Busy Weekend

We survived our family reunion. Fortunately for us, it was in town this year which means we could sleep at home. Otherwise, this family stays up half the night talking, playing games, etc. which is not good for kids and it's really not good for adults who have to deal with tired kids.

The kids had a blast. Painted hand prints, t-shirts, water balloon toss, meeting extended cousins, playing hide-n-seek (which I can't stand - blows the entire premise of I want to know where you are at all times right out of the water), Hill-billy golf, Karaoke, etc.

Mark sang Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire". It's much funnier at Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen where Matt and Mark have zero problem putting on a show but get in front of 100 or so people and he just sings into the mic.

Cousins - Sam, Brooks, Matt, Mark and Lucy - this is the best of 5 picture - so hard to get a good one!

Matt went away to camp this week - Here he is lugging his bag to the bus.
Mark went to Day Camp this week and has been sun-kissed and tired everyday.

Oh yeah - Mark lost his first tooth Saturday - came out while eating an Oreo!

Starbucks List

My Starbucks is not on the list. WOOHOO!! Hip Hip Hooray! YEAH FOR ME!

While I'm so sad there are going to be 600 fewer stores, I'm thrilled that I can still drive 2 miles to my Starbucks drive-thru, half awake, in yesterday's clothes and get home before Chris leaves for work! Yes, I realize that sounds pathetic but I tell you, I'm the only - I mean the only - Wife/Mom on the block who actually gets up like Mrs. Cleaver, gets her hubby coffee and sees him off to work everyday. All the other women on the block sleep until at least 9:00.

Not me - I'm up at 7:00, out the door at 7:05, back by 7:15, kissing Ward good-bye at 7:17 and working by 7:20 and I love it and I can keep doing it!

So while Starbucks is my Fourbucks addiction, I'm good with that.

Here's the latest list I could find:

http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/USStoreClosureInfo.pdf

California Tour - What to do

Well, if anyone has toured California and wants to give me suggestions, I'll take them. Our last family vacation before we head to Thailand is California (unless another free one comes along - hint hint Mom and Dad). We are specifically looking for good public beaches - you know clean with waves but the kind that don't knock you down every 2 seconds. We are hitting San Francisco, driving down the coast to LA (avoiding wildfires along the way) and hitting the Inland Empire (Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Palm Springs area). Hotels are covered so I'm just looking to fill an itinerary. This is what's on the list - let me know if I missed something fun. Will not be doing wine tours as the kids will be with us. Although, I think that would be fun if there is a kid-friendly winery. We have one in our area and the kids love it.

San Francisco -

• Night tour at Alcatraz - Very excited about this - bought tickets early as it was nearly sold out
• Pier 39 - Fisherman's Wharf - lots of cool things there
• Lombard Street
• China Town - YUM
• Muir Woods
• Salsalito

Drive Down - I'm sure there's more to do on this drive but I need to get a book

• Mystery Spot - this looks very cool
• Hearst Castle - is it worth the tour? Can't decide.
• Elephant Seals
• Solvang - Emu and Ostrich farm and ableskive (which is like a pancake ball with powdered sugar and jam) MMM - sounds pretty good and probably worth the stop

LA - been there done that so many times - Santa Monica, Hollywood, Bev Hills gaulking, DisLand looking for something less known or new to do. But we'll take the boys to our favorite spots.

Inland Empire - I hear there's great shopping. By this point, we'll probably just want Starbucks and a pool and we'll have both. I love the little shops in Palm Springs but it's quite a drive from where we're staying. Don't know what we'll do if we'll do anything.