06.27.2015: Dinner at the Durbins

Tonight we went over to Brent & Alisa's for dinner.  Mike & Olivia were in town and we hadn't had a dinner together yet.  We were also all pretty bummed out about Bill so thought it would be nice to be around some family.  We had fish tacos, which were delish!! 

 

Avery was pretty entertaining tonight.  She kept us entertained for sure!  Who needs cable when you have this one??

 

We (the adults) took a shot of tequila for Bill and had a moment for him.  I have a feeling there will be many of these in the next few weeks.....

 

06.21.2015: The Return Trip

The next morning we met for breakfast downstairs and then headed back up to Falkner to show Dad.  He didn't see it yesterday because he was at work.  Ken & Kelsea also wanted to put their deposit down on it to save the date.  The owner wasn't there, so they were going to have to call it in...but we did get to walk around and show Dad the place. 

While we were there, we bought some more wine.  K&K and Vince and I all joined their wine club too.   We also made a pit stop at Barons to stock up on our favorite local wines. This used to be the place where we could go get ANYTHING.  They don't carry as much as they used to it seems.  More of the production wines now.  Must be because people caught on and just bought their wines there at cheaper prices than at the actual wineries.

We headed back to Riverside, then Vince and I packed up and headed home.  Good long day!!  Once again a fun, fun weekend with the family!

06.20.2015: The Famous Crab Spaghetti

So, while we were out wine tasting, Kelsea's Grandma was hard at work making a huge batch of her famous crab spaghetti for about 20 people.  Some of Kelsea's relatives all came over in the afternoon & hung out.  So much fun!  We had met them all at the engagement party, but didn't really get to know them.  So, it was fun seeing everyone again so soon and spending some time with them.

 

Back to the spaghetti. So its like regular spaghetti but made with Dungeness crab.  Holy cow!  Who knew....so, so good!! Dad met us there a little later because he had to go into work for the day.  The corvette needed some miles put on it anyways :)

 

After a great meal, and just hanging out with the family for a bit, we headed to the hotel to check in & take a quick cat nap. We weren't much feeling like getting out, but we get it together and headed to Pechanga.  I was the DD...and was very fine with not drinking tonight!  I tested my liver enough last night for sure.

 

After a few hours at Pechanga, we called it quits with no luck and headed back to the hotel to get some much needed rest!

 

Yes, we needed the bibs!!

06.20.2015: Wedding Venue Shopping

After just a few days of recovery at home, Vince and I headed out to Riverside for the weekend to go to Temecula with the crew for wedding venue shopping!!  Ken & Kelsea made appts at 2 places that were definite frontrunners for locations.  Which also meant wine tasting!! Whoohoo! Although last night we stayed up late doing our own wine tasting at the house.  Therefore SOME of us were hurting pretty badly the next morning and the last thing we wanted to think about was more wine.  I know, I know...I said the unthinkable...but it was true! HURTING.

 

Anyways, we gathered ourselves and packed our bags and loaded into the Durango (Mom, K&K, and Vince and I) and headed south.  Dad had to work for the day so was meeting us later.  We all got rooms down there just in case we didn't want to drive home...and we FELT like we might head to Pechanga for a bit that night.  Never know...it was wine tasting!

 

So anyways, we met over at Kelsea's grandma's house, who lives in Temecula.  She was making us a big crab spaghetti lunch/dinner for when we came back from our appts.  Wasn't too sure about the whole crab spaghetti thing...but will get to that in the next post.

 

Back to the wineries....first stop was Falkner Winery.  Wasn't too sure of this place on first approach.  Seemed nice, pretty views.  We met with the owner who personally took us around the entire place, detail over detail over detail.  We ended up spending 2 full hours there going thru everything you could imagine.  Even before the wedding, I say that I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a Temecula winery to have a wedding or event at.

 

We almost blew off the next appt because we were all so sold on this place.  However, decided to go check it out anyways, just incase.  It was pretty, but definitely did not hold a candle to Falkner.  So there it is...we were all sold on it!



 

06.15.2015: Vegas Baby....Showers Baby!

So, we were driving through beautiful Idaho and Utah when we started checking out the map and directions home...figuring out timing and if we were going to stop at a hotel or keep going, and/or where we would stop.  At the same time, Mom and I both realized that if we go thru Vegas, it is the same total distance home as if we go through Page & Flagstaff.  DUH!!!  So, let's head to Vegas...AND free hotel rooms!!

We were pretty beat, and stinky and TIRED when we got in....so we all showered up and headed downstairs for dinner.  Everyone went straight to bed.  Vince and I went down and literally gambled for about 10 mins.  We were too exhausted.

Woke up early the next morning and headed straight out....time to go home sweet home!

06.15.2015: The Elusive Yellowstone Sign

Soooo, as we head out of the park, we "plan" to stop at the Yellowstone sign for our group pic.  We HAVE to get a pic with the sign...

Well as we were exiting the park, we realized that the Yellowstone signs are only on the entrance side.  Therefore, we would have to cross the road to get it...and therefore, sit in a huge line of cars waiting to get in the park.  Negative.  Did not happen.

Therefore, you get the photoshopped by Cassy picture:

Pretty legit, if I do say so myself!!!

 

 

06.15.2015: Good Last Morning Yellowstone

Last early morning in Yellowstone.  I think I must have gotten up extra early today because it was still dark.  Didn't want to miss anything though!  So, got up with the usual routine of making coffee then heading off on my walk to see what I can see.  It was a short one because it was freezing so wanted to get my coffee to take with me.  Went back & filled up, grabbed the camera then headed back out.  There was an elk in the open meadow by the lake.  He just looked at me for a long while...I didn't get close, at all.  Just watched him back and took some pics.  They are kinda blurry because I was literally freezing.  It was only like 30 degrees out!

 

As I was standing there watching the elk eat & walk around, I realized that if I got attacked by a bear or something, no one would know since everyone was asleep and I had walked off.  Obviously, I am sure someone would find me eventually...but you know.   Thoughts of a grizzly dragging me off into the forest set in haha!  Guess I should have brought a gun on my little jaunt into the woods.  So, needless to say, as this was all crossing my mind, I didn't continue to wander very far by myself.  I headed back to the site to start the fire and refill my coffee.

 

As I was starting the fire, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something moving up on the road ahead of us.  It was brown and BIG.  I ran up there hoping to catch sight of something cool.  It was a giant elk standing right in front of me.  So I backed down the hill to get my camera and he just waited watching me.  As I got back up there, he started making darting moves in the opposite direction, like something was chasing him...and kept looking back down the road (not toward me).  I was thinking a bear was chasing him...what else could it be?  No one was up...it was super quiet....what would chase an elk down the road?  Well, never saw anything, but I can only assume it was something scary :)  Probably better I didn't see it.

 

Anyways, after breakfast, we packed up the site and loaded the trailer and started our journey out of the park. So sad...we did NOT want to leave yet!  Although the thought of a shower soon sounds amazing!!

 

 

Mama & baby...sooo cute (in my best Avery voice)

06.14.2015: Sunsets Over the Lake

Once we all reconvened back at the campsite, we all walked over to the lake.  On our way in, there was an elk walking through the field, so we all went over to go see it and take in some last views.  Tonight is our last night here ....  :(

 

Once we got to the field, the elk had already run off, but we still got to enjoy some great views.  So pretty here...and so sad we have to leave tomorrow.

 

 

Avery is a coloring machine

Andrew was baiting a bird.  It kept flying super close to eat chip scraps.  He thought if he put one on his forehead and was super still, it could come eat it.  No luck though.  He looked pretty cute laying there like this though haha!

This flannel jacket has made the rounds in the Hearn-Durbin house.  If you look back at the blog through the years, you will see Drake in it....then Andrew for a few years....and now Brianna.  It is sooo warm and cozy, wish it fit me!

Vince photobombing the girls

Campfire stories....

Our standard group shot.  After 3 or 4 days of no showers, we all looked so pretty, and smelled even better!!  The good thing was that we were all in the same boat, so no one could complain.   Guess it was time to go home. Looking forward to a shower, and soap!