Saturday, February 27, 2010
San Diego
Because we had some extra time off for Thanksgiving and I had a new car to drive, we headed south to San Diego for a few days. The night we arrived, we visited Megan and Jason, saw their new apartment and doted on their adorable angel, Nathan. He is so cute and soft!
Nathan shows off how he can hold his head up already.
The next day, we went to Balboa Park. Olga met us there. We visited the botanical gardens.
Ben found a kaleidoscope sculpture with a poinsettia that you can rotate. The mirrors in the kaleidoscope make the most beautiful natural patterns. Below, Olga checks it out. It was amazing!
We walked through Spanish Village and came across these trees. They remind me of Czech Christmas trees in old photos, more ornaments than branches.
We enjoyed the sculpture garden.
Our visit was short because Olga had to work and study for her exams for graduate school, but it is always good to see "Ogre" as Ben called her once by accident. I love that girl and can't wait for our annual camping trip. LOL!
Afterwards, Ben and I headed to our old stomping ground, SDSU. We visited our old apartment, #6, on Stanley Avenue. I can't believe we lived there 13 years ago! It feels like yesterday!
We drove to San Diego State University and walked around. Even though it has changed some, the memories that came rushing back as we explored made it feel like we had never left. I loved going to school there.
Ben in the arch of one of the bell towers.
When it began to rain, we decided to go to Effin's, the bar that was a block away from our house on Stanley. I celebrated my 21st birthday there, along with New Year's 1999 and had many a veggie cheese steak. (Their signature drink, The Wiggly - half Guinness, half Sprite - still gives me nightmares!) The bar has barely changed. The one difference is that they now serve liquor and they have a larger cheese steak menu. The pints are still cheap, the nun and other characters are still painted on the wall and bras still hang from the ceiling!
The next morning, on our way home, we drove to Escondido to check out Queen Calafia's Magical Circle by Niki de Saint Phalle. Her mosaic sculptures can be found all over the world, at Balboa Park, and now, in a beautiful Escondido Park. Olga told me about it and showed me a few pictures, so I knew I had to go. It was a gorgeous day, which we were thankful for because the sculpture garden is closed if it rains. As we looked for the entrance, and noticed all the doors were locked, we realized that it must be closed if it rains the day before, too! UGH! I tried to take a few pictures through the fence anyway. It only made me more excited to get in there one day soon. Maybe we'll drive out there while we are camping in the spring.
We walked through the park anyway and enjoyed the gorgeous day before our drive home.
Friday, February 26, 2010
2 Thanksgivings, Like the Indians and Pilgrims Probably Wanted
There are many things that I am thankful for, including cheesecake. This year, I made a pumpkin cheesecake for Thanksgiving. It was goooooooooood!
We had our annual Thanksgiving lunch at Keith's. Below, the kids' table.
From left to right, Keith, Michele, Jeremy, Jennifer and Danny.
Below, Grandma and Ben. I love how we are so excited for the Thanksgiving meal that I couldn't find a single picture where at least one person wasn't eating.
We stuck a candle in a chocolate cream pie and celebrated Jake's November birthday.
We checked out a present Keith bought for himself, a new BMW.
Later that night, Ben and I went to my parents' house for Thanksgiving! We love a Czech American Thanksgiving!
I also finally bought a car this year, my very first new car ever. I thought about getting a Volkswagen Jetta diesel sportwagen, but when we went to the dealership and found out there was a waiting list and I would most likely pay more than the sticker price, we decided against it. I didn't really want to wait and with the strange things that were happening with my old car, I didn't think I could. When Ben is sleeping, I whisper "sportwagen" in his ear, so maybe he'll get one when it's time. Here is a picture of me getting ready to leave the dealership with my new smoky quartz Honda Accord.
We had our annual Thanksgiving lunch at Keith's. Below, the kids' table.
From left to right, Keith, Michele, Jeremy, Jennifer and Danny.
Below, Grandma and Ben. I love how we are so excited for the Thanksgiving meal that I couldn't find a single picture where at least one person wasn't eating.
We stuck a candle in a chocolate cream pie and celebrated Jake's November birthday.
We checked out a present Keith bought for himself, a new BMW.
Later that night, Ben and I went to my parents' house for Thanksgiving! We love a Czech American Thanksgiving!
I also finally bought a car this year, my very first new car ever. I thought about getting a Volkswagen Jetta diesel sportwagen, but when we went to the dealership and found out there was a waiting list and I would most likely pay more than the sticker price, we decided against it. I didn't really want to wait and with the strange things that were happening with my old car, I didn't think I could. When Ben is sleeping, I whisper "sportwagen" in his ear, so maybe he'll get one when it's time. Here is a picture of me getting ready to leave the dealership with my new smoky quartz Honda Accord.
Birthdays and Beach Days
October was a busy month for birthdays! Keith celebrated his 50th!!! We went to the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant, for dinner with Keith, Michele, Danny and the girls (Sarah and Emma). If you have never had fondue, it is an interesting experience. There are several stove tops on the table, where broth is cooked and cheeses are melted. Then you are given veggies and breads to dip in the cheese and different types of meat, veggies or tofu to cook in the broth. Everyone is given their own set of colored skewers so you know which one is yours while the food is cooking in the pot. For dessert, you can melt chocolate and dip rice crispy treats, cheesecake and brownies. So good! It was delicious, different and fun!
Keith with the desserts for dipping! My favorite part!
Later, Grandma threw Keith a party at her house!
Kari also celebrated her 40th birthday at the end of October and while she was at Disneyland, I decorated her desk in our office.
Kari and her daughter Megan with confetti! I love confetti!
Our boss, Lisa, in the red jacket made Kari an ice cream cake to celebrate. It was so good!
Ben and I took Kari out to dinner at Don Cuco's.
The best part of the night was one they brought out the sombrero for Kari to wear, while we all sang Feliz Cumpleanos! We saw someone else wearing the sombrero earlier, so we joked that Kari got lice for her birthday. I love this picture of her!
In early November, Jo came over for a few days. And, of course, we went to Pookie Thai!
Few people have shared one of my favorite beaches with me. One day, we were given a Wednesday off from work, so Kelly and the girls, along with Bula, made the trip to the beach formerly known as Oil Piers at the northern end of Ventura. We were the only ones there. We collected sand dollars and pretty rocks and just had a nice day. I feel so lucky to be able to enjoy the ocean so late in the fall with bare feet and all.
Keith with the desserts for dipping! My favorite part!
Later, Grandma threw Keith a party at her house!
Kari also celebrated her 40th birthday at the end of October and while she was at Disneyland, I decorated her desk in our office.
Kari and her daughter Megan with confetti! I love confetti!
Our boss, Lisa, in the red jacket made Kari an ice cream cake to celebrate. It was so good!
Ben and I took Kari out to dinner at Don Cuco's.
The best part of the night was one they brought out the sombrero for Kari to wear, while we all sang Feliz Cumpleanos! We saw someone else wearing the sombrero earlier, so we joked that Kari got lice for her birthday. I love this picture of her!
In early November, Jo came over for a few days. And, of course, we went to Pookie Thai!
Few people have shared one of my favorite beaches with me. One day, we were given a Wednesday off from work, so Kelly and the girls, along with Bula, made the trip to the beach formerly known as Oil Piers at the northern end of Ventura. We were the only ones there. We collected sand dollars and pretty rocks and just had a nice day. I feel so lucky to be able to enjoy the ocean so late in the fall with bare feet and all. 
Halloween 2009
For one night, I had more than one turtle in the house again (R.I.P. Herb and love to my red eared sliders living -I hope- in a mansion's pond in Montecito). I wish the costume was available in a smaller size, but no matter what size it was, Bula hated every second of it.
Vegas 2009 Part I
Once again, we were able to go to Vegas for the annual Frozen Fury game, Kings vs. Avalanche. We got to sit very close to the glass which is always exciting!
The Vyskocil girls cheering on the boys in black - Go, Kings, Go!
My sweet prince.
A broken face.
For some reason, Air Bailey only appears in Vegas, but he is one of the highlights, for sure. It is my dream to wear this suit.
And a winning goal in a shootout.
The Vyskocil girls cheering on the boys in black - Go, Kings, Go!
My sweet prince.
A broken face.
For some reason, Air Bailey only appears in Vegas, but he is one of the highlights, for sure. It is my dream to wear this suit.And a winning goal in a shootout.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Kern, Baby, Kern, River Inferno!
In late September, we went to the Kern River with our neighbors Kelly, Bill and their daughter Madison. We had planned to go earlier, but when Madison broke her foot, the trip was rescheduled. It did not disappoint and we fell in love with the Kern. As a child, Kelly spent her summers on the Kern near Lake Isabella and Sequoia National Park, but we had never been there. We loved it and have thought about maybe buying a cabin. September is a great time to visit, as the enormous summer crowds have vanished. There isn't a McDonald's or Starbucks: Everything is Mom and Pop. Ben is still thinking about the all you can eat fish and chips he got one night.
Even though the river is snow melt and freezing, it can get really hot, so the only thing you can do is jump in and it feels great! I am dreaming of the lazy days on the river in or out of a tube, with a cold beer, a tri-tip sandwich from the local shop, friends, relaxation and fun!
Madison wanted all action photos, so we assumed that her leg fully healed!
Ben tried to catch some of that energy!
Because we agreed to watch this raft, Kelly and Madison thought they could watch it better if they got in it.
Ben stayed protected from the sun!
I brought my kayak and Madison tried it for the very first time.
So did Kelly!
It was a perfect long weekend! We are all looking forward to our next visit and hopeful that we can stay longer.
Even though the river is snow melt and freezing, it can get really hot, so the only thing you can do is jump in and it feels great! I am dreaming of the lazy days on the river in or out of a tube, with a cold beer, a tri-tip sandwich from the local shop, friends, relaxation and fun!
Madison wanted all action photos, so we assumed that her leg fully healed!
Ben tried to catch some of that energy!
Because we agreed to watch this raft, Kelly and Madison thought they could watch it better if they got in it.
Ben stayed protected from the sun!
I brought my kayak and Madison tried it for the very first time.
So did Kelly!
It was a perfect long weekend! We are all looking forward to our next visit and hopeful that we can stay longer.
