The Tide Pool Beach

Yesterday we loaded up and went to the beach south of Pescadero Beach, Papa's beach. Papa looked at the computer to see what the weather and waves would be like and came to us to report that it would be warm and relatively low tide. BUT....when we got there, it was a little higher than we expected and also it was definitely jacket weather. Still we had a great time hunting shells and little animals in the tide pools. I stayed on shore and hunted shells with Ethan most of the time while the girls went exploring with Papa. Gene and Quynh also explored. Quynh caught a crab about three inches across and let the kids see it up close. She also caught a very small crab, smaller than a penny, and let it go. She wasn't afraid to just grab them. The larger one caught her finger in it's pinchers!
After the beach we headed down to our favorite pizza place in Santa Cruz. I sat down and immediately wished that all of us could have been there together. We missed you!
The rest of the afternoon and early evening we were in our backyard. The little ones swam the longest, with Adam and Ann doing a few laps and me getting in the hot tub for a short time.
Papa and I were bushed at the close of the day!

Zoo

Took the kids to the San Francisco Zoo the day after Annie and Adam came to visit from North Carolina. We decided to go before all the 4th of July crowds began. It was a beautiful day for the Zoo. We started out in the Africa exhibit and made our way to the hippo area, where we stopped and ate lunch. I brought my usual peanut butter and jam, but Aunt Quynh brought egg salad sandwiches! We were all jealous! She shared with us and we were truly grateful. The hippo exhibit is still under construction and we don't know where they were able to hide the hippos! We rode the train, which is becoming a very seldom done activity since the price is outrageous for two tiny circles on the track. Em, Quynh and I sat out this activity. The kids loved it! We saw only the legs of the cassowary though. He was way in the back of his enclosure. I think that the favorite thing at the zoo is the playground, which begs the question, "Would the kids be just as happy at Serra Park?"

Next to the childrens zoo for the nature trail. We cut this short as the adults had had it and just wanted to go home to rest. The cousins were still wanting to see the farm animals.....

Swiss Family Lamoreaux

Dad with his infinite wisdom and love for Mom decided on a project to complete while Mom was away with some friends. He remembers that Mom loves to camp so he knew this was going to be perfect. =)

Dinners On! Not quite the marbel countertops and rich colored cabinets, but absolutely zen. And I will show you the attention to detail Dad put into this.

A double sided sink, with running water, and plenty of counter space for prep.
The Fridge was not light, and it was a two man job, but he didn't give up till it was done. I felt like the Grandpa on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang where he helps push the car into the garage with 1 finger. Literally, I wasn't much help, but we didn't scratch the car, so that is good.
Stainless Steal! Finest in cooking, and an extra burner, washed down and hosed off. Sparkling new, well you should have seen the before pic.
And finally, Dad added bungee cords as a pot rack, this Man thinks of everything. =)

I have to say I doubted very much that Mom would "love" this, but

I came around and Mom did enjoy the "new" kitchen she loved it. And we look forward to enjoying this new kitchen.

Dad you are Super Man!

Home Progress

Remodeling in the Eyes of Em

Is this Tape supposed to scare me? Warn me? Or is it art? I found it is there as a caution, with all the banging out and in of new sliding doors, somehow this tape would keep the glass from breaking, so far so good.

Next we see the new doors, this is part of where the camping comes in. We are open air here, every sliding door has about 4-5 Inches of open space above them. They will be built up, but haven't yet. The house is nice and cool at night though, so no complaints here.
Recognize this room?! It is Mom's kitchen. You will notice everything missing. However the toys have survived the destruction and have become a focal point for the room.
The old and the new. The new garage door is on the opposite side and about twice as wide, will be perfect for fitting new appliances through. I teased Dad and asked if there were stained glass plans for the openings around the door frame, apparently not, not sure why that part of the wall got picked on.
The kids bathroom. There has been progress on this room, there is now a tub and the door leading out to the pool installed. Pretty awesome. The new bathroom cabinets are sitting in the dining room area, and they are gorgeous. Can't wait to see the end product.

I am priveledged enough to be able to come and visit anytime I or Zack has the whim to come over for some R & R. This visit I found it more like Camping. Cannot complain, what is more relaxing than camping? I ask you?

Remodeling must be rather stressful even though it looks as shaken up as my house normally is. =) We do however have 2 bathrooms again, the master bath and the porta potty out front that may come in handy.

No More Baking For Me!!

Yesterday the construction guys came and took away my ovens!!! YIPEE!! Last night I used my Foreman grill to do dinner for Dad. It works just great and will most likely see us through the remodel! Oh, I just realized that there really is no more baking for me..... This means no more muffins, cookies or cakes. I guess it's too hot to bake anyway! I do know where the store is....

Allie's visit to Emma's

When Allison was here she wanted to go visit her sister Emily in Turlock before leaving for Texas. We also wanted to go to introduce little Leland to Gayle and Michael. We had a great time playing with the grandkids and visiting. I have to say that I was surprised when Emily and Allie came back from a trip to Walmart with two shirts that they thought that I would like. They got a real bargain for only a couple of dollars a shirt!! Well, when I tried one on, Emily said that I should take her pink shirt that she bought for herself too! I declined and told them that I was happy with the shirts that they bought and that she should keep her shirt. Well, unbeknownst to me, they slipped it in our vehicle when we left and I now have three new T-shirts that I am really enjoying. Thanks Emily and Allison.

Sore Feet

Two days ago Dad's truck broke down while returning from giving Kathy Bertsch a blessing before her surgery this week. We ended up walking home. Both Dad and I were wearing stiff shoes, one's that were not meant for walking. Dad got his blister on the back of his heel and I got them on the bottom of my feet. We were going out to dinner with the Outback card that Annie and Adam had given me for Mother's Day, so we plodded on to accomplish that task. However, the directions on the internet were not making sense to either of us and we had a bit of a goose chase finding the one in Cupertino. At last we arrived and ordered. My Prime Rib was not done enough or even warm so I sent it back once only to have it return just a bit darker than the first and still only luke warm. The waiter asked if I wanted it sent back again. I said right out that I didn't want anyone's spit on it so I would keep it. The cook came out at the end of the dinner and comped my meal which was good, but embarrassing. The night ended with both Gene and I disconcerted.