Monday, March 7, 2011

Maui 2011 business and pleasure....



Some things about an empty nest are sad...
BUT, the ability to travel together is not one of them!
So when Ron has to attend Continuing Ed. courses in Maui...
of course I will suffer along with him!!

Our first meal on Maui...
one of Ron's favorite places
Pita Paradise in Kihei
(we actually had lunch here 3 times!!)


the Mediterranean chicken pita is one of the best!

We wanted to try a new hotel
while we were waiting for the conference to start
so we stayed at the Hotel Wailea

a small, beautiful place with only 72 rooms...

In the lobby we actually ran into friends
from Richland--so we got together for breakfast...
small world!!

a theme that kept happening on this trip was...
double beds...
first night was kind of fun... (TMI?!)

but after it happened again at the Marriott Wailea
we had to request a room change..
even though we were there on "business"--
no kids along meant we didn't need extra beds--
even though Morgan said
she and Matea would be happy to come with us.

The rooms were nice--cottage-like
This soon became a "kindle" trip too!!
I think I am now addicted to another form of technology!
I ended up reading four books in 8 days!
Here's Ron relaxing and reading...
best way to spend the day!

the grounds at Hotel Wailea are amazing....



Had dinner at one of our favorite's
Capische
(on the hotel grounds)

I had their amazing Mushroom truffle risotto-
Ron had their seafood paellanext day waiting by the Marriott pool
for our room to be ready...

They never called us--so at 4 we went back to desk
and realized that they had "forgotten us"
and given our room away--
this is what we got instead,
double beds again...



with a great view....

but after talking--very nicely--
to the manager...
they moved us the next day to an
ocean front king size room!



with an amazing view!!
(YEAH, for talking nicely!!)

On my morning walks,
saw dolphins in the Wailea beach bay
hard to take photos--
but there were about 10-12
jumping and playing

then as I was having breakfast on our lanai
saw a guy net fishing---cool--
and he actually caught some!

Ron's partner, Jeff also
attended the course--
so when his wife, Sheila flew into Maui
we all went out for lunch at Mama's Fish House


"Mama's" cool house--
it was featured in Architectural Digest a few years ago

On this trip we decided to try and find--
good "eats" at good prices...
a challenge in Wailea and Maui in general!!
We had already found, Pita Paradise,
next we found Monsoon India--
great food--good prices-

right on the beach...great views too!!

Next day we found...
Coconut's Fish Cafe...
ate there twice...
really fresh fish tacos--great spices
and great prices!!


But we did return to an old favorite,
Nick's Fish market--
we love the KeaLani Fairmont

I also found the perfect quilt for our room at the cabin--
what do your think...
kind of eclectic for a cabin--
but sooooo beautiful
(only problem...it's a queen size, we need a king and
it will take at least 4 months to get it!!
still contemplating the purchase!)


last day...
last meal on the beach

take out from the Fairway's CJ's deli

at my favorite Maui location...
Kapalua Beach...

another great trip to Maui...
I really think we need to retire here
during the months of
January and February--
and maybe March...
since we arrived to snow on the drive home!
I am ready for SUMMER!

Monday, February 14, 2011

I love my Children, my children's spouses and my children's children--and the father of my children!Part 3

Steven was chosen to present at an Neuro-Opthamologist conference....
Road trip for Ron and I:

I love my Children, my children's spouses and my children's children--and the father of my children! Part Two


these are the family photos I took!

End of Jan. I went to see Morgan, Jacob and Matea....

I love my Children, my children's spouses and my children's children--and the father of my children!

This last month I was able to see all three of my children....Part one...
In January spent New Years with Michael and Jessica and their girls...

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Thanksgiving/Christmas in San Fran

Thanksgiving 2010 found us in San Francisco--
back in June we decided to rent a house and be here for Morgan's pregnancy~~
but Matea wanted to give us another reason to be Thankful
and arrived 2 months early--

As our early Christmas present, we got to hold her
for the first time!!!

Grandpa Ron first,




and then Grandma Karen

3 generations

How we love this little pumpkin!

We rented the top two floors of this Victorian home...
so much fun!


parking for 4 cars was an adventure!

The stairs from the front door up to our floors...

the funky, small twisty stairs up to the top floor.

dining room, looking into the wonderful kitchen
(with a fireplace!)

Bathrooms were really nice,
one had a claw-foot tub

The formal living room--
actually a lot more comfortable than it looks!

master --one of 4 bedrooms

Upstairs bedroom for Michael and Jessica's family..
you can see into the turret (Rapunzel room)



painted mural in Rapunzel Room

Upstairs room--Steven and Meredith...

With a penthouse view of the city skyline!

views from their small balcony



Everyone arrived...
cross-country flights, airport delays, snow,
but finally.....all together
(except Matea, still in the NICU)
PIZZA

And celebrating Jessica's Birthday!

Thanksgiving morning, spending time
with aunts and uncles....
girls with Jacob

and Morgan

and Steven with Lucy

Before dinner, our family photo was taken by
Morgan and Jacob's friends
Laura, Radley and their little Jackson
thank you!



and now a complete Thanksgiving dinner!!

Afterwards, a stroll to walk off
the turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes!

Jacob with Riley and Emma

Our house was an easy walk to the "painted ladies"

We knew them from the tv show
"full house"
but I guess now tourists come because of
the American Girl doll series!!

Jessica with Riley and Emma

Emma with us

After the walk...
now had room for the PIES!


Lucy is so trusting...
I think we have a photo of
Steven holding Riley and Emma the same way!

After the pies....
CHRISTMAS......
Yes, really...
stockings and wrapped presents!



love the joy on these faces!

Greatest Gift for Ron and I....
Our Children with their loving spouses and families!

Michael and Jessica



Steven and Meredith

Morgan and Jacob

Ron and I with Emma

Beautiful Riley
with Rapunzel!

ok, they seemed a lot "cooler" at the
Roslyn farmers market!
They will be "cabin shirts" for sure!!


A Christmas tradition...

Wrapped with LOVE


game night...

Riley and Emma playing
polly pockets with aunt Meredith
now reading time...

feeding time

bedtime in the Rapunzel tower

such a magical room!

It was a busy day...
family photos,
Thanksgiving and
Christmas...
Ron is tired!

so were the rest of us!

but still had energy for games!!

Friday:
getting ready to see the sights of San Francisco...
girls hangin' with Uncle Steven



First stop...or drive...
Lombardi Street...





Then Fisherman's Wharf ...


Beautiful view of Alcatraz

Lucy, bundled
and test-riding Matea's stroller!

Steven giving Meredith a boost to the Pier!

Decorated for Christmas....


Emma getting a free ride from Steven

The sea lions on the piers

Riley...such a sweetie

who loves to take photos...
and she does a great job!

Photo ops...


Lunch at the Boudin Sourdough bread restaurant..

Clam Chowder bread bowl

looking at the subs...

and another photo op.....
meredith

Jessica.....

and Riley.....can do it!

strolling to Ghirardelli Square...





For ice cream and hot chocolate...



a picture perfect family!

sunset over the bay


Saturday...
spending the day in jail....


Alcatraz!!!!

Emma waiting in line



TOGETHER!

raining when we got there...

Ron got us another fashionable poncho
(to add to our many others...)

A really cool self-guided headset tour!

behind bars....

"scary part".... gunshots!

Everyone liked it...even the little ones

Jacob and Morgan sharing a cell

outside views

getting ready to return to the boat

Jessica and Emma out on the boat deck..
looking in at us!

and now...
what we have all been waiting to do
going to the movies...
"Tangled"


Riley was so excited..
she had been sleeping in a Rapunzel tower
and now
she gets to see the movie!

Sunday...
put Steven and Meredith on their flight this morning...
then we decided to go for a hike along the coast....




Another beautiful day in San Francisco




One last game before
Michael and Jessica's family fly out...

relaxing and watching a movie...

After dropping them off for their 10 pm flight, found out it was delayed,
and almost had to divert to Seattle!!
But they made it home--safe and sound...

Ron started feeling sick during the hike,
felt worse as they day went on...
went to bed after taking them to the airport...

(i had to document it, because Ron so rarely gets sick)


So I cleaned the house,
packed up left-over for Morgan and Jacob
and then I went to say
"goodnight and goodbye" to Matea...

What an amazing beautiful
little girl she is!


one of the first times Matea took a bottle!!
Early next morning we caught our flight home...
was also told we might be diverted because of all the snowy weather in
the Tri-Cities...but we were able to land--safe and sound
We left beautiful sunny SF for COLD wintery home!

The holidays went by too fast...
whenever we are together the days fly by...
I'm so grateful for the time we have ....
and for a family that wants to be together..