Happy Birthday, Lance!

 My brother in law, Lance, celebrated his 56th birthday yesterday.  His talented wife, Cindy, made this cute banana pudding cake. But, that's not all...

Lance jumped out of an airplane to celebrate with his beautiful daughter, Emma.  Wow!  What a way to celebrate!

I don't have an actual pic of the jump, but I saw an incredible video.   Happy to report that they are safe and sound and had the experience of a lifetime. 

Various Going's On

I thought I would catch you up on some of the things the kids have been doing.  They are getting to the point where they take vacations and do a lot of things without me along to take pictures.  I have to beg, borrow and steal to get pics of them.

 Greg went to Beijing and Bangkok as part of his Executive Masters Program at Pepperdine University.

 Alyssa met him in Thailand (thankfully, after getting a new passport, last minute because her dog ate hers).  They traveled throughout Thailand for two weeks.

 One of Alyssa's favorite things was the elephant camp where they showed the elephants doing their work and taking baths.  They fed and rode them.

Upon leaving the elephant camp they floated down the river on this raft.

 Katie got her first professional job.  A great job with lots of room for growth. She had been a camp counselor after graduating college( and deciding she didn't want to be a teacher) and is now apartment hunting in L.A.   She is currently commuting 1 1/2 - 2 hours each way, but loves that new paycheck!  Katie also went to the USMNT soccer tournament where the US vs. Guatemala, but I have no pics.  She said it was really fun and super patriotic (which she loved).

About 10 miles from our home is a trail called Holy Jim.  We've heard a lot about it but in 21 years, we've never gone to see it.  I'm not sure why; we didn't really know where it was I guess.  On Saturday, we decided to go.  Boy, were we in for a surprise.  We had no idea that the 8 mile road leading to the trail head was 4 miles gravel and 4 miles 4x4 dirt road.  It was quite an adventure.

When you first arrive, you must walk 1/2 mile past cabins before the real trail head begins.

It was very beautiful and lush for a So. Cal. hike.  Lots of trees which means lots of shade for hiking.  You climb 2,300 feet in 1.7 miles.  

This was the little water fall at the end, nothing more than a trickle.  We were talking to someone that had been there 3 weeks before and there was a lot more water.  This was one of the most beautiful hikes, I can't believe it was right in our own backyard!

4th of July Tablescape

 Our 4th of July plans were cancelled, so I went ahead and put together this little tablescape.
My kids all have other plans, so Bob and I will probably go on our own adventure (hike).

 I made these U.S.A. letters last year.  You can buy plain paper mache ones at Joann's and you just paint them and add paper, decoupage and add flair.  They are really easy.

 Fun navy striped straws in the Anthropolgie etched glasses. 

I bought the tall stars a couple of years ago at TPA.  Its like HomeGoods.  

The placemats are from C Wonder and the chevron runner is from Amazon.com.  I just googled navy chevron runner and it came up.  I don't remember the company.  

 I made these little name place card holders from flags, buttons and firework stick from Michaels last year. I shredded some red scrapbook paper to put in the bottom and there is some florist foam in there for the toothpics to go into.

 My napkins are from several years ago,  They used to be a deep navy, I'm surprised at how washed out they are now.  They are from Roger's Gardens.

 I hope you enjoy your 4th of July.