QUEST FOR FALLEN ANGELS

My niece Kirra has introduced me to many new adventures through the pages of Young Adult books.  Don't let the phrase Young Adult (YA) scare you off, you will miss many marvelous stories if you refrain from this genre of books. 

By accident I found out that one of her favorite authors (Cassandra Clare) was going to be attending the LA Book Lovers Fair on Saturday from 11am to 2pm  open to the public for $5.00.  This was my chance to get her the latest release of the Mortal Instrument series along with a personal inscription from the author just for Kirra.  (I normally would have taken her with me but she was in Bakersfield for the Soccer State Cup).

The BOOKLOVER FAIR was held at the LA Bonaventure Hotel, known for their external glass elevators and revolving top floor lounge.  You may recognize it from a variety of films: Rain Man, True Lies, In the Line of Duty...to name a few.  This was my view from the parking breezeway.

I had no idea it was going to be so crowded!  It was absolute chaos, what in the world did I get myself into, where was that hotel bar?!?!?  If I remember correctly, it was on the 35th floor and revolves 360 degrees.  How badly did I want this book?  Badly!!!

The Author, Cassandra Clare up close and personal.......she was in high demand.  Wrist bands were distributed just for her, you were called up in groups of 10 to keep the chaos controlled. 

Finally, my turn with her.  She signed all my books along with my new purchase of City of Fallen Angels for Kirra.  Another bonus of this signing was an exclusive set of postcards that coincided with the new release.  Kirra was going to ecstatic!!

Cassandra Clare was one of many authors signing and selling books at this event, to name a few....Dean Koontz and Catherine Coulter.  I couldn't resist a photo with Catherine Coulter, she has a FBI mystery series that I just love. 

As I was leaving the Bonaventure via the Breezeway, with tons of books in tow I looked down and believe it or not they were filming a movie!   

Check out the Star Wagons and trailers, I witnessed extras moving about as well as a few scene changes.....was this real?  Only in LA.  All in all, it was a lovely afternoon spent in Los Angeles.......I only wish Kirra could have been with me.  

I conclude this post with news of Kirra and Kayla's recent report cards....they are both straight A student's.   Some of them even A++++++'s!  Gustafson Girl Power to the max!! 

So proud of you both.



PETCO PARK

Yesterday, Finn's baseball league was invited to Petco Park, home of the Padres for a pre-game parade on Centerfield followed by a game vs. the LA Dodgers.

To Finn's surprise, it was also Military Day.  What this means:  Marine Corp Band, Navy Seal Jumpers, US Coastguard helicopter flyby.....just to name a few. 

I have never been prouder of San Diego than during this game, surrounded by active military, retired military and rows and rows of Little Leagers.  We truly live in a beautiful, patriotic city!

The beginning of the parage on Center Field.

(Todd was able to go with the team)

Can you spot Todd and Finn?

(Todd in blue with Finn on his shoulders)

Team Mom and daughter

 showing their Padre spirit.

NAVY Seal Jumpers

Finn's Fabulous Parents

A Home Run had just been hit into our section!!!

Three home runs

during this game for the  Padres!

Finn checking out the stands from his fathers lap.

Strike em OUT!!!

Semper Fi 

Anchors Away

Be All You Can Be

Can you spot the Marines?

They filled up one entire section!!

View from our seats, I have heard before that there is no bad seat at Petco Park....I must agree!  It felt like we were sitting on the field.  Loved it!  We can't wait to go back, I will leave you with the chant from Padre Fans....

BEAT L.A.!!!

HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY

Finn off to school in his lucky shirt,

hoping to catch a leprechaun.  

We started the day with Green Eggs and Bacon.  (I didn't have any ham)  At first he loved the idea of being in the world of Dr Seuss with green eggs on his plate, but I noticed he didn't finish them and he always eats all his eggs!

Happy St Patricks Day!!!!

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

Can you guess where I am at this very moment?  Here's a hint.......I can see Spash Mountain from my balcony.

Will post more later, but know know this, I am on a mini vacation and having a blast!!!

TALL

Finn is now 46 & 5/8" inches tall.....you know what this means? He can go on all the rides at Disneyland and California Adventure!!!!!

Papa marking the final measurements

on the ironing door. 

Papa better watch out,

Finn is catching up!

20 YEARS

Twenty years ago I said YES to Todd in Clark County, Nevada!  Has it really been twenty years since we swore before God to love and cherish each other till death do us part?  

(Photographed by Finn)

Being in our early twenties when we married we have been able to watch each other grow and mold into the people we are today, and guess what....I LOVE being Todd & Tiffiney.  We have much more to learn but I can't imagine sharing the next twenty years with anyone besides Todd! 

We spent the day doing what we love most......being a family!  Didn't matter what we did as long as we were together.  It was a stormy day so we decided to head to Balboa Park to the Science Center to see an Imax film "In Search of the Perfect Wave Tahiti".

Can you spot Todd and Finn?  Everyone else in San Diego County had the same idea on how to spend a wet, rainy day in San Diego!   It was packed.

My Boys Building 

Part of the Splendour of Balboa park

Me and Finn

I now come to the sad part of our day, as we were leaving Balboa Park Finn tripped over his boots jumping off a concrete planter and fell flat on his face.  Instant skinage on his forehead with a  bloody nose that was the worst I have ever seen, I thought it was broken. 

We contacted our pediatrician immediately and were directed to Rady's Children's Hospital where we spent the early evening making sure Finn didn't have a concussion, broken nose or worse...a skull fracture.

Two things before I conclude, Rady's Children's Hospital was an incredible experience, we received the best care  you could ever hope for in this type of situation and most importantly, QUICKLY.  Second, Finn is fine!!! 

FOR KAYLA

I apologize, my days have been long and full this February.  I have found it hard getting to my blog, thanks to a comment from my niece Kayla, I am back!!!

Baseball.....one of the reasons my month has been full.  Practices have begun!  Finn is loving it, it's all about baseball in our home right now.  Who would have thought?  I will say with some chagrin that I am enjoying it as well. 

There is something about baseball that renews my faith in America.  Our world is going through some major changes and it is easy to sink into despair over the future of our country but when you see these 5 & 6 year old children running bases, catching balls and hitting pop flys........life goes on, they are our future.  

Finn running to 1st Base

Finn loves running bases!  

Finn and Canyon making it home!

(Canyon goes to school with Finn)

We ride our bikes to practice, the Pine Baseball Fields are only a few blocks from our home.  After practice we pedal into downtown Carlsbad for ice cream at Vinaka's! 

Enjoy your weekend everyone! 

Try not to float away!

CASH LIAM JOHNSON

Sunday morning in Lakeside, California Cash Liam Johnson was blessed by his father Caleb in the Mormon Church.  He was surrounded by family and friends who love and cherish him. 

Father & Son

The men in this photo took part in Cash's blessing during church service.  The group includes Grandpa Ted, Uncle Barry and church friends of Caleb & Patty.

Only picture I had of Finn. 

He wanted to stay close to his new cousin.

Family

Great Grandma Edna looked amazing in her Red Wool Suit, she was very proud of her newest Great Grandson Cash, her eleventh great grandchild.  (Yes, Finn is missing...he kept running out of the photo, not a proud parenting moment for me)

Father & Son-in-law

I proudly belong to them!

My hunk of a husband!

My darling sister Kara and her Father, who also happens to be my father for those of you not paying attention.  Our father was very happy to have us all together Sunday morning at church.  Chloe & Finn behaved flawlessly during church service, it's always hit or miss.  You never know if cheerios will start flying!

It was a beautiful day made more special being with family and friends to celebrate the newest addition in our life.  Blessing are all around.  



SATURDAY MORNINGS

Not very often do we have Saturday mornings where we can just hangout in our pajamas.  So this past Saturday when we realized we had nothing scheduled in the morning, we did exactly that....we hung out in pajama's for as long as we wanted to....sipping coffee and watching the news.  Oh  Happy Day indeed!

Ever since Todd took the training wheels off Finn's bike, he has wanted nothing to do with it.  He fell once and refused to get back on.  This all changed when Will came over with his BMX trick bike...Finn wanted to be just like Will!

I probably should have made Finn change into his clothes before he went outside to ride but we wanted to enjoy our Saturday morning in pajama's just a little bit longer........

Daddy giving last minute instructions

Star Wars Pajama's & Batman slippers

Away he goes

Did you notice Finn is wearing his Baseball Batting helmet?  We couldn't find his bicycle helmet, this was the next best thing.  I'm sure any neighbor looking out their window must have died laughing, pajama's and a batting helmet.  Oh well, they served their purpose.  

I have a feeling we will be spending much more time in our cul-de-sac.

GHOST TOURS AND SISTERS

Both of my sisters have birthdays in January which is bittersweet, I love birthday celebrations but falling so closely after Christmas equates to a depleted bank account and a lack of energy and creativity! 

Due to schedule restraints I wasn't able to celebrate their birthdays until Friday night.  This worked out better, I wanted to do something with them that we haven't done before and my creative energy was back.  I decided we needed an evening in Old Town, San Diego  before the tourists return.

We started the evening at the New Orleans Creole Cafe, I read a few online reviews and knew this would be the perfect place to start.  We all started with the Chicken & Sausage Gumbo....OMG, it was a religious experience!  Devon and I had the Crawfish Etouffee and Kara had the Red Beans and Rice!  I recommend both, but the Crawfish Etouffee soaked up with French bread made me want to cry.  Kara and Devon plan on returning with their significant others for Valentine's Day! P.S. Try the sweet tea....as good as I had in North Carolina and Virginia.

If you are in the area, please make sure to include this in your visit.  I highly recommend placing a reservation, they fill up fast and make the entrees to order.  Worth the wait!

Devon opening her birthday presents from ME

My Beautiful Sisters

The Whaley House was right next to the restaurant.  Have you heard of the Whaley House?  It is a popular field trip destination for San Diego school children mainly in part to the ghostly history!  It was built in 1856 by Mr. Whaley and is the oldest brick structure in Southern California.  Mr. Whaley purchased the property at a reduced rate due to its previous uses as a court appointed hanging locale!

The ghost of Yankee Jim can still be heard

walking to and fro upstairs.  Scared yet, I was! 

Devon & I hugging the gas lamp post.

Me hugging Kara, I was in a hugging mood!

Devon waiting to go in...

she could barely wait!

Let the Tour Begin

The Whaley house also provided home to

San Diego's 2nd Courthouse.  

Sisters in the Whaley Dining room

I am blessed to have TWO

Mr. Whaley also opened his home to actors and provided the

backdrop to the first theatre in San Diego, if only for 2 months!(The producer died)

The Stage

After the Ghost Tour we walked the streets of Old Town, venturing into a few shops as we giggled and jabbered about our lives that we never usually have time to discuss.  It was exactly how I wanted to spend this special evening with my sisters. 

We then headed across the street to the Old Town Mexican Cafe for Margarita's and freshly made tortillas (I passed on the tortilla's, still full from Etouffee). 

  

Salude

Happy Belated Birthday Kara & Devon!