10.10.2008: Rehearsal Dinner at Longshadow Winery

On Friday evening, Jason and Kerry had their rehearsal dinner at Longshadow Winery in Temecula, and were kind enough to invite all of us! The winery is one of Vince & I's favorites...as much for the ambiance as for the actual wine. We went wine tasting there for Mom's 50th b-day back in March and had a blast! Anyways, the food was amazing and the drinks (WINE!) were flowing! Thank goodness we were in a tent because it was freezing outside! We loved it though...it was a nice escape from this AZ heat.


So, at the rehearsal dinner, the bride & groom gave speeches (Kerry gave a wonderful speech in Spanish to Jason's grandma!), handed out their bridal party gifts, and officially marked the beginning of the wedding about to happen. The rest of the evening was spent drinking, dancing...mostly by Andrew!...checking out the horses on the property, and just mingling with each side of the family. As Durbins, we know all the Sparks, as they have been our family for 25+ years now. But this was the first opportunity most of us had to meet Kerry's side. They were all extremely nice and very grateful to be out in CA for the event! Vince and I hit it off with some other AZ folks that are somehow related to Kerry...I don't really remember!! I think we all had a great evening and got to meet lots of new friends!!

So, after the rehearsal dinner ended, most of the Spark group ended up back at Mom & Dad's casita for more drinks. Somehow that turned in to a full-fledged party with WAYYYY too much alcohol and lasting well into the next day. I don't quite remember what time it ended, but I do remember security coming to tell us to quite it down. And I vaguely (clearly) remember Mom yelling at Vince every time her (or anyone else's) glass ended up empty!! He, as always, became the official re-filler!! We went thru about 25 bottles of wine, and more kept coming thru the door. Special thanks to Scottie who ended up on a beer run while out driving around trying to get Riley to fall asleep! OOOPS! :) It was truly a blast and we were sooooo happy to be able to share that last night of bachelorhood w/ Jason & family! I hope it was as (pleasantly) memorable for him!!! Wish you were there too, Kerry!! :)

Be sure to look at the Wedding Pics link on the side, as there are TONS more rehearsal pics on there too!!!

10.10.2008: San Diego Pre-Wedding Outing

On Friday, the day before Jason & Kerry's wedding, the boys played golf at Torrey Pines in La Jolla. Since Kent & Vince were playing, Tammy, the girls, and I decided to hang out and cruise around La Jolla and PB for the day. We went to La Jolla cove to see the seals, and then walked up & down Garnet to check out all the little shops. It was gorgeous weather!!! We met the guys at the course for lunch when they were done, then headed to Temecula for the rehearsal dinner!

10.04.2008: Drake's Flag Football

So, I think I mentioned that we decided to sign Drake up for flag football this year...seeing as how his body seems to be made for it! He is the same size as many of the 8 year olds out there...and he is only 6. Not to mention super fast too! So, Vince and I have been practicing with him in the evenings and weekends when we have him. He has caught on really really well. He can throw a perfect spiral, he can catch most of the balls thrown to him, and he can run! Still needs to practice the tucking of the ball though! Oh, and Vince Jr is going to teach him some end zone celebration dances.....that will be interesting!!

He had his first game on Sat, and did really well! He also scored his first touchdown. The team as a whole did amazing...considering how they just looked in practice on Thurs night!! I don't think they won though...oh well...more about the fun at this age anyways!! Here are some pics from both practicing at the park, and his first game. It is a lot of fun for us...and reminds me of Brent & Kenny's football days! This will be fun to watch Drake grow into the sport!!

9.27.2008: Random Pics & Thoughts

Last weekend we BBQ's here at the house...ribs & chicken. YUM-OOOO!! Casual night w/ Brent, Alisa, kids, VJ, and Brian Greene. It is nice just having little BBQ's at the last minute and inviting over the family. The kids had a blast....besides the usual running each other wild, we went for a night swim after dinner. The pool is finally cool...which is nice!! Stayed up late eating cake, drinking beer, then coffee, watching football....very nice day!

Looks like Kaizen is going to be my new photo subject since the kiddos moved out! Well, not that they could ever be replaced since I still take thousands of pics of all of them every chance I get....but Kaizen is here all day! What else am I supposed to do!! She was trained to do a few little tricks that are kinda cool...sit, paw, lay, and high fives. Doesn't know the play dead or roll over yet though. She is giving Vince high fives in the last pictures. She is so well behaved (unless left alone in the house...then she becomes a different dog and goes crazy!!). We are loving her more and more everyday!! :)

Oh, and also, even though I don't have pictures yet....Drake started flag football last week. This is Drake's first time playing and Vince is coaching the team. First time for all the kids playing, and for the coaches...So it is VERY interesting!! :) Had our first practice this week and it looked like the Dads were trying to herd a bunch of cats. 5 & 6yr olds aren't too good with attention spans or listening yet! It is going well though! His first game is Oct 4th....so anyone that wants to come!! :) Every Saturday thru mid-Nov! It should be a blast!!! :) I will post pics of that next week!

09.13.2008: Brent & Alisa's House

So, over the past few weeks Brent & Alisa and the kids have been moving into their new home here in AZ. Officially moved in over Labor Day weekend, but the unpacking & rearranging process is somewhat ongoing. Vince & I have gone over there each weekend to hang out, mostly just cuz we miss not having them all here anymore! And also to try to help out w/ little stuff here & there. The other weekend we took Drake over and we all spent the night. Vince installed kitchen hardware (and drank wine), Alisa & I decorated and cooked (and drank wine), and Brent installed living room speakers (and a bunch of other stuff) and grilled....on the pre-bad-ass-grill! (Their old one broke so we had to use the little camping one! Oh well.) Oh, and yes, we really only live about 30 miles apart, but after 4 bottles of wine, it is best to just spend the night! :) We all had a great time!! The kids played like crazy...the dogs played too. Well, Kaizen played and Yukon gave her dirty looks for bugging him. Oh well...poor Yukon!

Last weekend, Mom and Dad came down from CA, probably also just cuz they missed having them around their house too! Vince and I came over for dinner and an evening of "Loaded Questions". A fun board game that Kenny & Nicole introduced us to! Andrew entertained us on the side with his Urkel impressions (see pics below). He is definitely Brent's son!

Last night, Alisa and the kids came over to spend the night cuz Brent was working late. Brian Greene came over too. We just hung out at the house listening to music, playing name that tune, watching the kids & dog play, etc... Just like old times!! And like new times too!! Hopefully those nights wont change! Here are some random pics from the past 2 weeks!!!

09.01.2008: We got a dog.....

So, while in mouring of Yukon moving back in with Brent & Alisa, we got a rebound dog. Actually, timing was just a coincidence... Jackie, Vince's sister has some friends that were getting rid of their Akita. The kids left for college and the mom didn't want to raise the dog. So, wanted to give it away to a good home. Vince spoke with her, and she brought the dog over the next day. We named her Kaizen, because Akita's need to have Japanese names. It is an engineering term that means process improvement or striving for perfection. She is absolutely beautiful. She even acts pedigree. The prior owners paid like $3,000 for her (yes, crazy!), she has champion pedigree blood lines, AKA's, shots, obedience training, medical health plan, you name it. Basically, she came fully loaded. So, we have been puppy training for the past few weeks. She is 10 months old now....and is a really good dog. Brianna is scared to death of her because she LOVES to lick you! Andrew likes her, and is now getting really good w/ her. Always wants her to play with him and likes to have her do her tricks for him. Drake LOVES her!! They play all day and wear each other out...which is GREAT! Vince and I think she gets depressed when it is just us cuz she truly loves having other people & dogs around. She is great with the kids, which is so important to us because there are ALWAYS kids around!! Oh did I mention she is huge! She is really tall already, and still growing. Standing up, she can put her front paws on my shoulders. Very long legs! Great puppy though! Can't wait for everyone to meet her!! :)