The 5 Days That Became 3 Weeks

We had an extended vacation to visit our families this summer! Although, it wasn't planned to be as long as it turned out...

We planned on staying for five days. I had to tell my mom that we were going to be spending most of the time with the Brost family, since we hadn't had a lot of time with them since Christmas. She understood, but was bummed, of course. The reason we "had" to leave was because Zarik had to be at work. So after our five days were up, we go to the airport. We went later in the day because the loads looked decent. Well, unfortunately, a flight was delayed and screwed everything up. So we were stuck for that night. On the way home we decided that the kids and I should stay for another 3 days to a week while Zarik went to work, and then he'd come get us. When he came back, we went wakeboarding with his brother, and Zarik broke his face.

Do I have your attention now? Hehe!

What happened was Zarik fell hard - on the handle or just the water, we're not sure - but didn't know he'd really hurt himself. Later on he went to equalize the pressure in his ears (you know - plug your nose and blow) and all the air escaped his sinuses and went under his eye!!!



After calling around to Stara and Flene (who are both into medicine - Stara has her EMT licence and is looking at Physical Therapy while Flene is a Physicians Assistant), my mom's eye doctor, and Kaiser, we determined that what had happened was his eye was tramatized, but it displaced the trama to the bones around his eye. This cracked the ethmoid bone which allowed air to escape the sinuses. We decided it would be best to go to Urgent Care because it probably wouldn't be good to fly with this injury and Zarik would need a note for work. Sure 'nough, he was grounded for at least another week! Since he had about five days off after he was cleared to fly again, we just stayed for a week after that, too! It was a total God thing that Zarik got the injury he got, with no complications (his sister was all "I'm glad the air bubble didn't go to your brain!"). We couldn't think of any other injury that would totally trap in California, and yet not really limit his fun.

So here are some snippits from our trip:

We all drew "tattoos" on eachother


I keep trying to convince Zarik he needs a real one


Swinging on the Rope Swing at Kidd Lake


Hanging on my parents' pontoon boat


Mika swimming with Mommy


Urijah swimming with Daddy


Sleepy Boy


Sophie!


Cute couple, if I do say so myself. :-)


Lion Towel


Mika turned 2! Mommy made her cake!


Hanging with Mommy


Janis, Jackie, and Kailah dancing on the pontoon boat


We got lots of Grandma time in

Fourth of July visit

Mika had a blast!! We spent the first couple of days with Zarik's family up at Kidd Lake. Some good friend's of the family had come out too and brought 18 month old twins that Mika got to play with! They were so cute together! Then we spent time with my dad's mom and sister (my grandma and aunt) and my aunt's grandaughter, Hailey, who just turned 3. It was awesome to get to see and spend time with all of them! Here are some pictures!

Cool Chick!


With an "aww-ooh!"


Second Cousins!


Chasing Tirza!


Early Birthday presents!


This stuff is fun!


Pretty Flower Girl!


Pondering Life...


Naked Baby!

Grads, Babies, and Moms

We just got back from a weekend in California! (Yes, I know it's Friday!) It was good times had by all. The main theme of the weekend was Flene, Zarik's sister. She graduated from PA (Physicians Assistant) school, and we had a baby shower for her, since she's about 7 months pregnant.

We came in Friday night and Flene and her husband Justin picked us up from the airport and drove us to Auburn. Zarik, Mika and I stayed with my parents since Zarik's family had extended family there as well.

Saturday was the Baby Shower! Zarik, Mika and I went over to his parent's house early to help with set up. Great-Grandpa Gerry watched Mika while I did the meat platters. We kicked off the party with food! We had a mini-sandwich bar. The bread was mini-croissants, then we had meat and cheese platters and condiments. There was also fruit salad, deviled eggs, olives, and pickles. It was yummy! Then we played games. Zarik's mom, Linda, had about 10 planned! We only made it though I think 6. There was a "guess the baby's heritage" one, a "poopy diaper" one, a "break the water/pregnant with a balloon" relay race,



TP diaper (like the TP wedding dress one) that ended the a "mommy" feeding the "baby" real baby food (yuck!),



"a pick the safety pins a out of the rice", and I think I'm forgetting one! Then the parents-to-be opened their presents!



It wrapped up pretty quick after that. That night Zarik, Mika and I went to Benihana's with some of my family for my brother's 21st birthday! Yumm!!



Sunday found the three of us meeting Zarik's family to go 2 hours away for Flene's graduation. It was outdoors, and although windy, we had a great time. We sat on the grass and got to just relax and let everyone play with Mika during the ceremony. Then there was a buffet afterwards.



Unfortunately, Zarik had to part from us afterwards to catch a plane back home so he could go to work early Monday.

Monday Mika and I spent with my mom celebrating Mother's Day. We stopped to say hi to a good friend, then Grandma had to take Mika shopping, of course! We got a cute outfit, some Robee's, a couple of swim diapers, and a cute clip for her almost-long-enough hair! Then we picked up my grandmother and went back to my parent's home. There we had a nice Mother's Day dinner (tri-tip shish kabobs, garlic bread (Colombo! My favorite!), a Caesar salad, and rice). Then we all played Hand and Foot - my family's all time favorite card game!

Tuesday Mika and I left to go meet Zarik in San Francisco. He called the hotel, so we got to get his room early. We took a nap, watched some TV, went swimming and ordered room service.

Wednesday, we relaxed in the morning, and had a leisurely breakfast. Then we went swimming again. Later we took a walk to the bay. Bad idea! It took us over 2 hours! I was glad I brought Mika a hat, even though I didn't have any sunblock and her cheeks have a "healthy glow" now. I'm sore from it, too! Then Mika and I had to leave. We went through LA to get home, and our final plane was an hour delayed, so we didn't get home until 2am Thursday!! So that's what I meant by we "just" got home from our weekend in Cali!

We had a lot of fun!