Friday, April 28, 2006

Phoenix for a day.

We made it to phoenix with no big deals, easy easy drive. The hurricane hit the next evening when we went up to josh's house to have a professional photographer take family pictures. Can't tell by our pictures how crazy everything was - but i think by the time we took the posted pictures mom had a bottle of wine in her and dad had a 6pack of beer in him. Zac and I were unbelievably bad - could not keep it together for anyone. Mom was almost ready to abandon us i think. She was mainly embarrassed at how unagreable her kids could be. Doing exactly the opposite of what was needed. They finally ended up laughing at the whole fiasco. Oh well. Just reinforced mom to not have formal pictures of us taken for a long, long time.
Tomorrow is the start of the big drive home. Dad made reservations in Durango, so we are bound to a plan....
good night!

We got to see Zen too! Posted by Picasa

Lots of girls! Posted by Picasa

Lots of boys! Posted by Picasa

Uncle Brian came from Los Angeles for pictures too! Posted by Picasa

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Tucson

We made it to Tucson on monday afternoon, driving from Yuma after having a delicious home made breakfast! Mary Ellen makes some mean eggs benedict. Mom was so pleased with how well we ate at don and mary ellen's house.
Tucson has been relaxing. We are taking good naps - zac is back to two naps a day. He has had a bad cough, mom and dad finally gave him some medecine and he is doing better. Mom started coughing terrible too, here in Tucson. She is having a hard time sleeping. Dad's allergies are driving him crazy - the skin all around his eyes are red from him rubbing. But they both finally got to ride their bikes - they brought their bikes the whole way and finally are riding. They went separately, though - Dad rode up to Summerhaven and we met him at the top for lunch. He was so tired he rode home in the back of the 4runner. Mom went by herself today - Jiddo offered to watch us while they rode together, but dad was smart and said mom needed ALONE time. He's a good man. Mom felt really strong, even with her cough and barely riding in colorado - she said it must be living at altitude that saved her.
While in Tucson, we got together with some of mom and dad's friends - Toby, Jeff and Cheryl and their twin 5 year old boys Devon and Makinly for dinner (Toby's new wife, Jen had to work, bummer). We went by trader joe's - mom and dad's favorite grocery store and stocked up on wine, went to the new performance bike shop to check it out, went to eat at mom's cousin, Tenaya's house with Grandma and Jiddo. Maybe her daughter Bekah will come again and stay with us this summer. Today we went out to eat dinner at mom and dad's favorite restaurant with Grandma and Jiddo and then drove back to Phoenix. Tomorrow we take family pictures up at Josh's house - some guy is going to be taking real pictures - i got a new dress and everything!
good night

Eating dinner at the Roberts - Robin, Tenaya(mom's cousin), Bekah and Taylor. Posted by Picasa

Cousin Taylor and me Posted by Picasa

Lunch in Summerhaven, on Mount Lemmon Posted by Picasa

Dancing with the twins and zac Posted by Picasa

Out to dinner with Toby, Jeff, Cheryl and the twins Devon and Makinley Posted by Picasa

Drumming at Toby and Jen's house. Posted by Picasa

relaxing at Grandma and Jiddo's in Tucson Posted by Picasa

Sunday, April 23, 2006

La Jolla and Yuma

We drove from Amo Fouad's to spend fri night, all day sat and sun morning with Aunt Jana, Uncle Jody and Cousin Josh at their condo in La Jolla. It was a fun place to visit - we could walk to the beach! We got there Friday early evening - not enough time to go to the beach, but hung out at the condo till bath and bed time. Sat morning we ate bagels and went to the park and then the beach in La Jolla and saw a bunch of seals in a cove. After naps we drove to Mission Beach (a better beach to play at) and really got to play on the beach. It was so much fun!!!!
This morning we were up and went out for breakfast, and then went to a park for a long time! We were worn out and then mom and dad popped us in to the car and we drove to Yuma to spend tonight with Grandma's sister, Mary Ellen and her husband, Don. They were so nice, and mom really appreciated Mary Ellen cooking and having meals at their house - I think we were getting really rambunctious at restaurants again. We walked down the street to mom's grandma's old house. She hadn't seen it in probably 15 or 20 years. She could barely recognize it. Mom couldn't find the camera in yuma, so we don't have any pictures of aunt mary ellen or uncle don. bummer.
Tomorrow we get up early and head to Tucson to see Grandma and Jiddo and friends.
I am so wired, it took about 15 returns to the bedroom before i stayed put. But all in all, mom and dad are impressed with how well zac and i can go from house to house and still sleep without getting scared or too worked up to sleep well.
good night!

Walking back home from dinner with Josh Posted by Picasa

I LOVED playing with Josh Posted by Picasa

All of us at the beach Posted by Picasa

At the beach with Josh Posted by Picasa

Sat morning in LaJolla, relaxing with cousin Josh. Posted by Picasa

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach

Thursday morning we left phoenix and drove to Costa Mesa. That was a long drive, even though it was only 6 hours. Mom wasn't in the mood for a drive that long, and neither were us kids. We were all glad to get to Amo Fouad's house in the mid afternoon. And traffic was only a little bad just south of Los Angeles. Dad only took one wrong turn in a construction zone, and was able to fix it really quick.
Thursday we went out to eat at Italian food - Macaroni Grill makes some pretty mean mac and cheese - with Amo Fouad and two of his three kids - Jamalle and Ramsey. Those are mama's cousins. I am really into asking how people are related to me.
Friday morning we got up and went to Laguna Beach and had brunch at Amo Fouad's restaurant and then went to the beach - it was the first time zac and me had ever been to the beach. I loved it - got naked as soon as possible. Zac wasn't crazy about getting sandy, but maybe it was just that he needed a nap. We drove back to Fouad's house, slept in the car and at the house, and then hung out for a bit, went to get some dinner, and then drove to La Jolla. That drive was really good - we had food in our bellys and had slept really well.....

I'm taking pictures of zac on the way to La Jolla. Posted by Picasa

Forgot to mention - i fell in to Fouad's fence thursday afternoon - this is 24 hours later... Posted by Picasa

Playing "hat" Posted by Picasa

Playing in the car ride to La Jolla Posted by Picasa

Me and dada. I love the beach! Posted by Picasa

Zac feeling the sand on his feet Posted by Picasa

Mama, me and Amo Fouad Posted by Picasa

Mom's cousins Ramsey and Jamalle Posted by Picasa

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Easter in Phoenix

We have been in phoenix for a few days....
had a great Easter at aunt Jana's and uncle Jody's house. Got to swim in their cool pool and jauzzi tub. We are loving the warm weather. Mom went on a power walk on monday morning with aunt jana, I got to hang out with nana and zac at the park, because dad went fishing all day with papa. He caught a huge fish - 18 inches and probably 3-3.5 lbs! Plus another good sized one! He had lots of fun! Came home pretty toasted - in more than one way!
Today we all got to go to the lake and ride in a fast boat and go fishing. Zac and i loved the boat, but didn't really get in to the fishing. We did jump in the lake, and then realized how cold it was. Mom tried to warn us....
Tomorrow we leave early to drive to Costa Mesa, CA to see mom's uncle Fouad and her cousins.

We love going FAST Posted by Picasa