Happy Birthday Ma!!

August 3rd, 2011

HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY!!

My grandma, whom we have always called Ma, turned the big 8-0 on August 3rd. In my eyes she hasn't aged a day; as far back as I can recall she has always been the same kind, fun, and sassy grandma. For Ma's birthday, her five kids and spouses took her out to dinner. Then on the way home they had to make a "pitstop" at my sister Steph's house, where we were all waiting to holler "SURPRISE!!" She was met with hugs and birthday wishes from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

The birthday girl....

 Jason and Ma chattin' it up...

 Kate and Jane enjoying their cake...

 Randy, Mike and Nick- life of the party!

 Steph, Uncle Rick, Uncle Chick, Aunt Carolee and Heather

 Chelsea, Robert, dad, and Lauren

Family photo with the birthday girl!!

Summer Vacation- Final Installment

Lights, Camera, Action!! Universal Studios was our stop today. We were just there in April but my parents hadn't been in years..... and since we had season passes it made our list. The day started with lunch at Mel's Diner followed by the always great Studio Tour. I still think the King Kong attraction is the best!

Jace, Grandma & Grandpa

I wish I was really in London!!

 Lauren and I

Watch out for that dinosaur Jace!

City view- after Jurassic Park ride that we all got soaked on....

Jace decided to take the stairs rather than the escalator.....

(i made the mistake of following him up after I took the pic.... n.e.e.d. o.x.y.g.e.n.)

 photo on the red carpet

We rode every ride, saw just about every show, and practically had to be kicked out at closing. We ate dinner ate Camachos on CityWalk and wandered around the shops for a bit. They next morning we checked out of our hotel. First we stopped at a few shops, then drove to Ikea to pick up a few larger items I had my eye on.

Grandpa found himself another friend!!

I believe we all had a great time and of course ate way too much. New adventures were had, unusual places were visited and the best part is that we got to experience it all together!! Can't wait for the next trip!!

Summer Vacation Part IV

Cheer camp was over and we said good-bye to Pomona and headed west to our next hotel in Pasadena. After checking in, our first stop was for lunch at Disney's Soda Fountain on Hollywood Boulevard.

 Lauren and her tasty chocolate shake

This is next door at the El Capitan theatre

While we were in the neighborhood we checked out the stunning homes in Beverly Hills..... 

 This fabulously large tree was just outside of our hotel in Pasadena.

Our hotel was just steps from Old Pasadena, so that evening we strolled down the charming tree lined streets. There were quaint brick alleyways that hid delightful restaurants and bakeries and modern stores with historic storefronts dating back to the 1870's.

We stumbled across a little Italian bistro and enjoyed a delicious dinner there...

Lauren had the meatball sub....

 and Jace enjoyed his pizza

I decided that I pretty much love Pasadena. Maybe someday when I win Megabucks I will buy myself a little craftsman bungalow there. Then I can visit whenever I please!

Summer Vacation Part III

We started our day rummaging through a few antique stores in San Dimas and Glendora. My dad found himself a new friend but decided in the end not to bring him home.

We then drove to Glendale to to visit the Forest Lawn Memorial Park. I know, not a normal vacation activity but quite interesting and beautiful nonetheless. This wasn't your average memorial park either. It had several mausoleums, English reproduction churches and Gothic architecture all encompassing 300 acres of winding roads and rolling green hills.

Picture perfect archway

Our reason for going was to visit the grave of Walt Disney.

He and his family are in this crypt inside of a gated private garden area. You can see that the gravestone is mounted on the wall.

Entrance to the garden area

This adorable stone church is a replica of a church in England

Also buried here at Forest Lawn Glendale is Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, Jean Harlow and Elizabeth Taylor, just to name a few....

......and inside these doors lies the tomb that Michael Jackson is buried in.....

That night we watched Lauren and her cheer team in the last competition of cheer camp. They won a lot of awards!!

Lauren with her friends Sydney and Lauren

SASSY!!

Summer Vacation Part II

Friday, August 5th 2011-

Ready for a day of sun and fun we drove over to San Dimas for a day at Raging Waters waterpark. We cringed on Dr. Von Dark's Tunnel of Terror, flew down the Bermuda Triangle and braved the rapids together on Thunder Rapids. 

Jason and Jace

Jace and I in the waterfall

 Grandma got Jace this over-sized Icee

Besides the bees that swarmed while we tried to eat our lunch, we all had a great time. Jace loved the lazy river and could of spent all day in it.  We got a quick family photo on the way out.... Lauren you missed out!!

After leaving Raging Waters we went back to the hotel and spruced ourselves up. In honor of my parents 39th anniversary that day we took them to dinner at Black Angus. Of course we couldn't pass up the three course special and we all ate waaaayyyy too much- but it was delicious!!!

 Happy Anniversary!!!!!

Summer Vacation- Part I

Our summer vacation this year was a mix of necessity and desire. It was necessary that Lauren attend cheer camp but we desired to turn it into an enjoyable family trip as well. Lauren's cheer camp was held in Pomona, CA and that is where we stayed for the first few days. We ended up booking the same hotel the cheer camp was at but we barely saw Lauren at all- she was working hard and having fun with the cheer team. My parents decided to tag along too so we agreed that since she was having so much fun,that we would have some fun too!

Thursday, August 4,2011

Her Majesty the Queen Mary....

It seems everytime we are in California, Jason mentions visiting the Queen Mary and today was finally his lucky day. After reading a little history about this ship I was smitten. Not only is it British but also has Art Deco design- I'm sold!! 

We took the haunted tour of the ship first. It told about the people who died on the ship and had stories of ghost sightings. Jace was actually a little scared and stuck right by us the entire time. Of course there was spooky music and special effects but the paranormal activity from these "passed" guests has become a legend on the ship.

Then it was off to the walking tour of the ship.

It's amazing all the gadgets they have to steer the ship yet no window to see where they are going!!

Jace and Grandma

British phonebooth and flag- love it!!

Grandpa, Jason and Jace on the upper deck where they actually have windows to look out of while steering...

Jace out on the bow of the ship

Definitely my favorite stop on the ship. I love this ballroom decked out in it's Art Deco best. I can just imagine all of the ladies and gentlemen in their formal attire dancing the night away.

and main hall had some shops with great Art Deco design

Overall I think we all enjoyed the history and design that the Queen Mary had to offer. She really is a remarkable vessel....

After we left the ship we stopped at the Shoreline Village and looked around....

even rode the carousel!!

Jace with Lion's Lighthouse.


It was a long day in Long Beach but we all enjoyed it. As we headed back to Pomona we stopped for a tasty dinner at El Torito.