Monday, March 30, 2009
Eat something cold to support something hot
To support all our local firefighters we will be eating ice cream. Yes, that's right - Baskin Robbins ice cream to be precise. For all thsoe who love a yummy treat you can go to a local BR on April 29th between 5 and 10pm and get a scoop for 31 cents and raise money for our firemen. YUM!
Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park
Easily one of my top 3 things to see in the city. We visited the gardens the weekend before Spring Break. Here are some pictures of this beautiful place.
(Jason is trying to get Brendan to show us his Zen pose)
Las Vegas trip
The drive to Vegas from AZ is pretty ugly but the Hoover Dam is cool. They are building an AMAZING looking bridge over it to relieve traffic that should be completed soon. I guess we'll have to make the trip again. :)
We got to Fred and Alisa's (Jason's brother and fiance) in the early afternoon and relaxed a bit before doing anything. Bubbs thought his Uncle Fred was cool and wanted to hang out with him and play games on his phone.
They had presents for the kids so Brendan played with his new Thomas toy and Eva wasn't quite sure what to do with her My Little Pony (which she loves now). We also met Hank, their dog. I like this dog - he's my kind of canine. He is chill, doesn't bark, and will cuddle up with you. Eva, however, was frightened whenever he came near.
We went to a park where Brendan soaked himself in the drinking fountain and then to an awesome shopping center for a cool playplace and my first taste of Yogurtland. Oh how I wish one were closer to us here!
We were going to eat out at Outback for dinner but Eva BADLY needed to go to bed so we ordered take out from that place. Thanks Fred and Alisa for taking us on our culinary adventures while we were there.
The next day Fred and Alisa had to work so we spent the morning lounging and met them at Green Valley Resort where Alisa gave me my first facial. It was wonderful!! If you have never had one, do it at least once. SO relaxing! In my case it was made better by the fact that I got to talk to Alisa, my soon-to-be sister-in-law, the whole time.I totally want to come back to the resort for a few days sans kids some time. We ate dinner at Lucile's. Oh my goodness was it good! Southern comfort food at its finest. I rolled out of there. Fred cut my hair back at their apartment and we watched TV/movies until most of us fell asleep. I wish we had more time with them.
We had to leave the next day but Alisa's mom came to see us before we left. She is so sweet. She brought Eva a Glo worm and Brendan some books and a train puzzle. These were great distractors on the drive to the Bakersfield hotel and, the next day, on to San Rafael.
It was a whirlwind few days and I was exhausted when we got home. I feel like I need a vacation from my vacation. But it was worth it - so many memories and reunions. See you all again soon.
We got to Fred and Alisa's (Jason's brother and fiance) in the early afternoon and relaxed a bit before doing anything. Bubbs thought his Uncle Fred was cool and wanted to hang out with him and play games on his phone.
They had presents for the kids so Brendan played with his new Thomas toy and Eva wasn't quite sure what to do with her My Little Pony (which she loves now). We also met Hank, their dog. I like this dog - he's my kind of canine. He is chill, doesn't bark, and will cuddle up with you. Eva, however, was frightened whenever he came near.
We went to a park where Brendan soaked himself in the drinking fountain and then to an awesome shopping center for a cool playplace and my first taste of Yogurtland. Oh how I wish one were closer to us here!
We were going to eat out at Outback for dinner but Eva BADLY needed to go to bed so we ordered take out from that place. Thanks Fred and Alisa for taking us on our culinary adventures while we were there.
The next day Fred and Alisa had to work so we spent the morning lounging and met them at Green Valley Resort where Alisa gave me my first facial. It was wonderful!! If you have never had one, do it at least once. SO relaxing! In my case it was made better by the fact that I got to talk to Alisa, my soon-to-be sister-in-law, the whole time.I totally want to come back to the resort for a few days sans kids some time. We ate dinner at Lucile's. Oh my goodness was it good! Southern comfort food at its finest. I rolled out of there. Fred cut my hair back at their apartment and we watched TV/movies until most of us fell asleep. I wish we had more time with them.
We had to leave the next day but Alisa's mom came to see us before we left. She is so sweet. She brought Eva a Glo worm and Brendan some books and a train puzzle. These were great distractors on the drive to the Bakersfield hotel and, the next day, on to San Rafael.
It was a whirlwind few days and I was exhausted when we got home. I feel like I need a vacation from my vacation. But it was worth it - so many memories and reunions. See you all again soon.
Arizona trip
Warning! Long post. Just wanted to tell you up front so you can review it the speedy way if you'd like (just look at the pictures - I admit I do that sometimes.)
Jason and I decided to drive since plane tickets were expensive (no cheap Southwest deals or anything) and because we were going to be driving around like crazy (even to Las Vegas) on the trip. I picked Jason up from school after his finals and we drove to the hotel in Bakersfield in time to put the kids down after Brendan had his fill of jumping on the bed. The next day we stopped about every 2-3 hours to get the kids out of the car and stretch our legs.
We found some fun parks and had a picnic lunch when the time came.
The kids were fairly good as long as I kept the entertainment (books and toys) coming and refereed the dreaded "she's touching my stuff!!" wars that erupted a few times. We discovered that Eva prefers classic rock as she would bop around in her seat whenever it played on the radio.We arrived at my grandparents in Sun City Grand around 5pm and spent the evening just relaxing. Brendan seemed to remember everything and latched immediately onto my grandpa. He followed him around all weekend.
Eva just wanted to explore the new house and got her first taste of dog food, which, by the way, she disapproved of.
We woke up early on Friday for an IHOP breakfast with our friend Carolyn. It was so nice to see her. She even brought presents for the kids. Eva held that bunny the every time we were in the car for the rest of the trip.
We visited GCU, Jason's alma mater, and the place we used to live. It was nostalgic for me. We visited with former employers, co-workers classmates and professors. Here we are on the GCU promenade that we used to walk all over when Bubbs was a toddler.
Then we engaged in one of our favorite AZ pastimes - thrifting. Central Arizona has some of the most amazing thrift stores. I think we visited almost 10 total during our trip. Jason got only a few new polyester ties (so sad) but I stocked up on summer clothes for the kids.
That night there was a BBQ at my friend Nilda with some of my best friends, Kristal, Roxanne and their families. I had the most fun I have had in a long time with these ladies. I didn't want it to end but we had tortured the cranky kids enough after they had been up past their bedtimes for over 3.5 hours. I sure miss these three gals! Nilda has a great toy room and so the kids were fairly occupied. It was great to see how everyone's lives had changed since we moved. Here are some pictures of that night.
The next day we played with my brother and his wife who had come from Utah to visit when we did. We played and talked and had a good time.
Grandpa let all the adults that wanted to ride his motorcycle. Jason took me on a ride and purposefully freaked me out by finding the most windy curves he could. Punk!
The kids just enjoyed the Arizona sun and being outside.
Later we went swimming at Thomas and Elen's hotel and had a quick bite before we went to the drive-in (another AZ favorite of ours). The movie was only okay but making fun of movies is best at a drive in where you can talk as loud as you want.
On Sunday we went to church with my grandparents but since it is an entirely older ward there is no Primary so we only stayed for sacrament meeting. I felt awkward every time my kids made a noise since there were no other kids in the room. We ate Grandma's pot roast for dinner (how come mine never turns out like that?!)
Later we visited with Jason's cousins who live in Surprise and saw the Air Force jets doing tricks for the Luke Days Air Show as we drove back to Sun City.
On Monday we took our former Singles' Ward bishop (and our dentist) out to lunch where Jason was able to talk teeth the whole time. I think he liked that. Then he got to assist in a root canal of a friend of ours (thanks Roxanne - he loved it!) and I went to play with Kristal and her boys. That night we were treated to home-made taquitos from the wonderful Lopez family. I miss these guys! They are the funniest family ever and love, love, love my kids. Brendan felt right at home and started showing off and cuddling up to Kristina.
We also played some Rock Band and they let Brendan be the vocalist. He sang "Wheels on the Bus" over and over for most of the songs.
Tuesday we had lunch at the best Greek place on the planet - the Golden Greek. This is one of our favorite haunts in the Phoenix area. Too bad the kids were not cooperating and we had to cut it short.
We then drove to see our friends the Williams, where the kids played outside and Eva had her first taste of Otter Pops. Tiffany gave us some homemade jam and salsa which are super yummy!
Then we went to Wittman to visit the Carrolls and their many animals. Brendan loved it but Eva was very scared. One of the dogs snuck up and licked her face several times. She was in my arms or Jason's the rest of the time. Brendan rode one of the horses and played with the goats.
Jason jumped on the trampoline with the kids while Lacy and I tried to coax Eva into touching some of the animals.
As we were about to leave, Brendan let the goats out so we had to herd about 15 of them back into the pen. The night was spent at Olive Garden with my friend and former co-worker, Linda Heck. She is another person that I miss.
We talked school most of the time (must be how Jason feels about talking teeth) and I had some yummy dessert. A train rolled by and since we were eating outside due to the great weather, Brendan squealed with delight. A highlight of the trip for him.
On Wednesday we left early for Las Vegas.
Jason and I decided to drive since plane tickets were expensive (no cheap Southwest deals or anything) and because we were going to be driving around like crazy (even to Las Vegas) on the trip. I picked Jason up from school after his finals and we drove to the hotel in Bakersfield in time to put the kids down after Brendan had his fill of jumping on the bed. The next day we stopped about every 2-3 hours to get the kids out of the car and stretch our legs.
We found some fun parks and had a picnic lunch when the time came.
The kids were fairly good as long as I kept the entertainment (books and toys) coming and refereed the dreaded "she's touching my stuff!!" wars that erupted a few times. We discovered that Eva prefers classic rock as she would bop around in her seat whenever it played on the radio.We arrived at my grandparents in Sun City Grand around 5pm and spent the evening just relaxing. Brendan seemed to remember everything and latched immediately onto my grandpa. He followed him around all weekend.
Eva just wanted to explore the new house and got her first taste of dog food, which, by the way, she disapproved of.
We woke up early on Friday for an IHOP breakfast with our friend Carolyn. It was so nice to see her. She even brought presents for the kids. Eva held that bunny the every time we were in the car for the rest of the trip.
We visited GCU, Jason's alma mater, and the place we used to live. It was nostalgic for me. We visited with former employers, co-workers classmates and professors. Here we are on the GCU promenade that we used to walk all over when Bubbs was a toddler.
Then we engaged in one of our favorite AZ pastimes - thrifting. Central Arizona has some of the most amazing thrift stores. I think we visited almost 10 total during our trip. Jason got only a few new polyester ties (so sad) but I stocked up on summer clothes for the kids.
That night there was a BBQ at my friend Nilda with some of my best friends, Kristal, Roxanne and their families. I had the most fun I have had in a long time with these ladies. I didn't want it to end but we had tortured the cranky kids enough after they had been up past their bedtimes for over 3.5 hours. I sure miss these three gals! Nilda has a great toy room and so the kids were fairly occupied. It was great to see how everyone's lives had changed since we moved. Here are some pictures of that night.
The next day we played with my brother and his wife who had come from Utah to visit when we did. We played and talked and had a good time.
Grandpa let all the adults that wanted to ride his motorcycle. Jason took me on a ride and purposefully freaked me out by finding the most windy curves he could. Punk!
The kids just enjoyed the Arizona sun and being outside.
Later we went swimming at Thomas and Elen's hotel and had a quick bite before we went to the drive-in (another AZ favorite of ours). The movie was only okay but making fun of movies is best at a drive in where you can talk as loud as you want.
On Sunday we went to church with my grandparents but since it is an entirely older ward there is no Primary so we only stayed for sacrament meeting. I felt awkward every time my kids made a noise since there were no other kids in the room. We ate Grandma's pot roast for dinner (how come mine never turns out like that?!)
Later we visited with Jason's cousins who live in Surprise and saw the Air Force jets doing tricks for the Luke Days Air Show as we drove back to Sun City.
On Monday we took our former Singles' Ward bishop (and our dentist) out to lunch where Jason was able to talk teeth the whole time. I think he liked that. Then he got to assist in a root canal of a friend of ours (thanks Roxanne - he loved it!) and I went to play with Kristal and her boys. That night we were treated to home-made taquitos from the wonderful Lopez family. I miss these guys! They are the funniest family ever and love, love, love my kids. Brendan felt right at home and started showing off and cuddling up to Kristina.
We also played some Rock Band and they let Brendan be the vocalist. He sang "Wheels on the Bus" over and over for most of the songs.
Tuesday we had lunch at the best Greek place on the planet - the Golden Greek. This is one of our favorite haunts in the Phoenix area. Too bad the kids were not cooperating and we had to cut it short.
We then drove to see our friends the Williams, where the kids played outside and Eva had her first taste of Otter Pops. Tiffany gave us some homemade jam and salsa which are super yummy!
Then we went to Wittman to visit the Carrolls and their many animals. Brendan loved it but Eva was very scared. One of the dogs snuck up and licked her face several times. She was in my arms or Jason's the rest of the time. Brendan rode one of the horses and played with the goats.
Jason jumped on the trampoline with the kids while Lacy and I tried to coax Eva into touching some of the animals.
As we were about to leave, Brendan let the goats out so we had to herd about 15 of them back into the pen. The night was spent at Olive Garden with my friend and former co-worker, Linda Heck. She is another person that I miss.
We talked school most of the time (must be how Jason feels about talking teeth) and I had some yummy dessert. A train rolled by and since we were eating outside due to the great weather, Brendan squealed with delight. A highlight of the trip for him.
On Wednesday we left early for Las Vegas.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Spring Break promo
To appease the masses (you, Amanda!!!) I am going to put up a few pictures from Spring Break and tell the tale later. Here are a few teasers. More to come. We had a great time!
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