Catching Up! Our November Birthday Trip

Hello Blogger Friends - I am waaayyy behind on keeping up with my blog. We have been up to many things, and I find myself reflecting on our November, and then I realized that it is the end of December! Where does the time go? Our November was busy. I turned 42 on the 9th and we took a fun, romantic, no children included trip to Monterrey, CA. We flew from Vegas to San Jose and then rented a car (which because it was my birthday ended up being a convertible) and drove the short 1 hour drive through the hills to Monterrey...to see the ocean and the otters at the Monterrey Aquarium. Here are a few pictures of our trip: Big Sur - the most beautiful place I have ever seen .... this is a view from a the beach and the ocean and birds...aahhh

Wayne and Janet at Sunset...on my birthday

We went on a whale watching boat tour and saw many whales. Here is a Humpback Whale's tale fin .. pretty amazing!

Wayne near Pebble Beach on the coast many, many, many seal lions African River Otter - the reason I wanted to go to Monterrey in the first place - to see the new Otter habitat at the Aquarium. FUN! Big Sur Convertible Ride ~ I made a Video!!

Convertible ride through Big Sur. The reason Wayne looks concerned is that I am filming while the police are driving by.... I didn't even see them!

What a beautiful and perfect day this was!

Book Review - For Parent's Only (read to the end...there may be a prize!)

Shaunti Feldhahn is known for unlocking the mysteries of relationships for men and women. Now she turns to a parent’s relationship with a child, particularly a child of the opposite sex. Drawing on the results of a nationwide survey of kids and teenagers, she explores questions such as: What do moms need to understand about the “tough and tender” boy who values respect over love? What do dads need to understand about their daughter’s need for affirmation? What are the six biggest pet peeves teens have about their parents? Understanding the answers to these and other important questions can help parents make the holidays a time of celebration and unity, not strife and friction. For Parents Only offers a unique look into a child’s mind and frees readers to communicate in healthier ways as they discover that understanding their kids may not be as complicated as they think. Author Bio:

Shaunti Feldhahn is the author of For Women Only and numerous other books, with sales totaling nearly one million copies. A nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and public speaker, Feldhahn earned her master’s degree at Harvard University. She and her husband, Jeff, have two young children. Lisa A. Rice is the associate editor of Christian Living magazine, the mother of two teenage girls, and a screenwriter and producer.

I have been given 2 free copies to share with 2 parent friends. If you would like a copy, please e-mail me at tokyopatirce@hotmail.com with your address and Iwill send it out. The first 2 friends to e-mail me get the freebies!

It's Halloweeeeeeeeeen Time

Even though the boys are older, they still enjoy the dressing up and getting / giving candy fun that is Halloween. This year, Grant's friend James joined us for an evening of Trunk or Treat at the Church parking lot. For the past few years, Grant has been 'in charge' of the handing out of candy to the 'little kids...' He made a spooky mix of Halloween music to play as he hands out the goods. It is fun to watch him enjoying the giving part of the night. Grant and James decided to be un-politically correct and dress as politicians . Grant was the Republican (much to his mom's disgust) and James was a Democrat (much to his own disgust). They both wore dark suites and red/white/blue ties and Grant slicked his hair back, a' la Mitt Romney. James, the democrat carried a big, fake knife and Grant, the republican, had on scary skull gloves. When asked what they were dressed as, they would say, "we are politicians...I'm a democrat, I'm a republican .... we are the scariest ones here!" I would have to agree.....

Democrats and Repulicans set aside their differences for one evening of handing out choc-o-late to the kiddies ....

Devin is 13 and still young enough to trick or treat and still loves the whole party atmosphere of the trunk or treat. A few weeks back, we were at one of those Halloween costume stores that seem to crop up the day after school starts and Devin saw one of those inflatable Sumo Suits. Well, he wanted that from the moment he saw it....so I finally gave in after a few weeks and we went back to get it. He looked so cute and so big! He waddled around and belly bumped his dad - which looked hysterical! He also was the official assistant to the politicians - sort of like a chubby page... It was funny and he loved it!

Devin San in the center of it all....

Devin and his friend Spencer - who was on skates and who Devin pulled around all night - quite the site!

My Neighbor, The Monster

Grant just wrapped up his roll as "Joey" in the local play, "My Neighbor, The Monster" with the Rainbow Company youth ensemble.

The play is based in Boulder City, NV in the 1960's. It is about 3 friends who are in to the old time 'horror movies,' two of the friends, "Timmy and Joey" (Grant) work in a movie theatre for a Jewish theatre owner. (side note - Boris Karlof really did stay at the Boulder City Hotel in the 1960's for his honeymoon....thus the location for the play was born)

Like in most towns, there is a neighborhood 'spooky' house that has a spooky old man living in it. When the 3 friends are up in a tree trying to get a better look at the guy, Timmy falls out of the tree and gets caught by the spooky man. Turns out the spooky man is an old time Horror Movie actor and the fun ensues with "appearances" by Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Frankenstein, the Bride of Frankenstein and many other 'creeps...' It was a fun play, lots of driving to rehearsals and performances, but something that Grant loves to do and we love to watch him do. His name was even mentioned in the local paper's review of the play. He has entered the 'big time' now! AND to the play's credit, my mom even enjoyed it!

Rainbow Company will be presenting The Wizard of Oz in December - very family friendly! He is not in this cast, but he is performing in his high school play, "The Worst High School Play In The World" in December and working on the Sound Crew for Oz. So a few busy play months are ahead for our family, but it is all a lot of fun and great memory building experiences. Here are some pictures from the play......MY NEIGHBOR, THE MONSTER.

"Joey" (Grant in Hawaiian shirt) up in a tree with his friends looking for the spooky neighbor

The friends meet the spooky neighbor - or how they THINK he looks....immagination is a great thing!

Grant - center - at the movie theatre discussing MONSTERS!

a few of the monsters.....

right before the cast took thier bow...

Grant and the cast signing autographs for children after the play.....he LOVED this part!

Grant and Devin with Frank....enstein....

Happy NEVADA DAY! (A.K.A. Halloween!)