first day of FALL

Fall in California is probably unlike fall in any other part of our beautiful country.  There is no abundance of colorful leaves falling from trees.  No cool mornings.  No sweaters.  No cups of cocoa or hot cider.  When fall arrives here we have been back to school for a short couple of weeks, still experiencing heat waves and not wearing any of the new school clothes because it is just to darn HOT!

The Mr. and I decided to take our hot selves straight to the beach.  The heatwave had become unbearable.  I think it was 111 that day......

When we arrived it was a bearable 80something and foggy.  We had the deserted beach to ourselves!

It was kind of creepy....I was NOT going out in the water!

I knew Jaws was out there waiting for me!

eventually the sun came out blazing hot and we spent the rest of the afternoon swimming!

2009 Body Surfing......

It's that time of year again - end of August (i know i am late posting this, but better late, then never), the annual bodysurfing competition. Two fun filled days of sun, sand, surf, and friends.

This year we were greated with rain on Saturday morning. It was so cold, at least for August, and stormy I didn't even wear or take my bathing suit. Just packed up extra towels and a sweat-shirt! Of course by 10 am the sun was out and it was blazing hot. We were searching for shade!

There was definitely a big storm somewhere off Mexico - the surf was crazy storm surf, all choppy with a crazy rip current (notice the concerned looks in the above picture). The boys started off on the south side, with the rip being so strong they entered the water about 300 yards down the beach and drifted to the pier by the time they'd swum out.....

(you really can't even see Matthew in this picture)

Matthew's first heat he place 2nd....so on to another round

that's Katie in the tourquoise cap....not even out and already fighting the current

For the girls heat there were hardly any waves, and the current was so strong they were drifting north about the distance of two lifeguard towers. Katie wound up 5th in her heat, so she didn't advance to the semi-finals. The girls that did advance would catch a wave, ride it in to the shore, then run back down the beach and do it over and over. Later for the girls semi-final we would learn one of the girls dropped out because the surf was so rough. Katie was pretty dissapointed because that would have been her spot. There is always next year.....

what are friends for?

Matthew's second heat (green cap) he placed first.....so on to the semi-finals!

the six semi-finalists ready to go.....

Matthew is in the orange cap 2nd from left

cool shirt this year!

over all Matthew gets a 5th place finish! great job!!!

date day....

Date Day 2009

A free day.

no kids

no work,

no places to be at any particular time.

We made it our day to do whatever we wanted. That turned out to be sleeping in late and heading to the coast for an afternoon of wandering, snacking and picture taking.

After hearing our good friends The Wegrowskis rave about Johns' Fish Market in Dana Point we had to go for lunch and order fish & chips. For a weekday it was pretty busy so we knew it would be delicious! We had some yummy fish with lemon, malt vinegar, tartar sauce and fries. Then we walked it all off wandering around the marina looking at all the boats.

Later we decided to head down PCH to San Clemente, climbed around the tide pools for a while and took lots of pictures. It was a beautiful day!

wordless Wednesday.....

2009 CA State Lifeguard tryout swim.....

Coronado Island Love Birds....

2008 Oceanside Body Surfing Competition

Matthew and Katie when it was all over.....

another great day at the beach and cool prizes!!

Matthew waiting for the start whistle.....

Matthew catching a wave in his heat.....

Katie waiting for the start whistle.....
10 minutes to show the judges what you've got.....


Katie with an underwater take-off.....

The last weekend in August is always the annual Body Surfing Competition at the Oceanside Pier. Matthew and Katie each competed in their different age groups. After a couple of elimination rounds they both qualified for the finals!! They each placed third overall with cool trophys and great prizes from Quicksilver and Roxy.