Mammoth 2010

**WARNING** LOTS OF PHOTOS**WARNING**

We missed our trip to Mammoth last year and were excited that things worked out this year that we could go up for a few days. Unfortunately, Ricky, Ev, Lo & Braydon needed to stay at home this trip. Ricky had a big job he was working on and they had just moved so Ev was busy getting this un-packed.

The kids traveled really well! We made one stop in Bishop for some lunch. Zach also wanted to stop at the local fishing stores to see if he could find a book about local fishing that had been recommended to him. We also had to stop for the world's best beef jerky!

The weather was beautiful -- high 70's low 80's the entire trip.

One little glitch -- a quick trip to the ER first thing Saturday am for Gavin. He fell victim to Pink Eye! The kids were in/out in less than an hour. Mammoth ER not too busy in the summer time, I guess.

Swimming, fishing, hiking, eating, resting, playing = a great vacation!

There's a pretty girl in there somewhere.

Cassidy learning to cast. Gavin trying to pick up on some of Dad's tips!

Sleepy heads.

My blue-eyed girls!

The White Family -- still can only get 2 out of the 4 to look at me.

On the way to the lake

View from our fishin' spot.

Cass ready for the big fish.

We found a great park near the Gull Lake (i think) Marina. We had

a picnic lunch, let the kids play, went for a walk to the Marina -- nice afternoon!

Having fun

Zach & Gavin

The waterfall near Rush Creek was HUGE this year.

Cassidy throwing a snowball at me!

LOVE this photos of Cassidy. She had SO much fun throwing snowballs!

Cassidy's first snowman.

Cassidy would make a snowbal and tell Zach to turn around -- get a foot from him

and huck the snowball. She's sooo sneaky!

We drove past the ski lifts to a look-out area. So beautiful!

(Gav was snoozing)

Hiding from Mommy.

Stunning! Cass, Zach & I hiked up to this stream just past Rock Creek Lake.

We were actually heading to a small lake but Zach & I realized there were very serious

fisherman there. Not a good place to bring a 3 year old that talks non-stop!

Checkin' it out.

The family fishing at Rush Creek

Our fisher girl.

Zach 'un-sticking' his lure.

Gav. . . done for the day!

We left Mammoth fishless. . . To say Zach & Cass were bummed would be an understatement. A friend of ours had also been in Mammoth at the same time suggested we stop at the "Sandtraps near Manzanar". Boy are we glad we did! We were onl

Cassidy watching Zach bring in the first fish. Cassidy was very excited that

Daddy caught her a 'purple one' aka rainbow trout.

Sarah trying to help Zach "bring in" the 2nd fish.

Not too successful.

Sarah after getting too close to the fish. Wimp!

The End!

Princess Breakfast

I got a call from Sarah a couple of Monday's ago -- she said that she'd made a breakfast reservation at Ariel's Grotto for 3 to meet the Disney Princesses- I was included in that 3! Yippeeee!!!

For my birthday, the kids got me a Disneyland Pass -- I've already used my pass 4 times and I know Sarah & Cassidy have used theirs at least twice as many times! We all love it!

Cassidy, of course L O V E S all things Disney --- especially the Princesses! Sarah had a not so fun experience a few weeks ago. Apparently, the Princesses no longer roam the park as they once did. There is a place near It's A Small World (you're gonna be signing that darn song all day now!), where you can stand in line (for hours) to see 4 Princesses -- you don't know which 4 but there are 4. Sarah was not in to standing in line for 1 1/2 hours to see 4 Princesses. S0. . . the breakfast deal seemed much better!

AND it was.

Not sure who had more fun.

Cassidy getting to meet the Princesses.

Sarah watching Cassidy meet the Princesses

or Me -- Watching Sarah be a Mommy to a sweet girl that loves Princesses!

Breakfast was served family style. . . This was our breakfast appetizer. It also came with eggs, french toast, bacon, sausage and potatoes. The food was actually really good and the portions were large. Enough leftovers for Sarah & Cass to snack on during the day.

Sarah & Cass looking at the Princesses coming into the room.

Cassidy telling Sleeping "Booty", "You're my favorite Princess". I thought Sarah was going to cry. It was pretty cute!

Cassidy talking to Sleeping Beauty

Not really so interested in Snow White.

After breakfast, we went on the big Ferris Wheel and then I had to head back to work. Sarah and Cassidy met up with some friends and spent the rest of the day at the park.

I sometime forget how lucky I am to live in So Cal. It's nice to be able to skip out on work for a couple of hours to go to Disneyland to hangout with your daughter & granddaughter.

xo xo xo

Sharon

My Lo. . .

My beautiful grand daughter Lauren (Lo) is 13. She's an awesome young girl. Loves Soccer, her friends and is a fabulous big sister to Braydon. She's an amazing artist and enjoys reading.

Lucky for me, I get to see Lo frequently. She was over one day last week -- we had some errands to run, went to lunch and then she was going to get ready for SNL (youth group at our church) at my house.

She was gettin' a bit gussied up for church -- so I asked if Brady (her 7th grade crush) was going to be there. You got it! She was gussin' up for Brady!

At Christmastime, I bought myself a Nikon D3000. I've not really had the time to play with it much and have decided that this summer my goal is to learn more about my camera.

So. . . I used Lo for my 'subject'. She was over her modeling duties in about 15 seconds.

Here's my beautiful gal. . .

"Really, Grammie? More pictures?"

(straight out of the camera)

"Grammie, I'm over this"

(filtered black & white)

I think I asked her a question about Brady on this shot.

(glow)

Model shot.

(focal B & W)

Beautiful Girl

(filter b/w & film grain)

Photo's were edited in Picasa 3.

I'm not so sure about this whole photo editing deal. I'm certainly flying by the seat of my pants. I'd really like to take a photo course this summer and then maybe an editing class in the fall.

Blessings!

Sharon

For Today. . .

Outside My Window...

June Gloom - I love it!

I am thinking…

mini-vacation next week!

From the learning rooms...

Searching for an on-line photo class. I think I'm ready!

I am thankful for...

Morning time

I am praying for...

Family & Friends and praise for my many blessings!

From the kitchen...

Oatmeal and blueberries. YUMMMMY!

I am wearing...

Sweats, what else?

I am creating...

a mess!

I am going...

to Barnes & Noble today!

I am reading...

Just finished reading "The Help". Excellent book!

I am hoping...

some answers

I am hearing...

Regis & Kelly

Around the house...

Bathroom scrubbin' day

One of my favorite things...

Reading a good book. It’s even better if I’m sitting on a beach.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Looking forward to the long weekend, helping Rick & Ev move, vacation the following weekend -- Mammoth here we come!

Cincuenta, Padesat, Halvtreds. . .

Cinquanta, Funfzig, Femtio, Otven and Cincizeci de ani all mean the same thing. Any guesses??? FIFTY! 50! FIVE-ZERO! On June 5th, I officially joined Club 50!

Leading up to the 'big day' I was pretty much a mess. I was not looking forward to being 50 AT ALL! I'd start every day thinking, "it's only a number, I'm blessed, I've got a good life, I'm happy & healthy" and by noon my thoughts were heading towards, "it's all down hill, I'm heading into the final chapter (I have a theory that life is broken down into thirds - 1 - 25, 25-50 and 50 - the end), etc, etc.

Fortunately for me, I have an awesome daughter and some very loving friends.

Unbeknownst to me. . . there was some plannin' goin' on!

On Thursday (6/3), Sarah called and said that she was going to take the kids to the sitter on Friday so that we could spend the day together . . . mani/pedi's, lunch and shopping. I was sooo looking forward to spending the day with her. We don't get to spend much time by ourselves.

Friday morning, I hear some commotion at my door -- I'm thinking Sarah's got her hands full or something. As I open the door there stands -- Franny!

This is Franny.

Franny is the daughter of my dear friends Helen & Bevo -- they live in Pennsylvania! As I was lovin' on Franny -- I looked up and out of Sarah's car popped Helen, Shirley (my sweet friend from Colorado) and Jamie (my dear friend from San Jacinto), Sarah & Cassidy.

My head was spinning. . . I couldn't really grasp what was going on. Shirley was supposed to be visiting next weekend. I was SOOO confused!

After hugs & kisses and Cassidy yelling, 'we tricked you'. . . we all came in the house (which by the way was a complete disaster area) and my sweet friends informed me that we were going to Santa Barbara for the weekend!

Our hotel, Casa Del Mar was awesome! Great place -- rooms were big and clean. Staff was friendly. Close to the beach and State St.

Friday. . . Surprise! Drive to Santa Barbara w/small detour in Hollywood, Shop State St., late lunch, shop some more, TURBO SCRABBLE, lots of laughing, sleep.

Saturday. . . coffee, lots of talking, search for Oprah in Montecito, great brunch, shopping at really expensive stores, beach, Elvis, birthday dinner at great restaurant, more turbo scrabble, more laughter, sleep.

Sunday. . . coffee, more talking, packing, drive to OC, drop Jamie off, drive to Corona via Kimmy's (for Shirley) and In N Out (for Helen) and a quick stop in an antique store, family birthday party, fun, laughter, joy, family, love, back to the OC, my cup runneth over, sleep.

Monday. . . DISNEYLAND w/ Cassidy, Sarah, Helen & Franny! so much fun.

Tuesday. . . Drop Helen & Franny at the airport ;( , back to my 'normal' life.

I had a fabulous 4 days. God has put some incredibly wonderful people in my path -- I am blessed.

Shirley enjoying the warm sand.

** having MAJOR problems with blogger and uploading photos. Will try to upload more photos in the morning**

May - Part Two

The weekend after Mother's Day, I took a much needed solo voyage. I took a drive up North to watch my Cousin's (OK, she's not really "my" cousin - but I got her in the divorce) grand daughter be confirmed in the Catholic church. I left Saturday am bright and early. The plan was to take my time - drive up the coast and then over to just outside of Stockton.

Friday night I had a call from Cassidy. She invited me to her tea party on Saturday morning and asked if I could bring the donuts -- "the small ones -- chocolate and sprinkles, please'. Who could say no to that? A quick pit stop at Zach & Sarah's proved to be just what I needed as I somehow picked up a nail in my tire. We had a quick tea party and then the entire family fixed my car. Cassidy is never far from Zach's side. To say she is a Daddy's girl is an understatement, for sure!

Assessing the situation

Isn't he delicious ?

Always next to her dad

Gavin's more interested in finishing his doughnut!

Instead of leaving at 8, I was on the road by 10. Hit traffic through LA -- once I was on PCH in Pacific Palisades, it was heaven. I could smell and see the ocean. So healing for me! The drive was awesome. Had a great drive, listened to a book on tape (CD) and had an absolutely divine time!

Sunday was the confirmation. The church service was ONE HOUR AND FORTY FIVE MINUTES! Up, down, up, down! I thought we Lutheran's were up & down a lot. Catholics have us covered! It was so nice to visit with my family. Love them all sooo much! And don't get to see them nearly enough.

Here are some photos. . .

Kylee & Kim

Melissa & Aunt Deannie

Kylee

Aunt Deannie & Lynn

John, Meg, Ky & Kim

MAY - Part One

OH MY GOSH. . . The last month has been sooo busy! A good busy though!

Mother's Day weekend. I spent mother-ing -- well, grand-mothering! Zach was in Vegas for a race. Sarah worked Saturday and then flew to Vegas to join Zach for the year end Supercross banquet. It was a great weekend for Zach's team. They finished 1st through 4th, it was a great way to top off an awesome season. The Pro Circuit team won both 250 Championships this year!

Sarah & Zach got to spend some much needed time alone in Vegas -- having a great time, floating at the MGM pool and a fun night at the Hard Rock.

I probably had more fun! Cassidy and Gavin were an absolute blast! I wasn't sure that I could actually pull off 3 days by myself! Piece of cake! OK, maybe not piece of cake but it was easier than I thought. Both kids were absolute angels the whole weekend. I even ventured out of the house a couple of times. On Sunday, we went over to Tom's Farm to ride the train and the carousal. We also watched the magic show and had lunch. Loads of fun!

I had every intention of making hand print plaques for Sarah for Mother's Day. After my third attempt, I gave up. I couldn't get the plaster of paris to set right - argh! I didn't take many pictures over the weekend -- was a little busy!

click on the photos to enlarge. . .