ASCA Coaches Clinic and Chicago

Bryan was asked to speak at the American Swim Coaches Association Swim Clinic which is an international clinic once a year!! I was able to go along, so we took the opportunity to stop off in Chicago before heading home to visit Bryan's old friend Bobby and his girlfriend Jessica who attend the University of Chicago (Bobby) and University of Illinois at Chicago (Jessica). It was the first time that we had been anywhere with out Peyton which was extremely difficult for me. But Peyton had a blast.... She stayed with good family friends the Goodson's and with my parents (and was treated like a princess).

Bryan had the highest attendance of any of the talks both times!!! I watched both his talks and sat there with a big smile on my face... so proud of him. He did great, there were many coaches with questions for him after his talks. And to top it all off.... he received Age Group Coach of the Year for Southern California!!!

Right after finding out about Bryan's award we were off to Chicago (unable to attend the banquet so he could receive his award...). Chicago was a blast and we tried to fit in as much as we could in 1 1/2 days. The first night Bobby and Jessica took us up to the top (96 floors) of the John Hancock Building for cocktails at sunset... AWESOME! Then, the next day, we went on the architecture tour, saw Buckingham fountain, and walked through Millennium Park. Lots of walking... Here are some of mine and Jessica's pictures :)

A funny foam corn hat in the airport in Indianapolis...

The ASCA Clinic

Outside Bryan's conference room

One a Bridge overlooking the Chicago River

The view from 96 floors up!!

the view at sunset at the John Hancock building

Bobby and Jessica on the subway

site of the first self sustaining nuclear reaction - University of Chicago campus

cool pond on the campus

view from out architecture tour

the bean sculpture in Millennium Park

Buckingham fountain

Misc. pics from swim lessons

Peyton took swim lessons at Bryan's pool this summer. The first lesson, she was the only child to be okay in the water and not be crying for "Mommy". By the second lesson she was getting adventurous enough to venture out into the center of the pool (even though the instructor had told her to wait on the stairs) and was the only child to be threatened with "time out". After that she calmed down and got better and better with ever lesson.

Here are some cute pictures!

San Diego Zoo Trip

Bryan and I decided that it would be fun to take Peyton down to the San Diego Zoo for the day one day this summer... She really enjoyed the Long Beach Aquarium so we thought she would love the zoo. We arrived around lunch time and bought her a kids meal that came in a bucket. After lunch we asked her what she wanted to see first, in which she replied " Giraffes", so we walked over to the giraffes first. She enjoyed the giraffes... but she enjoyed her kids meal bucket more than everything after that... Funny thing is, that the next day she stood in her bucket and broke it and said "I need to go back to the zoo and get another bucket". Oh man....

Orange County Fair 2010

Peyton enjoyed the Orange County Fair much more this year. She wasn't scared of the cow at the petting zoo like last year. :)

We also took along with us Morganne, one of our good family friends. We had so much fun.

Tulips and Tangerines Photography Photoshoot

My friend Valerie is doing photography on the side and met us on Balboa Island for a couple of hours a few weeks ago for some photos. I'm in love with them... Enjoy!!

Sitting on the porch with Daddy

One of Bryan's new favorite things to do with Peyton is sit on the front porch and chat. Sometimes they eat snacks together like carrots. Peyton likes to talk about what she did that day or the bunnies that we have on the lawn. Thought as always I would throw in a picture of this...

Super Adorable Sunglasses

I found these sunglasses at Old Navy and Peyton actually enjoys wearing them and asks to have them. She even tucks them into the top of her shirt and says "see, like Mommy". It's too cute. These pictures are just taken on out front lawn quickly one day as we were getting ready to go somewhere. But they are so cute...

First Haircut

Peyton recently had her first haircut. I took her over to Cool Cuts on 17th Street in Costa Mesa, which is a salon just for kids. She picked out "Finding Nemo" and sat in a Fire Engine. She was very excited and really enjoyed herself. I was relived when it was over because I had no idea how she would react to having a haircut. But it was a success!