California Love

We just finished our first week of being in California. Brandon put in a very busy and long 6 day work week at his internship, and still managed to hang out with us part of Saturday and all of Father's Day. Alyse and I have explored a few different cities, playgrounds, and our own "backyard". The complex we live in is beautifully landscaped with a big heated pool and a man made lake with ducks and turtles. We are also really close to SFO and Alyse loves seeing all the planes flying overhead, not to mention the train stations that are also close enough for us to hear lots of "choo-choos". Good thing we're used to a plethora of noises in Chicago so all of these new noises don't phase us at all! Alyse in our new place...not sure about it right here, but it's growing on her! Brandon leaves for work around 6am and gets home between 6-6:30. He plays with Alyse a bit and usually puts her to sleep while I scramble to finish stuff up in the kitchen (any last dinner prep, cleaning, etc.) since Alyse makeshift bedroom is in a corner of the living room/dining room, right next to the kitchen, and we spend her post bedtime hours in the master bedroom suite eating dinner on the floor of the bedroom, reading, talking, watching TV on our computers, and making sure we get to bed early. We ate out on the porch a few nights, but I think it kept Alyse up because she was concerned about what was going on without her. It's worked out really well and I actually get to spend a lot more time with Brandon than I did during school since once he comes home he doesn't have homework to worry about. I'm starting to remember what our dynamic was pre-business school and I love it :) We are sharing a car and since Brandon goes to work so early he's been taking it during the week. Alyse and I have adapted our own mode of transportation: running. It's actually been kind of fun to put my running gear on almost every day and head out on an adventure to explore the state park by our condo, the nearest downtown area, the library, a new playground, an errand to the bank, etc. Luckily we have a grocery store and drugstore on the other side of our complex, so we're not running with grocery weighing down the stroller! It's been a fun outing to walk through the complex-- around the pool and duck pond-- to the grocery story, especially since Alyse has become VERY attached to her "baby mimi" and her stroller and she insists on pushing her everywhere we walk to! One of the best parts (besides the amazing weather!!!) of being here has been seeing family. Just in our first week here, we've seen Brandon's dad and brother Derek twice, his mom once, my dad once, and Brandon's grandparents and aunt and uncle! We've also taken advantage of skyping with my family who are not in CA more than we did in Chicago because I don't have any social engagements here and have lots more time to be home to skype. On our way home from Father's Day dinner tonight, Alyse was talking to herself and listing off all of the family: Debbie (Grandma Debbie, repeated multiple times), Car-Car (Grandpa Carl), YD (Cousin Yale), Whit (Aunt Whitney), Lishy (indicated not by verbally saying his name but by making a stinky face, which is the "trick" we taught her...hey, she remember you, right, bro?), Derek (Uncle Derek), and Mitch (Grandpa Mitch). Grandpa and Grandma Woodland Uncle Derek Grandpa Mitch (and the ducks...and baby Mimi) Father's Day Looking cool for summer