End of the Trail in Santa Monica { and a L.A. stop }

Our friends Katie and Jim come out for a visit and stayed with us this past weekend. Oh what fun we had taking them sight seeing! On Friday, we took them to the Richard Nixon Museum and then to Santa Monica. I took the following snaps with my Zi8 and had fun editing them in Picasa. Yes, yes, I'm a Picasa kinda gal! (Not to mention that Picasa's new updated version has a lot of new 'creative' tools!)
The first 5 snaps where taken at the Santa Monica Pier.

The next set of four snaps were taken around 3rd Street Promenade.

On Saturday, we took the Metolink to L.A. Union Station where the next two snaps were taken.

We then walked around Olvera Street and had lunch. The next two snaps were taken there.

(The bottom snap is out of order... it was taken at Union Station.)

Then we hopped on the Red Line to Hollywood.

Top and bottom snaps were taken inside the Hollywood and Vine Station. There were thousands of film reels on the walls.

Top and bottom snaps were taken inside the Hollywood and Highland Station.

My favorite snap of the day. This snap of Katie, Brian and Jim was taken inside the Hollywood and Vine station.

Leave a comment of you like. You don't have to be a member, just click on anonymous and don't forget to leave your name. :)

Backyard Redbud

A couple of weeks ago, I was out back watering trees. The light was lovely. I ran into the house, grabbed my camera and took several snaps of my redbud tree. These are two of my faves.

Let's catch up! { How do I get so far behind?! }

My baby sister turned 50! My sister, Becky and her husband Pete celebrated their 50th birthday in January! They had a wonderful party filled with family, friends and food!

Here's their birthday cake with a picture of them taken in 1979!

Pete and Becky blowing out the candles.

All the girls! l to r: Roberta, me, Mom, Becky and Ruth.

below: What a handsome couple! My mom and dad.

Family friend, Doug Davis turned 75. (Doug and Brian's dad, Harry, were best buds.) Brian and I, along with Bob and Melissa, drove to Fountian Valley to celebrate his big day.

Here's Doug with his wife, Anna.

above: Melissa, Doug and Brian.

below: Here's a picture of Brian's folks with Doug and Anna taken in 1995.

On February 25th, I attended a lovely bridal shower for Tina Sewell. Tina is the daughter of my good friend, Debbie Jo. Here are a couple of snaps.

l to r: Debbie, Tina, sis Tiffany and niece, Che.

Here is Tina with her 'maids. I really think this snap came out great! ;)

Jeeping { a quick loop around Granite Hills }

On Sunday, Brian and I took the Jeep out for a quick 'three hour tour' (haha) of the desert.

Driving out on Stoddard Wells road.

Took the Lucerne Valley cutoff- a common view of the area. :)

Looking back on Barstow Road as we drive over Lucerne (dry) Lake.

Looking south on Barstow Road.

Driving on Rabbit Springs Road.

We ended up at Horseman's Center Park in Apple Valley.

We did a short hike around the rocks.

The day was beautiful!

Leave a comment of you like. You don't have to be a member, just click on anonymous and don't forget to leave your name. :)

St. Andrew's Abbey

Last weekend, Brian and I went to St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo. We went with the R.C.I.A. group from church. We listened to Fr. Pat talk about why people suffer and how to understand God's role in it; enjoyed noon Mass with the monks (what lovely hymns); ate a yummy lunch; toured the Abbey's ceramics building and we enjoyed walking around the grounds. Here are a few snaps from that day.

above: our tour in the cermaics building.

above: a look back as we head home.

A Day at the Park { Disneyland that is! }

This past Wednesday, Brian and I went to Disneyland! ( A Christmas gift from Emily and Rachel.) The day was perfect- sunny, warm and short lines! We had a great time walking around, riding the rides, eating beignets and collecting pennies. Here are a few snaps.

Here we are at the front gate.

Buzz Lightyear- Space Mt. - Caption EO - Tea Cups

Spinning in the cup.

CW, Rachel, me and Brian.

above and below: with Mickey and Minnie

above: Front of Star Tours. below: Matterhorn under construction.

above: Sleeping Beauty's Castle below: Lights along walk outside the main gate.

above: Jungle Cruise elephant below: Mark Twain riverboat

The end of our day. :)