Fun week

We have had a fun week with Rick's parents in town. Athen has loved the attention of his grandparents and all the new balls and trucks he got this week. It was nice having them around for more than just a weekend this time. Rick was able to take a few days off work and play with us so we planned a few outings.

On Monday we headed over to Tilden park. Unfortunetely the weather was overcast, windy and cold, but we still had fun. We went to the Little Farm and fed the animals and played at the park while we ate our picnic lunch. We then headed over to the train for a train ride through the hills.









We then decided to head over to Mt. Diablo where it might be a little warmer. It was sunny and a little warmer but still pretty windy. We had a BBQ dinner. We made our favorite flank steak recipe, marinated shrimp kebobs, corn on the cob and some fruit. It was all delicious. As soon as the sun disappeared we packed up and headed out of there.




On Tuesday we all headed over to Dublin to play at Super Franks. Athen loves it there. We then went out to dinner at Vo's Restaurant in Oakland. It was delicious. We had Calamari, Coconut Prawns, and Chicken lettuce wraps for appetizers. Athen LOVED the calamari and the coconut prawns. Who knew?? My son will eat calamari and not mac and cheese or PB&J. For our entrees we had clay pots with beef, chicken, shrimp and veggies (my favorite at Vietnamese restaurants), honey pork chops, salmon fried rice, garlic noodles, and tamarind shrimp. It was all delicious. I would definately recommend trying this restaurant.

I wonder where Athen gets it from???/

Like father like son.







On Wednesday Ricky had to go back to work so the rest of us headed into the city for some SF sourdough bread and some Ghirardeli chocolate. We then met up with Ricky for lunch. We went to Mojita's at the Ferry building. WE had squash blossom empanadas that were so delicious along with meatball soup, nachoes, and tacos. That evening we went to my favorite restaurant in Alameda, Linguini's. We had fried raviolis for appetizers which Athen also loved. I had my favorite dish penne, cream sauce, mushrooms and pancetta (yum) and I can't even remember what everyone else had. We then headed over to our new favorite place Flavor Brigade. It is a new Italian water ice shop that has delicious water ice and custard or homemade ice cream. So delicious and reasonable prices.

On Thursday we woke up and headed to Trader Joe's so Rick's parents could stock up on LOTS of nuts and dried fruits. This is something they do every time they come into town. We then went shopping at the Bay St. mall in Emeryville. We got some great things and then headed home.

It was a wonderful week. It was nice having adults around during the day to talk with and to help out with the kids. We loved it! Thanks for the great week mama and papa B.

Blessing

My little baby bun had his special day last Sunday. Rick's parents came in to town last Saturday night so we decided to have Crew blessed. We had just our parents there for the blessing and it went well. Ricky and Crew both did a great job, no crying except from mom and grandma S. After the blessing we headed back to our house for some lunch. We had chicken taco salad and fruit, super simple but still delicious.

It was a nice day outside so we all decided to take a walk down to the park with the kids. We loaded up the double stroller and headed out. I am sure we looked a little funny, six adults following one toddle around the park - spoiled. It was fun to spend the afternoon with our parents and our little family.

We had a very hungry and tired toddler so pictures didn't last long or turn out so great.







I must say Ricky looks pretty sexy in his new suit!

At the park and on our walk.

Fourth of July

We had a fun fourth of July weekend. We usually like to go to our cabin in Westwood because the small little town in the Lassen National Forest has a 4th of July parade downtown. They have floats and throw candy to the kids. I LOVE it! They also have a blue grass festival with snowmobile racing on the grass. How great is that. Plus the shake shop and the lake is to die for. However, driving 5 hours in the car with two crying kids did not appeal to me so we decided to stick around here for the weekend.

On Friday, Rick got home from work early so we headed over to Alameda and took a walk along the beach. We shopped around a bit and stopped by See's candy for some treats. We then had dinner at Applebee's. It was a hot afternoon and a perfect evening to be outside.

On Saturday we went to our friends first birthday party, it was nice to be out and visit with friends. I can't remember what we did on Saturday night????

On Sunday, Crew and I headed to church for the first time. Athen did well in the nursery however by the time sacrament came along he was a BEAR - screaming loudly through out the whole building. After church we headed down to San Jose to spend the holiday with my dad. It was HOT. We had dinner and enjoyed playing in the backyard. Athen loved playing outside. Grandpa bought Athen a basketball hoop which he loves. The boys played basketball, went swimming, and rode the Y bike. Athen also loved picking up all of grandpa's plums that fell off the plum tree and put them in the bucket. I'm sure grandpa was happy about this - less for him to pick up and throw away. I always hated this plum tree growing up for this very reason, we were always the ones who had to pick up all the rotten plums on the ground.







It was a nice warm summer night and we heard fireworks out in the front yard so we brought a blanket outside and laid down on the grass and watched the fireworks. To our surprise they were big beautiful fireworks just one street from our house. Athen liked watching the fireworks and staying up late.

Monday morning we woke up to a nice pancake breakfast with bacon, fruit and juice. Rick and the kids and I went to the mall to find Rick some new church/work shirts to go with his nice new suit. I happen to find myself a few new pairs of cute shoes as well. We then headed over to my grandma's house to show off our newest addition.
Great Grandma Oustad



We then headed back to my dad's and spent the afternoon in the backyard swimming and playing in the sun. Crew and I spent most of our time sitting under the apple and plum tree enjoying the shade while the boys swam and ran around.








We had a delicious BBQ. Rick made a homemade Jerk sauce that he got from his Men's Health magazine. Although it took many ingredients and cost a fortune to make it was delicious. We will definately make it again, especially since we now have all the ingredients. He also made some homemade gingerale soda. We had tons of food - Jerk chicken, steak, hot dogs, macaroni salad, pasta salad, watermelon, corn on the cob, chips, peanut butter cookies, and Henry Weinhardt vanilla cream soda.


Athen loved the watermelon!





It was a nice hot summer holiday weekend. I loved it.