Catching up yet again . . .
We have been busy the last two weeks with a great visit as Jenn, Andy and Kevin came into Camarillo from Las Vegas for five fun filled days, the start of Newbury Park H.S. JV American football Spring practice and a trip to Seattle for Sophie Johnson's high school graduation.
Visitors
With the Contreras Clan back together for a few days, it meant only one thing . . .
Grandchild CRAZINESS!!!
Kevin up to his usual antics
So Jacob just had to follow his lead
We can DANCE!!!
The Happy Song from the movie Despicable Me 2 did the trick for these two.
Yet again.
Learning about a New Toy
Jenn and Mike explaining the concept, and then, surprisingly . . .
They SHARED!!!!!!!!
Kevin, Jenn and Jacob
"Gimme Two!"
The Santa Barbara Zoo
On Friday, we loaded up the car as Laurie and I joined Andy and Jenn for a trip for the cousins to see the animals.
Mike and Vanessa used the always lame excuse that they had to work that day.
Kevin and Jacob
The Calm before the STORM!
Turtle chasing Duck
The Cousins took this scene in earnestly and, unbeknownst to us, made a blood-oath pact to do the same the rest of the day.
There they GO!!!
On the Zoo Train
Andy riding with his son Kevin up front and Jacob with me behind them.
Kevin had a GREAT time!
He and Jacob left us all exhausted!
Nothing that a hamburger at The Spot in Carpinteria couldn't fix as it turned out.
Back at Casa Contreras
Jacob swinging for the short
right field fence
Kevin taking his hacks as well
To top everything off, a HUGE thanks to Andy who was able to reconstruct/reinforce our relatively new bed frame that was either cheaply made or unable to support my weight (Laurie is as light as a feather you know). I know that he did not get his knowledge of woodworking from my side of the family, thank you Grandpa Bill!
It is always SO MUCH fun when we all get together. We will do it again later this Summer when the eight of us get together again for a week at a beach house in Carpinteria.
CAN'T WAIT!!!
Sophie Johnson's Graduation
On Sunday, we got up bright and early for the drive to the Bob Hope Burbank Airport and a flight to Seattle.
We had been invited for the end of a very busy weekend, as our friends Susie and Mark Johnson's oldest daughter was graduating from Holy Names Academy (founded in 1880).
I say busy because the powers that be at this exclusive, girls only high school planned to keep the soon-to-be-graduates busy long before we arrived.
Friday night was their Baccalaureate.
Saturday was their Prom.
Sunday night was their Graduation and all-night after graduation party (no males allowed).
Monday afternoon (Memorial Day) was a BBQ for family and friends at the Johnson House.
WOW!!!
Holy Names Academy
2014 Graduation at
Benaroya Hall
Benaroya Hall Balconies
They were packed too
The Graduation was held in this sparkling new music hall in downtown Seattle, not on their campus.
Again, WOW!!!
Sophie and her proud Parents
The Graduation was lovely and Sophie's next stop is the Honors Program at Biola University in La Mirada, California.
Beth's Cafe 12 Egg Omelette
Sunday night at about 11:00 p.m., Sophie's younger sister Mallory mentioned that she had never been to Beth's for a shot at one of their infamous omelets.
Since Sophie was with her classmates on their all-night Graduation Party, Mark and I, in unison,
yelled . . . "ROAD TRIP!"
After changing into more suitable clothes befitting Beth's iconic standing and clientele, we arrived at this historic 24 hours-a-day diner at midnight. It was packed and we had nine people in front of us but, due to the high turnover, we were seated within 10 minutes.
We team-ate about 3/4s of the omelet and took the rest home. I really can't believe that we did not eat the whole thing to a sickening American culinary excess.
Mark and I are getting old, I guess.
Mallory played the "I'm Petite" card on us.
MEMORIAL DAY BBQ
Another BEAUTIFUL day in Seattle!
It was so nice that I even walked the Johnson's little dog/puff ball, Millie.
What were the odds of that.
The Johnson's have one of the most incredible views out of the back of their home, the Montlake Cut built in 1916.
The Cut links Lake Washington via Portage Bay and Lake Union to the Puget Sound. Their home is just a short walk from the University of Washington's recently renovated Husky Stadium.
The Cut is home to the UW Crew
Sailboats on Portage Bay
BIG Boat heading to the Cut
The UW Hospital across the Cut
The Montlake Draw Bridge
The previous five pictures were all taken either in the Johnson's backyard or near it.
We were sent out to get some ice and . . .
. . . wouldn't you know it,
this burger place was nearby
Their burger was quite good but their onion rings might have been the BEST I've ever had!
I've had a few onion rings over the years as it turns out.
The ice we bought was exceptional too.
Mark Thanking People
At the the BBQ, Mark, Susie and Sophie wanted to thank several people who were keys along the way. Mark is introducing/thanking Sophie's eight grade teacher here.
Lee and Jon Kadletz
While Jon was one of my roommates back in the 1960s, Laurie first met him in elementary school growing up in La Crescenta, California.
He and Lee got married soon after he graduated from the UW.
They moved back to Seattle from SoCal several years ago and we just don't see them often enough.
Another View of the Cut
Sunset over Portage Bay
Everyone had left the BBQ but
Laurie had one more smore to make
Tuesday
We stayed an extra day as we got a ridiculously cheap air flight rate if we left Seattle on Tuesday night.
This gave us a chance to have breakfast at the Edgewater Inn with two of our favorite people Christie and Jason Johnson. We first met them in 2008 when Jason was the QB of Sicily's Catania Elephants and I was one of their coaches.
It was SO good to see them and catch up!
The Space Needle
I think that this is famous in these parts.
French Food for Lunch in Ballard!
Nope, closed on Tuesdays.
Instead we ate a pig or two at the excellent Bitterroot BBQ restaurant just down the street.
Susie and Laurie
Before an easy flight home, we spent the rest of Tuesday afternoon in the Johnson's backyard watching the world go by on the Montlake Cut.
And having some wine.
Don't get too close
A Sea Plane in the Cut?
That's more like it
George and Mark
We've had a good friendship for a long time . . .
. . . a VERY long time indeed!
This is a picture of us as skydivers in October of 1969.
It was our first and only time to jump out of an airplane. We each went solo as the concept of a tethered jump with an instructor to guide you was not yet a safety concern or concept.
