Mom's 80th Birthday

Wow it has been a long time since my last post. What a long winter.
My mom's birthday is in March and she turned 80! I wanted to do something special with her. She was in Florida and I came up with the idea to pick her up and go on a road trip. Looking at different options I came up with her picking me up at the airport and we would drive to Savannah GA, then go on to Pennsylvania so she could see Marissa.
The drive was pretty from Clearwater to Savannah stopped along the way for fresh OJ.
We stayed at a hotel called Avia and really liked it. I had read of a restaurant called the Pirates House, that is in the oldest home in Savannah. Went down and our bellman Lester suggested we take a Pedi ride to it. I think that was mom's favorite part of Savannah. No pictures of the food it was not great, service was just as bad. But hey it's the Pirates House arrrrrrr. We walked back to the hotel and had a glass of Champagne.
Next day we started out with a great breakfast of grits, my first. Hey we are in the south and they were good. Walked around alittle then we took a carriage ride, it was a nice way to get a little history of Savannah.
Now for the best part for me lunch. Went to the Olde Pink House that was on Food Networks My Favorite Things. We had a BLT fried green tomato salad. It was soooooo good. We also had a chicken BBQ slider with french fries, yum! Our lunch was great.
Later went back to hotel, they have a roof top patio where we had a cocktails.
For dinner that night we went to Garibaldi Cafe, more fried green tomato's only they had a red sauce with basil. Good but not like lunch.
Savannah is so cool. We were in the historic district and lucky enough so see Azaleas in full bloom.
Next morning we headed for PA. Drove further then we thought but just made Friday's drive shorter.
Got into PA in time to have lunch with Marissa.
Mom and I looked around some then checked into a bed and breakfast that is very nice.
Marissa picked us up later and we went out to dinner with her and Tish. Then on to play domino's. Saturday was really nice we had the whole day with Marissa. Sunday came too fast and time to head home.
I am so happy to be able to have had this time with my mom. I love you and we will have some funny things to laugh about on our first road trip.
Love you Mom Happy 80th Birthday.

Chad our Pedi ride driver

Mom with her Champagne Bottle!

Grits for Breakfast

BLT Fried Green Tomato Salad

Mom trying to hide from me!

Christmas in Scottsdale AZ 2010

This Christmas the whole family headed west. Mike and I left out driving with luggage, car seats, and what ever else we could get in the car. We were packed! On the way we got caught in heavy rain just outside Albuquerque New Mexico and had to stop for the night. It turned out to be perfect. The next morning we realized how close we were to the Petrified Forest National Park. Not having to be anywhere at a certain time worked out great. We drove threw and it really is amazing. Not a tree in the whole forest. I had never seen petrified wood and was surprised how it looks like rock. Decided to take the scenic route to Scottsdale AZ. Wow again we came upon the White Mountains and with every curve we both for better words had a constant WOW.
We got into Scottsdale a day before getting the house we rented found a hotel and just relaxed for the night.
Next morning got around and went to the house. Next step unloading the car, then to get all the necessities before the kids arrive.
Christmas Eve and off to the airport to pick everybody up. Flights on time and so fun to see the little ones faces.
We came back everyone settled in had lunch, kids swam and played. Adults relaxed and enjoyed the sun.
Christmas day the kids opened there stockings from Santa and we had our traditional breakfast just like home.
Mike and Chad set out for the golf course. We girls enjoyed watching the kids play in the pool. Jenny and Taylor had some competitive water challenges that we all made up for them. Marissa and I on the side lines laughing like crazy (you had to have been there).
At this point Marissa and I decide we to can be competitive so we make Sangria.
Sunday we all head for MacDonalds Ranch. Sophia takes a pony ride (that is the biggest pony I ever saw). Then on to the petting farm. I will not be able to tell you how funny this ends up but I am going to try. They have these goats ok, so far so good. Then we go into the rabbit cage, but the goats got in, rabbits running, goats going crazy after the rabbits food, Jenny and I are trying to heard these goats out one jumps up on the shelf where the rabbit food is Jenny had to pull it down, I grab a bowl with food in it trying to get the goats to follow me, start to get them out one gets back in and I am tossing the food away from pen to try and get goats away, suddenly the pony, potbelly pigs are all wanting some of the action. It turned out one goat did but Jenny in the leg (she is ok) and Jenny and I just look at each other like where is everybody else. On the sidelines! We laughed so hard. Jenny you and I could live on a farm. Sophia did finally get to pet a bunny. After that we headed out of the petting farm. Next we girls went on a trail ride. Love you girls, and yes I am a equestrian.
Monday Jenny, Chad and the girls went to Tuscon to see Chad's Aunt and Uncle.
Mike, Marissa and I headed to Sedona. Marissa had never been and also had not done the Pink Jeep tour. The beauty of Sedona made us forget that it was cold. Needless to say Marissa loves the west. Had a great day.
Tuesday was the last day for Sun, and warm enough for the girls to swim. Mike and Chad golfed.
The weather may not have been the best but the company was great.
Love you guys.
Also I know a couple of pictures are out of order, I had almost as much trouble getting the picture of Jenny and Sophia with the bunny as getting the goats out.

Dinner with Good Friends

Our good friends Jim and Ellen invited Mike and I over Sunday night for dinner.
They did some remodeling to there RV and of course we wanted to see what they had done. We had no idea we would be having Beef Carpaccio & Champagne.

I wish I could tell you just how good it is. I have tried to order it, in other restaurants and nothing compares to Jims.

Then for dinner they made Osso Buca with Pork shanks and a demi glaze, with mashed potatoes. Again sooooo good. For dessert Ellen made her cobbler that is yet again the best ever!

Thank you guys for great food, and always great company!!

Jiiimmmmmmmm you do spoil me with the Carpaccio thank you, thank you thank you!

Happy travels keep us posted. Love you guys.

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving started Tuesday night for me, Marissa came home.

On Thanksgiving we went to my Mom's. Can I just say she makes a great meal all my favorites dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy the whole nine yards. I can't believe I did not get a picture of her turkey, it looked like it could be on the cover of a magazine. Great job Mom.

Friday was Jenny and Chad's five year Anniversary. They came over for adult time.

I made guacamole, steak and chicken tacos. Then we all played a game Marissa told us about called Apples to Apples. So fun. Mike and I won, Score for the parents!
I love you guys.

Saturday we had a Birthday party for Charlie. Jenny brought Kobe over. The kids all had a good run outside first, then in for the presents and ice cream. Charlie is so funny I have never seen a dog that loves presents. Last year at Christmas he even new what stocking was his. So funny. Happy 7th Birthday we love you.

Sunday came way to fast. Everybody came over for breakfast, before Marissa and Charlie head back to PA. Our time might go fast but the memories we make last for ever.
I love you all!!

Four Generations

Charlie waiting for presents

Yum ice cream

Happy Birthday!

Great Wall Great Friends!

Last night we got together with friends at Great Wall. It is always so much fun and the food is as the name says GREAT. It was also a special night for Charlie and Monica, after 37 years of owning a business they sold it. I am sure it will be a new adjustment for them but just like the seasons change, so does life. Enjoy your new chapter.
At the end of the night we all go around the table and read our fortune cookie ending with between the sheets. For some reason no matter how many times we do it, it is still funny to all of us. I guess that is what having friends you can laugh with is all about.
I am so grateful for them!
Wo ai nei
(I love you)

Girls having fun!

End of night reading our fortune cookies

Fall Soup & Salad with Friends

Fall. It always comes so fast. This Sunday we had friends over for soup and salad. But mainly to just catch up. Summer went so fast.
It was really good to see everybody love you guys!

Fall on the River

Happy Birthday Vince

Cheers!