Pumpkin Patches...and Wineries..October 2009

After visiting an amazing Lily Farm in a small town called Amador, we strolled through this pumpkin patch. It's funny to look back 30 years ago, and remember how excited we were to get our pumpkin to carve. My Mom and Sister were looking into Gourds, while my dad and I were on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin. Well, we wanted a green one..(which is the one he's holding...) We wanted something different. And boy it is a cutie. Here's my sister and I at the oldest Winery in California. The hospitality wasn't the best. We felt incredibly rushed, but the atmosphere was interesting. This place hosted the guys from the "Gold Rush" days. Man, I'm happy to know they had some "Vino" for some relaxation back then.

Here's good' ol me at the "Prettiest" Winery we visited. Great hospitality, Fabulous Wine, and a view to melt your heart. I missed Bill at this one. Couples everywhere...but time with my sister, and laughter to hold your stomach. We laughed so so hard here. We also took some pictures that really shouldn't be posted. Cheers Tee!

The Trabue Family October 2009 "Mom's Birthday Weekend"

It's been 22 Years since we've lived together, and 3 kids in between...plus many miles apart. We had an amazing weekend together at last. This Winery is just miles from their home, built into a cave. Our parents aren't quite the drinkers, but my mom tasted a couple for the "Wine Team" (Me and Tina..) Our dad picked us up from the airport, and as nervous as we were of the flight, the moment we saw him, our fears disappeared and our awesome time began to unravel. Here is Dad and Tina, at one of the many old historical places in Sacramento.

My sis and I silly at lunch after a couple of brews. I have to say...That beer tasted sooo sooo good. Lunch on the Delta River...on the water..one of my favorite places.

Here we are. I hope I can hold these precious memories close to my heart forever and ever. People come and go in our lives...friends, neighbors...more friends...but if you are still lucky to have your parents, the feeling of sitting with them, hugging them, talking with them...is priceless. Nothing in this world can pay for the feeling. He truly has taught me so much. Where's Mom? Well she was at home....had no idea..while we were out on the town on her day...celebrating in our own special way.

Me....my Dad....and my Sister...

Mom's Birthday..The State Capital....Beautiful trees...AND MY DAD!

There are a few things in my life that I look back upon and think...Man.."How cool that was". Picked up by our Dad at the airport, whirled away to shop and have lunch..we ended up at the State Capital. It was one of those days...nothing planned, yet everything perfect. We had our Dad to ourselves, like two 10 year olds, grasping everything he said....all he knew and cherishing every single minute with him. So my sister and I laughed our entire trip about her poses. Some fun, some silly and some just amazing. I think this one is "The Best"- Looking great Tee!
And as Bill calls me...the "Tree Hugger". So were walking around the State Capitol admiring all the trees...and I hear Arnold speaking around the corner, so I run around to the back, and "Looky here" Arnold! So cool. Another great part of our un-planned day... The Rotunda. The prettiest part of the building.

The little definition of LOVE....

Are you listening?

Hey Bill....go faster..... Beautiful hat girl! My favorite place....

And then there's the "Love Shack" My other favorite place....with Cathy and Brenda

Friends..Check...Drinks...Check...Good Weather...Check!

We enjoyed this cove...on our way to Pirate's Cove. The weather couldn't be more perfect...clear skies and no wind. We actually took our time through the gorge and up to this cute place. Yea, and the blue cup...? That's a Mojito...home-made by our friends The Turks. This would be leaving Pirates Cove....cocktails anyone..? Notice what I'm drinking...haha.
Cathy and Carmen waving hi....

Pirates Cove September 23, 2009 Friday Fun!!

Look at these dudes....my favorite one...guy on the far right...

And the girls......Hey Ed, what are you doing there..!

The Birthday girl....Happy Birthday Lyn

Such a great day....perfect weather, almost everyone there, and a yummy lunch. Birthday's are a celebration of life and we are so glad to share it together. Family is forever.... The margaritas were super yummy too....

Bill and my little cousin Aaron. Cutie. Always smiling. (Nice hair hun...) heehee.

The longest table I've ever seen in a restaurant. Party of 50 at each. Super cool.

Tina and Lynda......

Flying out of the nest.....

Trust me you can never explain the feelings when your child starts looking for an apartment. Although he's 20, and I knew the day would come, it feels surreal to look in his room and "it's empty". I'm so proud of you Kristopher. Good job! You'll do great. And mommy is always mom. I called him a short while ago and asked..."so like what should I bring...?" "can you think of anything specific? And then we both laughed. That's a big question. It's little, it's cute, but it still needs some "Mommanizing".

This is his bedroom. He's upstairs. We thought this through, like...so he won't hear people walk around....plumbing won't come back up..(hopefully) and he's safer. At least that's what I think.

Getting his paperwork signed. Funnnnnn

And......this is how a boy at 20 packs. Cute. This is only half....the rest was on hangers. He loves clothes and shoes.

Good job Kris! We are so very proud of you!

I love you....

St. Regis Monarch Resort- Dana Point

It's not often that Bill and I get to sneak away to anywhere other than Havasu. We stayed at this resort, and top notch is an underated word. Everything was super amazing. I am a hotel snob. Why? I'm not sure, I was raised very simple. But there's something about staying somewhere someone else has been, slept, or walked on. I'm a wierdo, I know. But this hotel from top to bottom. SUPER clean, great service, and hospitality high rated. Our little honeymoon was well needed, and we loved loved loved it. Caught my cutie from inside. Our view was the garden and pool.

The room was so nice, and when we'd come back at night, they'd have the bed pulled back, robes on each side, with super cute music playing. Behind Bill was a bathroom and "tubby" to make me revisit sometime again.

Thank you honey..... when can we go back?

What a weekend....August 2009

Part of this beautiful hotel was a beach that was so amazing, and after a great workout, we headed down by a little trolley car to the beach, where steel drum music played, cabana boys catered to your needs....and the drinks flowed.... This is where it all started.....

And this is where he ended up. hahaha. I watched from a distance....swam alone, and came back to see his mouth wide open. HAHA. Sorry honey.

Sunday morning we strolled the grounds through this botanical garden, had coffee and cherished every second before heading back home to reality.

Hugs and Sunsets...Labor Day weekend 2009

There is something to say about a beautiful sunset. And if you know Bill and I, we LOVE them. The sky behind our house turns so many different shades before it tucks away for the night. Kali captured this one, on our last official summer weekend.

You'd think I would remember to turn the picture before I post. I guess their silliness effected me too. These two girls laughed and played in the pool well into the night. They had a blast!

Tori the 8th Grader! Beautiful girl!

This night in Havasu was probably one of the best Lightening storms we've ever seen. The girls sat out with us watching from a distance. Look at these long legs....

Not often do I get to lay in our pool and just read. Usually we have visitors, family and friends to entertain, and party with. This weekend I had about 6 good magazines, lots of time, and Bill out tinkering in the garage in the boat....I floated, and floated and floated.. LOVED IT! Here I am in this cove we call "Birdie Cove" We just found it, and it's tucked away...not too windy, and lots of different birds. We seen Sea Gulls, ducks, little black birds, those big Arizona black birds. Funny as we looked around, they were making their little camps for the night... But that in my hand..? That's a Corona with lime. yum!

Here's Kali and Tori rockin their new hats. Cutiepatooties!

The last weekend of Summer 2009

So it's Labor Day Weekend 2009, and Havasu wasn't that hot, and wasn't that crowded. We had fun, we played, and we relaxed at home...The boat next to us in the channel was rockin some good chimes, and the kids were stoked. After all, their parents love Bad Company, ACDC, John Mellancamp..classic rock. Here's Kris giving some of his greatest moves.

Here's Miss. Tori with her new RockStar hat. Every holiday this vendor row has these hats, free drinks, and lots of interesting people to watch. Your glasses look Fab Tor-Tor!
Daddy surprised Kali saturday morning and took her to get a new tube.....Kali is quite the worrywart (gets it from mama), and didn't want to tube out on the big weekend. Scary drivers, crazy people, but we found this nice safe area, and here they are!

Nice growl Tori! hee hee