Summer Highlights

This summer has been a very eventful one for the Koontz clan! Leah has been in day camp and has been going, going and going! We started out with swimming lessons and she has since become a little fish. Michael and I had a chance to do a great date night with some friends of ours at the Hollywood Bowl. We saw "The Art of Song" with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Michael Feinstein and Jewel. The best part were the fireworks at the end. We had a wonderful picnic and a great time! This past weekend, we went up to Bass Lake with my parents and Emily and Brian. We brought the dogs and they had a blast swimming...even Charley, mom and dad's dog. He finally figured it out. We can't believe our summer is coming to a close but here are some photos for you to enjoy...

Moses, our Belgian-Malinois/Boxer Mix, loves the water

Charley and Moses are new best friends

Leah is ready to use her new snorkel gear!

Jewel sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow at the Hollywood Bowl, it was great!

Picture Perfect Sunset at the Hollywood Bowl!

Independance Day!!

For the Fourth of July weekend, The Koontz Clan, dogs and all, went up to the Lake with our friends Kari and Anthony. We had a very relaxing time enjoying the lake, good food and awesome weather! Leah was our little water baby who did not want to get out of the water. This is the same kid, who 3 weeks ago at the beginning of swimming lessons, was too terrified to jump into the pool. It is amazing how a little confidence can go a long way. Leah is the joy of our lives, and I am so excited to share these photos with you. I wish I could take credit for taking all of them, but Kari took most of them and she was able to capture true "Leah" joy!! Thanks Kari!!

I took this one of the munch jumping off the dock!

Even the dogs were along for the ride!

Kari captured the joy of Leah being thrown into the Lake!

Yummy Cherries...all over her!!

Come on in, the water's fine!!

Ready to go fishing, this time with a floating fishing pole!!

Biola Babes!!

Total Joy!!! Leah is in heaven!!

Wishing she could drive the boat...she was bummed it was docked!!

Awaiting the fireworks!!

The Getty With Leah

My friend Tom is in the same credential program that I did. For one of his classes, he needed to see an art lesson and since it is summer, and school is not in session he invited Leah and I to join him at the Getty. They have family art lessons where you focus on one piece of art and then talk about it and draw a picture. Leah has been very into art this summer, so we were in!! While we were on our way to the piece we'd be learning about she said, "This is my first visit to a museum and I can't wait to come back!" It was so precious. Here are some photos of the budding artist and the link to the info. We'll be going back in the near future, so let us know if you want to come too! http://www.getty.edu/familyfun/index.html

Wedding Extravaganza

Summer is here and it has been a Wedding Extravaganza!! The 2nd weekend of June was Emily's bacholorette party in Palm Desert followed by her wedding in Temecula on June 19. Here are some pictures that highlight the festivities. It was a great time to celebrate Emily and Brian as they enter into marriage. Michael and I also celebrated our 1st anniversary on Monday and were able to spend the weekend in Temecula and San Diego to celebrate. We cannot believe a year went by so fast and we are so excited for the next 50!!

Emily and I in Palm Desert

The gals in Palm Desert

Me, Jamie and Kari at the rehearsal

The McAllister family, now with a Koontz and a Thomas

The Gals at the Hampton Inn

The Setting of the Wedding

Groomsmen and Minister

Bridesmaids

Bride and Groom

Dad and Em

Happy 6th Birthday, Leah!!

Yesterday, we celebrated Leah's 6th birthday with a party at our house. With only 2 weeks left of kindergarten and Leah turning 6 there is no denying that our big girl is growing up!! We had a blast!! With water guns and soakem' squishy balls and bubbles galore, the kids had a blast. A super great idea I found was homemade ice cream the kids all made themselves. All you do is put milk and sugar in a small ziplock and put that in a big ziplock with ice and salt and shake shake shake! It is going to be our "go to" dessert of the super! Super fun and super easy!! http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=40986 The adults enjoyed the burgers and Rock Band! Here are so pictures of the day!! It was sooo fun!!

Leah and her friend Mason from school!!

Water Gun fun!!

The teacher in me going over the rules for the pinata!!

The birthday girl taking a whack!!

Collecting the loot!!

Blowing out the candle!!

We even decorated our own cupcakes!!

Our tied girl, opening presents!

Surprise, Dad!! Happy 60th!!

As you may or may not know, The McAllister's all celebrate their birthday's in May. My sister and I on May 2nd, my mom on May 16th and my dad on May 21st. This year my dad turned the big 6-0!! Last year, when he turned 59, my mom said that she wanted to throw a big bash for him for his 6oth. Then my sister got engaged and they had to pay for another wedding, 2 in one year! My dad told my mom to forget any type of party, since they had a wedding to plan. My mom could not let the year go by without celebration, so we had to go behind his back! Haha, dad!! My mom decided to have a dinner for him at Capone's, one of my dad's favorite resturants. It was on May 17th, the day after my mom's birthday. We told dad that we would take mom there for her birthday since we all had plans on her actual day. Michael and I went to the resturant, to greet everyone as they arrived. He was soooo surprised and it was a great night of friends and fellowship to celebrate my dad's birthday!! Below are pictures of the evening and all the great people who shared in the event!!

Just in case he forgot how old he was turning!!

My dad entering the resturant! (At first he thought we pulled off a party for my mom!!)

Mom and Dad, not looking a day over 59!!

Some of the McAllister Clan!

The Haugen's and Friends!



Work friends, and church friends!

The Spanish Travelers!!

Church Friends, too!!

More Church Friends!!