BEAUTIFUL BALBOA PARK

I think one of the most extraordinary (for those of you in Rio Linda - that was a tongue-in-cheek play on words ------ remember we just visited Extraordinary Desserts?!!!!) places to visit in San Diego is Balboa Park. It reminds me in many ways of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco --- but considerably smaller, I think.

My favorite thing to do @ Balboa is to catch the Sunday afternoon Pipe Organ recitals. I LOVE music -- it was my whole life growing up -- so being able to do this is very nostalgic. AND -- the Spreckels pipe organ is in an outdoor arena!
The various museums and other buildings were actually built for the Pan-American Exposition in the very early 1900's & were meant to be temporary --- hard to imagine when you see the beautiful architecture.



The lily pond in front of the house of flowers ---

I LOVE this spot!

The weather was fabulous & we enjoyed being outside with a lot of other people who were there to enjoy the day too.

OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO

A trip to San Diego wouldn't be complete unless you spend some time in "Old Town". Who knows if much of it is actually very representative of Old California, but hey, it feels right!

It delivers a special Old World romance at night -- twinkle lights, soft Mariachi music and the smell of tortillas everywhere!

We ended our day-trip in Old Town @ El Fandango .... a quaint little Mexican (imagine that!) restaurant with a beautiful out-door patio area, complete with fireplace.

The salsa was perfect!


and so was the company -- Trevor was even able to join us!
[no deer yet tho :( ]

COASTAL PERFECTION

OK -- so how lucky were we to have 2 days in SD that were just absolutely breathtakingly perfect!!

Monday - the 3 of us headed to Oceanside - spending a good bit of time on the Pier and the beach. Had yummy Gelato from Pier View Coffee Co (where Leo had his first coffee -- just kidding mom!)

My favorite shot of the day -- Pete & Ken ..........

headed to the Oceanside Pier.

I love seeing my brother 'drink in' all that California has to offer

---- who wouldn't want to live here?

Two of my favorite people!

After we recovered from the Gelatos, we took a leisurely drive down Hwy 1/101 along the coast --- possibly some of my favorite beach views anywhere -- then headed back to Murietta to spend the rest of our last evening with the Tunes family!

...... and to think when we see Leo again ......

he'll be ! 1 !!!

THE REST OF UNCLE PETE'S CA VaCa

Ken, Pete & I flew back home Tuesday & spent the next two days just 'chillin' -- if you can use that term for what 'older' people like us do ..... actually, it was more along the lines of 'collapsing'!!
But, before you know it, we were ready to 'go' again. Ken had a big weekend long event, so he stayed home, but on Friday, Pete & I headed to SAN FRANCISCO!!!!! for the day.
We drove to Davis - hopped on Amtrak & ended up @ Pier 39.
Now mind you, Pete has NEVER been to SF --- so to say we did a lot of walking that day would be an understatement!! Thank the Lord for cable cars!!!!!
I didn't take my camera since I didn't want to have to carry it around all day (give me a break -- I didn't take a purse & the camera needs it's own bag!! -- way too much weight for my precious little arm & neck for 12 hours!!) So, sorry --- no pics!
Started out with clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl @ Boudin's @ the wharf --- is there ANYTHING more quintessentially SF?
Walked out to the end of Pier 39 & watched the seals -- amazing!
Wandered all thru Fisherman's Grotto & headed up to Ghiradelli Square to smell the chocolate -- Oh yeah, we ATE SOME TOO! YUM!
Didn't want to wait 1 hr in line so walked the several blocks to pick up the next line over & 'waved "Hi" to Jill' when we went by her place.
Hopped off the cable car just below the Fairmont Hotel (one of my favs!) TRUDGED, out of breath, UP the hill to experience the hallowed halls of GRACE CATHEDRAL -- I just love that place -- some day we're going to a concert there.
Took a quick tour thru the Fairmont (don't you just love the old world architecture)
Walked DOWN the hill this time & picked up the line to Union Square
I'm pretty sure we had Starbucks along the way!!!
Took the line all the way back to Ghiradelli Square -got a quick look @ Lombard St -- took a 'cruise' thru the Argonaut Hotel (that's funny only if you've been there --- it's decorated in vintage cruise ship mode!!)
I think we finally got a glimpse of the Golden Gate at some point --- it never got above 63 degrees & was overcast much of the day..... perfect for a 1st time visit to SF!!! (NOT)
Walked back to our pick-up point for Amtrak @ Pier 39 & had just enough time to order some onion rings (OK, so vacation isn't the time for a diet!)
WE WERE POOPED!!! But Happy!! It's so fun to share bits of California with someone who's never seen it ......
I'm pretty sure the only thing Pete hasn't seen at this point is YOSEMITE ---
THAT'LL BE NEXT TIME PETE!!!

Thanks for coming to visit us ---
We love having you around!!!
Maybe ..... sometime.....
it'll be for good!!!

Jenna & Samuel's New Digs!

Jenna's been working hard at getting their
new house pulled together & I've finally
got some new pics to prove it! I think she's
pretty talented in the deco department.
Don't you love this vignette? She painted
the buffet all by herself.

The living room --- the drapery print has
huge taupe peacocks on it!

Their elegant, little dining area......


And their restful bedroom......

Like all our homes - their's too, is a work in progress
and they're having so much fun!
Next post ----- the kitchen & TV room?

NINE MONTHS OLD

ONLY 3 more months till Leo's 1st Bday!
the proverbial time is flying and Mimi, once again,
was flying Southwest to see her boy!
Sam was in Ohio this past week on business,
so Jenna flew me down to do daycare duty ---
It's a tough job, but someone has to do it!!
Such a fun 3 days.....

Leo LOVED pushing this little plastic container all
around the house. I couldn't figure out the fascination.

Right now --- EVERYTHING goes into the mouth
& that gets a little scary- - - -
It's amazing how many little things Leo can find.


Leo is WAY more interested in playing with non
toy-type things - and you had better keep your eye
on him & know what he's into ALL the time ....
Let's see -- do you think MiMi will miss her pliers?


This was the week that MiMi introduced several new
food items to Leo's repertoire -
much to his mom's chagrin!
We tried avocado (mmmmm not so much), cheese,
kidney beans, chicken & Leo's new personal fav ---
Corn Chex soaked in milk!!




Every morning Leo took a sink bath while MiMi had
her coffee & toast ...... and then it just seemed the
perfect time to allow Leo to help feed himself .......
with spoons --- NO MESS TO CLEAN UP!


Don't you LOVE baby feet? And let me tell you ---
these feet are busy!! This boy is everywhere!!
The fun part is watching him assess everything ---
you can just see him processing as he makes
different attempts at controlling his world --
----from "is this wobbly chair going to support
me if I try to walk around it?" to "how many things
can I possibly put in my mouth at once?"


Leo loved pulling this stack of red cups out of the
cupboard and watching them do 'circles' on the floor

At one point, as he leaned over on one, it just
ricocheted out from under him ..... he was shocked ...
and the look on his face was classic!
..... almost like "how could you do this to me?"


It'll be only a week till I get to see him again ---
this time I'll take Grampa Ken & Great-Uncle Pete
back with me!!!
Can't wait ........... see you all soon!

HEATHER (my niece) & DANIEL'S EUROPEAN ADVENTURE

For all our friends who might be interested --- I've added a link to my niece, Heather's new blog. She and her husband, Daniel, have just moved to Frankfurt, Germany for 3 years ...... WOW - what a cool opportunity! Our family bugged & bugged her to blog about their time while there & VOILA' (that's FRENCH for instant magic!) she has!

Heather & Daniel both graduated from Annapolis - Heather served in the Navy, stationed in San Diego, is now a civilian & just finished up her Masters. Daniel is currently a Marine, posted to Frankfurt, having done 3 tours in Iraq.

This might be a way for all of us to experience Europe since most of us won't be headed there any time soon!?! AND --- she loves to take picturess --- even better!

Hop on their blog every so often to see the sights/sites!!!!!

ENJOY...........