Kelly cruising in the Prius

Hanging out on the sofa.

USS Midway Aircraft Carrier

Last weekend we attended a party on the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier with Nick's sister & brother-in-law. They were in San Diego on business, visiting from France. The Beach Boys put on a concert during the party, over looking Downtown San Diego, Coronado & the San Diego Harbor. We had a blast!

Oliver, Caroline, Nick & Amy

Jet fighter!

The Beach Boys

Aloha!

Nick & I took our first trip to Hawaii (hard to believe, I know!). We traveled to Oahu and stayed at the Turtle Bay Resort, which is located on the north side of the island. We stayed for 6 days and 5 nights and had a wonderful, relaxing time!

Oahu, Hawaii

View from the lobby

Our 1st night at Turtle Bay

We had fabulous views from our room of the ocean. Each morning we'd drink coffee & read our books on the balcony, listening to the waves and singing birds. The hotel was surrounded by 5 miles of beaches and coves, so we were at the beach every day. The weather was warm & sunny, although we did get a lot of rain & wind at times.

View from our room balcony

Red Crested Cardinal on our balcony

Double morning rainbows from our balcony over Turtle Bay

Keiki Pool @ Turtle Bay

Keiki Pool @ Turtle Bay

Rainbow over Kuilima Cove @ Turtle Bay

We drove into Honolulu for a day and went to Waikiki Beach. Nick surfed & I soaked up the sun. We did a little shopping & walking around. Honolulu was fun, but we were glad that we stayed on the north side of the island, where it is much more laid back and "outdoorsy".

Waikiki, Honolulu

Waikiki Beach

Banyan tree in Honolulu

Driving to and from Honolulu was very enjoyable. We got to see the environmental diversity of the island. We also drove past many popular surf spots that Nick grew up reading about & watching on surf videos. The landscape of the north shore was beautiful, made up of many trees, plants, beaches & coves.

Driving through Wahiawa

North Shore @ Haleiwa

The rest of the time we relaxed and hung out around Turtle Bay. Nick golfed & I went to the day spa. We enjoyed mai tai's & had some great dinners. We went horseback riding along the beach & through the forest. We also went swimming, snorkeling & laid on the beach.

Hanging out

Nick on the water slide at the pool

Out for dinner

Getting ready to ride

Horseback riding around Turtle Bay & Kawela Bay

Kuilima Cove @ Turtle Bay

Our last morning

We had a great time in Hawaii and wish we could have stayed much longer. We definitely plan to return soon! Aloha!