Double Digits. The BIG 1-0!

Fun Day!  Hattie chose to take the family to The American Girl Store today for shopping and lunch.  Our AG store is in a great shopping district called The Groves.  We had a great time.  It's hard to believe 10 years ago, on a crisp night in Chicago we rushed to the hospital for a surprise delivery of our oldest.  She's an amazing kid.  She loves to read.  Has embraced the change of our family and is thriving at school, is kind to all, and is a good student.  We love you Hattie-pants.

We have a Dylan's Candy Bar!  We saw this in NYC and stumbled in.  The kids were amazed.  This is an amazing place.  

Dessert at the AG Cafe!  

West's picture face.  

Go Dodgers?

Strings Attached!

She's excited.  We are too!  I have to admit I enjoy unzipping her violin case and taking a peak at this newly purchased, hand made piece of art.  We live in an amazing community that provides six months of lessons and a youth orchestra so it all came together to study under one of the best violinists in the world.  I love the opportunities in LA.  So great.  Go Neeley, Go!  Lesson one done.

After conducting a choir, I love a good violinist.  She's got it in her and has been so excited.

Bucket List Item: CHECK!

Fun week in Austin for Keller Williams Annual Mega Agent and Mega Leadership Camp.  Mo Anderson, a huge leader in KW invited me to speak on a leadership panel for the company.  Mo is an icon in the industry and one of the current biggest influences in my life.  This was a HUGE honor.  She's the former CEO of KW and launched it into what it is today and at 75 is the Vice Chairman of the Board.  When asked if she'd retire she said "NO FREAKIN WAY" while I was on stage.  

She is the one that put God, Family and THEN business into KW.  

She rebuilt her world after loosing it all at age 55.  

She is firm in the convictions of her heart.

She leads an Inspirational Brunch annually at our convention where she has all major religions offer prayers (no words can describe the entire event - nothing like it in business).

She is a servant leader and it was an honor to be interviewed by her in front of the whole company.  A huge bucket list item fulfilled.  She has changed how I view leadership as we've gotten to know one 

another.  

Life Snaphots

Random shots from the last few weeks...some of our favorite things.

1.  Newport Beach...fun living minutes away!

2. At the Newport Temple on a Sunday drive (so fun to get in the car and be within a minute of million great things).  Forgot about toll roads...hoping that cam didn't work (I have a history).

3.  See that line going from the lower left to the upper right?  Yup, stairs!  I run these puppies a few times a week.  They go behind the trees in the lower left.  Bring it.  Lines crossing over are runoff drains.

4.  From the bottom looking up.  These are a quick drive from our home.  Love this workout.

5.  The view from the top of the stairs.  Yeah baby, that's the ocean. There is something that mellows my intense personality living by the beach.  BIG TIME.

6.  Our new favorite toys - our backpack beach chairs and umbrellas.  Thanks B and D - you nailed it!  Now that we have the beach chairs time for paddle boarding.  This is our favorite beach - Locals only really.  It feels like "our beach."  Its the one right by our house and people are familiar - the lifeguard, the surfing twins, the sun bather, families...we see the same people and we love it.

7.  And just to drive it home...West with a light saber in his pants.  This picture needs no caption.

California 1st Day of School

Hattie - 4th Grade

Neeley - 2nd Grade

West - Preschool

Hattie and Mrs. Palmer.  Great minds think alike.  This was the first person the kids met at the end of last year when they visited their school.  We are thrilled Hattie has Mrs. Palmer as a teacher - she was so kind at the end of the year when wandering on campus.

Neeley and Mrs. Irvine.  Mrs Irvine is in a detached portable classroom - Neeley thinks that is pretty cool.  

What a big day!  They are used to knowing everyone and today knew only a couple of kids.  We are so proud of them for being confident (albeit, normal nerves) and happy.  They have embraced this move and we are proud of them.  

From Scorpions to Skunks

I smell a skunk!  A few days ago we thought we saw a mom skunk with a baby skunk right out our slider in our family room.  Apparently we were correct!  Last night, while the screen door was open and we were watching something in the family room we saw it!  We have a stone built-in gas bbq and there is a small opening where the gas line goes under the structure - a small opening that makes a great front door for an unwanted visitor.  Looks like we have a chore ahead of us this weekend.

Where's my gun?  Skunks are a dime a dozen here.