Labor Day Tourists

Have you ever taken the whole weekend to tour your own little city?  We had the opportunity to do just that Labor Day Weekend.  I have to admit.  It was so much fun.  I realized how beautiful our little cities are and how much there is to do. 

Our dear friends Ellen & Allen Johnson drove all the way from Phoenix to spend the weekend with us.  We had endless fun, talks and food all weekend long. 

Vincent was such a sport and moved into Amanda's room, The Johnsons in his room and Amanda, without any hesitation into our room.


We started the day in Santa Barbara of course with food. That of course is food on the water at Stearns Wharf.

Despite the fact that the birds attacked our feet.... Okay, the pigeons that Vincent tried to poison it was a great lunch.  Vincent had a big enough lunch to last past dinner.  So pretty much, he had Linner.  I wish I had a picture of it.  The poor guy literally could not walk afterwards.  BONUS.... Ran into my dear friend Eileen and her boys that I haven't seen since we moved away.  Such a treat. 

After driving the truck onto the Wharf above the water (freaked them out) Of course we have to ride along the beach.  I am realizing now, I do not take very good pictures.  They are not with the best backgrounds or right moments..... But at least I try I guess. 

Well. I did get a picture of Amanda on the cool bikes.  Next Surfing. Alan actually brought his board and Vincent was more than excited to go.  I don't have a picture of that. I stayed behind after pushing the BoB on the sand. I wasn't about to push it any farther.  It WAS too hard.  But I did capture this most beautiful moment! She slept pretty much the whole time they surfed.

Of course end the day with an amazing drive along the Santa Barbara Coast Line.  It literally does take your breathe away.

Told you.  How can you not luv that sunset.  So beautiful.

Amanda was so excited that Alan & Ellen spent the night.

its more beach time. this time baby sis is awake.

luvd just chillin on the beach "talking"

 

actual size

 

 

 

 

of course Brian made an amazing dinner in the dutch ovens

Stuffed salmon, potatoes and Salad... YUMMY

It was such an amazing weekend.  Fast and Testimony Meeting, Beach, Girl Talks, Surfing, Pancakes, Amanda and Vincent.  Such a great weekend. 

Thank you so much Alan & Ellen for making the trip all the way out here!!

WE LUV YOU!

 

College Bound Cousin

Our nephew Jacob has been accepted to Embry Riddle University.  It is so beyond crazy to me that he is old enough for college.  Time has flown by WAY TO FAST!!!!
We had the wonderful privilege of having him spend the weekend with us and attended his Orientation with him.  Well, at least the boys went with him.  Boys day out!

Amanda was SO excited to go pick up Cousin Jacob at the Airport.  She LUVS airplanes. 

I luv this picture.  First that Amanda bonded so well with Jacob, they all have full bellies after a HUGE breakfast AND the boys are not making their normal funny serious faces.....

Unfortunately the trip was very short.  But I know they all had fun.  We were so blessed that Jacob asked us to go with him to his College Orientation.  I can not believe that he is College bound.  It was such a fun weekend with LOTS of laughs...

 

WE LUV YOU JACOB NATHANEAL DIAZ!  YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE AN AMAZING PILOT!!!!!

DO We Have Our ID?

Really do you though?  That is the question my dad and uncle asked as soon as they got out of the car.  They drove all morning from Santa Barbara and finally arrived around 2pm.  We were so excited.  My dad hasn't been able to visit for almost 2 years and my uncle has never made the trip out. 
Due to SB1070 and my family being rather darker skin (yes, just in case you didn't know we are Mexican :) Hence the reason the question when they got out of the car.  It is a HUGE joke with my family.  Or at least some of them.....
It was so nice to have family around.  They helped with yard work, funiture rearranging, preparing frozen meals and helped me with Brian's birthday BBQ.  There is such a comfort in having family around. 
It was such an enjoyable weekend.  I didn't want it to end. 

Special Thanks to Heather M.

She made 3 doz. of Brian's favorite cupcakes.  Red Velvet Cupcakes with creamcheese frosting.  Isn't she the best!  added a B on top of every single cupcake!  They were so scrumptous.

Papa Diaz

Papa and Amanda. She had so much fun having him throw her up in the air and almost drop her.  It's the simple things!

Unlce Mike enjoying Brian's big screen TV.  He was almost in heaven. 

Catching up on some emails..... While papa starts preparing dinners.

Ever since 2002 (it seems so long ago, hence the ever....) My dad has made enchiladas with all of the left over turkey from Thanksgiving.  Since he won't be visiting for Thanksgiving he decided to make some enchiladas for us ahead of time. 

He ended up making 4 batches.... I am actually going to be taking one out of the freezer today for dinner.  They are so YUMMY!

 

It was so much fun to spend time with my dad and uncle..... Who would've thought they would be so funny. 

 

WE LUV YOU PAPA AND UNCLE!!!!!!

Fourth of July

We had a pretty low key Fourth of July. Luckily I had the day off. We all were able to have breakfast together which is a rare occasion. Vincent ended up having to work at the yogurt shop.
That evening we met Brian's dad, Chris and step mom Irma for dinner. Since they were staying in Scottsdale we ventured over there.
We all had a great time together. The food wasn't bad either!!

Brian and Vincent had their own show of fireworks on our cool deck... I have to admit. It was rather fun.

Going to the East Valley

Normally we don't really venture over to the East Valley much.  Not going to lie, it's such a drive and so much darn traffic....
But Grandpa Dan was in town... So it was worth it.  He had spent a couple days traveling over to this side of town we thought we would return the favor.  Not only that, we were able to visit with some very dear friends that we haven't seen in years. 

Grandpa Dan, Vincent, Lamar & Jenny Davies

Granpda Dan, Vincent and Lamar Davies

Thank you to Jenny and Lamar for having us over.  Unfortunatley I lost the rest of the pictures :( 

My Crazy Brother & SIL

Well, to tell you the truth, they are not crazy..... My brother on the other hand... He.... pretty much is.  But he is a fun kind of crazy.  They were so nice to come visit us the last weekend in March.  Luckily there was alittle bit of heat.... (My brother LUVS the pool.)
We are always so grateful for visitors and it is always so much fun spending time with family.  I will say though, I always need a vacation after spending time with my brother..... The age difference is killing me... He is such a night owl.
We had so much fun having a impromtu birthday party for Amanda.  Auntie Erica was adimit about making her a special birthday cake :)
We are so grateful for their visit..... Looking forward to the next. 

We always start off with Fondue

when they visit... (Auntie Erica

taking pic, I am at work)

Of Course we had to

introduce the Roller Rink to

them... This is the best pic I

could get of Vincent and friend

Meaghan.

We KNEW it... of course

Uncle Matty Matt LUVD it!

Brian opted not to Roller Skate

this time... I'm showing off my way

cool Roller Derby socks. (I didn't

take any to work and had to buy some)

I really don't know how to describe

this picture but ODD....

Auntie Erica made the Cutest

Birthday cake for Amanda

One of our friends came and

made balloons for the neighbor

kids

Not too sure about this cake

stuff

I LUV this picture of the two of them

A visit is not complete unless my brother

and I bowl at least one game.

Of course..... I won. (he begged me to

play another 4 more :( )

Last but not least,

Pedi's before they leave. 

Erica and I lUVD the relaxation.

Brian..... giggled and squirmed the whole

time... It was his first pedicure :)

WE LUV YOU UNCLE MATT AND AUNTIE ERICA.....

THANK YOU FOR COMING TO VISIT!!!!

Double Trouble

The second weekend in January my SiS Erin and Ang came to visit with their children.  That following Wednesday, my Sis Trina flew into town...... I was so excited.  She was attending a Ortho Convention.  It had only been a couple of days since my two other Sis left.  So I was embracing every moment of it. 
The following night my Brother flew into town.  Like I said, Double Trouble.... :) 

We all had so much fun.  It was a perfect time for them to visit.  Brian had a reaction to his medication and actually ended up in the hospital for a couple days while they were here.  It was such a relief knowing the kids were taking care of in their own home. 

I was incredibly sad to take them to the airport.  :(  I can't wait to spend more time with them. 

believe it or not we were all having so

much fun playing Rumicube......

Matthew and Trina took us to dinner.

It tasted as good as the presentation

looks.

Not only was Trina glued, so was

Amanda and myself.

Amanda couldn't get enough.  Not only

was she using the soup spoon, but also

having Auntie Trina feeing her with

chop sticks.

Matthew and Vincent LUVD the show.

Thank you to Matthew and Trina for such a wonderful visit.... Thank you for all of your help.  Couldn't have made it through the weekend with out you. 

I LUV YOU!!!!