Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Road Trip

Road Trip
It has been 7 days that I could not get to the blog. We stopped at a Best Buy along the way near Los Angeles today and had them fix the problem, so this is going to be a long one. The next blogs will hopefully be daily...thanks
Day 1
We headed to Medford to spend a little time with Don and Donna, Nancy's brother. In the morning we spent time at a wonderful breakfast at their friends restaurant...Punky's.
Day 2
 Heading South, stopped at Redding, found a great deli...Turbo'z. Highly recommend it!
 Arrived in Alemeda and went for a walk at refuge with Shane and "Pongo"

 Day 3
Shane took us up to Yosemite...wow, awesome place to take pictures. Shane loaned his old camera to his mother for the trip. She is going to learn to use it.
 Lets seee.....Point, then shoot...hmmm, which lever does what????
 Oh, yes...Sam went with us to spend the day.
 Yes, there is still snow up there.
 No, not a fire...this is the color of the foliage.
 There are so many awesome views...see the falls?
 She makes the view!
  Sam is SOO excited.
Yes, that is "Half Dome right next to me.
 A closer look at Half Dome as we get to a better viewing.
 The best viewing at Glacier Point
 Nancy is getting the hang of this taking picture thing.
 As the sun sets, the granite changes colors.
 El Capitan as the sun paints him.
  Bridal Veil falls in the colored mountain.
Day 4
Shane wore us out yesterday...now a day seeing some of the sights of San Francisco. Here is Lake Merrit in downtown Oakland. It has become an estuary for injured birds as well as many local ones. These tree's on the little island are full of Cormerants nests.
 Next to the San Francisco Fine Arts park. These are some new visitors (or maybe full time residents) of its lake.
 The "Palace of Fine Arts" building is beautiful. (Just like the pretty lady here)
 Shane protecting his mother in the park.
 Only one of the many tree dwellers at the park.
 Shane makes a great tour guide.
 From there we went to the hill above the Golden Gate bridge...the hill where the canons were located in the 2nd WW...what a view, even of Alcatraz. Notice that it was a bit foggy.
 Shane...no, not the cowboy, our son walking through the wind.
 Here we are at the top of the hill...very windy!
 Shane and Nancy checking out the old bunkers.
 Next to the Golden Gate park...check out these strange tree's!
 YES, there are windmills in Golden Gate Park...Buffalo too. (The  picture disappeared)

 Day 5
Shane wore us out! We headed down to Sharon and Loren's (Nancy's sister) in Scotts Valley to relax. They said there was a company called Canapay in town. They rebuild and sell classic cars...had to go see this!


 Wow, they buy, fix and sell (or work on private) cars. The shop is immaculate! Great tour!
 Day 6
Drove down and spent the day in Carmel with Sharon and Loren.

I think we wore Loren out...he is taking a nap.
Celebrating Loren's 80th birthday (believe it or not) at a Mediterranian restaurant in Carmel
They marched around and sang to Loren in Mediterranian style
Day 7
Sharon and Loren fixed an awesome breakfast for us...notice who washes the dishes.
Had to take some pics of their wonderful home nestled in the hills above Santa Cruz.


We headed down to Los Angeles for the night, hoping to see my cousin Nita. We stopped at Pismo Beach for lunch at a great restaurant with a view of the bay.  Highly recommend it

Thus ends week 1 of our Road Trip

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Family Easter 2014

 This year Dean and Dawn hosted the family celebration...Here is the master chef in action (Dean)
 Nancy and Cassy discussing how good the meal looks
 Dean and Dawn putting the final touch on the FEAST
 Sophie and Brody giving the o.k. that it is almost ready (Dexter feeling left out)
 The FEAST is ready (look at that salmon salad), great rolls, awesome eggs, unbelievable potatoes, etc
 Time to hide the eggs for the little (???) ones. Each adult had to hide them all over the place, but not in the woods, please.
 Not in the pond, Dean!
 Too easy, Dawn.
 That's better
 Huh?
 Even Dexter got in on the hunt
 Madeline to the race for the most
 Madeline and Sophie keeping each other from missing any.
 Sophie and Elsie in the front yard.
 A little adult help so we don't miss any
 Look what Madeline found! It kept Grandma away!
 Now to count to see if they missed any (and of course, taste the best of the chocolates)
 Nancy and Chad in serious discussion.
 Nancy and Dawn in serious mother and daughter talks
 Looks like Dawn is talking about what she wants to do with the place.
 Looks like Mom agree's
Enjoying relaxed moments after awesome Easter day...good food, fun day in an awesome place, great time with family (We missed having Shane, Yoshika and Sam with us...hope you guys had a good day)...ate too much and not a bit sorry...We are blessed!