Hearst Castle- Our Somewhere We Have Never Been 2017

Last year we decided that instead of birthday parties for Joey and the girls we would take a trip somewhere. The catch is that we had to go somewhere we had never been before. Last year we went to Morro Bay and Monterey. This year when we started to plan the trip I suggested Santa Fe, the Grand Canyon and San Francisco. But nope, they wanted to go back to Morro Bay. But we still had to go some place we had never been before. Phi mentioned she would like to see Hearst Castle. 

I was thrilled. I have always wanted to take the girls but I thought that would not enjoy it until they were a bit older. But they insisted, so we booked a tour for the long weekend that we were going to be in Morro Bay.  

So a quick background, Hearst Castle was built, 5 miles up on a hill in San Simeon, Ca by newspaper billionaire William Randolf Hearst. He inherited the land from his parents and decided to build a little place. His little place is 3 grand guest house. These bad Larry's have like 15 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. And then there is the "Casa Grande". The main house that is really more a castle than a house. Our tour was in the "Casa Grande". 

When we got to the top of the hill it was mega foggy. 

After we took the tour we walked back outside to see the fog had lifted and we had perfect California coast weather. I am going to apologize now for the grainy pics. I set my F-stop to 1600 when we were inside the castle, but forget to set it back when we got out into the sunshine. 

After the tour we got to walk the grounds for as long as we wanted. It was awesome. We must have walked around the entire grounds twice.

These view.........

J, strolling and living the castle life.

So I was worried about the girls not enjoying Hearst Castle but I didn't need to worry. They loved it. Phi was absolutely in love with everything about it. She could not get over how gorgeous everything was. How much detail went into every single space of the property.

Guys, Phi is almost as tall as me. WTH???

Another beautiful view with my beautiful girls.

I could not put my camera down. You can check out our slideshow from our day at the castle. 

Thanks for having us Hearst! 

Chone Graduates

There must have been close to 400 kids on the football field. But for us we just saw the one. Our shining star. Our Chone graduated from high school. We sat in the stands of the same football field where I graduated, where my sister Cari graduated, where my little sister Elaine graduated, and where in 7 years Lili and Felix will graduate.

We looked for the girl with no hair coming out of her cap with bright turquoise shoes. The shoes really helped us find her. She walked onto the field greeted by the staff that taught her for 4 years.

6th row, sitting right next to her cousin Rachel. How awesome to not only graduate with your cousin, but to sit right next to her during the ceremony. We had given Chone a heads up as to where we were going to sit. At the top of the bleachers under the "EE". She looked and found us and gave us a wave.

Chone has a lot on her shoulders. She is the oldest and has 6 siblings. Not only does she have those 6 looking up to her, my girls think she hung the moon. And of course these is little Ellie, who waved and cheered for her big cousin.

The ceremony wasn't too long and before we knew it she was walking up to get her diploma.

I can remember volunteering in Chone's pre-school class. I remember going to art shows and science fairs in elementary school. I remember band performances and her junior high graduation and going to her school plays during high school. She excelled at everything she has done. Years of school for this moment. These 20 seconds where they called her full name and we all jumped up and yelled for her.

I am so proud of her and everything she accomplished. She did not just coast thorough school. She took on theater, orchestra, and even youth and government.

And how proud I am of my sister and Marco for guiding and parenting this exceptional kid.

My parents got to see their first grandchild graduate. We figure they will be attending Ellie's graduation in 2034. I feel that Chone was just a baby so 2034 is right around the corner.

Chone, the world is yours. I am excited to follow along with you as you start college this fall. You are going to love it and we are going to miss you like crazy. I am always only a phone call away. I will come if you ever need me.

7

My sweet baby girl is 7 years old today! My little otter expert. I remember the day you were born so vividly still. My first words to you were how much you looked like your sister. And now just like your Nani always wanted to do what I did, you want to do everything your sister does. Lately you have been telling me how you wish you and your sister were twins. This past year I have watched you really grow up. You did so awesome in first grade. I can get enough of listening to you read. You even found a best friend who you love to be with. And you have become such a good dog owner. You and Elwood really are two peas in a pod. You still have this double sided personality. At home and around people you are comfortable with you are such a ham. But get you around strangers or people you don't see to often and you are mega shy kid.  But crazy or shy, people adore you. It's really impossible not to love you.

Oh mi Amor, I love you so much. I'm so proud to be your Momma. Happy 7th birthday.

Also I can't believe you are 7 and that tooth still has not fallen out!!!