The weekend we got home from Cali we had to go to J’ville and say good-bye to the Eberts one last time.

Put out the flags, raise the banner, throw the confetti, Uncle Andy is finished with his ortho boards!!!

Andy was about to come home from taking his big exam in Chicago, and boy was the anticipation building.

Brother Man, Jax, & Drew

Party hats on, we’re ready to celebrate!

Yay!  Congratulations, Uncle Andy!

These pictures make me want to cry – we miss you so much already!!!

Last family steak dinner before heading to Japan.

Couldn’t wait for that good ol’ chocolate cake!  We have so much to celebrate!

Last week, I seriously ironed non-stop, except when we went to story time at the library on Tues. and Thurs. and went swimming Friday with Sam, Jillian, & Jamie. 

It took us all week, but we finally finished Rikki-Tikki Tavi!  Noelle loved listening to her first long book.  Mrs. Jacobs, the librarian, has a list of new books she wants Noelle to read.  I have been working on bracelets and pictures and am about to feel caught up!  Anyway, we are finally getting back into our routine.

*Noelle asked me to take this picture mid-week last week.  I made a deal with myself to ground the camera until I was all caught up on pictures, but Noelle was missing saying "Cheese!"

Noelle having a good time!

We had such a blast boogie boarding at Bolsa Chica Beach!  Riding the wave was such a neat feeling… thanks Cindy for making me try it!

Noelle enjoying the view… 

Telling Brother Man all about it!  Noelle always talks with her hands – so does John!

Now what?

"I’ve had enough of this sand!!!"

Pics after multiple sand burials.

I loved this castle beach home next door to…

Jessie James & Sandra Bullock’s house!  I felt like such paparazzi – this is L.A. though, so it’s all part of the experience.

I LOVE these garage doors!  

Back at the Ziemke’s house.

Fresh (giant) lemons coming right up!

Grapefruit anyone?

Tangerines, oranges, limes, you name it, the Ziemke orchard’s got it!  I would kill for produce like this in my back yard.

"Nice to meet you, Mercedes!" 

Mercedes is 30 years old and is the Ziemke’s family pet.

Noelle simply loves animals!