10.30.2009: Cassy's Birthday

For my birthday, we did stuck with tradition and went to Houstons for dinner after having a pre-dinner cosmo at the Hyatt Gainey....our other tradition. Vince and I hadn't been back since he proposed there, so it was really nice going there! Brent, Alisa, Brian, and Jodi met us there for a nice drink and some crazy Greek stomping music before heading to dinner. Houston's never disappoints...had a great dinner with great family & friends!! Had to take our picture with Juan (man in the photo)...as we always do! Oh, and Vince gave me a iPod Home stereo system...very nice...of which I have not had a chance to actually use yet...but have been able to enjoy the music coming out of it which Vince is using it! ;) Guess that counts!

10.25.2009: Pumpkin Patch

On Sunday afternoon we went to the Pumpkin patch to pet some goats, watch some pig races, ride some big trikes, walk thru a corn field, eat some nuts, and oh yeah, find some punkins! The kids had a blast doing all of those!!! They pet the goats and other wierd animals in the petting zoo....slid down some big slide into hay and dirt...which the boys LOVED...rode around on these big trike things (adults had to peddle, kids got to ride...which was more work than we were all looking to do!) Kids rode on some kiddee rides....we rode on a back-breaking, neck jerking roller coaster that some people seemed to think it was fun, but made me want to go to a chiropractor. As the sun was going down, we took a walk thru the corn field...very children of the corn-like! Not spooky since there were many other people also walking thru corn. Just wierd. And wierd people.

After that we went to watch the pig races...yes, pig races...again, wierd...but the kids loved it!! Then we walked thru the punkin patch looking for some mini-punkins for the kids, got some hot nuts (candied almonds, pecans, and cashews)....which was a great appetizer for dinner, and went home.

10.18.2009: Puppies & Home

After a weekend of wine tasting we came back to Mom & Dads house to play with the puppies for a while before heading back to AZ. The kids get to ride the tractor, and we get to play with all the dogs :) Lazy Sunday afternoon before getting in the car for the 5 hour drive home.

10.17.2009: Temecula Wine Tasting Weekend

Instead of having bachelor/bachelorette parties, we decided to have a wine tasting weekend for our family & friends up in Temecula. Mom & Dad rented a house for us all to stay in for the weekend so we could hang out after a day of wine tasting. They also rented a open air trolley to transport us back & forth from different wineries for the day. We met at Ponte for lunch....but they couldn't accomoate our big group....so headed to South Coast, which has a bigger restaurant. Had a GREAT lunch there...then hopped on the trolley and began our day!

Started out at Wilson Creek....of course :) One of our favs! We could have used all of our tasting coupons on the Almond Champ...but decided to branch out and try some of their other wines as well. Delish! Next we headed over to Churon Winery...which is very French chateau like! PRETTY! The lady there stopped counting our tastings and just gave us a lot of everything. Some good wines there too....and very personal!! NEXT we headed across the street to Baily Winery. LOVED this place...bought a couple bottles here. Took some pics too...the ones with the wierd lighting. Very dungeon-y...but with big high windows. Lastly we went over to Mt Palomar. Great red wines....live music outside...very pretty area. Spent a while here....mainly because our trolley driver stranded us....and we ended up here for an extra hour. Oh well....nothing like being stranded at a winery! Haha!

After the day of tasting, we headed back to the house. AWESOME house up on a hill overlooking the Temecula Valley.Fire pit, pool, jacuzzi, HUGE patio, BBQ...5 bdrms....pool table....all NICE!!! We coulda just stayed here all day and drank our own wine!! :) Had a fabulous dinner.....then played name that tune while sitting out on the patio enjoying the evening. Super nice day & night!!! Thanks to Mom & Dad for making it all happen for us!!!

10.12.2009: Tucson Desert Museum

On Monday, Drake had the day off school for Columbus Day, and Vince offered to drive his mom down to Tucson. She was going down for the week for her annual family reunion....so we took the day to spend with Vince's uncle and to go to the Desert Museum there. It was very cool...not cool like cold...it was still pretty warm out...but cool like we had fun! There were all kinda of animals there...big horn sheeep, big cats (Pumas, Cheetahs, Cougars, etc...), otters, snakes, lizards, gems, catci, etc...Drake LOVED it and can't wait to go back. We got suckered into buying annual memberships (I'm all about getting the best deal ya know!?), so I am sure we will be back. After spending the day there, we went to eat at our favorite Italian restaurant in Tucson...YUMMY! Nice day off work and school :)