California Trip...Part 5 - Carmel/Monterry

I wanted to take Ben to Carmel/Monterey, because growing up near this most beautiful city was a privledge. People come from all over, I mean all over just to see the quaintness of it. And I learned to dive in the very chilly waters. We spent two nights there and went everywhere...except the Monterey Bay Aquarium...my bad. There is always next time!

Ben at Pebble Beach, he was very excited to see this famous course.

The happy couple at the 18th hole.Me by the lone cypress

I love this place!

Ben likes the boats at the wharf, I think he really wants one someday...hmmmm.

California Trip...Part 4

On our 3rd day of Vacation...my true love said to me...let's go to Carmel.
So off we went down to San Jose for a home town tour and then a romantic stay in Carmel, CA.

Here is something I did not miss... California traffic, we sat in it for a while :(

I was so excited to see some of my favorite childhood spots...1st on the list, the Nut Tree...the bad news, it got torn down, here is the remainder of it...the good news, it is a brand new shopping center now which is what I have grown to love anyways. C'est la Vie!

The Sorority house I live in for a while...Ben thinks San Jose State is ghetto, becuase we stopped at the local Jack in the Box to use the facilities...all I can say is we felt very white and out of place. But I had some good times there, so whatever Ben :)

The house I was born in...oh by the way the house that my parents built here actually blew up 5-10 years ago, the new owners were...well were not sure. It is not rebuilt yet, because it is stuck in litigation. Bummer...PS. I only lived here a short time and actually lived in a walk in closet, maybe that is why I love them so much!

The house I grew up in, Ben liked my neighborhood and I told him stories about all the neighbors. We also did drive bys of my middle and high school. Way to go Bret Harte for installing Solar panels on the roof of the school. Glad to know green is cool in California too!
We finally made it to Carmel, just as the sun was setting...more to come!

California Trip...Part 3

Our 2nd day on our Vacation, Jen and Jason took us waterskiing! Ben was in heaven, we don't have any friends with a boat up here in Oregon so it was a rare occasion to get out on the water. Even I had a blast hanging out on the boat, swimming and my all time responsibility of holding the flag for the skier's. Ben tried to one ski, but alas could not get the groove of it. He then redeemed himself, by getting up on two ski's on the first try, then he even learned to wake board for the first time and was successful!

Ben on the wake board...

Jen and I stayin' cool :)

My poor little red head still got a little sunburned even with multiple applications...lets hope that Boston has my skin.

After the big day we cleaned up and went to dinner to celebrate Jen's birthday...yummy Italian!

Even after the long day, Ben had some energy left to play with Jen's kiddos...dad in training. Isn't Holden such a poser, everytime you point the camera at him he would grin ear to ear! Love it!

California Trip...part 2

One of the reasons we decided to take the trip was to see our long lost family. My eldest brother Michaels' three children, Tricia, Matt and Scott. They all currently live in Sacramento. We were invited to dinner and Vicki's Vinyard Estate for a Mexican dinner. Fun was had by all :) The funniest part was the picture taking session that lasted more than 30 minutes, because mom wanted portraits of all the grandkids.

Me and my niece, Tricia...as you can see I was an aunt at only 6 years old. Tricia is now a married grown woman, she teaches 3rd and 4th grade at a charter school in Sacramento...And she is still as sweet as pie!

Matt, Scott and Tricia (Mike's children)

The girls...Me, Tricia, Vicki and Mom

California Trip...part 1

Sorry this has to be in parts....but I just have too many pictures and things to say in just one blog, plus I probably need to be a little more productive today and therefore will only be able to do blog a day. But hey it keeps you coming back right!

So Ben, my mom and I ventured out a few weeks ago on our venture to California...the original purpose was to see my best friend Jen and her family. But then it turned into so much more...

Purpose #2 - my mom heard we were going and she decided that she wanted to come too and catch up with old friends and family, the Allison's and her grandchildren. She also took the opportunity to fly down to LA from Sacramento to visit with her brother Johnny and her Aunt Pat. So she left us on Saturday and then flew directly back to Portland.

Purpose #3 - to show Ben where I grew up, he had the opportunity to take me to his home town of Safford last year...it is my turn now!

Purpose #4 - to visit with old friends and family, we saw so many! ...more to come.

Purpose #5 - Last vacation before baby Boston joins our family...for months I have been trying to plan something, Hawaii, one last cruise...a weekend getaway with Tev...but I just could not bring it or the funds together...we finally decided to take a drive to Cali for the many reasons above. It was a blast besides the many hours in the car.

First I have to thank Jen and Jason for accomodating us and my mom for a few nights, Ben and I then stayed a few more nights before our trip to the bay area. They were lovely accomodations at Resort De Packer, I am sure she has blogged some of these pics before but I have to share as well.

The Hotel Lobby/living room

The Guest common area and breakfast bar

Entertainment for all, even Ben was captivated by the Star Wars game.

Recreation area/backyard

Resort pool, was nice to get into the hot tub, Jen kept the temperature down just for me and Boston.

Thanks again Jen...and yes I think this will definately become an annual trip even with babies in tow.

6 months...baby bump

This just in (well a week ago)...for all you fans out there!

Stay tuned for pics from our exciting pre-baby honeymoon to California!

Want to learn to fly?

I just finished my brother-in-law's website... (Cheryl's husband)
www.portlandflightinstructor.com

Let me know, maybe I can hook you up with some free flights :)