The Black Chasm Caverns

For Samuel's birthday, he took some time off of work and we hit the road!  We ended up at the Black Chasm Caverns, and explored over...and under!

The kiddies had a great time exploring while we waited for our tour to begin.

They also had fun watching water stream from the gold mining sloughs.

Almost there!


We are all anxious to dive deep into the earth!

And so we go!

 

It really is amazing!

And the girls-all but Iris-were mesmerized!

Gabriel was sweet-tart the whole way down and up.  It was only later that we realized we didn't have a bottle on us!  Good thing he's such an easy going baby!

This room was called the "Princess Room".
Iris, who was terrified the entire time, was finally won over!

Back on land we played on the see-saw!  This puppy is ancient and we nearly killed ourselves on it!

The adventure left us starving, and what better way to curb your appetite than a giant pizza from Alonzo's!

Talk about cheesy!


{The Pizza, not Samuel!
Although...}

{Happy Birthday Peanut}

We love you Dad!

It really is just a hill...

I'm pleasantly surprised!

But let me back up just a bit.

A long, long, long time ago...

when Samuel and I were just dating,

we got it into our heads to head up the hill to Daffodil Hill.

We heard it was amazing, and so we stopped for rations (Taco Bell, the 10 pack), and off we went.  I think it was June or July...either way, it was way past the daffodil season, and all we ended up seeing were a few limpy remnants.

Now, many moons later,

married and with five kids in tow, 

we decided it was time to head back up that same hill.

And so we go.

The pleasant surprise came when we happened upon the farm and saw that the parking was free!  

That's unheard of.

Everything nowadays has a gimmick, a draw, or a catch 

{Are you noticing the Tootsie Pops?}.

But the parking was free.

Uh.

They had horses...

Peacocks,

and of course...

Flowers!

And guess what?

It's all free!

Hence the mommy and daddy smiles!

We had fun poking around...

And Ava even threw a rockin' good fit!

And this peaceful place proved to be just the right spot to catch your breath...

and calm down.

And of course...

You can't beat...

The amazing photo ops!

I could have snapped pictures ALL day!

And I did!

All Grown Up...Samuel: 31 Years with Hair!

No, your eyes do not deceive you!  

On Samuel's 31st birthday, he sprouted a crop!

 

All courtesy of my mom, and her clever handiwork, and I don't know how you feel about, but I think it works, babe!

Per tradition, Samuel chose his birthday feast,
which consisted of:

Hot Pastrami Sandwiches,
Sweet n' Sour Slaw,
and
Steak Fries!

The birthday boy enjoyed a sumptuous dessert, and even managed to make a wish AND blow out his own candle!

No small feat considering the crowd standing by just itching to help!

For Birthday Sunday at his parents house, we ate a traditional chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and rainbow sprinkles and...

Chocolate Molten Lava Cake with a trio of sauces:

Raspberry, Peanut Butter, & Chocolate Fudge!

Later I surprised him with a night out at Thai Chili.  We heard the food was excellent, though the service slow, and found the description to be apt!  The fiery flavors were in stark contrast to the laid back and mellow atmosphere of the restaurant and staff! 

For those who have never had Thai-try it!
Just be mindful,
spicy MEANS spicy!

Happy Birthday,

Samuel! 

30 Candles...

On April Fools Day, in 1980, my sister Sophia was born.  

I love that!

It was something I always snickered about growing up,

but in the end, 

way down deep,

I always knew we were best friends.

Happy, happy birthday Sophia!

We are so grateful we were able to share this special day with you.

I love that though you are a notoriously picky eater,

you love my food!  

It's no Michelin Star, 

no Zagat rating, 

but if you will take a bite, 

and then two, 

I know I'm doing something right in the kitchen!

It's an honor to prepare your birthday dinner Sophia, 

and an even greater honor to be your sister.

I love you dearly.

Me

2010 Open House

We had a great time visiting the girls classrooms for Open House.  

Ava, our proud first grader, loved showing us around, but was especially excited to take a picture with Mrs. Padilla!

On of my favorite projects on display were these darling pictures of the kids being whisked away by their giant kites!  

Bye Ava!

No sooner did we finish visiting one classroom, we had to bolt to another:  

Mrs. Manley's Third Grade Class! 

Isabella, likewise, loved showing us her around her room, and teaching us all that she has learned thus far!  

It was quite the exercise, 

and by the time we were done, 

I was relieved to be out of school!