2011 Family Vacation

Our family vacation this year was similar to last years. We stayed around town, no flying or any long trips. But this year we decided to really plan out each day and take full advantage of each day we had together. We spent the first couple of days in San Diego. Walked around Seaport Village, did a little shopping and had some lunch. Then we walked around Old Town and got to see so many different historical sites. It is amazing to think that this is really what this area looked like, not that long ago.

We went to Sea World the next day and had a BLAST. Avery loved seeing all of the different animals. I had taken her there a few months before and she had fun but even in the short time between the difference from her reaction then, to how she loved it now was awesome. She was enthralled by the Shamu show and really liked seeing all the animals in Pets Rule. We definitely need to visit Sea World more often.


Thursday we spent at the happiest place on Earth. And although the day was tough, crabby Avery, problems with the new car, leaving late... it was still a great day. I mean really... your worst day at Disneyland is still a pretty good day. Especially when you spend it with your family. I love that we get to take Avery there as much as we do. Got to get in as much Mickey time now before they start charging me for her ticket.

Fun with the Tonon's!

Saturday Avery and I spent the day with Uncle Jake and Aunt Rachael in SJC. We went to Zoomer's, a little petting zoo hidden behind the train tracks. We saw some of the cutest animals like rabbits and guinne pigs and some of the oddest as well. Ever heard of a ZeeDonk? 1/2 Zebra, 1/2 Donkey. Yes, it is quite interesting. We rode on a little choo choo train and Avery loved it.

Ate lunch at Ruby's, although it was nice not to have to wait to be seated, we waited an eternity for our food. YUCK. Decided a nice walk to Children's Orchard would help burn off my burger. That turned out to be an adventure. Seems I entered the address into my GPS wrong and was leading us to No Where. Wasnt until we started hearing roosters clucking that I checked the info and realized we were going in the opposite direction. Oops. After walking a mile and half there and a mile and half back we come to realize Children's Orchard was right across the street from Ruby's. DARN! Oh well, Avery enjoyed a nice cozy nap and I enjoyed catching up with some friends.

Not wanting the good day to end, we all drove to surprise Ryan at work and take him to Macaroni Grill. I am always so happy with thier food. It is so yummy.

Such a fun day with old friends, I wish it happened more often.

R.I.P Clyde 8/1/94-8/14/11

For anyone who has ever had any contact with me knows that my family and I are HUGE animal lovers. Our pets are our family and being without one of them is devastating. Yesterday we had to say goodbye to our beloved Clyde. He was beyond special for so many reasons.

Ryan received Clyde as a gift from his late Aunt Michelle when he was 13 years old. Aunt Michelle was very sick and living with Ryan and his family for a while and Clyde would snuggle up to her and try to heal her with his warm fur and soothing purrs. Although Aunt Michelle past away, she in some way, lived on through Clyde. He was a living piece of her and although I never had the pleasure of meeting her, I love her for giving Clyde to us.

Being that Ryan received him as a young boy, Clyde has seen A LOT! He lived with almost everyone in our immediate family until Ryan moved out on his own with his brother, Andrew. When Ryan and I moved in together, Clyde came with us. He was a bit unsocial and hid a lot of the time. Terrie said this is because they neutered and declawed him at the same time and he never forgave them for it. I wanted a pet that was warm and friendly, greeted me at the door and snuggled in my bed. Seeing as this wouldn’t be Clyde, Ryan and I adopted Chopper. I tried to raise that kitten as a dog and he wouldn’t have any of it. Not sure if Clyde picked up on some of the "training" or if he just loved me for me, but somewhere along the way he became "my cat".

He moved past his surgical emasculation grudge and began to greet any and all guests who would visit. He would hang with our friends and purr at their feet waiting for them all to pet him and say hello. I am not sure why, but it seemed almost to the day after Ryan and I were married, Clyde started to sleep by my head or on my legs in bed. Almost as if he knew I wasn’t going anywhere and he could fully trust me to be his "mom". It is the most amazing feeling to be trusted and loved by a cat. They don’t just give their hearts and affection to anyone. You really need to earn it and cherish it every day.

When we moved to Temecula, it wasn’t long before we got a couple of pooches and had a baby. Clyde saw it all. He rolled with the punches and adjusted to the many changes we threw at him. Refusing to admit how old he was, he still played with our playful Chihuahua and wrestled with Chopper. Up until his last days, he would still allow Avery to pick him up and give him hugs. Never once scratching, biting or fighting to escape.

Today, there is a hole in my heart. A missing family member. And not only is it emotionally difficult to bear, it is physically hard as well. I look for him, half expecting to see him lying in the corner by the bookcase or lying in the dining room on a chair or on the floor basking in the sunlight. I wait for his meow telling me he is water bowl is empty or pleading with me to let him outside. Oh God, it hurts. it hurts so bad and it is hard to breath.

I pray that there is a life after this one and that all pets do go to Heaven. I take comfort in knowing he isn’t in any more pain and that Aunt Michelle was with him when he passed and is keeping him company while they look down on our family together again.

 We miss you Clyde, you will forever be in our hearts.

Meeska Mookska Mickey Mouse!

Oh Disneyland, how I love you! We got our annual passes renewed this week and decided to enjoy a day off together at the happiest place on earth. Avery had a little cold so we werent sure how long we would be able to stay, but she was a trooper! She went all day with no nap and was still a joy to be around by the time we left at 7:00.  



Avery has been to Disneyland about 5 or 6 times and each time I wait for her to light up with excitement over all greatness. And each time I come away with a happy child who didnt quite understand all the fuss. But this time was so much better! From the moment we stepped on the tram she knew she was in for something special.

The park was little crowded for my taste especially for a Monday. But I forgot it is still the middle of summer for some kids. We went on Pirates, Haunted Mansion and Small World. We then went over to California Adventure and enjoyed the Bugs Land area and then Avery met Buzz and Jesse. She was so excited and blew Jesse lots of kisses. We also took her on the new Little Mermaid ride and Monsters Inc. I had never gone on that one so it was nice. For as much as we go to Disneyland, it amazes me that I still find something brand new everytime I go, from a mickey head in Haunted Mansion to a whole new ride tucked in the back of the park.

All in all, it was a great day with the family.