Thursday, June 5, 2008

California

We had a blast! I am so happy to say that my brother is now a husband to a wonderful woman. I am excited that I now have a sister and that she totally fits in with the family. It was nice to be on a actual vacation for the first time in 9 years and everyone enjoyed it.


We started out last Wednesday thinking we only had a 10 and a half hour trip ahead of us. We were making pretty good time until we hit Las Vegas at rush hour. We then hit a traffic jam outside of barstow California because a semi-truck had blown up and burnt to the ground on the side of the highway! We made it on the base at 10:30pm and checked in tot he hotel.


The next day we woke up late and hung out until my parents and brother and fiancee arrived with family in tow. We headed down to a burger joint in San Diego called Hodads. My mom had seen it featured on the food network and wanted to try it. The best burger place we have ever eaten at. Yummo!



We then headed down to the beach to put ur toes in and see what happened. It was fun but we soon figured out that little miss priss does not like the sand. We had a lot of fun with a really cool group of people!!!!!










After the beach, we headed to a place called Extraordinary(sorry mom) deserts. This place looks like the deserts belong on fifth avenue. Every single one of them was served with a fleck of gold leaf in the top. Just amazing. We discovered there that my children are chocoholics. Very fun!!



On Friday we finished up errands for the wedding and then headed over to the reception hall to set up the tables. My fabulous Aunties and the connors were put on official decorating duty for Saturday morning. They did an awesome job by the way. We all headed over to the CHapel for rehearsal and then on to dinner. We ate at Buca di Beppo. So yummy!!!





More chocolate cake!!



Saturday morning was a frenzy of trying to get everybody ready and to the chapel at thr right times for pictures. Rachel and John Michael looked so adorbale. Auntie Rachel was beyond words. She absolutley glowed in her gown. Christopher was so very handsome in his uniform. I almost forgot who was underneath all that, haha!!! It was so neat to watch him walk mom down the aisle. He tried to play it tough but as soon as those doors opened and he saw Rachel for the first time the tears came. Daddy officiated the ceremony and did a most excellent job. The kids did great but by the time the pictures were all done so were they.



My brother being the awesome guy he is surprised Rachel with a horse drawn carriage to the reception hall. They were so cute!!!!!!!



Reception time and boy did we all have fun!! THe champagne and the happy tears flowing it was great!! Thanks to Rachels company for the food!!!!





Saturday night Rob had an adventure. He went with some of the "family" and wedding party to get out and they ended up getting lost trying to get back. Adventures in travel!!!



Sunday we headed to the Zoo and since Christopher and Rachel didn't leave for their honeymoon till the next day they joined us too! The most amazing Zoo I have ever seen!



On Monday was Robs favorite part - Legoland!!! It was very neat to walk around and see all of the stuff they have made out of legos.



Tuesday was our last day so we headed to the beach. So much fun to just relax and take it easy! We even found a little hole in the wall pizza place after. Realizing that we had all crispy-fried ourselves, we headed back to pack and get ready to go home.







We took a scenic route home. Stopped in Vegas to drive the strip and see the real size stuff instead of what had been built in Legoland.



Great trip and if you want to see all the pics click here http://picasaweb.google.com/rautis2/California

2 comments:

Susan said...

Just in case anyone makes it to San Diego and wants some of the best dessert on the face of the earth, the name of the restaurant is "Extraordinary Desserts". Yum!!!

rautis2 said...

Sorry I fixed it!!!!