tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68869230049237811952024-03-05T16:54:34.134+09:00Tice AdventuresExplore. Dream. Discover.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.comBlogger425125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-54158824271248710152018-12-05T09:12:00.002+09:002018-12-05T09:13:35.464+09:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-65494987523816249582018-11-27T03:17:00.000+09:002019-01-15T03:34:33.937+09:00Simply Natural CreameryThe kids and I have been having a blast visiting Grandma and Grandpa in eastern North Carolina. We've visited cool playgrounds, eaten great food, and spent some much needed quality time with family. <div>
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I'm always on the lookout for cool adventures and educational experiences for my kids. So when I found a dairy farm that offered tours... and a free sample of ice cream? Easy peasy.<br /><div>
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Located in Ayden, NC the Simply Natural Creamery offers farm tours and fresh ice cream in their store. </div>
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At the front of their property is a playground that the kids enjoyed while we waited for our tour guide. We rode behind a large tractor in a covered wagon. For some reason I didn't take any pictures of this part. The tractor takes you out and around the soybean fields as the tour guide tells you the history of the farm, statistics on crop yield, and the process of creating the cow's natural diet.</div>
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Then we would around to the baby section. The cows at Simply Natural are allowed to graze and roam freely once they are of age. Until then they are housed in the nursery. James loved scratching their faces and enjoyed their rambunctious kisses. Elizabeth was being a bit grumpy and didn't share the same experience.</div>
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The tour continues to a large barn where the cows are fed and have "toys" to enjoy. We sat and watched this cow enjoy her back massage for a bit.</div>
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We also were able to tour the inside of the milking facility. Our tour guide explained the various mechanisms that quickly milk the cows. From there we moved to watch the milk being put into bottles and loaded into crates in their processing facility.</div>
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The kids loved the cows and were especially thrilled with chocolate ice cream at the end! The staff were fantastic and we enjoyed the tour. If you are ever in the area, we highly recommend Simply Natural Creamery... or at the very least stop in for some delicious, natural ice cream.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-2559906670649424692018-10-20T06:44:00.000+09:002018-11-02T06:45:06.320+09:00Live Oak Canyon Fall Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ahhh, my favorite time of the year. This year we decided to go down the mountain to Live Oak Canyon Adventure Farm and their annual Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival. We met up with some friends and enjoyed a perfect day in southern California.</div>
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The farm is about an hour and a half from the Hi-Desert area in Yucaipa, CA. The Yucaipa Valley was home to the Serrano Indians for hundreds of years. It's a beautiful area nestled in the San Bernadino Mountains.</div>
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The kids marveled at the different shapes, textures, and colors of pumpkins.</div>
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They offer an enormous petting zoo filled with goats and sheep. Other farm animals were also on display and available to pet.</div>
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There is a whole section devoted to birds that included chickens, roosters, peacocks, pheasants, roadrunners, and more.</div>
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We spent a good chunk of time at the carnival. They have forty or more rides and attractions, games, and bouncy areas. The biggest draw was a giant corn pit. Yep, corn pit.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting buried in corn!</td></tr>
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They have lots of areas set up for fall pictures with different landscapes and props.</div>
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The last thing we definitely wanted to try was the corn maze. This one is well done with lots of turns and dead ends. We played follow the leader and had a blast exploring the maze. Bonus! It wore the kiddos out running!<br />
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While they do have many pumpkins picked and sorted for purchase, you can also walk through the fields and pick your own. </div>
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It was a fantastic day! We all had a blast and will definitely go back for their Christmas light show. Everything was well done, clean and organized. Happy Fall!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-32386956250767662042018-10-06T06:23:00.000+09:002018-11-02T06:24:14.270+09:00First Haircut!Because we just have to document the firsts of everything that our children do or accomplish. :p<div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-4781451351445764372018-08-31T11:00:00.000+09:002018-12-12T11:07:28.369+09:00Okonomiyaki and Japanese Ice Cream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One area of Los Angeles that we've ventured into a little bit is Little Tokyo. We've really missed the amazing food from Japan; one of those being Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. Layers of cabbage, pork, egg, soba noodles, and more... YUM!</div>
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We have looked for okonomiyaki restaurants in large cities before so while driving to this one we were cautious about getting our hopes up.</div>
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Until we saw the sign outside....</div>
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This is it! YES! No pretend-sorta-almost-not-really-okonomiyaki! We're going to have the good stuff again!<br />
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And the kiddos loved it! We purchased okonomiyaki sauce and Japanese mayonnaise so I can make them at home, but it was great to share a little piece of our Japanese food love with James and Elizabeth.</div>
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After strolling through Little Tokyo and playing on some rocks, we decided the night needed a sweet ending. James and Elizabeth loved the ice cream but weren't interested in trying some of the more "Japanese" flavors. Salt ice cream, anyone? </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-78366532377969346752018-08-01T06:46:00.000+09:002018-11-02T06:46:55.012+09:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-39942066538520563232018-07-18T08:05:00.000+09:002018-11-02T08:05:53.992+09:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-50621924977602204882018-07-12T10:20:00.000+09:002018-12-12T10:22:40.703+09:00Mud SlidesIt doesn't rain often in the desert, but when it does it creates BIG problems.<br />
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Interestingly though, the county removes it with a snow plow. Yep, just scrapes the heavy wet, mud to the side of the road.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-64516898096566272252018-07-11T06:57:00.000+09:002018-12-12T11:47:03.783+09:00Nevada State Railroad MuseumWhen you have a little boy who likes trains.... you visit a lot of train depots and museums. While we were in Las Vegas and visiting the Hoover Dam, we made a detour for this little excursion. The museum and parked trains are located in Boulder City, Nevada; the city that built the Hoover Dam. (Seriously, this city was created to develop and build the man-made wonder. Worth a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulder_City,_Nevada" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> read.)<br />
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The museum is smaller and they only offer train rides on certain days; however, there is an in depth review of the U.S. mail system, mail cars, and couriers that was fascinating. Truly worth the stop.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-86699353522740448272018-07-05T11:35:00.000+09:002018-12-12T11:36:57.566+09:00"Feeding my Pet!"I am so fortunate to be able to stay at home with my children. I have struggled with my personal identity a bit and truly miss my career, but I am thankful every day for this time. Some days are crazy and frustrating... and some days I am told to "go away, mommy! I'm feeding my pet!"<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-79778641245884657212018-06-20T11:17:00.000+09:002018-12-15T00:09:44.485+09:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsTxI_ruQf420CKR4DzWZEQgd72butj_k4ruHur0dvFUpDshX2trxUh1zrKAuXaKWil-kpLFm-ZzTGh8jgCDo6-LULVoA93QtMrGQBBKm6wrD9CbOCuZmyUqgx_1xeCzohCdU4X10ecDa/s1600/IMG_4022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsTxI_ruQf420CKR4DzWZEQgd72butj_k4ruHur0dvFUpDshX2trxUh1zrKAuXaKWil-kpLFm-ZzTGh8jgCDo6-LULVoA93QtMrGQBBKm6wrD9CbOCuZmyUqgx_1xeCzohCdU4X10ecDa/s320/IMG_4022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-56006338919399093192018-06-11T10:52:00.000+09:002018-12-12T12:09:49.275+09:00First Dentist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They did amazingly well! James was super excited to sit in the special chair and wear the sunglasses. Elizabeth... less so, but still followed directions perfectly. Even better? Our dentist still has all his fingers! :)</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-81590380815447565742018-06-11T07:03:00.000+09:002018-11-02T07:03:39.829+09:00Squeek!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBokv-_rP9KwHKdas1blFctqOXTzgDAXs53Ssrwsn9Fzm3NNmSOcDD2VMiMDv-QdytpHPpbELL_q15AOWfIMnLcWAZhg7d4KVrl6y8GC0K_2jTGcrJlNrdGFtVYMDTUKeOTkpU3T2rtzj/s1600/IMG_3519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBokv-_rP9KwHKdas1blFctqOXTzgDAXs53Ssrwsn9Fzm3NNmSOcDD2VMiMDv-QdytpHPpbELL_q15AOWfIMnLcWAZhg7d4KVrl6y8GC0K_2jTGcrJlNrdGFtVYMDTUKeOTkpU3T2rtzj/s320/IMG_3519.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We have an unwanted guest in our garage!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-16586601449518171362018-06-09T07:10:00.000+09:002018-11-02T07:12:00.741+09:00Kingdom Hearts SymphonyFor Dustin's birthday I surprised him with tickets to the Kingdom Hearts symphony in Los Angeles. We both have enjoyed the video game franchise, but the real hook was the music. Listening to some of my favorite arrangements from Yoko Shimomura... and I can hear them live? More like a gift for myself. :)<br />
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Even better? SHE WAS THERE! AND SHE PLAYED FOR US! The concert was timed with the launching of E3 so the hall was packed, tears were flowing, excitement buzzing... EEEK! It was truly an amazing night.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-82020094859783609202018-06-04T03:09:00.000+09:002019-01-15T03:16:42.076+09:00PicnicIf you haven't noticed, a common theme on our blog is food. We love to eat and try new things. The kids love to eat... not so much on the try new things part. There are hundreds of parenting books out there that say to make food fun and that's the key to getting your children to try new things. I'm all for cute shapes, teddy bear rice, and the like.... I just don't usually have time to create these Pinterest/Instagram worthy plates for my picky eaters. <div>
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So instead we do picnics. Yep, genius, right?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-F6GbLit4-CHS_D8S7XqR9aiDCV1lWYurEWmHh6yP9te1-3oVKK1f7pn8buEU3BY3ldwkSON4K-nHwNcGHNriqqlxblTdxPVFgPcNRtLhoIAslo5L5dWLcKj5N0vNmIlKVH7qU3AnM7w/s1600/IMG_3336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-F6GbLit4-CHS_D8S7XqR9aiDCV1lWYurEWmHh6yP9te1-3oVKK1f7pn8buEU3BY3ldwkSON4K-nHwNcGHNriqqlxblTdxPVFgPcNRtLhoIAslo5L5dWLcKj5N0vNmIlKVH7qU3AnM7w/s320/IMG_3336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I even do a little bargaining if there is a playground involved. </div>
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The desert does have some pretty fantastic weather. We enjoy picnics once or twice a week. When Daddy is at work, we sometimes take the picnic to him. I'm always looking for tips on getting my kids to try more foods!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-54288884563879703822018-05-17T11:38:00.000+09:002018-12-12T11:41:27.509+09:00San DiegoWe made a quick trip down to San Diego so Dustin could attend a friend's graduation ceremony. <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzD2cSNr3kwZjiDCpDr2W15tBgbl7Vf96ZS6AOi6V7wQ5MyV0CQQrUu8RqlfCp1IhZfFaL93jvwBOY8tLXoDIz8y6zm7OPbrhx2y8EynxUzc6pcJEWyEbejJ1wktVFA0vVd0lZlLGJhcc/s1600/IMG_3117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzD2cSNr3kwZjiDCpDr2W15tBgbl7Vf96ZS6AOi6V7wQ5MyV0CQQrUu8RqlfCp1IhZfFaL93jvwBOY8tLXoDIz8y6zm7OPbrhx2y8EynxUzc6pcJEWyEbejJ1wktVFA0vVd0lZlLGJhcc/s320/IMG_3117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Somehow through the entire weekend in San Diego we took exactly two pictures.</div>
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I'm not sure why we didn't take any at the graduation or at dinner where we met friends we hadn't seen since Japan. Forgive us, we forgot how to blog.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-71361268527111863302018-05-12T11:31:00.000+09:002018-12-12T11:32:05.812+09:00Camping in Joshua Tree National ParkThe weather is starting to get warmer here in the desert but we haven't quite hit that "it's too hot to do anything" point. We live right outside Joshua Tree National Park and have talked about taking the kids camping many times. The weather this particular weekend was not ideal, it was super windy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYoL2hwA6ENNeSRdkv8605B957SyeR0aTGDYpZhyphenhyphen4AI0tfiBbKCDnKv0QjI_FbkJxptntG_Y4QeaXI3-yg0k0GcO2MxmbUZb6LDsSZLVYJPoGC1fSelZEESYltJphaDZq4prv6hhmr5Xy/s1600/IMG_2962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYoL2hwA6ENNeSRdkv8605B957SyeR0aTGDYpZhyphenhyphen4AI0tfiBbKCDnKv0QjI_FbkJxptntG_Y4QeaXI3-yg0k0GcO2MxmbUZb6LDsSZLVYJPoGC1fSelZEESYltJphaDZq4prv6hhmr5Xy/s320/IMG_2962.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We moved the car to block some of the wind. Unfortunately, I didn't take too many pictures this weekend. We both put our phones away and spent most the time together.... battling the wind!</div>
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James and Elizabeth loved roasting hot dogs on the fire. They were less impressed with s'mores, and more impressed with eating all the chocolate.</div>
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The best part of the night was seeing the stars. I've never seen so many stars in my life. Truly fascinating. We bundled up in our sleeping bags and cuddled in the tent to sleep, well fed and happy.</div>
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The wind calmed down through the night and we were able to enjoy a great breakfast before doing a short hike nearby. Then we explored a bit of the nature center before packing up and driving home. IT was a great weekend and a wonderful chance to unwind.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-72207642000952006332018-04-28T10:27:00.000+09:002018-12-12T10:49:03.298+09:00The Last BookstoreDustin and I love to read. We find it increasingly more difficult to find the time now that our family has grown. One of our favorite things to do pre-kids was stroll around bookstores. One in particular had peaked my interest as it is in an old bank in downtown Los Angeles.<br />
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The Last Bookstore is California's largest new and used book store. The ironic title alone was enough to get us in the door, but then I was fascinated with the architecture, design, and creative layout of this massive building.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A banker at heart. </td></tr>
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The original layout of the bank is still present and provides sectioning for various book categories. The original vaults, yep plural, still showcase the beautiful locking mechanisms and bolt operation. The above was commissioned in 1912.<br />
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The entire second floor is a labyrinth of books. The children took us through, finding dead ends and secret passageways.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little reader</td></tr>
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If you are looking for a book, new or old, or just a place to wander around for a few hours, go here. It's a beautiful building filled with amazing adventures.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-87741880110418546032018-04-27T10:23:00.000+09:002018-12-12T10:27:06.323+09:00CoCo's Stateside!So if you're a long time follower our adventures, you will recognize this staple of our diet from our time in Japan.<br />
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YEP! COCO'S! Oh, I've only written about this place.... EIGHT times. We ate it weekly, sometimes more. Our bank account wishes that was exaggeration. :)<br />
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For Dustin's birthday I promised him CoCo's. There are actually four locations in the greater Los Angeles area and we are going to eat at them all <strike>today</strike>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-26916917391788467842018-04-07T11:15:00.000+09:002018-12-12T11:44:50.603+09:00A Day Out with ThomasWhen you have a little boy who loves trains and Thomas... you end up doing lots of train and Thomas activities. One of those being our annual pilgrimage to A Day Out with Thomas. We've visited Thomas now three times when he's visiting from the Island of Sodor. We were lucky and got to meet Percy too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemMMw0l6F2QaMzzkBRTBPWCzaV0XL6pwNKRw9NLCXnEyTqkGV4lljcmi1NpgaTsgA6MJ3KtjC7afoOI8f3tGw1fyQ3oPiIhwd4yyy6dkscgmvhB5Y3jPkVX1csfp51vP3DcL5PPEETDa4/s1600/IMG_2167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemMMw0l6F2QaMzzkBRTBPWCzaV0XL6pwNKRw9NLCXnEyTqkGV4lljcmi1NpgaTsgA6MJ3KtjC7afoOI8f3tGw1fyQ3oPiIhwd4yyy6dkscgmvhB5Y3jPkVX1csfp51vP3DcL5PPEETDa4/s320/IMG_2167.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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It's a fun day to spend with the kids and with characters they love. There are many areas including train play area, coloring tables, tattoos, petting zoos, reading and video area, model train displays, and more. </div>
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The highlight every year is watching James and Elizabeth's little faces when they hear that iconic train whistle and see Thomas pull into the station.</div>
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Part of the day included a short train ride with Thomas complete with conductor stamping our tickets.</div>
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Day Out with Thomas tours the United States annually and is fun, cheap way to spend a day. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-27720164538876130252018-03-31T07:58:00.000+09:002018-11-02T08:04:17.737+09:00EasterThis year the kids and I spent Easter in Chattanooga with family. The trip out was a complete nightmare, but the vacation was perfect.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conference table in our hotel room</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never again, American. Never again.</td></tr>
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We met Oma for lunch and enjoyed the mall play area.<br />
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The kids loved Easter egg hunting, the petting zoo, and face painting.</div>
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One day we met Oma and Grand Pop at the Creative Discovery Museum and had a blast!</div>
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So good spending time with family! We wish we were closer!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-17504254663240637162018-03-13T09:45:00.000+09:002018-12-05T09:47:38.402+09:00New Bicycles!Just some family fun playing on the kids' new bicycles!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-3581376968992022892018-02-06T06:45:00.000+09:002018-11-02T05:43:49.666+09:00It rained!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-11378967450247605002018-02-03T09:13:00.000+09:002018-12-05T09:44:46.444+09:00Giant RockI like talking to people and listening to their recommendations of places to visit. Some people stick to traditional sites... the ones that show up on TripAdvisor and have Yelp reviews. Some... well, some people send you out in the middle of the desert in search of a big rock. Yep, a Giant Rock.<br />
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When I first heard about The Giant Rock, I laughed. Um, sorry to be Captain Obvious here but the desert is filled with BIG ROCKS. No, no, they said. This one is different. So let's go check it out. </div>
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My directions had us on tiny back roads that eventually turned into dirt. I mean, sand. Soft sand at that. Definitely designed for dune buggies, we bounced along happily in our little Toyota. After about 3 miles of dune hopping we came upon.... the Giant Rock.</div>
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These pictures do not do this thing justice. It is seven stories high and covers 5,800 sqft of ground. It claims to be the largest free standing boulder in the world. I'm all for superlatives so I was super excited to walk up and touch this massive rock.<br />
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The history of this giant boulder is quite entertaining. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">While the rock has been a Native American spiritual site for thousands of years, the modern backstory of the boulder begins in the 1930's when a German immigrant and miner named Frank Critzer met a pilot named George Van Tassel. The pair became fast friends and Van Tassel loaned Critzer 30 dollars to buy mining equipment. Critzer then dug out a 400 square foot home for himself directly beneath the giant rock. This made the locals think he was crazy but since he was known to point a shotgun at those who approached his underground home, no one inquired further. In addition to being a notoriously gruff customer, Critzer was also a radio enthusiast and is said to have set up a radio antenna on top of the rock for better reception.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately, Critzer’s German origin and radio antenna led to suspicions of his being a spy during World War II, and a police raid was made on his cavern. While the exact cause of Critzer’s death is still unknown, legend holds that when authorities attempted to extricate him by shooting tear gas canisters into his cave, one accidentally ignited a small store of explosives (for mining) and blew the peculiar loner to smithereens. As it turns out, Critzer was not a spy after all, but just what he seemed: an eccentric who wanted to be left alone to live, quite literally, under a rock.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Upon hearing of his friend’s death, Van Tassel—a high school dropout who had become a pilot—went to the boulder and reopened an old airfield at the Giant Rock in the 1950s, naming it Giant Rock Airport. Van Tassel’s war friend Howard Hughes, for whom Van Tassel was a test pilot, is said to have flown there just for a slice of Van Tassel’s wife’s pie. <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/giant-rock" target="_blank">Source</a></span></blockquote>
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We were there on quite a windy day but enjoyed climbing over and under the surrounding rocks. If you follow me on Lifecake, you've already seen this, but it's worth sharing again. :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17929047598680290744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6886923004923781195.post-55627008785349467212018-01-15T05:41:00.000+09:002018-11-02T05:42:40.088+09:00View from the HouseWhile we are awaiting base housing we are in a rental at the top of a mountain just outside Twentynine Palms.<br />
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The kids and I like walking the dirt bike roads in the evenings after supper. We've seen some rabbits and a snake. We see coyote often, too.<br />
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And the sunsets are truly spectacular...</div>
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