A Day At The Races

We did another train adventure… This time from Fullerton to Solana Beach where we went to the races at Del Mar with family and friends!  We departed Fullerton about 9 a.m. and got to Solana Beach about 10:30… Just in time for lunch and a drink.  Then to the racetrack at 1:00 and watch the horsies for several hours before heading back home about 6:00.  The dinner at the Spaghetti Factory!  Please join all the fun!

Betting the farm!

Difficult to explain!

Grandsons Are Great

Jonathan and Sarah sent us a picture so we fixed it up a little. Great kids! We enjoy talking to them every week!

Jonathan & Sarah

Meeting At The Whitehouse With Hannah

A 1909 historical national landmark jewel that was once nestled quietly among an enormous orange grove in the early 20th century. When remodeling into the restaurant, very few changes were made in the refurbishment project. The restoration was copied from original existing pieces, whenever possible. The interior of the home was restored with most rooms retaining their original size and shape. The brick fireplace (in the main dining room) and many of the windows are original. Every effort has been made to retain the appearance of the home as it was in 1909.

Hannah just got home from a six-week stay in Korea so it was time to get a data dump!

Great venue!

Great dining with a great young lady!

A Visit With Kat

We went to visit Cousin Kat (which we do every few days) and watch the doggies play in her community patio!  She was alert and giggling a lot although she is slowing down and using a wheelchair most of the time.   She is not connected with the world today but remembers 30 years ago as if it were yesterday!  we brought her a small box of see’s chocolate truffles which she loves!

She likes her chocolates

...and a lot of teasing!!

Great Day At Sea World

It is the end of summer and time to celebrate going back to school so the Duda’s joined us at Sea World with Nick leading the parade!  We had a load of fun!  Please join us!

Fun fun fun

Sunday Family Lunch

Michele invited us for lunch and she also invited Robin, Bob, and Nick!  Yeah!  Nice to have family events.  Nick and Theo played all afternoon as the adults enjoyed a leisurely afternoon!  We celebrated Sue’s  birthdays.  Please join us!

Toast to a great afternoon with family!

Remember: What was hard to bear is sweet to remember.    — Portuguese proverb

Remember: The smallest good deed is better than the grandest good intention.    — Duguet

A Visit With Kat Robinson

We dropped in on Kat and visited for a while!  We saw two dogs playing in the courtyard and Kat really enjoyed that!

Kat enjoyed watching the dogs play in the courtyard

TV Movies: The Babies Like Cowboy Movies (The Shootist)

After an afternoon of dancing, it was time to spend time with the babies.  Flower kind of prances around and finally decides to go to sleep.  Sarge has his “special spot” right next to Paul on the chair.  He burrows in and watches the movie with both eyes closed… How does he do that?   Our requirement for movies one may ask! Easy!! Nothing above a PG-13 (Message to Hollywood… Keep the crap out of the movies… they did it in the 1940′s, why can’t you do it today??)  We watched The Shootist this evening.

John Wayne's last movie... What a great man!

Summary: A dying gunfighter spends his last days looking for a way to die with a minimum of pain and a maximum of dignity.

Celebration At Old Ranch

Wow!  Did we have a good time of what?  There were 700+ at Old Ranch to celebrate our nation’s birthday… One day early!  We took 600+ pictures so the site will take another day!  Dinner was fantastic (I mean fantastic!!!)  and we had fireworks over the 18th hole!  Join us!

Left to right: Frankly, Mary, Paul, Sue, James, Dave, Linda, Robin, Bob, Nick, Vicky, Del, Amber, and Robbie... Michele and Theo are in the front!

Wow! Theo was the star in our section! He made the crowd happy with the sounds of innocence!

Paul tends bar

Remember: Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.  ~Thomas Paine

The Tiny “Alarm Clocks” Woke Me Up!

It seems like the little babies have found a new hobby… Waking up daddy at 5:00 and asking for foodies.  After they eat, daddy is wide awake so I play with the computer while they lay in their beds and giggle!  Here are the little monsters (They are having their 15th birthday next month!)

Sarge (brown) and Flower are proud of getting a 200+ pound man out of bed and getting themselves fed!

Remember: Dogs have given us their absolute all.  We are the center of their universe.  We are the focus of their love and faith and trust.  They serve us in return for scraps.  It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.  ~Roger Caras

Father’s Day A Wee Bit Early With The Karate Kid

Robin, Bob and Nick wanted to celebrate Father’s Day with us a little early (they are going to the Duda’s tomorrow) so we did it!  We went to Panda (Panda) Palace for lunch and to see the Karate Kid at the local movie house!  Great fun!  Nick starts Karate on Monday so this was a perfect fit!  Join us!

Almost got Sue without lipstick on!

Plot: Work causes a single mother to move to China with her young son; in his new home, the boy embraces kung fu, taught to him by a master.

Remember: “To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill.” ~ Sun-Tsu ~The Art of War

876 Miles In Two Short Days

We made a mad run to Saratoga and Stockton and back home. First we picked up Hannah on Saturday afternoon and she stayed overnight.  Sunday morning we headed out to drop off Hannah in Saratoga and had a fondue dinner at La Fondue. The next morning (Monday) we went to Stockton to have lunch with Aunt Kaye and Cousin Tom. We left there about 2:30 and arrived home at 8:30 averaging 60 miles per hour with almost 32 miles per gallon… I love my Avalon!  Please join the adventure

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

Dining at Strings!

Remember: ?Family faces are magic mirrors.  Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future.  ~Gail Lumet Buckley

Dinner Is Served

Sarah and Jon fixed dinner for us and we added a few others like Vicky and Del from next door and Dave and Laurie.  We ate and laughed and told stories until we were almost sore!  Join dinner fun!!

Everybody participated

Remember: Families are like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.

Now EVERYBODY participated

Remember: The family.  We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.  ~Erma Bombeck

Dining Korean Was Great

Hannah is taking Asian Studies and is going to Korea this summer so when we picked her up from UCI we decided to go Korean.  The restaurant was “upscale” and the food was great!  It’s called the Yi-Dynasty and is located at the John Wayne airport!  Oh, they are vegetarian friendly!

Excellent food and fantastic service - Highly recommend

Chowing down!

Did Ja Know – Kimchi also spelled gimchi, kimchee, or kim chee, is a traditional Korean fermented dish made of vegetables with varied seasonings. It is most commonly made with napa cabbage and other vegetables such as radish, green onion, chive, and cucumber. Kimchi is the most common banchan, or side dish, in Korean cuisine. Kimchi is also a main ingredient for other common Korean dishes such as Kimchi stew

Memories Of Panda Panda

Our local Chinese restaurant was named Panda Panda and Jon went there for many many years.  Panda Panda is now in Sunset Beach but the same chef is there and the same folks we knew now run the place.  Good groceries.  Frank (the co-owner now) was amazed to see little Jon!

Remember: Family life is a bit like a runny peach pie – not perfect but who’s complaining?  ~Robert Brault