Spring Break Trip 2009

Rarely have we done anything "big" for spring break, but it was time! Tia & Jeni have never been to the Pacific coast, so we planned a Southern California trip to Oceanside months ago.... then found out that Jeni's Diamond Dancers team would be going to state to Boise on the 1st day of our trip! We re-routed.... Jeni's team took 1ST AT STATE in their Military routine and that day ended at 11p.m. We had our mapquest instructions and headed out of Boise through the unfamiliar back roads of Oregon and into Nevada via Winnemucca. As we came through Reno about 4:30 a.m. (after driving all night) it began to SNOW! We ignored the warning signs requiring chains or snow tires (we had good tires and 4 wheel drive) and headed into the blizzard, forgetting about Donner's Pass. It was the worst blizzard we've driven through in years, which we finally got through about 7 a.m. but there would be no stopping now! (Except for breakfast at McDonald's)

Before leaving home the girls had suggested that while in California we should see a Broadway musical and the ONLY ONE they were interested in seeing was WICKED! I googled it and found that the only place it was showing in Cali was San Francisco and we already had reservations to stay in San Fran.... the 1st night of our trip -- if we drove through the night after Jeni's dancing we could make the one showing of WICKED! California was beautiful after the snow ended and the sun rose! After 11 1/2 hours of straight driving we passed over the Oakland Bridge into San Francisco! I was so excited to show my daughters this fun city that I had first seen when about their age. The long bridge, Alcatraz, the up and down streets and skyscrapers! We drove right to our Worldmark Resort (after circling the block 3 times to find a parking spot) and asked the concierge about checking in early so we could arrange to see Wicked. No early check-in, so we changed in the restroom and I looked on the hotel computer for Wicked tickets, which I had been too nervous to buy in advance in case we didn't make the long drive as planned. I read about a "lottery".... we could put our names in a drawing and if chosen, buy 2 "limited view" seats for $25 each. We headed out on foot and made the 1 1/2 mile walk to the Orpheum Theater, seeing some sights of the city along the way. Well, it was exciting, short story, my name was drawn and we told the girls they would get to see the show for sure! We also were standing in a "cancellation" line and could buy tickets at $99 each if someone cancelled.... Efrain and I were the next ones in line (finally) for cancellation tickets about 1/2 hour before curtain time, when a lady came along with 2 tickets in her hand, asking if anyone wanted to buy them. They were $50 balcony seats, but she said she'd take $20 each!!! I whipped out the exactly $40 cash I had in my pocket and we were in!!! So, our family of 4 got in to see Wicked for a grand total of $90! This ended up being our FAVORITE PART OF OUR TRIP! Not only was it a fantastic production, but we had a blast going about getting to see it -- life memories!

Fall Activities

Just when you think fall is going to get things back to "normal" you realize that school brings all kinds of extra activities. Tia is a senior this year, involved in student leadership at school, work, play, and posing for her Senior Pictures! So far we've been out twice with one more photo shoot planned! She's quite the model!

Jeni is keeping very busy with the beginning of her high school years featuring her in the "Diamond Dancers". It involves early morning practices everyday... and I do mean early! She has performed in assemblies and half times and will have lots of competition opportunities too. She is a Beautiful performer!

One of the family traditions has been for our high school kids to have their turn at driving the Mustang... well, we're contemplating selling it before Jeni's chance, much to her dismay! Another tradition is to pose with the Mustang in their senior pictures. So just in case, Jeni's picture with the Mustang will be as a Freshman!

September not only brings the beginning of the school year routine, but our anniversary (29 years this year) and birthdays for Efrain and Misty just a few days apart. We've got so many birthdays in our family already that we have to double up our celebrations! We might have to begin a once a month birthday celebration if this keeps up!

Sundays at the Velasquez Home

We love having our kids come for Sunday dinner at our house after we've all been to church. Sometimes we celebrate birthdays, usually everyone makes it for those occasions, but we always have fun when we're together. There's nothing like seeing our grandchildren come through the door and get excited to see us! We even got a big toybox and a wonder horse! I love having the kids there telling jokes, playing games, catching up with each other what's going on in their lives, sometimes watching old home videos and laughing their heads off! I love Sundays...

Big Family Events of the Past YEAR!!!

Grandson #2 was born in December! Another joyous occasion as we welcomed another beautiful, healthy Spirit from heaven into our family! We love you Easton!

We love being grandparents!!!

Annie and Andrew were married in the Logan Temple in April!

Andrew is a wonderful addition to our family!

Weddings are great times to update family pictures!

THE VELASQUEZ FAMILY PICTURE

September 2006

So I thought I'd create a family blog, as it seems like a fun "thing to do". This is the last family picture we've had taken and is outdated without a new grandaughter and daughter in law. But it's the easiest way to have a formal family pic taken - no need to color coordinate everyone or have our hair just perfect! This was in Jackson Hole and was a whole lot of fun. We'll work on getting an up-to-date pic as soon as our new grandson is born in about 2 months! Our family is growing and promises to keep right on growing at an alarming rate in the years to come! That makes me very happy -- you know the saying, "if I would have known how much fun grandkids are, I would have had them first!"