Spring Break

For Spring Break we decided to head to California one last time before Jeff and Julie move to New Mexico. We have loved being able to visit them several times while they have lived there and will miss our visits to the Bay Area!!

We came across this peace sign just a block away from the "Haight-Ashbury" area of San Francisco which was famous in the 60's

Jeff and Julie have a friend that works at Pixar and so he arranged for us to take a tour of their studio. It was really fun and amazing to learn about what goes into making an animated movie. One movie takes about 5 years to complete!!



The fact that the Red Sox were in town to play the Oakland A's was also a factor in our decision to come to California. The night we went however just happened to be one of the coldest games in A's history! It was still fun to be there though and Gary, the die hard A's fan, came home the winner!!

We spent the last 2 days of our trip at Grandma and Grandpa Chem's in Windsor. Our visit there is never complete until we make a visit to Powells Candy Shoppe!

Returned With Honor

March 18th was a red letter day for our family as Nic returned home from his service in the Kentucky Louisville Mission!

Waiting anxiously were 2 nephews Nic had never seen before and Trey who was beginning to wonder if Nic was ever going to come down the escalator.


As every parent who has ever sent a child on a mission knows---this day is one of the best days of your life!!!

One "Wicked" Week-end

Not everyone would be thrilled to have their Mother-in-law call and say "I'm coming for a visit and by the way, I'm bringing a friend", especially when your husband (her son) wasn't even going to be in town!! But Julie was VERY sweet to not only let me and my friend Liz come and stay but she chauffeured us all around the Bay Area as well.

The highlight of the trip (besides getting to see my grandsons) was getting to see Wicked at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco. It was amazing and every bit as good as the New York Production.


On Saturday we got a break from the "heavy misting" that the Bay Area is known for and took Liz into see the sights in San Francisco. We enjoyed some famous Sour Dough Bread on Fisherman's Wharf and some chocolate at Ghiradelli Square.

Thanks to my friend Liz for a fun week-end and to Julie for putting up with us!!

An Early Christmas

Since Jeff, Julie and the boys aren't able to come for Christmas this year, Gram just had to fly to California and "hand deliver" the presents!! We let Trey and Kaden open the "big one" from Gram & Grandpa, mainly because it was taking up too much room in the apartment.




Kaden is THE cutest 16 month old!!

Trey loved this Polar Express display at the mall. Merry Christmas you guys, we love you so much!!

Cougars go Undefeated!!

Derek's football team, the Cougars made it through the season undefeated. They finished off by winning the Superbowl last Saturday. Derek was again selected to play in the Pro Bowl and his team won that game as well. Way to go Cougars !!

Survived the MTC---AGAIN !!

Well we survived the MTC for the 4th time today!! Was it easier than the first time? Not at all, saying good-bye for 2 years is still extremely hard. I decided that MTC should really stand for "Mothers Torture Chamber" !! Peter did great though and is looking forward to his new journey.

Our Summer Vacation

Before Peter takes off for the MTC and the Philippines, our family took off for a great summer vacation. We went on a Royal Carribbean Cruise!! We left from LA, went to SanDiego, Catalina Island, Ensenada Mexico and then back to LA. Cruises really are a great way to travel. . . lots of food, fun, entertainment. . . and more food!!

At "Old Town" in San Diego

Peter and Derek were trying all sorts of new things to eat, here Peter is sampling "Escargo. . .also know as snails" I guess he needs to get used to eating strange things right?!

Formal night. . .we cleaned up nicely !!

Derek and Peter couldn't wait to get back to the rooms at night to see what kind of creature the room attendant had made from the towels. This monkey hanging from the ceiling was their favorite.

Snorkeling on Catalina Island

Shopping in Ensenada was an adventure in and of itself!

Derek making it to the top of the rock wall which was on the ship

What jobs? What responsibilities?? It was nice to forget about them for a few days anyway !!

After the cruise we headed to Six Flags--Magic Mountain so that Peter (The Rollercoaster Maniac) could ride them to his hearts content, and that is exactly what he did!