High School Musical

Abbie, Kylie and Zoe pose by the show poster before the performance. It was the sold-out encore run of the show and we got to see one of only five stage productions of the show in the US this summer.

The Sound of Music

Abbie performed in her fifth piano recital on Sunday. She played "Pizzacata Polka" with flying colors. She's pictured here at the Baby Grand with her teacher.

Bonzai Birthday

Here's Zoe along with Abbie, Jenna and Alexa and our chef at Tokyo Steakhouse for the big #8.

Salt Creek Beach

Mom and I had a great time at Salt Creek Beach. Couldn't really swim much since there was a rip-current, but we managed to have a great time and the waves packed a punch. One wave swept both of us off our feet and sent Mom under and me over the top. Here are some pics.

The sun room

Special Days

Doug and I celebrated 12 years together on August 19. The girls celebrated the first day of school on Aug. 21.

Partners in Crime

Listen to me, kid ... I know just how to work mom and dad over to make it so you can have ANYTHING you want.

Soooo Big!

Fun in the Sun

Had a good weekend...my last in California for a while! Went to the beach and Belmont Brewing Company--overall a great weekend--besides the fact that my ear had a buildup that made me unable to hear out of my right ear! Can't wait to see everyone.

Soaking up the sun.



Me boogie boarding



Long Beach sunset from Belmont Brewing Company



Me enjoying my two favorites: some great beer and Choula hotsauce at BBC.

Benjamin finds his thumb ...

... and also discovers Nattie Ruth's got one heck of a grip.

It's not summer ....

.... without a Peach Upside Down Cake. It wasn't as good as mom's, but we enjoyed it anyway:)

Hot Wheels

Here's Zoe's new bike (she's come a long way from the pink/purple princess ride a few years ago), an early b-day present from Papa and Grandma. Along with her snazzy new Chuckie T's, she's ready to cruise to second grade in style.

New camera for Switzerland!

I finally broke down and got new camera for my trip-- actually my first camera ever! Here are a few pics of flowers I took with it. Some of them I put an effect on that keeps only the color you specify and the rest black and white-- I'm still learning. Hope everyone is doing well. Can't wait to see everyone.

Big Talker

With four women in the house, it's difficult to get a word in edgewise. But, Benjamin is certainly trying. He has Abbie's ear here ... and her heart as well. Here's a couple other shots of the big man living large with the Maxwells.

Little Ruthie

Natalie has a real love for being in the yard and messing with the flowers ... sounds like another Ruth we know and love. Here she is trying to snap the Snapdragons.