Monterey Day

(Son of a gun.  This was supposed to post like two weeks ago!  Here it is, much later than what it originally should have been.  Oops.)

If you maybe follow my photography blog (soon this one and that one will be combined), then you know that the weekend before Easter I went to Monterey and Carmel to take senior pictures for a friend of the family.  We had a fun time.  But while I was taking Katy's pictures, I was also snapping some of what was going on around me.  Hope you enjoy!

The end.

Wine Tasting/Murphys Irish Festival Day Trip

Some few weeks ago, I went on a quick little day trip up to Murphys in the Sierra foothills.  You see, they put on a Irish Festival every year.  So we went.  My parents, brother, future SIL, and bro's friend.  Murphys = total Irish pride!  On the way though we stopped at Twisted Oak Winery to do a little tasting.  Good stuff!  Then we proceed to Murphys to walk around downtown and have lunch.  Good times!

Afterwards we stopped at Iron Stone Winery to taste their stuff.  It wasn't that great, but the flowers definitely were!

As so concludes the day trip.  I napped on the way home.  Wine + hilly roads = lull to sleep.

Uh oh...

I just realized I didn't give the February birthday a shout out...

Happy Birthday Kait!

Y

Yeah, she's dead sexy!

March Birthday Shout Outs!

March is a month of birthdays for me.  So since the month is almost over I thought I better honor those close to me with a birthday shout out. 

Happy Birthday Bro!

My brother turned...26...  And he's getting married in October.  I'm so proud of him.

Happy Birthday BFF!

My bestie and I are now, for the next 2 months, the same age.  She's a proud mama of 2.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

I'm not going to share how young my mom is now.  Because she still makes me dinner.  Love ya Mom!

Do I owe anyone else a shout out?

Filled with Worry

About a week ago last year, I lost my dear, sweet Izzie.  It was a sad time.  Losing a pet is hard.  Dare I say it can be just as hard as losing a person.

Then Riley starting having seizures.  We gained control of them, then lost it.  Gained it back, the lost it even more.  We're finally at a place, with 2 different meds, that we've gained control again.  Oh happy day.  Now she just needs to lose a few pounds.  As does her mom... x10

So I'm sure you can understand my concern when I got a call that Riley was acting weird, out of the ordinary, not normal.  Like the dog didn't even react when you tease her about going on a walk or getting a treat, which she normally gets uber excited about.  But no, she's slow, unmotivated, not eating (dog food or treats), tired, and wanders to random places within the house and yard.  My thought, she ate something from the trash that the dogs tipped over at my parent's house yesterday while we were all at dinner celebrating Kaitlin's birthday.  Can a dog get food poisoning?  Her tummy is a little bloated, and she has flu like symptoms.  

So I called the vet, explained her symptoms, and asked if they thought I should bring her in (mind you it was 7:20pm).  They said that emergency hours now start at 7:40pm (random time) and just walking in the door will cost $150 (I live a good 15-20 minutes from the vet, so I'd likely be paying $150+).  They said just to keep an eye on her over night and if she doesn't start perking up to bring her in in the morning, they open at the ungodly hour of 7am.

If you think about it and have compassion towards family member pets, please put Riley in your prayers.

Now, if you excuse me, I'm gonna go cuddle with my dog and make sure she's ok...

Hail Ball!

It's been a few weeks ago now.  I know so much for getting and staying caught up. 

A few weeks ago it rained.  Poured really.  (sorry the picture is quite blurry, but you get the idea, plus it was taken sans flash)

(picture with flash. it was just starting to hail)

Then it hailed. 

Hailed so much it was like a thin layer of big snow. 

Hobie.  Well, he loved the rain/hail/wanna be snow situation.  The other dogs...they hid from the cold/thunder/lightening/rain/hail/wanna be snow situation. (picture of my parent's deck)

 Now, if only I could figure out how to get the 150 consecutive pictures into a time lapse video of that dog...

And by the way, we found out that a free mute who turns how to be semi high maintenance must be hand dried and brushed everytime he gets wet (which happens to be on a daily basis because Hobie likes to get in the pool when it's 43 degrees outside) to prevent matting.  He just got a haircut, he looks like a different dog, but he's mat free.

Get Your Vote On

My brother is engaged.  We all know this right?  Well, he is.  To a wonderful woman.  Seriously, I couldn't ask for a better sister-in-law.

Well, they caught wind on a contest that Crate & Barrel is putting on (through me, 'cause I take care of 'em).  I would really appreciate it if you vote for them.  I know that they would really appreciate it too!  So read their little love story and show them your own love.

Click here to vote for them

 It just takes a few minutes to vote, and if you already have an account with Crate & Barrel, then it'll take less time. 

Thank you!

Mi Cocina es su Cocina

My parent's kitchen is currently under construction.  It looks like this...

Notice there isn't even a ceiling!

Being as 1) I live across the street from my parent's, 2) have a fully functioning kitchen, 3) a kitchen that they technically own and I pay to use, and 4) need to eat dinner every night, my kitchen has become my mom's 2nd kitchen. 

It's kinda nice.  I get home from work and there she is cooking away!  The house smells good, the lights are on (except for the porch light, mom, turn that one on too please).  I help set the table and call dad and Chris over (Kait is generally already there) then we eat!  We do the dishes, then they all go home (Kait generally stays). 

Quite the win win if you ask me!

Today is the Day

I'd love to tell you that I have some witty blog coming today about life with pictures, etc.  But I don't.  At least not yet.  But what I do have is some good news...

RYLEN IS HAVING THE TWINS TODAY!!!

I received a 5:15am wake up call to Hakuna Matata (yes, that's Rylen's ringtone) letting me know that they were on the way to the hospital.  That 45 minutes earlier her water broke.  Then I couldn't go back to sleep and debated just getting ready and coming in to work super duper early.  But then I zzzzz... out.

About 8:20am I received an update call:  4.5 cm dilated, contractions 2 minutes apart, epidural had been administered (in case they have to perform an emergency c-section), and the expected EDT (estimated delivery time) is early afternoon.

So, by later today I will be an doting, spoiling (non-blood related) AUNT! 

(Unfortunately, due to the stupid H1N1 bug, besides Rylen and the hospital staff, she is allowed 2 people max in her room and to cross "the line", which means that I can't visit until they are home.  Same goes for her sister and dad and mom-in-law (that's visiting from NY), only Jim and her mom are allowed in then entire time she's admitted.  Hospital rules.)

Thanksgiving - 2009 Edition

Thanksgiving came and went.  I know, like a month ago.  Again, are you shocked that I'm this far behind.  Honest, I'm trying to get caught up.  But, in the meantime, how about a quick recap?

Family came from far and wide.  Food was delicious, as always.  Company was wonderful.

How's that for a recap?  Now for some pictures.

Hobie's first Thanksgiving.  He did great.  Not much begging happened from that dog. Although, the same can't be said for the others...

Breanne and Kaitlin played a riveting game of billiards.  I thought I'd get all up in their business and get some good shots of them playing.  Then I feared for my camera so I backed off.

 

 

 

Annual cousin pictures.  (top l-r: Me, Will, Chris; bottom l-r:  Tricia, Whitney, Breanne, Kaitlin, Paige).  All but me are in college ('cause I'm done!), and 3 out of the 7 of them are going to Cal Poly.  Woot Woot!  The others, well, Stanford, Fresno State, local jr. college, and some online graphic design program.

 

Aunt Boo wanted pictures of her girls to use for a Christmas card, so while Aunt Missy was taking the "real" pictures I was snapping silly ones.

 

Looks like a fish eye lens doesn't it?  It's not.  Kaitlin makes the weirdest faces!

 

And Paige.  She knitted that scarf.  I think.

 

Chris...pondering? contemplating? irritated? annoyed?

 

A few of them of the hoodlums have a finger on their nose, not up their nose on their nose.  That's their way of getting out of praying before the meal.  Goofs!

 

After dinner conversations...  We had 2 non-family members over for dinner.  Gary and Denise, they have one son that recently moved to Hawaii and their other son is currently serving our country in Iraq.  They had no plans, so my parents invited them over.

 

Turkey coma...

 

The End.

Arnold's Catering website say WHAT?!?

My uber talented brother has finally after many years got a website for my parents up and running.  It's not quite done, but it's just about there.  All it's really missing is pictures and maybe an attached pdf list of all the delicious foods my mom can make or provide. 

So, if you're looking for, or know someone looking for, a caterer point them in the direction of...

Arnold's Catering.com

Also, if you're a user of their famous seasonings, Santa Maria or Rib Rub, you can also order those online and we'll ship them right to you (or make pick-up arrangements).

So stay tuned for the finishing touches and pass the word on.

Weekend Away

A couple weeks ago (ok, who am I kidding?, it was like a month ago), I took a weekend out-of-house and went with my parents and Paige to visit Aunt Kate, the ranch, and other family.  I'm gonna make this brief, but full of pictures.  Because, well, it was awhile ago and I gotta get caught up somehow.

Here's a view of the ranch homestead from, well, up on a hill on another part of the property.  That little cluster of buildings toward the bottom of the picture, that's the town of Santa Margarita.  I love the ranch.  I love the history of the ranch.  Not only that it's part of California Mission's history, but also the family history.

While driving around gates have to be opened and closed.  Since dad was the only male in the truck he got suckered into official gate opener and closer volunteered to handle the job.  He's so studly!  I love my dad!

The owners of the ranch haven't allowed deer hunting on the property for the last 3 years.  Which is great because we saw a lot of bucks while we were out the drive.  I like to tell people I shot a buck while I was there.  Get it, with a camera!  Hardy har har.

Maybe one of my favorite pictures of the trip.

This weekend was "all about Paige".  You see, we have family that has a vineyard and they were harvesting this particular weekend.  And since Paige is studying wine (growing, making, partaking) in college, mom and Kate arranged a "learning weekend" (aka an excuse to visit the ranch and family, and assist in partaking of wine in large quantities).

And then there's my adorable 11th cousin, Reagan.  Daughter of my 8th cousin, Michelle.  I can never remember how the cousin to the inth degree system works, especially on my mom's side.  But isn't she a doll!

Grapes at the vineyard.  Pozo Valley Wine.  It's good stuff.  Go to their tasting room, try it and buy it.  Or just take my word and order a bottle of Zin and a bottle of Cab.  Their blend is really good too.  As is their late harvest Zin.  Heck, just get a bottle of each!

While Debbie was driving us around their property in Pozo we saw a black bear.  Which is funny, because that's what Aunt Kate was trying to find at the ranch while driving us around.  Oh well, we still saw one.  She was happy.  We were happy.  Not sure if the bear was happy.

So here's a good story.  My mom had a cassette tape (remember those, pre-CD?) of my grandparents interviewing Uncle Guy and Aunt Grace.  But the tape broke.  So, my handy dad figured out how to splice it back together, then he put it on a CD to share.  The CD player wasn't loud enough, so Aunt Kate put it on in the truck and turned the volume up.  It brought tears to my eyes to hear Grammy and Bompy's voices again.  What a sight though, there was at least 10 people gathered around the truck listening, including 2 of my cousins (these I know are 1st cousins!) who never met their maternal grandparents.

A beautiful sunset from Pozo.

Back on the ranch...  Seriously, I wanted to get some pictures of some of the cool stuff my Aunt has around her house.  Like this old sign of another ranch, the Chimineas, that my grand grampy Claude owned.

The guy not in plaid, that was my great grampy Claude, Aunt Kate and my Bompy's dad.  I never knew him.  But from all the stories I've heard, he sounds like a great guy.

One of the original Disneyland train cars.  No joke.  The owners of the ranch (no one I'm related to) bought it.  Why?  I don't know.  Kicks and giggles and to say you own the original Disneyland train.

Under the wood exterior of this massive barn is a barn made of rocks that dates back to when the California Missions were built.  In fact, it's along the mission trail between Mission San Luis Obispo and Mission San Miguel (I think it's San Miguel).

Aunt Kate's daughter-in-law, Bonnie, shares a building with Pozo Valley Wines for her catering business and little gift shop.  She is a phenomenal cook!  Very talented!

Shall we end with a flower?  Sure, let's end with a flower.  'Cause flowers are happy and pretty and colorful.

Hope you enjoyed the not so brief recap of my weekend from a month ago.  It was such a good, refreshing time.  I always look forward to going down to the ranch, it just feels like home.  Plus it's only 15 minutes from San Luis Obispo (my ol' stompin' ground). 

For the complete album of pictures go here.