A break in the Summer!

As you saw in the previous posts, we went to California for about 10 days.  We had a great time.  The appartment was old and not super, but look at the location:

From the kitchen, I'd say it's a beach view :)

Our is the little blue one in the back ground, between the two $4 millions beach front.

The BBQ was crap so we bought this fantastic pan, called a grilled cheese pan, but it can be used to grill 4 or 5 hot dogs at the SAME time! That was our 4th of July big meal :)

 We played Volley-ball

We played Football

We went skimboarding

We made new friends

We learned a new sport
And then, then, then, Mom had to learn a new sport

I had to try, it didn't look that dangerous, of course...and then, then, then

It doesn't look that bad, you say...oh yeah, look...

I had the whole "Baywatch" episode going. I fell, the Lifeguard came, called his buddy who came with the truck. I heard my tibia crack, I knew it was not a little ouie! They loaded me on their truck, up to where the ambulance was waiting (next to the two beach houses further up, not a long drive thank goodness!).  From there, up to Newport Beach Hospital.  I was admitted for a couple of days because, frankly, I had nowhere to go. Our beach apartment was just not possible and I was in pain.  Reed drove the kids partly home on the Saturday (I broke it on the Friday, about the last 15 minutes we were going to stay, we had started repacking everything to head home), his parents met him on the way.  He came back, packed the apartment and picked me and Alex who had stayed with my comatose self at the hospital.  The trip home to AZ was a blur, really. I saw the surgeon and had surgery. I'm going to be recovering now, that's all there is left to do.

Some good things about a broken leg:

Only shave one leg.

No gym for a while.

Everyone loves you, you can blame everything you say/do on the drugs.

The TV remote is yours.

You get a temporary handicap parking.

My brother asked Alex:" How's your Mom?"  His answer: "Horizontal"

Newport Beach Temple

Gosh, even the Temple looks on vacation! How beautiful, and the vegetation makes me want to pack my bags and move!

 I had a good idea with the door in the back, but obviously, I had no co-operation from my significant other!



Newport Beach

Our appartment is stinky and nasty. It dates back from 1964, looks like it and smells like it...but we are 50feet from the beach and Newport's beautiful sand.  The kids aren't complaining about a thing! And location really makes for the lack of comfort in the appartment.  On the plus side, we saw a random guy rollerblading while only wearing a Speedo Thong, and that, my friend, is all worth it! (no pix, sorry)

Legoland California

 Oh yes, it is dorky that I dressed them all in orange, but with a gang like that, it's easier to spot them in a crowd! Alex loved it ;)

Elly still crazzzy about giraffes!

 Probably the very few times that these two get along! Maddy is always Alex's ride buddy, she has no fear and goes on all the rides with him.

 We build it, yes we can.

A bit of a rest before more fun.

The REAL Bob!

 We finally got Elly to ride something!

Highlight of the day for Alex.

 Something else we built.

My favorite oranges!

Summer's here!

 Darn swim suit, can't stay in place!

Voila ce qu'on fait tous les jours, ou presque...
Y'a eu ca aussi

Daddy Day

I just lovvvvve this bunch!!!

Get him a little tipsy...

and he's ready to party!!!

He got TWO party hats this year...boy O boy, the Dollar Store spoiled him this year!

I'm afraid he'll have to hide his hat if he doesn't want farmer Tom to take it!

BFF's

My brother and I are extremely serious sibblings!

My High School BFF's; Vanessa et Anne

Home

I am home for the week, home as in Belgium!  Today, my mom and I did our shopping trip downtown Liege, like we used to.  We even took the bus to save on parking.  I have no idea how I am suppooded to stay under 55lbs for my ONE allowed suitcase, really!

Waiting for the bus to take us to town.

My High School/ Athenèe Royal de Chenèe

Total make out spot in front of school.

Bus 33 vers Liége

Place Cathédrale

The red carpet is not good enough for my Mom, it has to be purple, thank you very much!

This Gallery is a couple of hundred years old.

My fisrt job at 18 (like yesterday)

Le Palais des Princes Eveques ou le Palais de justice de Liège

Palais de Justice means court house

Same court house, second court. This used to be the residence of the city's Prince Bishop

In French, English, Dutch, German and best: Walloon, the local dialect!

And last but not least: mu dad's book being sold à la Fnac, one of the biggest bookstore in Europe!