Chirstmas 2009

This year for Christmas I spent the week at my parents home. I flew in on Saturday the 19th. Our entire family was together on Saturday night, when we opened our gifts from each other (the siblings had drawn names earlier in the year as well as the cousins). We currently have 27 people in our family with 2 on the way, which makes for quite a full house. On Sunday we had a wonderful Christmas dinner. After which, the girls escaped and threw a small baby shower for Melissa, who is due with-in the next couple weeks. We then went back for dessert.

We had a family photo taken after church on Sunday. As you can see, all the kids were tired and hungry, but the important thing is we were able to get a photo with everyone in it!


For my parents Christmas, my siblings and I gave them a gift certificate to a bed-and-breakfast in Palmyra, New York along with a gift certificate to a restaurant in the area. As you can see, they were pleased with our choice!

Toffee!!!

Do you need some sweets for the holidays? Go to Bella Toffee. My sister-in-law, Matti makes some Amazing Toffee! It is as easy as going to her web-site, place the order, pick it up in the mail and enjoy!!!

Visit from family

During Halloween weekend, my mom, dad and brother, Neal came out for a short visit. We mostly relaxed for the weekend, but on Saturday morning we went to the Sacramento Auto Museum. This time of year they have a small display of Hearses. The entire place was really fascinating but the highlight for me was the Hearse display!!!

My new toy!!!

Last week I bought a new computer from QVC. I received it yesterday and have had fun setting it up and playing aound on the computer and the internet from the comfort of my own home!

Disneyland and Huntington Beach

Alma and Matti invited me to join them on their trip to Disneyland. I picked them up from the airport on Wednesday. We spent Thursday and Friday at Disneyland and California Adventure then Saturday afternoon at Huntington Beach. A wonderful time was had by all. A BIG thank you Alma and Matti for the invite. To the rest of you. If you want to take you kids to Disneyland and want a third person to help with out, I am ALWAYS up for another trip!!!







I was a little jealous of Bella getting her picture taken with almost every princes we saw, so I had to get a couple myself!!!






Halloween fireworks show.




It was a warm, muggy day. I think the splash pad was a HUGE hit!!!




Trick-or-treating in California Adventure.


This is my new favorite ride in California Adventure!!!


One tired little girl after spending two days in Disneyland.


We had lunch at Ruby's Diner on Huntington Beach Pier. A guy came around making balloon animals. Bella asked for a butterfly. Such pure joy when he handed it to her!


Building a sand castle.


A wave came behind Bell and knocked her over, then as she was trying to get up, another came and pushed her back down.


The little mermaid.

Wind...Ugh!!!

This morning I rode my bike to Winters and back (yes, I do like to make that ride - especially since I get to eat breakfast at my favorite cafe while in town!). Today, however, was rather windy. The total round-trip was 35 miles and took me 2 hours, 45 minutes (drastically slower than usual because of the wind). With a tail-wind I averaged 18-19 MPH with minimal effort. With a cross-wind I averaged 14-15 MPH with a little effort. With the head-wind, however...I only averaged 8-9 MPH with MAJOR effort. IT KICKED MY BUT!!! The positive side? It is definitely a stamina and strength builder!

Smithalicious

Just a quick announcement to let everyone know that if you watch Smithalicious you will get information on your chance to win some really cool stuff!!!

Birthday 2009

For my birthday this year the Wiscombe's gave me a one night stay at the Fairmont on Nobb Hill!!! I left early Friday morning and Drove to Vallejo then took the Ferry to San Francisco. First I walked to Pier 39, then to the Ghiradelli Square, where you get free chocolate samples! I also sat down and had a nice cup of hot chocolate. I then rode the cable car to the hotel (a 4 star hotel!!!). After checking into my room, I walked to a theatre and watched a movie. Next I went to the Grubstake Diner, which was shown on Diners, Drive-Inns and Dives. I then went back to the motel and relaxed before going down for a nice massage at the club in the hotel. On Monday morning, I went to Mama's for breakfast. I found out about this from a post that the Wiscombe's told me about. I had about a one hour wait, but it was worth the time! After breakfast, I walked up to Coit Tower. I took the elevator to the top, where you can see a full view of San Francisco. Next, I went to China Town and wandered around there for a little while. I also went to a place where you can watch the people make fortune cookies. A neat place a visit. Finally I went to the Cable Car Museum. I then went back to Fishermans Wharf and walked to the Ferry Building and came back. It was a fun weekend where I had the opportunity to see a lot of sights I had not been to before.

My transportation to and from San Francisco.


Ghiradelli Chocolate!!!


A neat view of a ship with Alcatraz in the backgound.


The hotel I stayed in.


My hotel room!


View out the window of my hotel room.


Grubstake Diner.


A sampling of the hills I walked up and down.


Mama's.


Coit Tower.


Views from atop Coit Tower (city, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz).










China Town.


While wondering around China Town, I came across a funeral and could not resist taking a couple pictures. In the asian culture it is very common to have a band,a car with a large photo, the herse then the rest of the procession.




The fortune cookie shop.


The cable car meuseum.


Looking at the bay from the cable car.