Grace's 1st Day of 1st Grade!

Today Grace started 1st grade. 

It doesn't seem real that my little girl is now a first grader.  A mom once told me "the days are long but the years are short."  Never did that mean more to me than watching Grace head into her 1st grade classroom today.

She said she had a good first day and she likes her teacher, so that is all I can hope for this early in the year.  I hope she feels the same on the last day of school - in just 179 more days!!

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
- Philippians 4:13

End of Summer Trip

We like to go away for a little break from reality before the start of school each year.  So, much like last year, we headed to the beach for some end of summer fun before school was in full swing for both girls.

Saturday was spent at Half Moon Bay Beach - we couldn't have picked a more perfect day for the beach.

  

Not a cloud in the sky, no wind, just a beautiful day.  The kids and Chris played in the water and let the waves "chase" them.  The waves won that race every time!

We had dinner at Pizza My Heart - Chris's fave pizza place - the pizza really is amazing if you are ever in the area and can try it you should.

We had dim sum on Sunday at Ming's in Palo Alto.  Yummy, yummy and you end up having eyes much larger than your stomach.  Everything just looks so tempting as they wheel it by on those little carts!

 

The rest of Sunday was spent at Stanford showing the girls what they can attain with hard work and a HUGE scholarship! 

What a beautiful campus and great views from atop the Hoover Tower.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
- 1 Chronicles 16:34

Emma's First Day of Preschool!

Today Emma started her final year of preschool.

Grace went with me to drop her off and sampled some of the Lego's while there!

This is Emma on her second day of school in her school shirt!

As you can see in the pictures, she was super excited and couldn't wait to get there and see her friends and her teachers Ms. Julie and Ms. Heather.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- Isaiah 41:10

Saturday in Sonoma

What sounds like a good idea on a Saturday with a 4 & 6 year old?  Going to Sonoma to check out some wineries of course!

We started at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards,

 then moved on to Arrowood Winery

 and finished up at Cline Cellars Winery.

We had a great day.  Sonoma is much more laid back than Napa with less crowds and some really beautiful wineries.

Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
- Psalm 100:3