Is the Burley D'Lite Delightful?

Biking is huge here is San Diego and we decided to hop on board the trend with the kids. We've recently purchased a Burley D'Lite bicycle trailer that I can tow behind my road bike. The maiden voyage of the Burley D'Lite was not so delightful for Paige. She cried the entire ride. We bought her a helmet (law here in CA) but when she has it on in the trailer it always falls down to cover her face...doesn't sound fun to me either. Couple of shots of the kids in the Burley...

Paige waving bye-bye, let's roll!

Paige - on second thought, I don't like this at all!

Owen - am I going to have to listen to this the whole ride?


Update...we went on a bike ride Saturday morning and it was much more pleasant for all involved. Well, except for me at the end (after 1.5 hrs of pulling almost 80 pounds, my legs were beyond tired!)

Concert in the Park

One thing we've really been enjoying about living on Coronado is the Concert in the Park music bands every Sunday night. A band plays every Sunday night at the main park in the center of the town. People come out to the park in droves with their wagons, bikes, strollers, etc. weighted down with blankets, food and games. Find a patch of green, thrown down your blanket and enjoy the show.


These are a few pictures of the kids at the park last night. Owen was enjoying dancing to the music and playing with the frisbee. Paige, well she really enjoyed the eating part of the festivities.

Dancing, dancing!

Owen's version of the twist

Paige standing up on her own for several seconds

Pumpkin Head

Paige has new teeth coming in left and right these days but in a rather odd order. She cut the two bottom center teeth months ago. A month or so ago, she cut another tooth on the bottom right. Two weeks ago she cut two teeth on the top but not the center two, but a center tooth and then top left. The other two top teeth are coming in right now and we think in the next week she'll cut another one on the bottom.

If you didn't follow all that - can't blame you. Point is...our little girl is going to have a mouth full of teeth in a blink of an eye it seems. It's pretty funny to watch her smile as they are coming in - she looks like a pumpkin!

Hole in One with Kenny Houston

Who knows whether or not he'll have luck on the golf course as he gets bigger, but Owen sure does seem to bring luck to those who are out there playing. Aunt Kim and Uncle Brian had taken Owen out to the putting green to play around and watch the golfers while we were in Humble. Owen saw a ball come land up on the green and then...what do you know, a Hole in One!!!

The lucky golfer came over to talk to Owen, Kim and Brian. We didn't know who they were but the caddy told us the golfer was Kenny Houston, Houston Oilers Hall of Famer 1989. Mr. Houston came over to my dad's yard and gave Owen his hole-in-one golf ball. Mr. Houston later brought a signed football for Owen as well. He of course has no understanding of how cool this is now, hopefully one day it will register. For the time being, we'll just hold on to these memories and mementos.

Owen and Kenny Houston - Hole in One!

Aunt Kim and Owen with the lucky ball!

Our Cross Country Journey (May 2009)

I need to do some catching up on the blog - mainly for the month of May. It was such a busy one for us with a cross country move and all. We traveled from the Azores to Maryland then drove from Maryland to San Diego with several stops along the way. I was a bit anxious about this drive (rightly so I think- who wants to drive cross country with a toddler and baby?) but the kids were great and we had a good time.

Brief stay in Maryland
We stayed in Baltimore and were able to have dinner with Jared's sister Kacey and her boyfriend Jonathan. It was a great meal and we were so happy to see them both. On our way out of town we made a surprise visit to my Nana (my mother's mom). She was needless to say without words when she saw me at her front door, just out of the blue. I was so happy to see her and introduce her to her great-grandaughter.

Paige and Nana

Nana, Stacy, Owen and Paige

After our quick visit with Nana we drove to Norfolk, VA and were able to catch up with a friend from out Jacksonville days - James Ward (and then not long after than see his wife Christine while we were in Humble).

Americus, GA - At the Farm

From VA we made our trek south and stopped near Americus, GA at Curt's farm to have a reunion of sorts with some dear friends from our time in Jacksonville. It was wonderful to see the Scotts, the Roberts and the Slaughters. Most all of our families have grown since the last time we've seen each other and it was wonderful to meet all the new additions. It was wonderful to see you guys and we miss you dearly!

Annabelle, Paige, Jack and Owen

Owen giving Jack a kiss and Paige about to take a big tumble off the step
Owen, Paige (not enjoying the photo op), Annabelle and Jack
Paige being quite the dare devil climbing on the rocking chair
Jared and Owen headed down the path

Humble, TX - Mother's Day

We headed west from GA and stayed the night in Gulfport, MS after having a wonderful dinner and visit with Brad and Rachel. It was so fun to see their daughter Marlie (last time we saw Marlie she was 4 months old). And finally on Mother's Day we made the journey to Humble to see our family for several days. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at my dad's with my family and Jared's.

Paige and Aunt Kim

Paige and Uncle Brian

and with the Grandparents

Paige and Pops

Paige and Granly

Humble TX - Herman Park to ride the trains

We were able to spend a great afternoon at Herman Park with Granly and Grandad to ride the train and the metro. Owen LOVED them both.

Paige pumped about the train ride

Owen and Mommy

Here we go!

Owen on the metro

New Braunfels, TX - Stop at Sara's for lunch
As we continued our trip west to San Diego we stopped for lunch in New Braunfels to have lunch with two of my best girlfriends from college, Sara and Quinn. It was so great to see them both and the kids enjoyed playing a bit too before getting back into the car. Not much fun was had again until we stopped in Tucson a few days later.

Quinny and Paige (Quinn is about to have a little one herself anyday now!)

Owen and Jared playing with Max's t-ball set (which inspired Owen's 3rd bday gift)

Paige - this swing sure beats my carseat!

Tuscon, AZ - Uncle John's

The trip from Humble to Tucson was long but we made it in pretty good time and we were so excited to be able to spend the day and night with my Uncle John in Tucson. It was a wonderful day and we can't wait to see you all again soon. My aunt and uncle have recently moved from Maryland and we're thrilled to have family so "close" (only 6 hour drive). Owen and Paige definatly enjoyed the swimming pool.

Paige floating in the pool

Owen and Uncle John

And finally - San Diego!!!
We left the Azores on Sunday May 3rd and arrived in San Diego on Sunday May 18th. The kids were definately ready to be out of the car! We're proud of how well they did along the trip. We were able to spend several days with close friends from highschool, Mike and Leslie Brown and their daughter Lily. Unfortunately, Mike and his family moved to TX five days after we got to San Diego. Guess that's just how it goes in the Navy! Here are a few pics of the kids having fun together. Owen was thrilled to have a playmate for a few days. We miss you guys and hope you're settling in well in Corpus.

Owen and Lily Brown

Owen, Lily and Paige

So that's it...our cross country journey. I think this is the longest post I have ever seen and do wonder in my head how if anybody reading will even make it to the end it's so long - sorry. We had a great time and this is a nice way to document our trip. Now that I've caught up on the past I can post about what's going on now, yeah!

Visit with Granly and Grandad (continued!)

Maybe one day I'll be quicker/better about posting to the blog...we'll see. Here are the last pics of our visit with Granly and Grandad.

Surrey without the fringe on top

Yes - we did it, we rented a surrey and rode around Coronado and checked out the Hotel Del Coronado. It was a lot of fun though tiring at the end. Paige kept her helmet on (which she hates wearing) and Owen did his job - ringing the bell.

The Solether four - Paige not sure about this surrey business

Paige: Are you sure I have to wear this?

Almost on our way (Greg is inside the store getting his morning coffee)

Beach Trip

On Greg and Letha's last full day we managed a quick trip to the beach. In the 45 minutes we were there, Paige managed to eat her fair share of sand (not too surprised here), Letha and Owen waded in the cold Pacific a bit and we managed to lose one of Owen's sandals. I am more bummed than he is because it was a nice sandal - oh well.

Smiling Solether ladies - Letha, Stacy and Paige

Owen getting one of many buckets of cold ocean water so he can make wet sand

Balboa Park

After our surrey ride we made a quick jaunt to Balboa Park and the railroad museum. Though he doesn't look too excited in these pictures, Owen LOVED it!

Paige and Grandad - Does it get sweeter than this?

Visit with Granly and Grandad

We were so excited to have Jared's parents, Granly and Grandad, visit from Texas for a week. I'm not sure what they enjoyed more - the week with their grandchildren or the break from the TX heat and humidity! It comes as no surprise that the San Diego weather fully cooperated and we were able to go and do all sorts of things around town with blue skies and comfortable temps. Owen now has a bit of a cold, I think we played maybe a bit too hard but it sure was fun!

As a side note, I feel so blessed to have the in-laws that I do and the wonderful relationship that we share. Thanks for coming Greg and Letha, we had a wonderful time!

Here are some pictures from the week we shared:

San Diego Padres vs. Houston Astros Baseball Game

Though Jared and I hail from Houston we are going to root for San Diego teams while living here. However, we were a winner either way in this game (though the Astros won without a problem). There was a sanbox at the bottom of the bleacher section we were sitting in where Owen played for about 80% of the game...often times oblivious to the baseball game played right in front of him. We enjoyed the ferry boat ride to and from Coronado to San Diego too.

Owen and Grandad enjoying the ferry ride

A rosy cheeked Paige enjoying her first baseball game.

Our little family relaxing in the grass enjoying the game (Owen more enjoying his popcorn)

Owen is taking a break from the sandbox and watching the game from a great seat.

Taking it all in.

Going to the Zoo Zoo Zoo, How bout You You You

For all those Raffi fans, I do quote the "Going to the Zoo tomorrow" song. We enjoyed a wonderful day at the San Diego zoo, known to be one of the best and it didn't disappoint.

Jared and Stacy at the new elephant exhibit
Sleeping beauty
At the giraffes...one of my favorites!
Owen and Granly at the Polar Bear exhibit.