Christmas 2009

This one is turning out to be a Hum Dinger! I will start with the good part. Up until Thursday everthing was going along smoothly. Last Sat the 12th Allison and I went to Silver Dollar City, just the 2 of us! It was raining but we had a great time, we did get to see The Christmas Carol and I was glad to see that again, it is an excellent musical presentation. We rode the train and spent time on the square listening to the tree, It was fun and I am always glad for the time we get to spend together.

Now comes the icky part but Buss said it is part of my Venture so need to include it. I have Shingles ~ in my eye ~ not real common!! I thought I had a sinus infection but then things started getting weird so went to the Dr. I am taking some very expensive medicine but it doesn't cure, suppose to be easing the symptoms but not doing a good job! I live from 1 pain pill to the next! I am going to post my picture ~ not for sympathy ~ but I do look pathetic but just because it is all so weird and it is happening to me. I hope it has peaked and will show some improvement but not getting my hopes up. So there it is so far ~ my Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009

We started our Christmas festivities back in November with our first trip to the Silver Dollar City Christmas Festival. The first time you hear "The Tree" it all begins! Our first gift exchange was this last weekend and was such fun for us. We enjoy watching all opening gifts, of course we had lists to guide us, so I think they were all happy! I know I was with mine, each specially chosen for me by those I love, Thank You

 Have to say The Nutcracker was a highlight and will look forward to it again sometime. And that was only the beginning! Will have more pictures and stories as we grow closer to the end of this year

Fun Weekend

After a long work week we headed to Silver Dollar City to meet David, Casey and Boys! It was a beautiful evening, we are getting spoiled as far as the weather for this years Christmas Festival. Even Henri enjoyed the night. We stayed till closing. I had to work till noon on Sat but we were still in Branson by 1:15! We got to spend the afternoon with Aaron and William. It was another great day and so we played golf. They are a lot of fun and we had a great time. We ended the day at Branson Landing with dinner on the deck at Texas Land & Cattle, one of those evenings that will be remembered! Thanksgiving is next!

Christmas at Silver Dollar City

It was 76 degrees Saturday but

we had planned on going to the Christmas Festival ~ so we went! I have to say it was a beautiful evening and once it was dark we really enjoyed the lights, parade and Tree no matter the temp. probably more! It was very crowded but we had good luck on parking and  didn't even stand in food lines very long. Sophia enjoyed the parade and then we ended the evening with The Tree! It is our favorite part!

We had a wonderful weekend visit and Sunday morning we started our day with the ever favorite BlueBerry French Toast! It is a great beginning to the Holiday season!

Life After Vacation

It is hard to believe we have been home for a month and how quickly we fall back into routine. October has come and gone! And I am just going to put all down at once. We enjoyed one of Bill's wines as our homecoming wine. It is  good to relive all the memories with each one we open.

Then we were off to see Henri and celebrate birthdays we had missed.  Both were delightful!

Work is work for both of us and we do it all week so we can enjoy the weekends more, we have done some things around the house, sorting, cleaning and rearrangeing, one project leads to another.

But we did take time off for Silver Dollar City Fall Festival, it hasn't changed much but that is part of why we love it. We finished up with Halloween! This year Allison was Kate +8 and she was a good one!

Now we are onto November and it should be full of family and fun!!

Bed and Breakfast

A part of our vacation included 3 Bed and Breakfast's. We went to our first B & B a few years ago in Vicksburg MS and enjoyed the experience so much we have been to serveral since. This year they were all different and had a favorite part of each.

The first one was Lobos Lodge in Carmel and was the least personal but we had a Beauty Salon next to us! It is in the background! I found that very interesting. They delivered a breakfast tray to the door at the hour requested ~ that was very nice and although a "light" meal it was always good. We were in a good location and could walk to everything. We met a couple in Santa Fe who had stayed there years earlier!

HOME

It was an awesome trip and we were really glad we took 2 weeks but are glad to be home. I will miss housekeeping ~ we went out for breakfast this morning and no one cleaned while we were gone! Saturday morning we left right after a breakfast of blueberry bread pudding that was best ever. She is putting together a cookbook and can't wait to try and recreate.

We left at 9:02 MST and got home at 10:15 CST. It was a long drive but we relived the previous 2 weeks. We brought home a lot of projects from Santa Fe. Tile for the kitchen, trees for the yard and other things to find places for. The photo above is shopping on the Governors Palace in Santa Fe. And our truck before we left. Now I have to go do laundry!!

Friday morning continue

We just finished a fantastic breakfast and shared the table with the folks from Texas. We exchanged address's and email to keep in touch! It has been a fantastic visit here. Yesterday we explored downtown and the Plaza, eaten at some great places and done a lot of shopping! Today we are doing a lot of the same and take in some museums.

This is view of our place last night. It has been good!

Friday morning

We moved up the hill into our own little adobe but I can't get internet inside!! So it is 33 deg this morning and I think I will continue this later by the fireplace in the main house. Last Day losts to do!!

Santa Fe

We are in Santa Fe which is the last phase of our vacation. It has been very Windy and so my sinus's are driving me crazy and just hoping for a good nights sleep. Our B & B is out side of town and very nice, we already spent the evening visiting with a couple from Fort Worth. They visit here often so have given us several recommendations. We have ruled out Taos just because we are really tired of driving! But there is plenty to do here.

This is our room for tonight and tomorrow we move to the room on the hill. Also the view from our window

Grand Canyon Indeed!

We went to the North Rim today and it was indeed Grand! The Aspens have turned and in the wind look like shimmering gold.

Sunday - Monday

Sunday was our last day in California and I couldn't write about it yesterday because I wasn't ready to say Good Bye! It was a great day ~ we started out watching the sun rise from our room at the Jackson Lodge. By the time we had loaded everything it was time to get going. We were staying in Placerville that night and it was only 30 miles but it took us all day to get there. We found the foothill wineries a lot of fun ~ and so many. Because they are small ones usually the owner or winemaker was in the tasting room and that makes it more interesting and fun. As we got further into the foothills they got farther off the road and higher in the hills ~ thankful for our GPS! We made it up and down again!

Placerville was quaint town as so many are in this part of the state and I wish I could have spent more time there. I took the picture as we left our restaurant Sunday night. It was a perfect ending to our stay.


Monday except for the Sierra's and Lake Tahoe ~ we drove all day on Route 50 " The Loneliest Highway in America" and lost an hour when we got to Utah ~ Enough Said!

Saturday

This morning we left the coast! It is always sad to say goodbye to family after such a great visit. We had such a good time there and it meant we were headed East again. But it was only a 3 1/2 hr drive to our next stop so that wasn't bad. We are in Jackson CA tonight and it is so different than the coast, we went to Sutters Creek and ate at a local place where they knew almost everyone that came in the door! It has also been HOT the truck read out was 106. It is a dry heat though!

We are sorry we missed Sophias birthday party but we will have to have our own for her. Happy Birthday!

Tomorrow we are visiting the wineries in this area, we have it on good authority they are wonderful. Enclosing some pictures, this is the first time someone has offered to take our picture and we are grateful to him ~ whoever he was!

Also the 18th fairway at Pebbel Beach~

End of Week 1

Today we didn't get far from our B & B. We got ourselves organized for our start east tomorrow. It is in the 100's in the foothills so I had to go to the mall and get some clothes for hot weather. It has been so cool on the coast the last few days and foggy. But we did get to Cannery Row.

Many of the folks staying here are from England and are very interesting. The guy who runs the Inn is very funny and has this odd laugh you can hear all over the house, but he can cook!

I don't have any pictures for today. Tomorrow we are off to the sierra foothills

Thursday

This has been a quiet day. David called with an update and things sound encouraging for them. He said Henry opened his eyes when his brothers started talking, that made us smile!

We left Carmel and after a few stops paid the $9.25 to drive by Pebble Beach on the 17 mile drive, it really is beautiful. This is the famous cypress tree at Pebble Beach. Our B & B is in Pacfic Grove and is very nice. I think the major thing here is the food and so far the afternoon snacks were great.

Tonight we met Aunt Betty and Bill at the Monterey Plaza Hotel for dinner in the Duck Club Grill overlooking the ocean. To much fog to see the sunset but it was another wonderful evening. We were celebrating Betty and Waynes 67th Anniversary, Wayne was not able to be there but we heard the story of that day and the early years. Just a small part of that story was he and 4 friends went to Peoria the day after Pearl Harbor to enlist. They were told to come back after they finished up their Sr year at Monmouth College. I am glad for the time we have had to spend with them. Just always wish we had more!

What a Day!

We walked most of the day, I do love this little town, and waited for the phone to ring. We will never forget where we were on Henri's birthday! We have a nice B & B on the main street through town so has been a lovely stay.

Today we are off to Pacfic Grove via Carmel Village and Pebble Beach, we'll take the 17 Mile Drive to get to our next stay. Tonight we are having dinner at the Plaza on Monerey Bay with the Bloomers.

This is just one of the many little side streets here. The weather has been beautful and the town not to crowded.

What a day!!!

Carmel By The Sea

Tuesday was Carmel! Here we are in  Lobos Lodge a Bed & Breakfast, we walked down to the beach soon after we got here. We have been mostly doing nothing! We are adjusting to the time so can stay up past 9 now. Last night we ate at Hogs Breath Inn outside by the fireplace ~ very relaxing. And here they deliver breakfast to your door. We were almost done with todays before I thought to take a picture! Tomorrow morning I will try and remember to get one. Today we are just going to walk around, shop and eat!

Of course our thoughts are at home today with David, Casey and all their boys! We had moved our vacation up a week so we would be home in time! We are excited though and waiting for news and pictures. Love to you all!

Family

Monday was a great day. We started out in Paso visiting a few of our favorite wineries and then headed north. Stopped at Hahn Estates and took advantage of our Club! We checked into our hotel about 3 and this has to be the best deal so far, a great Ramada for $55!

Our day ended tasting at Bloomer Cellars! We started with a toast to " The Bloomers" and our evening began! We made a trip to the Cellar which is an experience in itself and after looking at rare vintages and stories of all the years, they had filled a case! ( We will be sharing )

The wine was awesome, the converstion equal and I thought "That is the reason we drove 2 1/2 days to get here!"

I have tried to think how I would convey it all, and decided I can't do it justice. It was a family evening I will never forget.

Once again to "The Bloomers" a heartfelt Thank You

Paso Robles

Still no pictures ~ Another long day on the road and although the scenery is awesome there is no place to stop. We started the day in Holbrook AZ at 5:45 and 53 chilly degrees ~ ended in Paso at 5PM and 94 degrees! But we made it to Tobin James in time to get a good start on filling our first box! And we had a nice dinner at an Italian restaurant near our lodging. Once again trip advisor was right on we have a very nice room.

Monday we will visit the area here ~ we are going to stop at San Marcos Creek ~ and then head to Betty and Waynes in the afternoon. So should be a good full day. 

It looks like the boys had a great day at the zoo. And Laurie, Paso says Hey, wish you were here!

Greetings from the West

It is 5AM here in Arizona but we are still on Midwest time. Saturday was all road trip and it got loonnnggg! No real stops except for lunch at The Big Texan! A lot of road constrctions slowed us down. I had chosen our lodging by Trip Advisor reviews and price ~ both places we have stayed have been right on, so we are looking forward to tonights Best Western in Paso.
Today we finish Arizona and then cross into California ~ Death Valley ~ should be interesting ~ maybe I will get pictures! We will be going through Kingman AZ so we may stop to see if we can turn $20 into $200!!

I love being able to keep up through your blogs and facebook!

So long for now!

Adding A Picture

                                                                                                                                 

This is my attempt at adding a picture. A nice evening on the patio with Tobin James 2006 Zin

Wine

I talked to  Aunt Betty tonight and she sounded so excited about our coming visit. Bill is going to be there and she had so many winery suggestions I can't remember them all! She is sending us off to the Foothill Wineries this trip. This is true case of " I wish I would have"! My uncle Wayne was a career naval officer and then a successful businessman but his hobby was making great wine! And I wish I would have known him then! Betty tells such stories of those early days and althought Bill has taken over, he says "Dad was the master". I am excited to spend a few days with my aunt, uncle, cousin and share in a little part of their lives. It may have taken me a long time but I am doing all I can to make the most of our time now

Harder Than I Thought

It is taking me longer to figure out to Post than it does  to write. I had one and then hit a key and lost it! Very discouraging! But here I go again ! I want to remember Labor Day 2009 because I have no clue what Labor Day 2008 was! Labor Day 2009 was Road Trip! 880 miles Stewartsvile, Avon and home again. A good trip!  Highlights:  2 little boys running across the yard yelling " Grandma Grandpa Vandyke"
                          Tenderloin and Blackberry pie
                           Quilt store
                          Tiger football on the radio and Big Win
                          Mom and Dad
                          Sisters
                          A good driver and road trip partner
There it is!

Here I GO!!

This is my attempt at Blogging! So that a year from now I will know where I have been and what I have done! And can share our vacation with all.

I will be seeking advice on this so be prepared!