Playing Tennis

The weather turned nice on Friday afternoon so Zack, me, Mark, Robert, Jared, and later Serenity and Elizabeth (for a minute) went to the park to play tennis and Serenity and I played on the playground.

The "ball girl"
Robert giving the "signal"

Jared and Mark

Zack waiting to receive the serve.

Candy Cane Shop

Jessica took us to Logan's Candy Store in California and we were able to see how candy canes were made. It was really cool and a lot of work. We were able to taste a piece of the warm candy cane, it was the best candy cane I had ever tasted. I hope to be able to order some or have Jessica get me some.

Making the 5 stripes for the candy cane, their trademark.
Just me in this picture, Zack had already left the store, it was packed.

Making Suckers

Zack thought it would be fun to make some suckers, so we went to a candy shop with Jessica to find out what was needed. On Christmas Night Zack set to work to make the suckers, the first batch did not urn out at all, but he tried again and the second ones were better.

Second time around.
The first batch, it got really sugary and clumpy.

The finished product.

More suckers.

Panda Inn

We got the opportunity to eat dinner at Panda Inn. It was really good. We eat in a private room, and really had a good time. One of my favorite things was their chocolate covered fortune cookies.

Outside the restaurant.
My fortune cookie, wrapped in pink foil!

It is not the best shot, but here is the chocolate covered fortune cookie. So good, I can't remember what my fortune said.

Bowling

Zack and I were able to go bowling for 99 cents a game and 99 cents for shoes, what a deal! We had a great time and I even got 2 strikes in a row! Both our first games were better than the second.

2 strikes in a row, and 2nd place, Elizabeth pulled ahead on the 10th frame with a strike.
Zack and Serenity waiting for her ball.

Here I go, I hope I get a strike.

We like to bowl.

Wild Animal Park

On Tuesday Zack and I were able to go to the Wild Animal Park in San Diego California. It is part of the Sand Diego Zoo, and is a research and breeding facility. The African Safari are was our favorite part. The animals were in a large open area and able to roam within that area without limits. they were all mixed together so we got to see a lot of animals on the bus ride. They even have a campground that would be a lot of fun to stay at.

On the Safari

Rhinos, my new favorite.

The Giraffes were so cute, the smallest one is about 7 months old.

The Ludlow's and Brunson's

Just inside the park.

Another shot of the African Safari.

The water fountain to cool off in, Zack ran through even though it was probably 50 degrees.

I am a Lion hear me Roar!

Hidden Jungle and Hidden Zack

Treetop Walkway, the view was amazing.

At the pelican pond.

I am a bat or.....

maybe I am a frog. As his Dad says he was a frog before I kissed him and turned him into a Prince.

Ice Blocking

Zack and I went Ice Blocking with the Ludlow's and Brunson's instead of sledding on Christmas Eve, since we are in California and there is no snow here. It was a lot of fun, and I actually stayed on once, while going down with Zack. Everyone took a turn ice blocking and had a great time.

Here we Go!
And we're off.

I can do it, balance, balance....

On your mark, get set, GO!

Come and ride the train,

Mark, Robert, and Zack

Christmas Lights

On Sunday night Zack and I, along with the Ludlow's and Brunson's went to see some Christmas lights. There is a neighborhood in Southern California that goes all out, like the Grizwald's. We parked then walked quite a few blocks before reaching the neighborhood. It was a lot of fun. This is one of the simple houses, there was a Disney house, a Nightmare Before Christmas house and many others.

This is after we got back to the car.

Post its galore!

Becki had gone to the 3M plant back east and was able to get post it notes for super cheap. So while on her vacation we talked and she had a great idea to decorate our assistant managers (or someone at work's desk.) We love playing jokes on each other and could not pass this opportunity up. This week gave us the perfect chance to execute our plan. My finals are over so I did not have to rush off to study and Zack and I did not have any pressing plans last night, and Mike left work early. Becki and Tom and I started decorating about 5:45 pm and we finished about 7:30 (including taking some pictures.) To see more pictures check out http://jandbpark.blogspot.com/, Becki's blog. Mike was a good sport about it this morning and was very surprised, and he did ask for more post it notes, so the moral of the story be careful what you ask for and be very specific.

We have an Uno and Dos at the branch (2 Mike's)

Oops did we do that?

Oh Christmas Tree!

Last Tuesday Zack and I set up our Christmas Tree. It was so fun to decorate and really easy. We only had to use 2 strands of lights and all our ornaments would not fit. Last year our tree was about 8 feet tall so this is fun and made decorating a breeze. We have a Christmas tradition of getting a new Christmas book each year, this year we bought "Christmas Day in the Morning" from Desert Book it is a sweet short story about a son's gift to his father.

Here is our little tree with some of our Christmas books.

Yes the tree is shorter than me, I am about 5'3"

Where's my car?

I was off today and Zack did not have to work, so we had a huge list of things that we wanted to get done. I was on the phone with Jenelle as we were heading out the door to go to Wal-Mart to buy a new tree skirt. We usually go out the garage but lately we have used the front door as we did today. We get outside and I look to the spot where we had parked my car last night and there is nothing. That is right my car was gone! I started thinking well I had told my mom she could use it today, but wait she would have called, then I started thinking OH crap my car has been stolen, so I told Jenelle that I had to go because my car was missing. Just then my wonderful, sneaky husband opens the garage door and there is my wonderful (well wonderful when you think it is stolen) car. He had cleaned the garage out last night when I was sleeping so I could park in there! Thanks Zack it came at a great time I love you!
Oh and sorry for the blog posting overload, because I was off, I could wait for my computer to take 2 hours to upload 5 images, I know super slow. I have one more post with some pictures that I will try and post tomorrow about our Christmas Tree!

Thanskgiving at the Ranch

It was really fun to spend the day with the Lore Family at the Ranch here are some more pictures.

My favorite sunset picture!
My cute little "big" brother. I was so glad he actually let me take this shot.

The "nursery" or as the kids were calling it their nest.

A favorite thing to do at the Ranch, or any Lore party, shoot guns!

Here is Jared bracing Nate (the city boy j/k) in case he falls.

Another favorite picture of mine.

A hunting we will go!

A Lore family tradition was started long ago when a Father took his young children to cut down the family Christmas Tree at The Ranch. The children picked out their desired tree but when the Father went to cut it down he realized he did not have a saw. Instead of telling the children this and going back to the car to get one, he pulled out his handy dandy pistol and began to shoot the tree down. As children we did not realize this was not the plan and thus a tradition has been born, we must try and shoot the tree down, then use a saw if necessary. So living up to tradition Zack and I went "hunting" for our tree.

As Zack was saying "SHHH we have to sneak up on it"

Getting closer.........

We both took a couple shots at it then cut the tree down.

Cookin' Turkey

My dad and Zack were the official "Turkey Cookers" this year. Because we were having Thanksgiving in a non-traditional location (outdoors away from electricity, thus away from stoves) they deep fried 3 turkeys. They did a great job and we all really enjoyed them. And sorry the pictures are not in chronological order, I loaded them and don't know how to change the order.

A bit of the turkey for tasting, "now that's the stuff"
I think it's done! Notice Roscoe (the dog) in the background waiting for a treat.

Now we're off! The cooking has begun.

Lowering the first bird into the fryer. Let the fun begin.