Isabella... How was your day today?

Just watch...

Father's Day Weekend... Just Another Day in Paradise

Father's day in the US was this weekend. Most people think we live in paradise... so it hadn't occurred to us to vacation so close to home. Fredrica booked a wonderful weekend trip in Catalina Island... just a one hour express boat right from San Diego...

What a gem... we had so much fun we will certainly be returning. We saw this sign in someones window as we started walking through town

Our Video Diary on our First Night

Our boat ride out... I don't think I've ever seen Isabella so excited. She was wobbly at first trying to walk around... but she got her sea legs and loved checking out the boat and making sure all passengers were comfy.

Part of downtown... there is a bed and breakfast on the hill

Avalon make us feel like we were in a little beach community in Spain

The weather on Saturday as pretty pool, as you can see, but that didn't stop people from sailing their boats over for the weekend.

However, there was just enough rain to necessitate getting out the rain cover for the stroller. We've had the stroller a year and this was the first time we used it... of course we were prepared because it was a Swedish stroller so had a perfect rain cover!

So... a little rain won't kill anyone! We got on a glass bottom boat and went out look at fish... we went a short distance into a sanctuary and saw tons and tons of fish. Luckily the rain took a break while we were out!

As we mmentioned in the video... our apartment was awesome, which was nice given the weather. It had three levels... that means lots of stairs, which Isabella thought was the best thing in the world!

While there were cars on the island, most residents had little electric buggiest. We have no idea whose buggy this was, but we thought it was so funny it had a car seat we had to put Isabella in it and take a quick picture

We got a good walk around town on the afternoon... thought this sign said it all :-)

There are wild buffalo (bison actually, not sure if there is a difference). Isabella thought this one was a lot of fun

After the boat ride we stopped at a taco shop on the board walk for some quick food... oh... and the other beer is Fredrica's :-)

Our condo had a pool so Isabella and I went in for a swim. I think it is starting to get time for swimming lessons... Isabella is going to be a fish for sure.

Sunday morning, fathers day... we found the nicest coffee shop.
We had wonderful fish at the "Lobster Trap". They had a stage for live music that looked like a boat. Isabella thought this was just fascinating.

What's there not to smile about in life!

Of course, we found a great playground too.

All good things must come to an end... but we'll be back... just one hour on that ferry and we'll be back!

Isabella's First Hula Hoop

At the farmer's market today, Isabella was fascinated by a guy selling hula hoops. He was teaching someone how to get an expert, and this got Isabella to stop and watch.

The guy got a little hula hoop for her to start practicing, she just loved it. So we had to get one. She is going to be a pro. In Swedish it is called "Rock Ring" which means Rock Ring (like Rock 'n Roll). Isabella calls it "tuck and roll" ... not sure how she associated that with the Hula Hoop, but she's having fun.

Hope you all don't mind the natural picture... its how she came into the world and she got nothing to be embarrassed about (although this will be great for one day when she has her first boyfriend).

Ahh there is nothing better than being nude hum?

Finally convinced her put cloths on. Practice makes perfect right?

Nothing to do with Hula Hoops... my parents took this picture yesterday of Isabella demonstrating her "Downward Dog" pose

Seaworld

This kind of late but a couple of weeks ago we finally went to Sea World. I can't belive beeen living here for so long and never been. Isabella has actully been a few times with daycare. We went with James parents.

The star of Sea World, Chamu the Killer whale who loves to splash all over the audience. We sat on a safe distance.

Chamu showing of all kinds of tricks with his trainer.

Bella at Elmo's play area, she loved it here. Unfortunately she was too short for most of the "fun" stuff. We'll keep feeding her well and hoping she'll get there before we move away.

Jim camouflaged to fit in with the flamingos. If he start flocking, or eating bird seeds we'll give you an update.

These Manatees are amazing and so graceful

Needless to say... we didn't sit in the splash zone.

Dog Surfing? Yes, Dog Surfing

Living here in San Diego we do see our share of strange and fun things. but when we heard about the dog surfing competition we didn't know what to think.  If we never happened to know a friend who was competing we probably would never have gone. Boy are we happy we did! A colleague I work with, Michael, trains his dog Abby for competitions. A while back, he took up trying to teach her to surf for some extra fun and challenge.

They were quite good at it! This year, San Diego is home for a national dog competition and at the last minute, they added dog surfing to the list of events.

I took Friday morning off work and took Isabella (and mom came too... decided this was more unusual than going to her usual Friday morning yoga class!).

It was amazing. Michael would push Abby onto a wave and she would ride them straight into shore... stable and looking perfect. I can't believe we didn't get a good video (although it will be on ESPN later this month!).

Michael and Abby made it to the finals! Great for them. They didn't win but it was a ton of fun.

Michael and Abby warming up with a run in the water

Michael and Abby lining up before going into the ocean. Look at that proud dog!!!

Incredible is the word alright

This was the 'prettiest' dog on the beach :-)

Coolest cat in town

We had yet another fabulous weekend. We love our weekends because it's when I can spend some real family time alone. We are so busy during the week days that we're never together all three of us. This weekend we went for breakfast, playing in the playground. On Sunday we went for a bike ride in Mission Bay and afternoon we spend on Coronado Island, our favorite place right now. It was suppose to be rainy and cold but it was sunny and warm. Bella wore her Sunglasses while out and about and look so cool. 

Hi hi hi hi

I don't think I have say to many more things about this picture  It's a lazy girls evening with popcorn.

Bella in sumadhi (total bliss)