Class Launch

After taking the summer off from teaching any classes I am back now and ready to begin a new year. Friday August 14th will be the class launch at The Scrapping Lounge from 5:00 -7:00 pm

Here is a little peek at what I have for you. But you will have to stop by the Lounge to see more


Summer Days Gone Bye
Wed. Sept 16th

Creepy Spooks
Thurs. Oct 15th

Hearst Castle

I have always wanted to visit Hearst Castle so I took this trip as a good time to finally see it up close. I set up our time on line thinking we would have plenty of time to get from Monterey to the Castle. Boy was I mistaken! We were doing really good until we stopped for lunch. After that is was a race and the fact that we got behind several cars that took their sweet time looking at the scenery. We got there and the lady at the window said to walk VERY fast to the bus. We made it barely
I was a little nervous that the guys would not enjoy this at all but was pleased to hear that they thought it was great. They are already talking about when we can go on one of the other tours to see another part of the house. How bad would it be if next time one of us accidentally fell in the pool. It just looks so tempting

Monterey

We spent a night in Monterey. The kids loved all the rocks they could climb all over looking for crabs or starfish and I just enjoy the view.
My clan enjoyed all the dinners had along the coast. The best place for seafood. Daren will eat anything, while Hunter loves crab but I think it has more to do with all the work it takes to get the meat out of the shells and Joseph is a shrimp kid. I on the other hand do not want anything to do with seafood. I like to say if it comes out of any kind of water I don't eat it. This little fact bugs my husband and finally after all these years he has cut back on always asking me to try it.

San Francisco

This is where Daren finally joined us for the rest of our trip. I would like to say he was with us the whole time but he had to go to Chicago for a few days. Once I arrived with the boys and we successfully navigated over all the hills and one way streets we walked around. Our timeshare was right around the corner from China Town and the boys thought it was so cool. We had quickly discovered that we didn't pack well and should have packed for some very cool days.



We couldn't not take a tour of Alcatraz. I was surprised at all the beauty around a high security prison. The flowers that were grown and all the birds that have made the island home is amazing. And how cool was it to take the tour and explore the cells and common areas.

We were going to take a trolley until we found out how much it would cost for all of us to get around on one so we did the next best thing and used out feet. Walking the hills is exhausting but it is really one of the best ways to experience a new city.

Winchester House

Our first Tourist stop along the way. I have always wanted to see this crazy house. Doors that open to nothing, stairs that went to the ceiling and crazy windows. Did she confuse the spirits that died by the Winchester Rifle or did she just confirm that she was a little crazy. Maybe a little of both

Family

The first stop during our trip up north was to visit with my grandma. I don't see her as much as I would like so when I got a chance to take the boys for a visit I took it. This is my mom's side of the family and right after my mom passed the relationship I had with them was strained. It was a difficult time for me and I allowed someone to poison my thoughts. It is always hard to believe how some people can be so insecure with themselves that they would set out to ruin other relationships. Thankfully we have healed and I have my grandma back in my life. I want my kids to know and understand why I love her so much. During the trip we also spent some time with my aunt and cousin. Wow has he grown, the last time I saw Bill he was a younger then Hunter
This is a picture of my great grandparents. I think my greatest memory was the cooking that grandma Ruby would do. Oh how I wish I had paid more attention to how she made her pies while growing up. You don't realize how important the things like that are until the person is gone.

From the top

I had debated if I was up for this next adventure. Mountain biking down from the top of Snow Summit. I had no idea that you could even do something so crazy but my lovely son knew this. My first question was how do the bikes get to the top. I have enough problems just riding the hills by our house.


This is how they got up. They got their own ski lift ride. I had to admit that the ride up was great. I was scared at the thought of some of the hills I was going to encounter. Started off really slow and the guys were good and stopped often to wait for me and as I got more comfortable on the bike they didn't have to stop as much but I still used my brakes a lot. Just when I think I can do this they decided to detour onto another trail that was smaller and little did I know at the time more challenging. But I am proud to say I did not fall. Came close a few times and one time I went over a tree root and almost went head first over my handle bars. Lucky for me I was able to save myself.
I am glad I made it and don't have any broken bones.

4th of July

This year for the 4th we headed up to Big Bear with the family and some of Daren's family. We have a timeshare and reserved it last summer. We thought how cool would it be to watch the fireworks on the lake from a boat. What a great idea. The only problem was we weren't really dressed for the weather. We had worn our bathing suits although we never really hit the water because it was so cold and we had all brought sweatshirts but we should have brought a few blankets also. They put on a great display though and it was neat to just relax on the boat and watch the fireworks almost right over your head.

He's a teenager now

Joseph just turned 13 years old on Sunday. This year his birthday happen to fall on Father's Day. I tried not to let either of them get slighted but it happens. We headed to Disney for a quick shopping trip to spend his birthday fun card. Since we already have passes we opted for the spending money instead of free admission. This is where dad got slighted because he doesn't have a pass so he waited outside in Downtown Disney for about 2 hours. Then it was to Nana and Papas house to spend the rest of the day by the pool. Joseph wanted to go out to dinner but it was dad's day also so we stayed and spent time with family. I did tell him that he can have his birthday dinner later this week. I will take him to the restaurant he had picked.
But I am still in shock that he is a teenager now. Where did the time go?

The end of elementary

My baby had his promotion ceremony this morning and tomorrow is his last day in elementary school. His last day is also my last day because he is my baby. Where has the time gone? I am thankful that we had the ability of me being able to stay home and be an active part of his school years. Even though I did step back this last year the teacher always knew she could call if I was needed. Some days it felt like I was at the school as much as the kids between yearbook, room mom, field trips or just fun days. I was just saying today how nice it always was to walk into the office and have the secretary say "Hello Mrs Raskin do you need me to call for Hunter".
Thank you to the wonderful teachers and staff for being so wonderful to my kids. I know that many of you have made a huge impact on my boys and I will forever be grateful.