Tyler's Birthday exTRAVAGANZA

exTRAVAganza continued...

NEXT - we were off to Hearst Castle

This place was amazing!

He collected a lot of catholic art - it was all over the part of the home we toured (there were three guest homes on the property)

our little tour guide lady was hilarious - she had to tame a group of like 6 french VERY LOUD children :)

They owned all we could see from where this house set.

THEN - the last part of our trip...

a drive up the coast to Carmel :) to spend some time by the ocean.

our lovely view from our room :)

and the garden at the hotel

Tyler had some fun at the beach...wish we could have stayed longer!

extravaGANZA

Tyler's third celebration of his 33rd birthday :)

we wrapped it up by having family over for desert...yummy :)

recipes to follow for those interested

we had a house full of kids...and it was so nice! we are so glad to have everyone over that was able to make it!

Blake eating a little candy (i think?!) that he wasn't too sure about :)

Thanks to everyone who helped celebrate Tyler's birthday!

Tyler's Birthday EXTRAVAganza

EXtravaganza:

Tyler's Birthday Extravaganza began with a small family dinner before Dennis left town :) Ghetto homemade cake and all

the boy and papa ;)

Lita and Tyler had some fun in trying to say goodnight - he got poked in the eye because he's so tall that she didn't see where her hand was going as she was trying to touch his face :) so...he came down to her level to help her out :)

And the lovely (half eaten) ghetto cake

(I know, mom, it's not ghetto just because we used butterscotch chips to write out Tyler's name!)

ExTRAVAganza:

I thoroughly enjoyed myself in planning a weekend get-a-way for Tyler and I. To start, Friday after work, he was handed a red envelope telling him we were about to set off for a fun weekend.

We spent the weekend following google maps - just making sure that we knew where we were going each time we got moving ;)

Sadly, we got there after dark, so the excitement wasn't quite there upon arrival :) Our first stop was to Ann & George's B&B in Paso Robles. Their home sat atop a hill with vineyards surrounding them. more b&b pics down further

Saturday, we got on a trolley and went wine tasting. So much fun!! We met some fun teachers and peeps from our group (no pics of the peeps).

Us at the Robert Hall winery

...Tobin James winery....

....and Mr Tobin James - he seemed a lot younger than I imagined he'd be.
We learned that we have a new favorite wine: the Syrah or Petite Syrahs were our favorite in each winery. -fun Boyd fact, I guess :)

Sunday we had birthday mimosas with Ann (who shared a birthday with Tyler!) and the group. They were so cute! They sang happy birthday and were just a really warm and sweet couple. It was very nice to be around them.

After breakfast we headed out to take a walking tour of the grounds.

- a view from the back yard.

and the start of our walk

a view of the house...from half way through our walk :)
...and from another part of the walk (can you see the house?!)

While we were out and about we saw this sign and thought, wouldn't this be a neat name for a girl? (no not sneaking in news, just a thought!)

It's definitely MUCH easier going downhill than it is up!! Here is me being dramatic :)
(or was i?!)

After our walk it was time to say goodbye to Ann & George - but not before Tyler got a birthday present from Ann!! She gave him an artichoke plant! He's so excited - now we just need to learn how to 1. grow them:) and 2. marinate them!

this post is getting long...and if i wait to post until i finish putting this together it will be a bit - so stay tuned to part II of Tyler's birthday!

In This Newsletter:

Got this in an email from a girlfriend today...thought I would share :)

1. Take a 10-30 minute “Thank you” walk every day. While you walk practice gratitude. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. Buy a TIVO, tape your late night shows and get more sleep—it’s the ultimate energizer.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement: My purpose is to___________ today.
5. Live with the 3 E's. Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.
6. Read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Do the “one thing” you have always wanted to do.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.
11. Mentor someone and be mentored by someone.
12. Engage in daily random acts of kindness.
13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing positive energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________.
Today I accomplished____________.
19. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
20. Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy it.