Congratulations Sean

It was a very unreal event Wednesday June 1..  It was my the day my little brother graduated high school. It was a great day all around.  I picked up grandpa and we headed for Redlands. Once arriving at home we were able to change and headed to an early dinner.  The Olive Garden was the winner.  They seemed to realize that we would be a bit loud and seated us in our own private room.  Guess they were right I mean we are the Vessey's. We can be a bit loud!  We had a great meal laughing and coming to the realization that Sean was done with high school.. Then realized that KK only has 2 years and she will also be walking into the Bowl to receive her diploma.

We picked the best seats, Sean and all his friends walked right next to us. We managed to snag a few pictures.  He had a graduating class of 800 something I believe, only a few more than Brennan who graduated with a whole 69 students!!  The ceremony was great. All the speeches given were great and many talked about football and especially on the fact that they beat Redlands High (my Alma mater) with only 2 seconds on the clock.  Best part is that Sean was the holder so he was on the field for that last attempt play!! That video is in another blog from earlier in the year.. The class of 2011 is the first in REV history to keep the smudge pot at REV - all 4 years Sean was a wildcat they beat the RHS!! They also mentioned the amazing season that the women's water polo team had. Needless to say KK gave a little cheer for it!!

Then we got to the part about actually calling the students names... We waited and waited and finally Sean made the quick walk across the stage and officially became a high school graduate. The ceremony ended with a wonderful show of fire works.

Go SEAN!!!

 Guess he is my little brother only in age...

 Always soooo cool!!!

After graduation we headed home for some celebrating with cake and ice cream of course.  Mom had gotten a huge cookie to heat up in the oven then we added some ice cream.. The day could not have gotten any better!! 

Sean & mom with his cookie!!!

So Congratulations Sean you are a high school graduate for over a month now. It has been a wonderful journey with you and I have enjoyed being able to go back to high school football games for a specific reason. To watch you kick butt!!  You always have me laughing and you tell the best stories.  Remember don't ever lose your imitations of the gardener and others... I look forward to coming out to visit you at Northern Arizona. When I am invited!!!

Graduation.. You could call me Master Jamie

Soooo after 23 months, countless hours of commuting to Orange County, hours of reading and writing.  Alright maybe not that many hours of reading and writing.  But still multiple papers, projects, presentations and long nights later.. It was all coming to an end... The last night of class we had a small party with our cohort and staff.  Then we actually had to give a presentation, which was not that cool.  After class we headed to a bar to all just hangout.  Then we made our last drive from our satellite campus  to San Diego.  All 100 miles back...

Wednesday morning it was time to make the trip up to graduation on the main campus of the University of San Fransisco.  My parents, Brooke and grandpa would be joining me Thursday evening.  Brennan and I started the adventure once we landed.  We took the Bart to downtown SF where we planned to just walk the mile to our hotel on the wharf.  Well the plan seemed flawless.. Till we started walking.  The directions it gave us sent us through the heart of SF... Which means Hill after Hill.. And we both had huge rolling bags.  On a positive note we found a great sushi place to eat at later that evening.

Thursday would start with another adventure when we would walk back to the Bart.  Only this time without our bags and we managed to find a much flatter route.  Go back to the SF airport rent our car and head over to the Oakland airport to get Brennan's parents. Once we got them we headed back over to SF we met up with Brennan's grandparents and all had a nice lunch.  After lunch Brennan and I headed to campus.  Which we had only been to once before on vacation in September. So after getting a bit lost we found campus as well as some parking and picked up all our graduation stuff. Got our gowns, weird hats, our hoods (aka Cape) and most importantly the tickets. We headed back to the hotel to drop it all off and meet Brennan's parents to have some coffee and catch up.  We were also delaying eating dinner till my family arrived.  Of course they had a delay out of SD.  I mean the flight is only an hour and they were delayed longer then that.  So needless to say once Brooke and Grandpa had arrived they were starving.  We did all the introductions and then had a great meal at the wharf.

Friday was the big day.  It was graduation day.  After meeting for breakfast we all got ready to head over to campus.  The day would start with a reception for all the Sport Management graduates. It was a fun mixer of sorts to get to meet every one's families. When it was time we all started getting dressed into our graduation gear.

At the reception before the graduation ceremony

Melissa and I after we got all dressed with our hoods, aka Cape!!

Cohort 11S

Like any graduation there is this big rush and then they realize that its not go time.  So we had some time to chat while waiting outside the church. As well as take numerous pictures!

 My best friends!!

 Original SD carpool... It was also very windy

The ceremony was really nice.  It was held inside the church on the USF campus which is absolutely beautiful!!! The ceremony would last only about an hour.  Like all graduations it has some speakers then we were off.  It was all quick.  The president (or that is who we think it was) who handed us our diploma cases almost yanked me off the stage. Then when we got off the stage all the staff from our program was present to congratulate us and give some much needed hugs!

Entering into the church

Getting my MA and it is official.. 

Just like that it was all over we were graduates.  As quickly as it started 23 months ago it was all over.  It was an adventure that had its up's and downs like everything.  But it was an experience and an education I would not trade for the world!!

 We did it!!!

 The most amazing parents in the world. Who have supported me through it all! Thank-you!!

 Trying to get a picture.. And Brennan knocked off my very stylish hat!!

Grandpa even made the trip.  I cant thank him enough for the support, money and oh yes GROCERIES.  Without him I would have really eaten like a college student!!

Brooke helped me survive the long days and even longer nights.. Even cooked once in a while for me. Always the same amazing meals :) Love you Brooke!!!

After graduation we would all head to the wharf for a great dinner of more fresh sea food.  Brennan would have crab and I would have a lobster tail.  I mean today was the last day our parents are buying right?!! After dinner we would all head over to an Irish pub and hangout together.  Just chatting about our experiences.  Around 10 Brennan and I would meet up with my amazing friend Melissa and head over to meet the rest of the cohort at some other bar. The night was so much fun.. I will give you a small glimpse into how great the night went,  I made one trip to the bar by flying ; )  It was a fun night and well deserved for all of us. To finally have finished what we all started 23 months earlier!!  The rest of the night though you can just imagine.  But I do want to send a shout out to Melissa dad who came and picked us up. Thank you!!

Some of the girls in my class

The gang

Saturday would start off a bit slow if you catch my drift.  However it was Alcatraz day.  Thanks to Mrs. Cassidy who purchased our ten tickets to "The Rock" months in advance. It's weird to think that we all paid to go over and view a prison.  However it was a very interesting experience and makes you realize how much prison on a freezing cold island was an ideal place and also a very crappy place to try and escape from.  The tour was great cause you just got an audio set and could take the tour at your own pace.  So we all wondered around.  I found most interesting was that real families lived on the island and the kids took a ferry to SF every day for school.  Talk about a weird life. I live on an island with prisoners because my dad is a guard.  They said the cost of living was so cheap but still... What a childhood. Do not think you would have many friends coming over to play.

How would you like to live in that area for years....

It was so windy but cool with the city in the background. 

After Alcatraz my family would head to the airport to get home.  I mean you cant leave Sean and KK home alone for that long.. Just kidding. But they were headed home to regroup to be able to start the coming week with at least Sunday to rest.  We would spend the rest of the day hanging out with Brennan's family.  We drove along the coast and saw the golf course where Brennan came up and worked for the TOUR. 

Sunday we would say good bye to Brennan's family and we headed down to see Sacramento.  Making a few stops along the way.  Brennan figured that since he plans to stay in California a while he probably should see its Capital.  We also managed to find another great sushi place.  Monday we would go see Stanford University. Which is a beautiful campus. And find a great breakfast place in Palo Alto.  Then we headed back to the airport to get back to San Diego.  If it were only that simple.  We flew the city bus as Brennan calls it in Southwest.  For me I am just cheap and they always have the best deals.  But we were about to take off and heard the pilot come over and say " sorry the check engine light is on and we have to head in to have a mechanic look at it."  Needless to say the flight home is only an hour and we sat and waited 2 before we finally got on our way.  I guess it was a fitting way to end our graduation trip. 

All in all it was an amazing trip. So great to have most of my family make the trip to San Fran and be apart of the excitement.  As well as to see Brennan's family again.  And most of all to close out a very important chapter in my life.  I got more then just a Master's degree from USF.  But don't you forget I got a Master's degree.. The diploma should be coming in the mail very soon!!!

Water Polo and Swimming

I just cant stay away.. I guess I just really love water polo and swimming.  I was able to attended the San Diego State Sports Club banquet.  It was a ton of fun to attend the event with the girls I coached.  They also received some recognition for an outstanding season in which we lost in the semi finals of the WWPA tournament.  It was also great to see the Women's Water Polo Club President Rachel win the most prestigious award presented that evening, for her leadership in and out of the pool.  Rachel was the person who basically hired me and was extremely helpful to me as a coach.  She was also a joy to coach and reminded me constantly why I love the game of water polo.  

                                       

Some of the team

I am going to do a bit of bragging.  My little sister Mikayla who has always been awesome was able to qualify for the CIF prelims in the 100 Fly.  As a sophomore and an athlete that doesn't really enjoy swimming, I could not have been happier or more proud of her.  I got to see her race earlier in the season where she just missed going under a minute in the 100 fly.  She managed to get under the milestone of a minute and qualify during the Citrus Belt League Finals. So Mikayla would be making her first trip to Belmont in an individual event. 

I would not miss Mikayla racing so Brennan and I headed to Long Beach to watch her compete.  I had forgotten the energy and tensions that are present when you walk into Belmont shore.  As we drew neared to Mikayla's race I was even getting nervous for her.  She had a great race, she went out after it.  She struggled to get home a bit, but hey she was swimming and so many other kids had not met the qualifying times to even have the opportunity.  So I would say it was a great experience.

                                         

KK's race

 After the race when I was talking to her, she said "I have been here so many times to watch you and Brooke compete in swimming and water polo.  I was not nervous at all and then I got up on the block and got so nervous."  I just laughed, which she did not find funny. And replied " You have been here a lot to watch, what is the best part of this is I got to come back and watch you compete.  And sometimes this place gets the best of you or you get the best of it.  Either way KK you are here competing and that is awesome, and we all get nervous." 

 Brennan and KK.. 

We have a lot of pictures in this area over the last 10 years

I am so thankful to have the ability and opportunities to be present for all the different events that my siblings participate in. 

Life Changes!!!

 I alluded to it in my previous blogs about life changes.... Well this change means I no longer have to drive to traffic filled LA!!!!

Brennan has accepted a new job starting June 1st!!!  Brennan you did it... You survived LA!!!  Plus your getting out with only a few minor issues to your car... All in which were your fault.. Was it a Pole? 

Brennan accepted a position with InsulinDependence, an organization many of you know we are heavily involved with.  The group seeks to inspire people with diabetes to set personal fitness goals.  His official title will be the Associate Director of Development, which means he will lead many of the fundraising efforts and set up new event opportunities. Plus this moves him from Santa Monica to beautiful Solana Beach San Diego. 

I am sooo proud of him!! He has worked so incredibly hard in the last two years. He did an amazing job with the TOUR and throughout our graduate program.  In the last year he has spoken about a position with InsulinDependence so I cant explain the feeling when he received the offer.  Congratulations Brennan!!! 

I am personally excited for the difference this position will have on both our lives.  Brennan will have the ability to make a huge impact on people's lives.  I also hope to be even more connected with the organization and be able to make a difference. 

You can also follow Brennan's life changes and how he will still be racing for the organization through his personal blog Diabetic Jock.  And he has created a fundraising page for an exciting relay he is competing in this summer-  The Ranger Relay.

So Congratulations Brennan!!! As for me my future I am still paving that path..

Weekend Adventures

I have found that since my life is not completely scheduled with practices and competitions I have done some pretty cool things. Not to say that when my life was all hectic with classes, practices and games I did not do cool things. I mean I took two free trips to Hawaii, a trip to New Jersey, and many other places throughout the country.

However in the last two years I have had some great adventures. Some involved with sports but other adventures just because I have the time.  The ability to go on some of these adventures I have been because of connections made through my working at San Diego State or from Brennan's previous job with the PGA TOUR.

Since Brennan previously worked in community outreach for the TOUR on the Northern Trust Open, he made a ton of contacts. So far these contacts have really benefited us! And usually for free, which makes it even better. I am sure we have attended previous events that I never mentioned.  But in the last two weekends we have had two adventures because of connections.


ADVENTURE 1: Ronal Reagan Library
Since Brennan did not have to work on Good Friday we decided to use one of his connections and head to the Ronald Reagan Library.  It is an absolutely wonderful library.  It covers before he became the President and then what he did after leaving office.  It also shows the amazing relationship that Ronald and Nancy Reagan had.  It then talked about the amazing things that Nancy Reagan has been doing in the last ten years. I enjoyed our afternoon at the library and I loved watching history come to life.

Full-size replica of the White House Oval Office, the office in which President Reagan never took off his suit jacket.

We walk through the actual Air Force One aircraft, tail number 27000, which flew seven U.S. presidents.

Where he has been laid to rest

Adventure 2: Stagecoach

I also finally got to cash in on the amazing Christmas present from my parents. My mom and dad gave Brooke and me Stagecoach tickets.  Stagecoach is a two day country festival out in India California.  This year's top performers were Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatt's, Darius Rucker, Chris Young, Josh Turner, Eastin Corbin and many others.  I took Brennan on the first day of the festival and my college roommate Anna the second day.  We also meet up with other friends at the festival.  Sean and his girlfriend came on the second day of the festival.  We all hung out together and watched Carrie Underwood.  And she was AWESOME!!!

Our little stagecoach group

My roommates from college- Anna and Erin

Sean and his girlfriend with us before Carrie Underwood

Adventure 3: JDRF Gala- Finding a Cure: A Love Story

On Thursday night Brennan and I attended the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) yearly Gala for the Los Angeles Chapter. Again we attended the event for free due to connections.  It was at the Beverly Hills Hilton and was a red carpet affair.  Before the event even started we had seen Sugar Ray Leonard, Charlie Sheen and multiple other people we recognized but could not name. The event started with a silent auction- turns out we actually one a thing or two. We could not believe it because we bid the lowest amount possible. I think we have learned our lesson, we are never bidding again in a silent auction.  After the silent auction cocktail hour we headed into the banquet hall which was amazing.  Very soon after we sat down at our table, Brennan said " I bet almost every sitting President has spoken in this hall."  I bet he is right.  We had an amazing three course dinner while they had a live auction with comic relief from none other then Ray Romano and Brad Garrett. It was really funny and the items being auctioned were amazing.  In less then 5 minutes on one item an individual spent more then I made the entire last year. Give me some credit I am also going to school.  But all the money spent was for a good cause to cure Diabetes.  They had some awards that were presented and also had a family speak about losing there 14 year old to the disease.  Oh and do not forget great desert.  We laughed cause pretty sure it was not sugar free, leaving me to eat all of mine and most of Brennan's. The event touched me in more then one way and it made me realize that I truly can give more whether that is in terms of charitable donations or volunteering.  So hopefully the next phase of my life allows for that.  Sadly we did not take any pictures.  But we were dressed to the nine's. Brennan in a suit and me in a dress with heals. 

The theme of the event "CURE"

As all adventures happen they come to an end. But my last few have been great!!! I have a few more big adventures coming up in the near future... Like... GRADUATION!!!!

Countdown: 2 Classes

11 days :)

Birthday Weekend

Well I guess every year that you get older comes with a little more stress from the outside and the thought that your birthday is really just another day.  This year I would spend my birthday some place similar to home another pool deck in another city, but like always Brennan went above and beyond to make my birthday special.

I was on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus for the Western Water Polo Association regional tournament. I have been the head coach for the San Diego State Women's Club Water Polo team during the 2010-2011 school year.  This was our first real travel trip of the year. We were seeded into the tournament in 3rd which was a great seed that would allow us to get into the semi-finals with little stress.

The trip would start with a terrible drive up the coast to San Luis Obispo (slo).  It is located about two hours past Santa Barbara and about 250 miles from San Francisco. I left San Diego a little past noon with a car load of girls. Well needless to say we made a few bathroom stops and a food stop.  We finally arrived a good 8, Yes I said EIGHT hours later.  Once arriving with my car load we headed to a team dinner.

Saturday would be filled with two games.  We first played USC and won the game easily.  All my players were able to get some time which was awesome.  Between games I would go to get Brennan at the bus stop. Brennan had take a train from LA to Santa Barbra (3 hours) got off the train and road a bus to SLO (2 hour trip).  Overall I think he had a trip of about 6 hours all so that he could be with me to spend my birthday. I guess he loves me, cause early on in our relationship we had a joke about riding the city bus.  He did not have to ride a city bus, it was a charter bus, but it was still a bus with random people. I would pick up Brennan and head back to the pool.  We would play UCI and get another win.  Once again allowing all my players to get some time in the game.

Sunday I would wake up to it being my birthday and we would be playing in the Semi-finals of the tournament.  Mind you if we won our game at 11, we would be playing in the finals of the WWPA Tournament. For the two teams that make the final it automatically qualifies them to compete in the Collegiate Club Water Polo National Championship Tournament that was to be held 2 weeks later at Notre Dame University.  The best finish the Aztec's have ever had was 4th going into this year.

Needless to say some how the team had figured out that it was my birthday and I received multiple "Happy Birthday's" while at breakfast.

At 11am, we were facing UCLA in the Semi's.  They had a good team, but very beatable.  They however play the game of water polo putting it nicely I guess with a chip on their shoulder's.  And play the game dirty.  That came out very quickly as we played some great defense and I had a girl get punched in the face.  Yes for those of you that read this blog and do not have a ton of background knowledge the game of water polo is very physical.  But hitting people with a closed fist is a whole new level and seen as a disgrace to the game.  For whatever reason we did not get the call and I had a hurt player.  It was not two defensive plays later I had another girl get clearly punched in the face.  She went under water and the goalie ended up having to grab her. (You can see her in a picture below sitting on the bench behind me)

I am not someone that really gets after the ref's. But I am a Vessey!  I have a coaching father and a strong willed mother.  If there is anything I have learned over the years, there is a time and a place when you make your views know and this was it.  So as you can imagine as the girl was being helped to the wall, I started my quick walk and very loud yelling at the ref. Of course saying only logical things (right?). I guess he did not agree or see it the same way. He finally turned to me and I received a yellow card. The first card I have received in my water polo coaching career. A yellow card is much the same as soccer, I was basically being warned.  If he carded me again with a red card I would be ejected from the game. What I have left out is that I am being warned only about 3 minutes into the game. But it was needed, it did manage to fire up my team a little. I gave the bench a laugh and said " he just wanted to give me something for my birthday." The card however did limit my ability to yell at them the rest of the game.  We ended up losing the game, BUT my team did some great things.  They played a good clean game (not ever reverting to playing dirty) and they never gave up.  They fought hard!

My team. Go Aztec's!!!

This was later in the game after I got carded, so guess I was still able to yell.  However this was not me yelling at the ref this was at my team. (It was positive encouragement of course)

On our way home Brennan allowed me to be upset about losing for a few minutes and then we went about having a great day.  We had a joyful drive and I pulled a very risky driving maneuver to stop at a view point along the ocean. I think Brennan was secretly impressed that I made such a last minute decision. It ended up being a great stop.  We ventured down to this beautiful beach and there was no one around. We found some great tide pools, and just had a great adventure.  Making it not the normal run of the mill birthday.

The beach we found :)

Under the train

View from by the car.. Beautiful

We had a great time at our random stop

Well the drive back after Santa Barbara was seemingly with everyone else that lives in California. So needless to say we had a very slow drive.  Once back in LA we made a nice dinner and I opened my presents from Brennan.  Which was an amazing canvas picture collage of us, that he had made through shutter fly. And of course we had Ice cream. 

That Sunday evening and then early into the week Brennan and I had some different options present themselves. Just when we thought we had it all figured out.  But that is what makes life an adventure, so in the coming weeks you will read about some BIG changes in not only my life, but Brennan's as well.  But I am really excited about it all!!! So stay tuned! 

Phoenix for Donnie's Wedding

With the swim season over and the girls in out of season training meaning they only have to make eight hours a week. I have found myself with a little more time on my hands.  I was still coaching the club water polo team (however that ended April 17th- that will be discussed in another blog) and started back up working as a ticket seller for the San Diego Padre's. And I am in my last class of grad school, May 20th is approaching fast. I cant wait to be done!! But honestly have not been doing much.  I have been spending most of my free time searching for jobs and then emailing and mailing out my resume.  I have applied to multiple places at this point and heard back from very few, but no worries.  Just keep sending it out.

The one nice thing with more free time is you look forward to the big events you have had on the schedule for months. That big event was Donnie Dulle's wedding to Lindsey Kirk in Phoenix on April 9.  We were fortunate enough to have Donnie go to college at the University of Redlands and freshman year he spent a lot of time around the house.  Not sure if he enjoyed our company or the fact that we had free laundry, good home cooked meals or just that it was not the dorm.  He may be the first and only person to ever say that the Vessey house is a quite relaxing place.  We got in our fare share of baseball games and got to see the Dulle clan a good amount in those few years.  So the Vessey's have been looking forward to this wedding!!

The trip started out with the quick (ok 7 hour drive to Arizona).  Being not that far we decided to drive it,  I road tripped it with Brooke and her boyfriend Nik from San Diego.  For being as far as it was we had a good time- had a few random stops and Brooke had purchased plenty of snacks..  The weather on the other hand was crazy. In those 300 miles through the desert we had rain, hale, snow, a rainbow and then just a beautiful cloudless sky.  Once we finally arrived we had all of 5 minutes to get changed and head to the rehearsal dinner that was held at Tommy Bahama's Restaurant. It was a fun event and we got to hear some great stories about Donnie and Lindsey and see all the family who had flown in from all over the country.

At the rehearsal dinner

After the rehearsal dinner I got to spend some time hangout out with my siblings at the hotel.  I am very fortunate in that I get to see them pretty often but I still have missed things just being done and so busy. So the more time I get with them the better.  Brennan had been in San Francisco for the week with work and was flying in to Phoenix for the weekend.  He had one of the last flights in Friday night. 

Saturday morning we all met at breakfast and decided we would head to old Scottsdale for the afternoon and then come back get ready and head over to the wedding.  It may not have been our best idea of the weekend, but we still had a fun time and ended up rushing to get ready for the wedding.  The weather was trying to stay away from rain but the clouds were not promising as we headed to the wedding.  But no matter the weather we knew we were in for a party!!! And that is exactly what we got. 

The ceremony was very beautiful.  Emotions ran high for everyone and the love that was felt was something that is hard to describe.  Since Mikayla is Donnie's favorite cousin (or so she claims) she was asked to read during the ceremony.  I thought she might get nervous, but not at all she nailed it. She sounded great!! 

My Aunt and Uncle- 2 very inspiring people!! Keep kicking butt Uncle Don

Cousin Donnie and Aunt Kay

KK reading during the ceremony

"After 6 years of practicing being best friends" they finally made the jump and got MARRIED!!!

After the ceremony there was a nice cocktail hour which was spent mingling with family and catching up on every one's lives.  Then we headed back over for dinner and a fun filled reception.

The reception area

Donnie and the Vessey's

 Brennan and I were seated at a table 19 with my cousin David and his wife Staci (Live in San Fran, who we are looking forward to seeing very soon at graduation) my cousin Jimmy and his wife Lindsey (DC) as well as my cousin Laura and her husband Ryan (St. Louis).  We had a great time enjoying dinner and laughing up a storm. We also played a bit of musical chairs, during the cocktail hour it became very cold and rainy.  Since it was outside under a large tent by the time dinner came we were all excited to get back into the huge tent with walls hoping it would be warmer.  Brennan and I snagged the seats near where they were pumping in hot air, however within minutes I was sweating. So every few minutes we would all switch seats to warm up and then cool down.  Our table would later be invaded by relatives who were freezing.

Brooke and KK with our cousin Molly and Mary Grace

All the females with Grandma and Grandpa and our newest addition Lindsey Dulle :)

Once dinner was over and the music started it was an all out party.  There are some parts of the evening that will not be mentioned in this blog... But needless to say we all had a great time. We danced the night away. The Vessey family attempted to close the place down and we did just that.  With the party still in full swing when the band was done, we all managed to get them to do an encore.  With some help from the University of Redlands crew.. It was awesome!! 

 This Midwestern boy now represents LA I guess. haha

The boys : )

<3 my sisters

So if a picture does not tell a thousand words,  the Vessey's had a wonderful time at the wedding.  

To the Kirk's for all your hospitality, thank you!

 To the Dulle's thank you! 

To Donnie and Lindsey CONGRATULATIONS we are all so happy for you. And your wedding is going down in the record books. Rain or shine you guys can through one heck of a party. 

Brennan's and I would not end our fun filled trip to Phoenix Saturday evening.  Sunday I got to meet some of Brennan's family.  His grandpa lives out in Phoenix and we would spend the afternoon watching baseball, chatting and having a great lunch.  I see where Brennan gets his good looks and great charm.  We would then head over and spend some time with his Uncle who also lives in the area.  It was nice to have a relaxing day and spend it with some wonderful people.

Brennan with his grandpa

For everyone else Monday was back to the grind but Brennan and I were still on our mini AZ vacation.  We left Phoenix Monday morning and would have a very adventurous trip back to LA.  See Brennan enjoys stopping at gas stations purchasing a few snacks.. Me not so much. I am a lets get there kinda person.  He kept reminding me we had no where to be, but I cant help it.  We did stop in a weird town of Quartzite before the California border for lunch.  We ate in what looked to be the only restaurant in town and you could tell we were considered the outcasts.  Never the less it leaves us with a funny story to tell. The place also had a Jerky shop next door and we stopped in. You can see from the picture below that Brennan could not pass up the urge to try some different jerky's.  All of which I will say were pretty good...

Creepy restaurant. I took the picture while driving away, so they could not see me.

Brennan and his jerky- Alligator, Pork and Venison (deer for us Cali people)

It was one heck of a weekend with memories to last a lifetime. So for all my time waiting around doing a whole lot of nothing.. I did a whole lot of activities in those 3 days..

Again Congratulations to the amazing couple!!!