We received word today that my Uncle Lynn died early this morning. Loyal blog readers know he suffered a heart attack on March 29 then underwent quadruple bypass surgery on April 3 (read my earlier post).
While it appeared Lynn’s heart was fixed, he got pneumonia a week or so after surgery and steadily went downhill from there. He has been on a breathing machine with a feeding tube for two or three weeks now.
Those of us he left behind will certainly miss him, especially his wife, children and their families. We’re grateful that his mortal suffering is over. He lived a good, long life.
Godspeed, Uncle Lynn!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
San Francisco, day three
As we awoke in the hotel room Vickey took a photo op with the two kids still lounging in bed. Of course Dominic had moved from his crib to tickle Eliana and wake her in her rollaway bed. They look like two little happy angels, but they were being quite devilish this morning. Nothing like long days and a nice long night’s sleep to help kids rejuvenate.
After The Pampered Chef buffet breakfast Vickey took Eliana on a San Francisco cable car ride. Ellie loved it!
Dominic and I ventured out in the Sequoia navigating the city’s confusing one-way streets to get to Fisherman’s Wharf. The four of us met up there and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Boudin’s.
After lunch we did the sightseeing thing, from Fisherman’s Wharf to Pier 39 to Ghirardelli Square.
The kids and I rode on the second story of this carousel at Pier 39 (this was about 30 minutes before it started raining).
Vickey and Eliana got lost in a candy shop. Ellie and Dominic played in the arcade. Ellie left with a handful of prizes in exchange for the tickets she won ($5 for what was worth about $0.25 . . . but I suppose the time together makes up for the rest; it was fun to see how excited she was in the arcade).
This photo has Alcatraz in the background (you can click on the photo to enlarge it).
We even drove down Lombard Street which was pretty close to Ghirardelli Square. I'd hate to be a resident on that street.
Eliana and Vickey spent a lot of time at the seashell store at the pier. Here’s Ellie showing off her new collection. (Ellie says: “Thanks, Grandma Snow, for the spending money.”)
We made it back to the hotel in time to freshen up, get dressed up and attend The Pampered Chef farewell banquet.
We were treated to a good meal, Chinese dancers as entertainment, and a monogrammed Chinese fan for both kids.
After the meal Eliana and Dominic were the first ones on the dance floor.
Dominic was a handful during the meal. He and I spent some quality time together out in the hallway and riding the escalator. I even made a special trip back up to the hotel room on the 15th floor to get his binky. And yes, as you’ve seen, we kept the pacifier in play in anticipation of our trip (the doctor recommended we go cold turkey several weeks ago.) Dominic’s still not weaned. Then again, neither is thumb-sucking Eliana at five-and-a-half.
After The Pampered Chef buffet breakfast Vickey took Eliana on a San Francisco cable car ride. Ellie loved it!
Dominic and I ventured out in the Sequoia navigating the city’s confusing one-way streets to get to Fisherman’s Wharf. The four of us met up there and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Boudin’s.
After lunch we did the sightseeing thing, from Fisherman’s Wharf to Pier 39 to Ghirardelli Square.
The kids and I rode on the second story of this carousel at Pier 39 (this was about 30 minutes before it started raining).
Vickey and Eliana got lost in a candy shop. Ellie and Dominic played in the arcade. Ellie left with a handful of prizes in exchange for the tickets she won ($5 for what was worth about $0.25 . . . but I suppose the time together makes up for the rest; it was fun to see how excited she was in the arcade).
This photo has Alcatraz in the background (you can click on the photo to enlarge it).
We even drove down Lombard Street which was pretty close to Ghirardelli Square. I'd hate to be a resident on that street.
Eliana and Vickey spent a lot of time at the seashell store at the pier. Here’s Ellie showing off her new collection. (Ellie says: “Thanks, Grandma Snow, for the spending money.”)
We made it back to the hotel in time to freshen up, get dressed up and attend The Pampered Chef farewell banquet.
We were treated to a good meal, Chinese dancers as entertainment, and a monogrammed Chinese fan for both kids.
After the meal Eliana and Dominic were the first ones on the dance floor.
Dominic was a handful during the meal. He and I spent some quality time together out in the hallway and riding the escalator. I even made a special trip back up to the hotel room on the 15th floor to get his binky. And yes, as you’ve seen, we kept the pacifier in play in anticipation of our trip (the doctor recommended we go cold turkey several weeks ago.) Dominic’s still not weaned. Then again, neither is thumb-sucking Eliana at five-and-a-half.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
San Francisco, day two
I should mention that we were in San Francisco because during the 2006 calendar year Vickey earned an all-expenses-paid trip for the family through The Pampered Chef. Way to go Vick!
On Friday we joined a Pampered Chef excursion to Muir Woods National Monument. Along the way we toured parts of downtown San Francisco while our tour guide lectured us. One of her lectures was, “I’m not going to compete!” (meaning we needed to be quiet and listen to her well-rehearsed remarks, or get off the bus). It was cute in a mind your senior citizens sort of way (she was an elderly woman who just said it like it was).
Of course we stopped at the Golden Gate Bridge for a photo op. Our family was the last back on the bus after the 20 minute stop, so I made a point of ensuring our timeliness at the next stop (I couldn’t help it, it was the old tour manager in me).
We had about an hour at Muir Woods. The environment was remarkable. The crisscross bus ride at the back of the bus was about enough to make me motion sick, but once we were there it was like being transported to another world. The woods were thick and lush. The smell was fresh and earthy. The temperature was moderately cool in the shade and warm and sunny in the light. It was really amazing.
At the end of this stop our family was one of the first back at the bus, arriving even before the bus driver did. I think Vickey was disappointed she missed out on 10 minutes in the woods while we waited to board the bus.
As soon as the door was open Eliana grabbed me by the hand and said, “Come on, dad. You said you wanted to be the first one on the bus.” I was a bit embarrassed thinking our fellow passengers may have looked down on my competitive spirit. I replied, “No, Eliana. I just said I didn’t want to be the last one on the bus. There’s a difference.”
Ah, the perspective of a five year-old.
We drove to Sausalito where we were given instructions to grab a bite to eat and be at the pier in 60 minutes in order to catch the ferry back to San Francisco. It was a tall order but we did our best. In fact, we were quite pleased with our lunch choice. Instead of opting for the burger joint praised by our tour guide (because everyone was going there, duh), we found a cozy joint on the pier. The proprietor/cashier/chief cook and bottle washer took our order (Vickey didn’t like the fact that he handled our money and our sandwiches) while we sat on the pier and Dominic repeated “B” over and over (that’s his word for ‘bird’).
We even managed a stop at our favorite tourist t-shirt shop, Crazy Shirts, and at the local ice creamery.
En route on the ferry we passed close enough to Alcatraz to read the disintegrating old fashioned signs warning boaters of impending imprisonment if they tried to help a convict escape.
Upon re-boarding our bus and returning to the hotel Dominic and I took a well-deserved nap. Vickey and Eliana racked up the tourist points by going back to Yerba Buena Gardens for a game of bowling and playing on the playground slides for a couple hours. (Ellie had a few turns on the slide the night before but it just wasn’t adequate, don’t you know.)
Following their return we loaded up the car and headed out to Twin Peaks. What a stunning view, which on this particular evening was accompanied by an incredible wind and coldness.
After that—because we weren’t ready to throw in the towel on our first full day in the city—we headed in to North Beach. The restaurant we hoped to eat at was full with an hour wait. Eliana and Dominic were both on the verge of hunger collapse so we found a public parking spot and grabbed a table for four at the first available decent looking Italian restaurant. I think we were seated around 8:30 p.m.
I can’t remember where we ate, but it was good. I think Vickey and I were most impressed with the kids’ spaghetti with meat marinara sauce. Still, the whole meal was quite good. We sat right by the kitchen and most of the staff played with Dominic who, in his usual way, ate with gusto leaving nary a corner of his face and hair free from the food on his plate. Ellie sat cuddled with her blanket after a meltdown. She and I watched Andrea Bocelli: Under the Desert Sky—a concert performance from last year’s Stars on the Lake concert series filmed just a few miles from home at Lake Las Vegas—on the restaurant’s TV.
It was a truly Italian experience—dining, entertainment, environment, etc. In fact, Vickey took Eliana to the restroom (and so did I, but that’s another story) and while they were waiting in line, one of the servers goosed one of the patrons as he walked by. She was surprised, then laughed. It was a very forward, unapologetic, non-politically correct thing of him to do. Sometimes that’s just refreshing to witness.
After our late dinner we headed back to the hotel room with two very tired kids who were real troupers. We were all out like a light as soon as we hit the sheets.
On Friday we joined a Pampered Chef excursion to Muir Woods National Monument. Along the way we toured parts of downtown San Francisco while our tour guide lectured us. One of her lectures was, “I’m not going to compete!” (meaning we needed to be quiet and listen to her well-rehearsed remarks, or get off the bus). It was cute in a mind your senior citizens sort of way (she was an elderly woman who just said it like it was).
Of course we stopped at the Golden Gate Bridge for a photo op. Our family was the last back on the bus after the 20 minute stop, so I made a point of ensuring our timeliness at the next stop (I couldn’t help it, it was the old tour manager in me).
We had about an hour at Muir Woods. The environment was remarkable. The crisscross bus ride at the back of the bus was about enough to make me motion sick, but once we were there it was like being transported to another world. The woods were thick and lush. The smell was fresh and earthy. The temperature was moderately cool in the shade and warm and sunny in the light. It was really amazing.
At the end of this stop our family was one of the first back at the bus, arriving even before the bus driver did. I think Vickey was disappointed she missed out on 10 minutes in the woods while we waited to board the bus.
As soon as the door was open Eliana grabbed me by the hand and said, “Come on, dad. You said you wanted to be the first one on the bus.” I was a bit embarrassed thinking our fellow passengers may have looked down on my competitive spirit. I replied, “No, Eliana. I just said I didn’t want to be the last one on the bus. There’s a difference.”
Ah, the perspective of a five year-old.
We drove to Sausalito where we were given instructions to grab a bite to eat and be at the pier in 60 minutes in order to catch the ferry back to San Francisco. It was a tall order but we did our best. In fact, we were quite pleased with our lunch choice. Instead of opting for the burger joint praised by our tour guide (because everyone was going there, duh), we found a cozy joint on the pier. The proprietor/cashier/chief cook and bottle washer took our order (Vickey didn’t like the fact that he handled our money and our sandwiches) while we sat on the pier and Dominic repeated “B” over and over (that’s his word for ‘bird’).
We even managed a stop at our favorite tourist t-shirt shop, Crazy Shirts, and at the local ice creamery.
En route on the ferry we passed close enough to Alcatraz to read the disintegrating old fashioned signs warning boaters of impending imprisonment if they tried to help a convict escape.
Upon re-boarding our bus and returning to the hotel Dominic and I took a well-deserved nap. Vickey and Eliana racked up the tourist points by going back to Yerba Buena Gardens for a game of bowling and playing on the playground slides for a couple hours. (Ellie had a few turns on the slide the night before but it just wasn’t adequate, don’t you know.)
Following their return we loaded up the car and headed out to Twin Peaks. What a stunning view, which on this particular evening was accompanied by an incredible wind and coldness.
After that—because we weren’t ready to throw in the towel on our first full day in the city—we headed in to North Beach. The restaurant we hoped to eat at was full with an hour wait. Eliana and Dominic were both on the verge of hunger collapse so we found a public parking spot and grabbed a table for four at the first available decent looking Italian restaurant. I think we were seated around 8:30 p.m.
I can’t remember where we ate, but it was good. I think Vickey and I were most impressed with the kids’ spaghetti with meat marinara sauce. Still, the whole meal was quite good. We sat right by the kitchen and most of the staff played with Dominic who, in his usual way, ate with gusto leaving nary a corner of his face and hair free from the food on his plate. Ellie sat cuddled with her blanket after a meltdown. She and I watched Andrea Bocelli: Under the Desert Sky—a concert performance from last year’s Stars on the Lake concert series filmed just a few miles from home at Lake Las Vegas—on the restaurant’s TV.
It was a truly Italian experience—dining, entertainment, environment, etc. In fact, Vickey took Eliana to the restroom (and so did I, but that’s another story) and while they were waiting in line, one of the servers goosed one of the patrons as he walked by. She was surprised, then laughed. It was a very forward, unapologetic, non-politically correct thing of him to do. Sometimes that’s just refreshing to witness.
After our late dinner we headed back to the hotel room with two very tired kids who were real troupers. We were all out like a light as soon as we hit the sheets.
San Francisco, day one
We left Wednesday evening last week and stopped in Bakersfield, which, by the way, is just about exactly half-way between Las Vegas and San Francisco. The next morning we leisurely made our way into the city, arriving at the San Francisco Marriott around 2 p.m.
Our adventures on Thursday included hotel check-in and unpacking, rides on the carousel at Yerba Buena Gardens, a visit to the temporary California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium, and dinner at Mel’s Drive-In.
After that we were ready for bed.
Here are some photos from that afternoon and evening.
Our adventures on Thursday included hotel check-in and unpacking, rides on the carousel at Yerba Buena Gardens, a visit to the temporary California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium, and dinner at Mel’s Drive-In.
After that we were ready for bed.
Here are some photos from that afternoon and evening.
Little Miss Muffet
On Wednesday last week Eliana and her kindergarten class presented a nursery rhymes play. Here are some photos of Ellie as Little Miss Muffet.
She was perfectly composed and quite the little ham.
We even managed to record the play on the video camera after recently purchasing a new battery to keep the camera in operation a little while longer. We had a little memory card scare with the digital camera but Vickey managed to locate the chip in time for the performance (it was on the floor of the car).
Immediately following the play, and a stop at home and at the gas station and grocery store, we headed out for our family San Francisco vacation. More to follow on that adventuresome excursion…
She was perfectly composed and quite the little ham.We even managed to record the play on the video camera after recently purchasing a new battery to keep the camera in operation a little while longer. We had a little memory card scare with the digital camera but Vickey managed to locate the chip in time for the performance (it was on the floor of the car).
Immediately following the play, and a stop at home and at the gas station and grocery store, we headed out for our family San Francisco vacation. More to follow on that adventuresome excursion…
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Eliana’s stage debut
Tonight Eliana stars as Little Miss Muffet in her kindergarten class nursery rhyme stage production.
To say she’s excited is an understatement. We’re looking forward to the stage debut.
If this anticipatory photo shoot is any indication of her ability to perform in front of others, I’m sure she’ll do just fine.
Here she is in her ‘costume’ posing for mom. She even practiced her curtsey.
Break a leg, Ellie!
In other news, today after my lunch I noticed something sharp between my two bottom front teeth. I tried dental floss to clean out the space between the teeth only to have the top part of my tooth break off as I lifted the floss up.
So, off I went to the dentist for an emergency filling. $150 later my mouth is feeling back to normal and my tongue no longer rubs against a rough, sharp surface. Hopefully the plastic filling won’t distract too much from my seductive smile.
To say she’s excited is an understatement. We’re looking forward to the stage debut.
If this anticipatory photo shoot is any indication of her ability to perform in front of others, I’m sure she’ll do just fine.
Here she is in her ‘costume’ posing for mom. She even practiced her curtsey.
Break a leg, Ellie!
In other news, today after my lunch I noticed something sharp between my two bottom front teeth. I tried dental floss to clean out the space between the teeth only to have the top part of my tooth break off as I lifted the floss up.
So, off I went to the dentist for an emergency filling. $150 later my mouth is feeling back to normal and my tongue no longer rubs against a rough, sharp surface. Hopefully the plastic filling won’t distract too much from my seductive smile.
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