Summer 2009

Many firsts for Maya

Maya spent April 28-May 2nd traveling to Florida to meet her grandparents (on the Gleeson side) for her first time. Shiho loved their house and thought the back yard was full of good aura. This was Maya's first flight and she had only a few moments of fussiness, really not bad at all, and made a lot of friends in the process. Maya also dipped her feet in the Gulf of Mexico at Honeymoon Island, getting her first "taste" of salt water. We also visited Homossasa Wildlife Park, (I'll quit the firsts now, you get the idea) which is a State Wilderness Park with many attractions including Manatee's, Eagles, Flamingos and many, many other caged and wild animals indigenous to Fla. They also have a Hippo, which of course is not native to Fla., but you'll have to go there yourself to get the whole story. One of my favorite stops was at the Dali Museum in St Pete's. We went Thurs. night, and admission was only 5 bucks, which is a good tip if you plan to go, and can arrange your schedule. I'm glad we were also were able to "do lunch" with Aunt Louise and John before flying home.

Huntington Library

Today we spent the afternoon in Pasadena at the Huntington Library. It was a beautiful day and the skies became overcast for part of it which helped cool the temps. Maya seemed to be enjoying herself with many smiles to prove it. After I stuffed my zoom lens in the face of a Canadian Goose, she proceeded to walk out of the pond right by me and marched right up to Shiho as she was trying to change Maya's diaper. I had to step in to shoo off the goose...too funny!

Sailing on Santa Monica Bay

Today Maya, Shiho and John went sailing on ABRA, we sailed all the way to the Santa Monica Pier and back. I think Maya is going to be a great sailer, she seems to love to be outside and was checking out my sail trim. I'm sure she had some tips for me as I was a bit rusty! Both the girls did really great and it was a beautiful day on the water!

Return of the Swallows

Or not...last weekend Maya, Shiho and I made a trip to San Juan Capistrano to partake in the "Return of the Swallows Festival". We didn't see many swallow returning on this overcast and drizzly day, but we ate some yummy food, toured the old mission, and drove around the area and looked at a few open houses.

and the bees made honey

this weekend Maya, Shiho, the G-parents and I went to Diamond Valley Lake – the region’s largest reservoir near Hemet to view wildflowers. The drive out there was fantastic and there is a very nice loop trail at the lake open only in the spring while the wildflowers are in bloom. After that, we drove up to Big Bear Lake and Maya got her first glimpse of snow. We stayed in a very nice cabin and Maya really enjoyed being mesmerized by the fire...

New to Blogging

Well, in an ongoing search for the best tool to share and record the Life and Adventures of Maya, I've turned to the blog option...we will see how this works...will we stay with flickr...facebook....or the new blog option...too soon to tell.

Today Maya, John and the Kojima grandparents visited the Trump Golf course and explored the tide pools...Shiho had to work...poor gal.