Trip to California - Oct 2-10, 2009

Instead of breaking our trip up into several littel blogs by the activity, this is one huge blog :)

Tim and I went to So California in October for my fathers memorial service. My dad passed away last April and my mom decided to wait until all of us kids could make it out for the memorial service. It was a beautiful service and my dad really would have liked it. It was really a special way for family and friends to honor Tom Menasco. For my tribute to my father, vist my post from the month of May 2009.

Since we had come all this way and not to sure when we will make it back, we decided to take in some activities. Taryn and Dan were on their cross country drive with the boys. They planned to reach So Calif a day or two after we arrived. They made it the day after we landed and found a hotel suite for extended stay with a kitchen, livingroom and bedroom.

We stayed with my best friend Jenni and her family for the first couple of nights. Jenni picked us up at the airport in Orange County. We stopped by mom's real quick on the way for hugs and then headed out. We had an early morning flight so we needed to stop for lunch. We stopped at a Mexican place called Miguel's in Corona on the way to their home in Wildomar.

Tim and I outside in front of Miguel's fountain.

My best friend Jenni and I - so happy to see her again :)


Tim and I with the famous "Bob's Big Boy". We went with Jenni, her husband Tim and the kids for the all time favorite Big Boy Combo. It was as good as I remember. The next day we were honored to attend Jenni and her family's church. After service we had lunch and then Jenni drove us back to my mom's house in Santa Ana. We stayed there for the remainder of our trip.

The next few photos are of our trip to Disneyland. My friend Lisa met Tim and I there and had passes for us. What a great friend! She hung out with us for quite a bit, we all went on Space Mountain our favorite! And a couple other rides. Then Taryn and Dan met a friend of theirs who got them and Brayden into the parks. We met up with them and took Brayden with us so Taryn could show Dan the park some. This was Brayden's first time to D-land and I was thrilled to have him with me!

This is the first ride we took Bray on, It's A Small World. Here he is waiting in line watching the boats come around. I'm sure he had no clue that he was about to get on a boat himself.

Here he is sitting with Tim, he was really just taking it all in. He seemed amazed inside the ride and was all eyes.

Riding the Carousel in Fantasyland.

The Jungle Ride, one of my personal favorites.

Waiting for the Disneyland Train. Since he had just come to know Thomas the Tank Engine and watches the show religiously, this was a really big thing to Brayden.

Lightning McQueen! Brayden's most favorite thing ever. He looked and looked at this toy. We didn't buy it cause it was priced so high, but he was ok with that. He did end up getting a Disney Cars shirt tho.

After a few hours with Brayden, Taryn & Dan were ready to go home. Lisa had already left us earlier and Tim and I were ready to explore on our own. Our passes were good for Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure Park across the way.

Here we are in front of the big Mickey Pumpkin Display at the beginning of Main Street in the Disneyland Park

In front of Cindarella's Castle all lit up.

Disney's California Adventure Park - One of the huge Billboards inside.

They have huge letters that spell out "California" in front of the gates to the California Adventure Park. This was my queue to have my pic taken with the first letter of my name :)

We were only at the park for a little bit. We rode the roller coaster a couple of times, its really a blast. Then we ate dinner out on some pic-nic tables. It was nice and so was the weather.

Brayden in Great Grandma's backyard with his souvenirs. His Cars T-shirt and a colorful ball with all the Disney characters. I'd love to take him again. By the time I get the chance I'm sure Logan will be old enough too!

A couple days later we went to Huntington Beach Pier with my brother Tim and sister Maury. We had a great day, the weather was beautiful and it was relaxing.

Here is a shot of the pier. The building at the end is Ruby's Diner. Its a 50's style diner with burgers, malts, etc.

Someone had a little set up whirlygigs for sale.

My sister Maury, Me and my brother Tim. The three of us havn't been together since my dad's surprise 80th b-day party.

Tim and I on the pier, sun in our face so we are squinty. The water looks nice.

There is Ruby's Diner, our destination at the end of the pier.

Here we are at Ruby's having shakes and malts. This is our reward for our walk to the end.

Mr. Pelican was just waiting for a fish and his picture to be taken. I was able to get pretty close to him and he didn't seem to mind.

My brother Tim looking for Ariel...

My sister Maury had to dip her toes, the Pacific is much MUCH colder than the Gulf of Mexico is all I've got to say!

One afternoon we went with my brother and sister to the famous In-N-Out Burger joint. This was my Tim's first time. We thoroughly enjoyed our Double Double's...I'm ready for another!

Some relaxing time visiting with family at my mom's. Here she is with Brayden & Logan. Logan seems to be saying "what is so funny?".

Here I am with Logan...the happiest baby I have ever been around. Such a cutie!

Great Grandma with Logan. He's such a good boy and was soaking up the attention.

Our next adventure took us to Laguna Beach. We met our friends Chad & Marie at their home in Costa Mesa, just a hop from Huntington Beach. We drove up the coast on the Pacific Coast Hwy to Laguna.

PCH on the way to Laguna Beach

This is the old hotel "La Casa del Camino" built in 1929. We ate at the rooftop cafe.

The view from our table atop the hotel. The day was perfect, not too hot, not too cool.

Tim and Lorinda totally relaxed. It was so nice to spend time with good friends, beautiful weather and spectacular view.

Friends at lunch

This is a view of the rooftop cafe from the back side...I believe we sat at the 3rd umbrella from the left.

69 steps down to the sand and bluffs

Tim and Lorinda on the Bluffs of Laguna

The beautiful Pacific Ocean...and ending to our vacation.

We back to mom's for the night. Mom, my sister and brother had already left. Maury back to Oregon and my bro Tim back to Delaware. Mom went with Tim to visit for a couple weeks. So it was just us, Taryn & Dan and boys at the house. My son Bret and his girlfriend Jamie came over and we all had a great time that night.

Bright and early on the morning we were flying out. I was trying to soak up every last second with Brayden. This was a very hard day for me. I still miss them all terribly.

THE END

Taryn & Dan's Going Away BBQ

Its been a long while since I've posted on here. My computer died and I had to get a new one which took some time, and my photos went as well. So after some time retrieveing photos and stuff I am now ready to make some posts.

Daniel is in the Air Force and has been stationed at Eglin AFB in FL for 6 years. They have finally reasigned him to a different base. Unfortunately it is clear across the US. Beale AFB is in Northern Calif, about 40 miles from Sacramento. I could be wrong on the distance, but never the less its FAR. They had their house packed up and only kept the essentials and stayed with us for almost a week. Then they took the long drive with the boys to Southern California where we met them. That trip is on the next post.

Before they left we had a big BBQ. Here are some of the pics.

Tim BBQing as usual. He is a great grill master and thats why he gets the honors :)

Taryn & Jessica enjoying some of the BBQ. Have you ever known Taryn to keep her mouth shut?

Brayden getting hugs from Great Grandmommy Hutchison. I'm pretty sure Logan slept thru the whole thing.

Dan and Tom, a guy from his shop.

Tim & I enjoying the evening out by the fire pit.

Dan was enjoying himself as well. Trying to take a load off.

Some went inside to play Video Trivia. It got pretty rambunctious in there.

The gang hanging out in the driveway, it was a fun night for all, but sad to say good-bye.

The End of Summer 2009

As the summer comes to a close, I felt the need to post the remaining pictures from our last visit to the beach. I was really hoping to get 1 more day in before we travel to Calif the beginning of Oct, but I don't think it's gonna happen. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

A lot of changes have come into my life this past year. There are also some huge changes coming up, mainly the move of Taryn and her family. Needless to say it is heart breaking, as Taryn and I have never been apart. We have always lived together or in the same vicinity and seen each other frequently. Her husband Dan is an awesome son-in-law and has his hands full with her! Logan is such a sweet baby and I'm not going to get to know him like I know Brayden. Brayden has my heart and this is going to be extremely difficult for me.

Last Sunday when they came to pick Brayden up from spending the weekend with Grandmommy & Grandaddy Tim, Taryn & Dan brought us a gift. I was sitting there eating lunch before having to scoot off to work. Tim took the box out of the pretty yellow bag and unwrapped the tissue paper around it. It was a digital photo frame! Not just your ordinary digital photo frame. This one had options to put music on it, add borders, put different pictures into files, holding about 1600 photos. Taryn quickly plugged it in, grabbed the remote, pressed a couple buttons and there it was...a song she had uploaded and pictures of Brayden, Logan, some of Taryn & Dan fading in and out. I immediately began to cry. There was no containing the emotion no matter how hard I tried. This really made it hit home that they are leaving. I have yet to play that digital photo frame again, but I know that I will. I just need time to process all of this.

So enough with the sadness of this post, lets get on to the pictures!

Just your typical day with snow white soft sand and the clear warm emerald green waters of the Gulf.

Brayden met a freind...no we don't know this lady but he seems to be carrying on quite a conversation with her.

Tim and I enjoying the sun and all that comes with the beach. We both love this place, it has a lot of meaning for several different reasons.

Really, if you want to know how Brayden likes the beach, this video says it all. Be sure to watch his tongue wagging the whole time! To cute for words!

Alex just hanging out at waters edge.


A little change of subject but I couldn't leave it out. Brayden feels the need to be covered by every sofa pillow available when he comes to our house. Amazingly enough he fell asleep.

My friend Wendi and I. She is from Calif and we used to be Girl Scout leaders with our friend Debbie for 6 years straight. We had some great times. She was here for her daughter Sarah's wedding. Sarah is my surrogate daughter, she is staying put for a couple of years.

Well thats it this time around. I'm going to make a concious effort to keep this updated more often. I will have tons of pics from our trip to CA. We leave in 2 weeks and I just can't wait!

Lorinda's Birthday

So yes, I had another birthday on July 17th. It was like any ordinary friday, went to work early, get off early, Taryn brings Brayden to my work and he goes home with me for the weekend.

Well, Taryn did come, with Sarah too and both kids. Sarah got out of the car to give me a hug and then whips this scarf off her neck and blind folds me. She demands my keys for my car and shoves me in Taryn's car. We take a short drive, I'm led out and then blind fold off. Wala, what is it? We are at a smoothie place. Ok, cool. I can go for a smoothie right about now. We go in, order, try to control Brayden from walking around with one flip flop on and then I mention that it will soon be time for Brayden to eat dinner so we better get to gettin'. Ok, we go out, I need Brayden's booster car seat, Taryn has me come to her car to get it and again I am blind folded and shoved in her car. They tell me, "you didn't think we were that cheap did you?". So we are off again.

Now if you have ever ridden with Taryn, you are no doubt a white knuckler. And here I am blind folded, I feel brakes several times, whipping to another lane, etc. I tell her I'm feeling dizzy without my sence of sight. She says were almost there. She stops and gets me out, Sarah meets us there. Off comes the blind fold and we are at my hair salon! Oh yeah! This is great! I've been wanting to get my hair done for a while and it is just never in the budget lately. I needed a trim and color BAD! I went in and sat down in that chair and at that very point I told Carrie, get rid of it, its yuk, I need a cut, use your creative freedom. I cut it off, not completely but a lot to me. It was tired, getting frizzy, I needed a change. After all I start a new job in 2 weeks!


I like the lighter color, the shaggy ends, that it takes years off my face. I have felt like a new person this past week. Thank you so much Taryn & Daniel!! You helped me feel like a new person!

Half way through my hair appt. Tim showed up in a shirt and tie, and yes pants too. He waited for me, gave me some roses and a sweet card and took me for an awesome Thai dinner. Sarah and Katie E. gave me some great things for my hair and skin care too. It was a great day :)

On the note of the new job, I will now be driving 4 miles round trip instead of 30 and got a $2 an hour raise plus have the potential to make commission. I will be working out of the local hospital with a company that has a contract with them. I'm happy for that, God does good work :)

Random Summer Shots with Brayden

Brayden in his new back yard, Taryn and Dan moved back on base to wait until they leave permanently on Sept 1st for Beale AFB in No. Calif.

Helping Tim sweep after helping (watching & running around) Tim mow the lawn.

Holding baby brother Logan. Logan seems to be saying "I just pooped my pants".

The boy loves to play in the mud. He gets his pail, fills it with water from his pool, and takes it to the corner of the flower bed. He pours it in and makes a big nasty mud puddle that he apparently loves to sit in and throw rocks in so that the mud splashes up on him. He loves to do this every time he comes over to my house.

The climb...

The slide...wait for it..

The landing, hilarious look on his face!

Helping Great Grandma Hutchison water plants. He enjoyed this so much.

4th of July at The Beach

We had a busy day on July 4th. We decided we would go to the beach, but early so we didn't get caught in the crowd. Then we planned to join the church pic-nic in the late afternoon and after that our next door neighbor was having a big BBQ and fire works.


Loving the water, Brayden had such a great time. He is so easy to take to the beach now. He stays right at the water edge and doesn't wander off. He loves to be taken out in the water and will occassionaly come up to us while we are sitting in our chairs and try to nudge us out so we will take him.



The kids had such a great time, including the Big Kids :)

Better watch out Hasslehoff! Haha!

Alex and Tim buried Katie. She loved it!

More water fun with waves and all. The water is 80 something and feels great. It was so nice and clear that day.

A little snack time on the boardwalk before we headed home. We had some Italian Ice and warm pretzels.

Tim and Alex posing with the beautiful Gulf in the background.

All in all it was a great time at the beach. We got there before 9am and left before noon when the swamp of people were arriving for the holiday. It was perfect!