Mini Vacation

The only two downsides going to Oceanside in February are the rocks on the beach and Pappy's Market has weird hours. That's how great this trip was. (No really, click the Pappy's link. It will take you to their Facebook page and inform you when they are open and whether or not they have limes.)

My good friend (and June's new favorite dancing buddy), Carli, has a family-owned beach house that we frequent. I feel like I can finally go to Oceanside wearing my "Don't Hassle Me, I'm Local" t-shirt. We have loved every single stay at that beloved Porter house. And of course my good (and new!) friends all came along. It's terrific to surround yourself with people who know delicious food and delicious times. (See more about it here. Thanks Andrea.)

We were excited to take June to the beach for her first time. We thought her reaction would look something like this.

But instead, it looked like this:

June wasn't impressed with the ocean, but we're relieved she LOVED the sand.

 She's obviously a desert girl.

The weather was perfect. I didn't have my infamous California hair (aka "Seagull Nest") because it wasn't humid. But apparently, June has a m a z i n g beach hair:

The above picture are the Stevensons showing off their cartwheel stunts.
The below family picture is our ride back to Gilbert. We'll see you soon, Oceanside.

Greer 2012

Greer was tops this year. There is just too much to say and too many photos to share, but I'll be brief.  

We did pretty much everything I said in this post. The following are a few more highlights:

· My mom had the famous "Dana Cabin Bear" shipped from Utah to tell the amazing story of Grandpa Joe killing the bear. I think every Dana has heard the famous words: "... In one ear and out the other...." But it was fun sharing that story with the great-grandkids of Grandpa Joe.

· The cabin was amazing. But the best part was the game room. Many tears were shed in that room (because I didn't win a single game of pool). 

· Each night, my family prepared a mini devotional. I loved hearing the testimonies of my siblings.

· William's birthday celebration (I'm WAY behind on posting, but more on that later).

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for creating so many great memories for us. 

Original Coombs:

New Coombs + Dana Bear:

We are nowhere and it's now...

I'm spending the next four days in the White Mountains with my family. There will be treats, games, hikes, picnics, awkward family photos, matching t-shirts, s'mores, and plenty of teasing.

Meanwhile, I'll be listening to this album over and over, reading a few books (if June will let me), collecting wood for holiday decorating, photographing nature, and just taking in the beauty of what is called Greer, AZ.

Sometimes ups outnumber the downs

1. Good-looking cousins with good-looking kids.
2. Cornhole with June... a Utah staple.
3. A-COOL COOL COOL TRICKS.... YEAH!
4. Water-watchin' at City Creek
5. Good times and a good hair day on the Alpine coaster.
6. View on the bridge at City Creek
7. Locked out, but don't mind since we don't experience AZ weather in UT.
8. Booty shake with William's good-looking cousins
9. My first Park City visit. AHHHH-MAZING.


In July, June and I went to Utah twice.


The first time, we flew up with my mom and visited mostly her side of the family. The trip was so fun and again reiterated my belief that I have the funniest family on the planet. They are also the best storytellers (it helps that they also have the best stories to tell). Thanks to my mom for letting me come and treating us to shopping days and good eats. Thanks to my Aunt Carol and Judy for their amazing hospitality. Thanks to Jane and Susan (June's 3rd Grandma) for having such a beautiful home and a perfect lunch. Thanks to Katie and Aileen for traveling great distances to meet June. Thanks to Amy for just being plain awesome.


The second time we went to Utah, we went for a funeral. Then it turned into two funerals. I am so grateful that I got to know how wonderful Grandma B and Uncle Richard are. But I probably won't eat anymore funeral potatoes for a while. 


And of course, it's also always great to spend time with my in-laws: BBQs (my favorite meals), dance parties (complete with costumes), settling Cataan, and Alpine rides with NO BRAKES. Thanks to my in-laws for creating the best memories... and for being so good to June, even though times are tough for her when she's jet-lagged.


Now, a note:


Dear Uncle Reed,


While in Utah attending two funerals, hearing about your sneaky heart attack nearly gave me one. Please refrain from those Dana treat cravings.


Love,
Niece Jenny

San Francisco

I can talk about San Francisco in at least five posts. Lucky for you, I'll keep it at one (maybe two). I expected this city to be amazing. It exceeded my expectations, and we were there for only 48 hours. I already want to go back this very second.

Eat:

• Pizzeria Delfina - get two pizzas, eat both.

• Zazie's for breakfast - particularly their Challah French Toast

• Gott's Roadside - cheeseburger with a side of sweet potato fries AND onion rings

• Sausolito Taco Shop - William said these were the best tacos he's had since his mission in Mexico.

• Salted Caramel Ice Cream from Bi-Rite (I cannot emphasize this one enough.)

Do:

• Bike the bridge

• The Ferry Building on a Farmer's Market Day and sample EVERYTHING

• Trolley Ride to Union Square

• Ride a boat around the Bay

• Muir Woods 

 

Change of plans

Last weekend, I was supposed to go to the beach. We had been planning it for months. Then with just a few days left, we decided that I should just stay home.


It was a difficult transition, going from beach-bound to staying at home. William said that on Saturday, I could do whatever my heart desired.


But all my heart desired was the beach and grilling.  


So first we went to the Tempe Beach Park. June experienced her first splash pad. It was bliss for about ten minutes. But we concluded that with all the children running around her and constantly getting squirted with water, it was a little over-stimulating for June. We'll keep practicing.


Arizona BBQ Festival was next. We sampled some of the finest BBQ I've ever eaten. June enjoyed a baked potato and oreos.

Then we came home and let our tummies rest. At 11:30pm, we grilled pizzas.

Missing the real beach wasn't so bad anymore.

(That last photo is of June riding Grandma's Cadillac Escalade Power Wheel with her cousin Emerson. It's there to look awesome and, as a bonus, completes my Instagram photo square.)

P.S. Yes, this is my third post in a short while where most of the photos I'm posting are from my Instagram...I'll try to be better.

Prescott

Last weekend, my brother Jay invited us to his in-law's cabin. It was loads of fun, and the weather is mighty perfect right now. I haven't been outside this much in a LONG time.

Here's what we did...

Hung out at the cabin.

(The perfect couch?)

Target practice with BB guns (Jay won the contest, but Easton and Mitch rocked those army men. Oh and William tried to cheat.)

Walked downtown.

Candy Store.

Ate good food. (Not pictured: Mary's oh-so-delicious bean burritos)

Stopped by the lake. (where we were attacked by bees)

Ate ice cream.

And finally, we bit off the heads of bats.

Just kidding. This was taken after Emerson ate ice cream... or had a meeting with the Joker?

Plenty good times.

Thanks Jay and Mary! I'd love to see what your cabin looks like in the snow! (hint hint.)

Greer Part V

Well, this is it. The end of my first blog series... and I'm totally sick of it.

Just kidding... although I know some of you probably are, I get it.

Here's my video that sums up the whole vacation.

If you went, you'll appreciate it.

If you didn't go, it'll be super boring, but you should watch it anyway:

Now I owe my family some big thank-you's:

(cue Jimmy Fallon's 'Thank You Notes' Song)

Scott - Thank you for not getting anyone else sick. And thank you for showing us what an amazing Farkle win looks like. That was seriously awesome.

Marilyn - Thank you for being a fun Grandma and organizing some memorable activities. And thank you for understanding the need for a delicious 'half coke half diet' drink on a family vacation like this. You were right: the Rendezvous makes a fantastic soda.

Joe - Thank you for all the Code Red. And sorry for burping in your face and making the room smell like Honey Nut Cheerios. Now you owe me an apology for "Limitless".

Jay - Thank you for reminding us that childhood home videos make for an easy jab at any sibling. By the way, Bobby Brown called. He's been going through a rough time since the arrest and would love to see your reaction to receiving "Ghostbusters Bobby Brown".

Kent - Thank you for saying my favorite line on the vacation: "Let's go to the movie theaters in Eager. I think they're showing Avatar."

Mary - Thank you for making my favorite sandwich. I don't get to eat it very often because my husband doesn't like them (I know, I don't get it either).

Marci - Thank you for making amazing buttermilk pancakes and for keeping your kids pajama supply well-stocked. I love those pajamas.

Tauna - Thank you for quietly chuckling when someone (Kent) chokes at playing games. Your quiet competitive nature makes for some good game nights.

William - Thank you for showing Joe who's boss when you fought him for the best hamburger patty. I'm so proud to be married to you.

Easton, Mitch, Carson, Grant, and London - Thank you for giving June so much attention. Now she's extremely grumpy because her own mother can't compensate the amount of attention that you gave her.

Emerson - Thank you for marking your territory everywhere we went. I really think that's what kept the bears away.

P.S. Dear Ryan, please come next time. WE MISSED YOU!!!

Greer Part IV

(Do you see the burned areas in the above photo? Dumb Wallow Fire ruining the scenery.)

One thing I wanted to do while in Greer was take family pictures. Since we're low on funds, I couldn't hire a fancy photographer. And since I don't know much about fancy photography, I simply took my fancy camera and my fancy tripod and hoped for the best.

The first day we were there we went to the Greer Lakes. We set up the tripod my sisters-in law (thank you!!) snapped away. I suppose the trick is to just keep snapping. I think we took 70-80 pictures, but these were really the only ones that turned out:

The above photo is cute to me because you can see June's pacifier hanging out of her dad's pocket... so precious.

Not too shabby. I realize the coloring on some of them are funky, but I'm slowly learning the ways of Photo Editing.

Last Greer post is tomorrow!

Greer Part 5 is entitled "My Home Video That Only Those Who Are In It Will Enjoy". YES.