Trip to Dripping Springs, TX

It's Labor Day weekend, and we head down to Big 'Ol Texas to see my dad's side of the family. We decide to take I-35, for the first time ever (instead of 75) and ended up sitting in OKC for just under 2 hrs in traffic...not moving...staring at a long line of brake lights. Ugh! I even got off an hour early from work to head down and make our arrival an early one. But that plan got shot in the foot and we ended up in Dripping Springs, TX at 2:30 a.m. But surprisingly, the two cups of coffee I had drank kicked in and I chatted up a storm until 3:30 (as well as some handstand's in the middle of the den). Everyone waited up to see us. It was so good to see them all!
We got up early to try and make a CrossFit workout in Austin. In my made rush to get ready, I noticed that I left my running shoes in Tulsa. Not just in the house forgetting to grab them..no, no...I forgot them in the driveway. I just had a brain fart and didn't lift them the extra 4 feet into the truck. Crazy Kelsey! We missed class. It just kept talking to everyone who came down for breakfast and I was having a lot of fun making everyone omelets, Kelsey style! But no problem! There was a farmers market just up the road that looked fun!
We walked around, carefully examining all the "fun" things they have at these events. I pet pretty much every dog there. There was a black Newfoundland named Hendrix that was the sweetest, biggest, furriest dog I have every met!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Uncle Rob was making a delicious dinner! Honey roasted ham and a potato casserole. It was so yummy!
Sunday, I gave my grandpa a manicure and pedicure. He isn't able to get out much anymore, and has lost most of his sight. He really enjoyed it! Then my dad took me and Samuel to Hamilton Pool. This is a beautiful, hidden place! You hike to get down to it, then you arrive at a spring fed pool, partially enclosed by a cave with a waterfall. It was so pretty! And so full! We had to wait 30 minutes to get into the park. Samuel and I went to go swimming, but the "below normal human" temperatures allowed only my legs to acclimate...then we made a fast exit! The beach was filling up even more with Austin's weirdest, so we decided it was time to make like a baby and head out.
Monday we said our goodbyes and were on the road by 9 and home by 5.

A Full Day

Ahhhh, it's Saturday. I love Saturday's! The sun creaps through the window blinds and slowly crawls up my face to my eyes. I wake up and head to the kitchen to start on some breakfast. Scrambled eggs and a banana are on the menu today. The morning consisted of taking the dogs for a morning run (with Samuel in the go cart), and a family rolling up the driveway. The Waylands arrive to hook up a trailer and move their son to TU for his new adventure in college. Samuel helps them hook up the trailer to their truck and they are off. What fun! We quickly get ready and leave Westport and head home to meet Parousia and Ruth (Samuel's brother and sister) for our appointed morning workout at CrossFit. Today will be Parousia's first CrossFit Workout! We are so excited for him! We get to CrossFit Jenks and find the athletes in the at the end of their WOD "Fight Gone Bad". They are so strong. After they finish, Breck clears the gym for the intro class. We chit chat with the CrossFitters and catch up from our trip. Then we glance in to check up on P-Dog...he is getting ready to show Breck how many pulls ups he can do (just to give him an idea of where his fitness level is). The guy before him got one. He is up and...1, 2, 3, 4, 5!!! Go P-Dog!!!! They were perfect form! We were so proud (we also gave each other a "behind the back" high five). They get ready to perform their 1st WOD. Sameul and I join them. 3, 2, 1 GO! We were off on the C2 rowers. I had a steady pace, and I thought I would be the 1st one off the rower, but my husband beat me. Then everyone headed over to squats (except me, since my knee is still giving me fits). I head to do dips (tricep dips that is). Feel the burn, oh yea!!! Then we are all into our sits ups, then our push ups, and last but not least our pull ups. My arms are fried now and I go to do all my pull ups and only get 1 in (embarrasing!). Then I suck it up and finish the last 9. Parousia did great! Samuel beat us all (of course).

We help clean up and close the gym and head home to change (we had a fun ride home, but I will let P-dog tell that tale).

After changing we drove back out to Westport to pick up our next missions equipment, and some lunch. My mom had marinated a steak and asparagus for us to grill. Oh so yummy!!!!!

We fill up and had out to....the gun range! Another 1st for P-Dog.

We stayed at the plinking range for a while helping him get the hang of things and while I tried out Samuel's new 9mm (I LOVE IT!!!!). After quite a few shot up bottles, we changed course and headed to the short rifle range. This one is so fun. There are little metal animals all set up and when you actually hit one, they fall down or make a distinct pinging sound. I fell more accomplished on this range.

After a few rounds and pictures, its time to head home and clean up for Kylie and Lee's party.

A Duel Celebration

Aug. 25th is my sister's birthday. She will be the big 26. And our very good friend Lee's birthday is on Aug. 27th and he will be 24. So Saturday was a duel birthday celebration for them. We started at Hideaway Pizza in Broken Arrow then headed over to my sister's hacienda in Eqypt!

We got to play ping pong as well as their new game Wii Resort. We had a blast!

Happy Birthday Kylie and Lee!!!!

Were back in T-Town!

Ahhhh....the vacation is over. So sad. I will miss the ocean views, the perfect weather, and the scenic canyons, but all these places lack one beautiful thing...they don't have clouds like we do! Oklahoma has the best cloud formations and the greenest grass anywhere! It was so pretty to drive into our home state and immediately see the beautiful open pastures and the storm rolling in on the horizon. As it got dark, we had our own personal light show all the way home. We pulled in the driveway and opened the gate to the backyard where some very excited puppies awaited our arrival! FULL of dirt the ran to us and licked us clean with love! Oh how I missed our pups (neither of them are really puppies...they are both about 3 years old)! The house was so clean and welcomed us home all the more. We unloaded all our booty and loot from our long travels cross country and made our way to our HUGE, king size, soft, cool, wonderful bed! I will dream of our next trip tonight!

The Amazing Grand Canyon

We arrived around 5 pm on Friday. After getting checked in at our camp site we were off to find our allotted location at Mather Camp Grounds and set up our tent (for the first time!). Since it was almost sunset, we decided to drive to some of the nearby points for some last minute sunset pics. It was pretty smoky, but the pics turned out really neat! We headed back to camp to bed down for the night. Let me tell you that it is not the same temp at the Grand Canyon as it is in Vegas! We were a little unprepared for the drop in temperature (45 degrees) from the daytime! We ended up freezing (not literally) and waking up so chilled that I went and started the car just to thaw our feet. Breakfast of fruit and nuts were served in the car! We packed up camp and headed to a parking lot so we could hop on the Grand Canyon bus (which takes you to every point in the park). First we stopped at the visitors center for some bushing up on our history of the canyon, then a short walk over to Mather Point. Wow...my first full view of the Grand Canyon. Quite an experience! And not to mention our 6th year anniversary!! We went all around the park to pretty much every point. Taking the bus some and walking a bunch! Next time, I am definetly taking a mule ride!!

Friday...Hoover Dam

After sleeping in a bit and eating at the excellent "Round Table Buffet", we journeyed on to the Hoover Dam. There was a LONG line of cars doing the same thing as us too. We parked in the new parking garage and walked across the infamous Hoover Dam. It was pretty amazing. They are also building a new highway and bridge next to the Hoover Dam. That was really amazing to see as well.

Thursday in Las Vegas, NV

Arriving at 5 am, we check in at Motel 6 and catch some zzzz's before taking on this big city. Then first things first....breakfast!!!!! We drive to The Venetian (since check in is still not until 3 pm) and look around for some good eats. We stumble across a nice bistro next to the indoor Gondola rides (oh yeah...they sing and boat you around indoors, but it is all painted like you are outside in Venice, Italy!!). We got some great food and got to see some queen like figure walking around in full costume handing out tokens to innocent passer-byers. Tokens for what you may ask...we don't know (we did not get one). After our late breakfast we headed to our hotel. Along the way we stopped to see the Bilagio dancing waterfall show.

Ok, if you have never been to Vegas (like me) then this city is a lot to take in. Not to mention you have to walk all the way through the ENTIRE casino to get to the elevator to take you to your room! NEVER AGAIN!!! That was nuts.

We get dressed and head out on the town to see all the sites. Mistake #1, we wore flip flops to walk the strip and got the most sore ankles the next day. Mistake #2, we went to Vegas in AUGUST. Can you say 120 degrees!!!!! But no problem, there was lots to take pictures of inside the hotel/casinos. We especially liked Cesar's Palace! The architecture was amazing.

We finally made our way to an outlet mall on the outskirts of town and scored some sweet Adidas wear and shoes! After some shopping we headed back to our hotel for the famous "Round Table Buffet". Wow!!! They had everything, and we ate it all! Diet, down the tube! Yum yum! After dinner we made a short walk to the Treasure Island Pirate show (which was not impressive...mostly half naked women doing some pom pom routine). By now we are pretty worn down and head back home. We decide to spend a few bucks and see how the slot machines work anyways. After only $2, my machine hits something good (I don't know what) and I win $54.28. Sweet! Time to cash out and go to bed! Not bad for never gambling! Basically paid for our hotel room! Next, the Hoover Dam!

Santa Cruz, Carmel, and The Big Sur

It's Wednesday and we leave San Jose and head off to Santa Cruz, the home of CrossFit. We did a noon workout with the Santa Cruz bunch, grabbed some lunch on the beach and headed down the coast stopping where ever we thought was beautiful (which was everywhere).

1st stop was Pebble Beach and the famous 17 mile drive (which costs $9.25 by the way). Can you say "MONEY"!!!! Man alive, these houses, I mean "villas" were huge and had the best views of the ocean! Then we saw every kind of car over $500,000 driving around or heading in for the annual "Car Classics Show" hosted at Pebble Beach. Wow, I have never seen so many Bentley's and Porches in a row in my life. We slipped out the back gate and made the short trip next to the Carmel by the Sea. If you have ever wondered what beautiful looked like or thought, "where is the most beautiful place on earth", it was there! I never wanted to leave. A little trivia for you...Clint Eastwood was the mayor of Carmel by the Sea for two years. During his reign he instated the rule of no high heals in the city limits to prevent the city from having to fix any cracks in the sidewalks (true story). Also, Carmel by the Sea has no street lights! So if you want to go anywhere at night you bring you flashlight!

Then we jumped on Highway 1 aka The Big Sur and drove for over 100 miles along the ocean front. That is an experience. We looked for camping, but all sites were full! So we decided to head on over to Sin City and beat the Death Valley heat! We arrived at 5 am and only to discover that check in at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino (without exception) is not until 3 pm...so we went next door to Motel 6 and slept til noon! More on Vegas next time.

A Day in San Fransico

Wow...that was a long and wonderful day! We left Milpitas, CA around 2 pm and headed out to San Fransico. We went straight to the famous resturant "The Stinkin' Rose". Yum! Everything is made with garlic. Then we drove down towards the Warf, parked and walked around until 8 pm! We saw hip hop dancers, street painters, guys dressed up in suits to scare walker-bys, musicians, and some freaks too. It was super windy so that made for a chilly day. Samuel's family (Aunt Kim, Lindsey, and Kelsey) went with us on this journey. Then we took pics all along Pier 39. We saw fishing boats, pirate ships, cruise liners, sail boats, sea gulls, sea lions, and so many stores!

Then we came back to Milpitas and ate at Minh's Vietnamese Resturant. They had to order for me. It was so yummy. It got Bun Tit Tom Nugh and a bean drink. Super tastey. Then Jill (Samuel's other cousin) came and we got to see her for a quick bit.

Samuel is out right now at a local shooting range with his new 9 mm showing his two younger cousin's how to shoot a gun! They we so excited to get to do it too.

All in all, we got a good dose of S.F. and good pics to remember the day by!

Recap for this last weekend!!!

What a weekend! Saturday and Sunday I was in training all day in San Diego for CrossFit Level 1. I think we did about 1,000 squats, but maybe more! I am just today getting normal felling back in my thighs! :) San Diego is so beautiful!

We left about 9 am Monday morning and got to L.A. about 11:30. Every tourist in America was there too. It was so crowded and well...no really pretty. After about an hour of sitting in traffic and not being impressed with L.A. we got back on the highway and headed to Bakersfield. Samuel used to live there and he wanted to show me his old school. That drive was so UGHHHHHH...dry, boring and long! Then we got to Gilroy (the Garlic capital) about 8 pm only to meet one of Gilroy's finest officers next to an "optional" stop sign. After talking CrossFit, he told us a good hotel to stay in and and let us go! Seriously...CrossFit saved us!

We drove to San Jose this morning to see Samuel's family and take them to San Fransico with us for the day. We will probably take a million pics today and I will try to post tonight!

I'm in CA

Well, as soon as I got to CA and opened my camera, the battery died and guess what...no battery place within my reach! So I had to wait until last night when we made a quick run to a nearby Radio Shack. Now I'm back in business. I only have a few pics to show right now, but I will have more shortly!

It is so beautiful here! As soon as I got to Solana Beach via Amtrak, my Aunt and Uncle took me to Jake's (I wish I had pics!). It was a seafood restaurant right on the beach and our table overlooked the ocean. Ohhhh how I have missed that smell. The smell of salt water and sand. And the temperature...so perfect! We started off with an appetizer of two fish tacos then moved on to our main course. I ate salmon in a wasabi and red wine sauce topped with macadamia nuts with a side of mixed spring veggies and asparagus. Oh my gosh...it was so wonderful. Then I found out during dinner that that very day, Aug. 5th was Aunt Pat and Uncle Keiths 37th year anniversary! So I told the waiter and he brought out a special dessert called hula pie. It had an oreo crust, macadamia nut ice cream, topped with whipped cream. Wow! I only had few bites, but it was so worth it.

My Aunt and Uncle's house burned down this last year during the fires. It didn't get every house, but it did get theirs. It has just recently been rebuilt and they have most everything refurbished (but not the priceless things...pics, jewelry, etc.). It is a beautiful house in a great neighborhood. They are still finishing up some of their neighbors houses...so there in construction during the day.

Yesterday we went shopping at Costco (like Sam's Club in T-town) and then a place called Henry's (which is like our Whole Foods). I got all kinds of fresh fruit and veggies and chicken. Oh, and the best beef jerky ever! On our way back home we passed a massive fire on the side of the road. I got to see the helicopter come and drop a load of water right on top of the fire. They got it out pretty quick. Did I mention how beautiful it is out here?

I have been waking up at 5 am every morning and finally figured out it is b/c that is 7 am our time. So I lay there for about an hour til everyone gets up. :) Today I got to go to their country club and run on the treadmill and sunbathe by the pool. Then we stopped into an Estate sale. This place was a like some Chinese museum. It was incredible. We may go back Sunday for the half price day and see what is left. Later we will pick up my rental car and I will be off to check out the local CrossFit's.

More pics to come! I moved the photo gallery to the top right...this way it will be easier to find! :)

Dinner with the Rockstroh's

Monday night we got to eat a traditional Vietnamese dinner at the Rockstroh house. We had a Vietnamese salad and Fa (that is not how you spell it, but that is how you say it) :)
Dinner was so yummy! Then we got to take a family photo...check them out in the gallery.

Our Lake Adventure

Sunday we took Ruth and Parousia out to Keystone Lake to meet Laurence. It was such a beautiful day he decided to take the boat out for a spin. It was perfect weather! We had a great time. At one point we were boating along and Laurence saw hundred's of minnow jumping right behind us in our wake. They were everywhere! It was sooo neat. They stayed right behind us for quite some time. Then we saw the most beautiful sunset ever. They have the best sunsets out at Westport.

Memaw's 80th Birthday Celebration

Saturday was our Memaw (Vivianne Edwards) 80th Birthday Celebration. We all headed down to the Petroleum Club downtown with all of her closest friend and family. We took a professional family photo, ate some wonderful food and enjoyed everyone company for hours!
Happy Birthday Memaw! I have posted all the photos from her special event in my photo gallery (link on right). Happy viewing!!!

Pic are posted and ready for viewing!!!

The christening of our camera is official! We snapped some great pics of our friend's at CrossFit Jenks with special attention to Jennifer. She is off to college...again, but this time for her Master's degree. We are all going to miss her super mucho!!! We went a little nuts checking out all the cool "sport" options. Then we tooks some fun ones at Phil's house (CFJ member). He threw a shin-dig to send Jen off right! I have uploaded all the pics from the gym and from the party at Phil's house to my gallery (link on right).

New Camera

Day 1 of our new blog! We just got a new Kodak camera to help us document our adventures. We are still learning all of its features.

I leave for CA on Aug. 5th and I can't wait. Then Samuel will meet me out there on Sunday, Aug. 9th. We are going to hit all the hot spots...San Diego, LA, San Fran, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and few other cities in between. We will also get to see Samuel's family. They live in the San Jose area. I will try to post pics everyday so you can see where all we have been. Maybe we will see some stars?!!!