Summer is over :[

I can't believe that 10 weeks have come and gone. I report back to work next week so I'm making the most of my last few days. We've got places to go, things to do and people to see starting today. It will be a busy 5 days! Can't complain - it was a great summer! We did a lot and spent lots of quality time together doing what we love to do - hang out with family and friends.

I'm looking forward to the school year - it should be an easy one for me, which is good. I don't like the prep hour I was assigned, but everything else is OK. Let's hope I still feel this way a few months from now.

Noting really to report. We're just plugging along!

Another vacation?!?!?

Just getting home from, yet, another vacation. This one was local and was planned (and paid for) way back in May. Dirk, Genna and I went to the Arizona Grand Resort, the former Pointe at South Mountain. We've stayed at the Pointe at Squaw Peak for the last two summers and I wanted to try something different. All I have to say is "Why fix what's not broken?" We should have gone back to Squaw Peak!

Don't get me wrong - the resort was beautiful! The lowest grade room is a one-bedroom suite with pull out couch for Genna, two TVs and a bar. It was like staying in a little apartment. We were walking distance from AZ Mills and our house was a mere 20 minutes away. The best part was the on-site water park, which was the mail reason I decided to book there. It was everything else that made our trip crappy.

Day one

As we were driving to the resort on Sunday afternoon, the Valley was hit with a terrible monsoon storm, and our 20-minute drive quickly turned into an ordeal. The Superstition Freeway was shut down due to flooding beneath the overpasses so bad that the pumps could not keep up. We were routed off at Mill Ave. and turned south to Baseline. BAD CHOICE! Baseline was a river! Everyone was in one lane, except for the stupid people who were trying to maneuver through the deep water. Traffic was horrible all because of two stalled and abandoned vehicles blocking the intersection at Kyrene and Baseline.

(Friendly reminder: If your vehicle stalls, please do the rest of us a favor and push it out of the way!)

So... on to the resort!

The guy at the front desk - not friendly, especially when he told me about the "hidden" $25 PER DAY resort fee, even though my room was paid in full
The valet guy - not friendly (but better than the guy at the front desk)
The room - nice, but had wet carpeting in front of the balcony due to all the rain
The water park - closed that first night due to rain

After the rain subsided we went to Red Robin to have dinner. It was 6:30 on Sunday night and the restaurant was a literal ghost town. I think our table was one of 4 that had people. The staff was sitting around not knowing what to do. I snapped the below shot as we left the parking lot.

Teenage driver - go figure!

Day two

We had breakfast in the room (stuff from home) and went to the water park. It seemed really crowded considering it wasn't even noon. Quickly we found out why - the lazy river was closed and wasn't set to reopen until 1PM. So everyone was crammed into the pool, or going down the slides. So we packed up and headed to the pool by our room where we met Andrew, Sabrina, Christian and Alexandra. They were visiting from Toronto and enjoying the AZ heat (fools). Very nice people! Christian was 9 and Alexandra (Alex) was 7. The three children played for quite a long time together.

That night we went home to check on the dogs, then went to pizza for dinner because I had a $25 gift certificate to use. The manager of my favorite pizza place sent it to us because they burned my birthday dinner but, since it was a pick up order, we didn't notice until we got home. (Did I mention it's a 25-minute drive from our house?) I am happy to report that this pizza was excellent and we personally thanked the manager for the gift certificate. She's really turned that place around.

Day three

Up early... too early. Genna had an 830 swim lesson she had to get to and we took another opportunity to check on the dogs. Then we had lunch, and it was back to the water park. Everything was open and we had a nice time. We floated on the lazy river, we played in the wave pool, the swam around and didn't get out of the water for hours. Each of us even took a turn going down the water slide! But, as it got warmer, the crowds started coming, and the clientele started going downhill. I found myself asking how people could afford such a nice place when they couldn't afford new bathing suits. (Yup - swimming in clothes! One lady even had on a suit that was ripped!) So, we went back to the hotel pool where Genna played more with her Canadian friends. We ended our evening with dinner at 5&Diner. We took some funny pictures at the table and made each other laugh. It was a nice ending to a nice day.

Day four

Dirk had to go back to work so I was in charge of Genna. Nothing new to report - more swimming, more waves, more floating, more sliding. We didn't see our friends, though, and I think Genna was a bit disappointed that she didn't get to say good-bye. They don't leave until Friday, so maybe I can call the hotel and leave a message with contact info. I think it would be cool for Genna to have a pen pal!

After checking out, I took Genna to lunch and we went to go see Dirk at work. Nice place! Since Longs just came to town, everything is new. The building is new, the machinery is new. It even smells new! (Too bad it's in the ghetto.) I met his boss and a couple of the people he works with but missed the person I really wanted to meet. Perhaps some other time.

Been home for a few hours now. Made some phone calls, caught up on some emails. Now it's time to relax. I need a vacation from my vacation!

Payin' back

My friends, the Davises, added our blog to their site so I'm returning the favor. I have known them for years since Becky and I used to work together at my school. Their two daughters, Shelby, 7, and Cami, 5, are buddies with Genna. In fact, the three girls go to the same school and Genna and Shelby have been in the same class for kindergarten and first grade (Cami is a year behind them). They are an awesome family and fun to hang out with!

Me and Becky

Genna and Shelby at the Ho-Down, September, 2007

At the Phoenix Zoo

Mrs. Nelson's 1st grade class (Shelby is in the middle and Genna is to the left)

Disneyland... again

Congrats to Dirk! He got a job with Longs Drugs and is overseeing the installation of the automation equiptment in the new pharmacy they are building here. Leaving Humana was a tough decision, but we will reap the benefits in the end. He was off this week, so we packed up the family and headed to Cali to see his family.

Tuesday was a busy day - swim lesson, doctor appointment, then 6 hours in the car. Wednesday started early with breakfast at Hof's Hutt in Long Beach. We like to sit on the patio and watch the birds fly around us, but they were cleaning the patio so we were stuck inside. (Too bad) We met up with Dirk's dad at the house and he was giddy to have company out on the boat. He's got a Boston Whaler, seats 6, pretty comfortable. Apparently it's a tough boat to sink! After getting gas, buying snacks at Starbucks and checking out a pelican, we lauched and headed out for Long Beach Harbor. Our goal? To get up close to the sea lions that hang out on the buoys. They are soooooo cute!



After we came in from the harbor a bit early (Genna had to use the facilities) we took a fast spin around the marine stadium, a place where one can go as fast as one wants. Genna had fun. Then it was more interaction with the pelicans at the dock, and a quick ride home. We went out to dinner with Dirk's parents at Katella Deli - a nice way to end the evening.

While cleaning the boat, Genna made a friend:

Thursday... Disneyland!!!

Genna and I were up early so we could catch the first shuttle to Disney, but we didn't make it, of course. So we arrived a bit behind schedule. No matter - there weren't a lot of people at the park anyway. First thing - photo ops! During the next 90 minutes we rode on Mr. Toad, Storybook River Boats, Casey Jr. Train, Teacups, Alice In Wonderland and Astroblasters. Then it was over to Autopia where Genna decided she wanted to drive. It started to get busy around this time so they had 3 lanes out of 4 open. We were in lane 4, luckily. There was a broken down car in lane 3 and because of it they shut down the ride. We were lucky to have our turn before that happened.

We had lunch in the Pizza Port, then we went to California Adventure. First stop, Monsters Inc. At the Hollywood Backlot we met Jasmine, Aladdin and Snow White. Also, we drew Minnie Mouse and Tigger, and went to see Turtle Talk with Crush. During the show a guy proposed to his girlfriend. How cool! Crush helped out with the surprise - what a way to propose!

Genna and I decided to go back to Disney and I convinced her to go to the Haunted Mansion since she refused to go down Splash Mountain. She was scared, but there were no tears. I was so proud of my baby for being brave and trying something new. Maybe next time we'll conquer Splash Mt.

We went on the Jungle Cruise, into the Tiki Room, back to the Teacups (where we saw the Parade of Dreams since it went right by the ride) and saw 50 Years of Magic on Main Street (a must for Disneyland fans). Then it was back to CA Adventure for the Electrical Light Parade. I haven't seen it in years and it was nice to share it with my 7-yr-old. Everything is exciting to her! We had awesome seats thanks to the advice of my big sis - no one sat in front of us and we weren't even sitting on the ground. Very comfortable!

By this time we were just pooped so we went back to the hotel.

Friday was uneventful with a quick good-bye to Dirk's parents and a long drive back to Mesa.

(Genna took some pictures of herself while we were packing up the room on Friday morning. I thought they were cute.)

There was the stop at Seal Beach where we went to our favorite shell shop to get some stuff for Genna. Then, we walked down the street to Cold Stone Creamery and had ice cream on the pier where we saw some of the sights:

SCARY!

All in all it was a worthwhile trip. Can't wait to go back in October.

Busy summer so far...

Inspired by my friends, the Davises, I decided to start a blog, not to mention that it was recommended in my writing class. It's a nice way to keep in contact with everyone and I can show off all our adventures without having to e-mail pictures all over the place.

It's been quite a summer so far, probably one of my busiest yet! We began our summer with a quick trip to Rocky Point, Mexico over Memorial Day weekend. Genna and I went for 3 day with my sister, Michelle. What a blast! We had a condo right on the beach which was b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!!! I hope to stay there again one day. The ocean was a little rough (and cold) for me, but that didn't stop Genna and, consequently, Michelle. We also shopped, built sand castles, took walks and gather sea shells. What a nice way to begin our vacation.

Views from our balcony

The following Monday I began the Mesa Writing Project - a 3-week writing class I was selected for back in April. I learned so much in such a short amount of time and I also made some good friends. We wrote multiple pie ces every day, some got finished and others didn't. We shared our stuff and commented on others' works. We had author visits and explored the writing process. Sounds really boring, but it actually was a lot of fun.

Author Conrad Storad

The evening of last day of the project I flew out to California to meet Michelle, my mom and Genna. They went for the week and I was to join them on the tail end of their trip for a day at Disney. Mom decided not to go with us so it was just Michelle, Genna and me. I didn't think Genna would last the day so I planned on taking her back to the hotel and getting to ride the "big" rides with Michelle at night. But that wasn't the case. Genna stayed up and kept up with us until midnight. We rode all kinds of rides and shopped our wallets dry. On the way home on Sunday there was a little problem with Michelle's brand new car, and we were stuck by the side of I-10 for 4 hours. What a nightmare! We had to stay the night in Blythe, then my dad picked up Michelle and took her to where her car was towed, Indio. (There is no Toyota dealership in Blythe - take note.) Dad came back to Blythe to get me and Genna and he took us to his house where Dirk was waiting. So, my little trip turned into a big hassle, but it was worth it.

The most exciting thing about our trip to Disney is that Michelle, Genna and I became annual pass members! We're already planning to return to Disney in October for Genna's birthday. But, since Dirk is off this week starting Tuesday, we're going back to CA to visit his parents and go to Disney one more time. Maybe I can get Genna on some new rides!

Toontown

California Adventure

California Adventure, Disney Art Studios, drawing Mickey

The Mouse himself

Autopia!

Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters

Teacups - Genna's favorite ride