Scrapbook Weekend

I have never gone on the scrapbook weekend with the girls before. It never worked with my schedule until this past weekend! I had so much fun! The girls are such die hards - they get up early in the morning and can scrap as late as three and four a.m. the next morning! I brought enough supplies to do four layouts which I finished and I was able to start on Jackson's Valentines's for his classroom.

This first layout I used paper from Crate Paper from their "Static Collection." I bought the paper when the scrapbook store was still open, and I am just now am using it! I am so far behind! The pictures are from when the kids went up to Pismo Beach - Avila Beach - and San Luis Obispo after Christmas with the Dad's.

The second layout is "Turkey Time." This is from thanksgiving this past year! I used American Crafts paper from their Night Fall Collection. I like the colors and how it was balanced with the black. Thanksgiving is always fun to scrapbook, but it makes you hungry!

The third layout I worked on was the finishing touches on Jackson's Cub Scout Fire Department tour page. He is now in Boy Scouts, so I am behind in his Scouting Album also. Fun to see how much he has grown since these pictures were taken. Seems like only months ago... yikes! The fourth layout I'll share later. I amde a Valentine layout.

 I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the Scrapbook Inn was! It was a brand new house with an awesome view. My friend, Valeree and I were able to sit at a large window and look out while we scrapped and munched on snacks. The girls all brought something to share which made it really nice. There were no "food" runs. A new snack or lunch/dinner item was brought out for everyone. How nice!

 We were greeted with this nice sign to help yourself to snacks. Our bedroom had these cute footsie socks with a cute note attached with a ribbon. The home was so clean. You felt so comfortable walking around and using the kitchen and the facilities. I was very impressed. Plus I figured the rowdy group that went were going to get rowdy... but no. They are some serious scrapbookers and got right down to business and worked until the wee hours in the morning. I was even able to finish my book I brought. It was just so relaxing! We did put on the movie The Bridesmaids and cracked up! Thank you Judy for bringing some comic relief! What an awesome Saturday Night!

This is my friend Valeree. We finished up on Sunday and drove to Toms Farms for a late lunch and then headed home. Such a nice way to start of the New Year! Thank you Trish for inviting me!

Sunset From San Luis

The sunsets from our beach house in Shell Beach - between Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo - are always breath taking. It is a wonder why we do not spend more time there. Listening to the waves crash is so relaxing...

Plus the colors from the sun setting over the ridge and the reflections on the water are truly gorgeous. Who needs to travel to Hawaii when California has this just up the coast? During the day the kids can go down to the rocks and venture for sea creatures. They also like to play chicken with the waves! The women folk love to go into town and shop. San Luis has some of the best stores. This time I discovered Mathew Taylor's. This store has the most beautiful items for the home and the floral arrangements are comparable to Jacob Maarse. We also went to the Farmer's Market on Thursday. The street was packed! The most people I have ever seen in San Luis. We had a great time! Love having time off!

Road Trip to Visalia

Road trip up to Central California for Daniela's graduation from Dental Hygiene School took us to San Joaquin Valley to a little town called Visalia. Visalia is the oldest town between San Francisco and Los Angeles and is the "crown jewel" of the San Joaquin Valley. This old time theater is a landmark for the city and was completed in 1930.

The interior reminded me of the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood.

After graduation we caravaned to Shell Beach (Pismo Beach) and stayed the weekend at the beach house. The kids love that! Just hangin' out playing games, reading and watching the waves roll in. We ate at my favorite restaurant Cafe Roma and had pancakes at Apple Farm in the morning! Great weather and a nice weekend! Congratulations Daniela!

Pismo

Pismo Beach is one of my favorite places to visit. It seems each time we go up there, we have a different experience. There is so much to see. There is the pier in Pismo with all of it's flair. A great place to eat a Clam Chowder Bowl. There are non populated sections of the beach you need to climb down a flight of stairs for such as the one in this layout. We collected all kinds of sea shells. The water was a pretty dark teal and the sand with the shades on tan made a wonderful layout using this Creative Imaginations paper.

Avila Beach is by Pismo. Avila was just rebuilt by Union Oil, so the whole town is practically new. It is fun to go to the beach here and hang out on their extremely long pier. Avila is a beach that is in a cove and therefore the pier had to be extra long so the boats could dock without hitting the bottom. On the road to Avila is Avila Farms. A great place to pick berries and buy fresh fruit, fruit preserves, fresh cobblers, pies.... anything you can think of. They make it there. Sycamore Springs, which has the sulfur hot tubs hidden in the hills. You climb to your tub - which are staggered along a very private hillside that is full of trees. Sycamore Springs also has massages. Wonderful, relaxing massages. After a long day at the beach, it is perfect to get a massage and have an intimate hot tub. Plus the restaurant there, as I recall was very good! Such a perfect weekend. And then to fill your shopping habit, San Luis Obispo is 5 minutes away with great stores such as Banana Republic, Abercrombie & Fitch, Pottery Barn, and old fashioned theater called The Fremont. The historic Madonna Inn is there also. This place is definitely worth visiting. Each room is decorated differently and they have their own names. The hotel lobby restrooms are in "caves." The sinks are set in the stone wall. They have a garish gift shoppe too.

A Relaxing Fourth of July!

We took several days up north at our beach home to spend the holiday with family. My sister, her husband and two kids joined us for some shopping, relaxing and eating! One of our favorite stops is Apple Farms. This cute cottage has the most unique boutique items. I love to shop all of the seasonal merchandise! Plus they have the best Blueberry pancakes! Yum! One this visit each of ordered the same thing! As the waiter took our order it was pretty much "ditto" as he asked each of us what we wanted! We went into town and shopped our favorite stores... Anne's is still there - but we MISS Porch, Home & Garden. My sister was bummed that owner decided to close her store last year. Porch, Home & Garden had beautiful traditional style accessories and furniture for the home. Plus they carried several style of "bunnies" which my sister collects. We went back to the beach house to relax in the sun. The Dad's took the






kids to Avila Beach to bogey board. Linda and I sat on the porch and read all the new People Magazine's that David's sister brought up. We feel we have caught up on all the who's who and what's what now. We went to Cafe Roma for dinner. Another one of my favorite restaurants in San Luis Obispo. Always enjoy a good glass of wine and a pasta dish! We walked into town as Thursday Nights are the Street Fair. It was packed! Lots to see and enjoy! Friday, the Fourth of July we watched the fireworks from Aunt Terri's roof top. Her house was knocked down and rebuilt. The third floor is a roof top to lay out on and has speakers that come out of the side walls! Fun to watch the Pismo Beach Firework Display from a warm roof top with old Rock N Roll cranked! "More Than a Feelin'" by Boston was one of the tunes playing from the I-Pod. The kids went down to the street to light sparklers.

Avila Farms is another great stop for fresh fruits, pies, breads, and cinnamon rolls. So gooey and yummy! We had a wonderful Fourth of July. Missed you Lauren. Next year we will plan a great Fourth of July for you since you missed the last two. Can not wait to scrap all my pictures we took. John, I want a copy of all of yours! I love the ones you took!