Museum of the American West

Yesterday Ryan and I took a field trip to the Museum of the American West located in Griffith Park. It used to be called the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum. We went with a group from APS, our homeschool school. There were about 70 of us total and were broken up into smaller groups. Ryan was in the younger group and learned about the cowboys, one of his favorite subjects. We saw an actual longhorn and buffalo and learned about the chuckwagons and even got to try on a cowboy hat, trenchcoat, bandana and chaps. We also got to go into the Discovery Center, where everything is hands on. It is centered around the life of a Chinese immigrant in the 1930's. There are three different areas the kids can explore, each a part of his life. There was a Chinese antiques store, which he started when he first came to America; a restaurant, which his children later opened; and their home in Hancock Park. It was fun for Ryan to see what life was like in the 30's before big refrigerators and modern telephones. We need much more time to go back and explore all the other parts of the museum!

Natalie and her Bubbas

Natalie loves her Bubbas. What are Bubbas? Well, the dogs of course. We think she's trying to say Buddy, but instead comes out Bubba. Every dog is now a Bubba. If she sees a dog on the street she waves and says, "Hi, Bubba". So Bubba it is.

Weekend in Seattle

Ryan & Krystal

Steve and I spent this weekend in Seattle for the wedding of friend Ryan and his new bride Krystal. Ryan has been one of Steve's clients for a number of years now, and Ryan and a bunch of his friends (all of them Oregon alums) come to LA for the Pac-10 basketball tournament each year. It was the most beautiful weekend in Seattle! Temps were in the 70's, clear and perfect! We ate lunch on Friday at Athenian Inn, which is where they filmed a scene from Sleepless in Seattle, my all-time favorite movie. That night we attended the rehearsal dinner at Gas Works Park, which is the site of old gasification plant that once powered much of Seattle from 1907 to the mid 1950's. Saturday we walked around much of downtown and visited the Space Needle, but did not actually go up to the top. The line was pretty long thanks to the many, many Oklahoma Sooners fans which were in Seattle for their game against the Univ. of Washington. Later in the evening we attending Ryan and Krystal's wedding at the Hotel 1000. It was a beautiful ceremony, and had some fun personal touches to the ceremony. It was great having a breakfast buffet for dinner! Congrats Ryan and Krystal and thanks for a fantastic weekend!

Pike's Place

The view from the Athenian Inn

The Space Needle

What a Way to Start the Season!

On Monday evening, UCLA played their first home game of the year, which was also the first game for new head coach Rich Neuheisel. They played Tennessee, who was ranked 18th in the nation. UCLA was not given any chance to win the game, and some "media" types predicted a Tennessee blowout. But, in true Neuheisel fashion, the Bruins pulled out a exciting win in overtime over the Volunteers 27-24. UCLA did great considering they were playing with a third-string quarterback who threw four interceptions in the first half! Ryan, Katie and Natalie had a great time in our new seats. We moved to the press box side of the Rose Bowl, known as the shady side, and down close to the field. At least we don't have to deal with the beating sun for most of the game, and the complaining from the kids that it's too hot. The kids hung in the entire game and were treated with a fireworks display after the game. Go Bruins!!

New School Year

We began our school year last Monday, August 25. Ryan is in 1st grade and Katie has joined us for Preschool. Ryan will be reading the Magic Tree House books, studying ancient history and learning about astronomy. He will also be learning simple multiplication by the end of the school year. Katie will continue to learn her letter sounds and should be reading in her Hooked on Phonics books by Christmas. She is also learning how to write her letters and count to 20. They are both excited about a new school year!

Katie's Dance Class

Katie has been in dance class at the Performing Arts Center for about two months. Her class is an hour long, with 30 minutes of ballet and 3o minutes of tap. She loves her class and her teacher Miss Heather!

Katie with Miss Heather