GOIN' TO CALIFORNIA ON A BIG JET PLANE.....
(Zeppelin anyone?)















The breakfast of champions....The girls were less than thrilled to be awake this early for our flight. Gabe on the other hand is fired up for the 4 and a half hour journey.











Pre-flight calisthenics. Gabe and Kara give the "I'm not a crook" bunny ears!












No that is NOT Gabe's new webkin!














Almost there and then BAM! They made a sign for us to welcome us to L.A. - very cool!

POOL-IO....cali style




















Holding on for dear life




















There is something very right in this picture; there is also something very, very wrong....















Kara look out! That little girl is stealing your princesses!!!















20 seconds under the water??!!!?? Nice work Gabe!















Uh huh - it's my birthday! Nobie and I go out for a night on the town in L.A. Malcolm joined us as we went to the Bike casino and quickly realized that it was no place for "jokers" like us....(that is a long story that I will spare). Because we had Mel with us, we ended up eating two dinners. I guess that monster burrito he ate was dessert (kind of).

OCEAN'S FIVE




















Beach bums? Nope - just us - sticking a toe in the Ocean so that we could say we did.....(wow it was cold)




















This picture says it all for me.....

Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. (Psalm 89:9)

A VISIT WITH THE NEWLYWEDS















Malls really don't look like this at home

Another special part of this trip was getting to visit with Grandma Alice and Grandpa Eddie. Yes it is official, Eddie officially became my Grandpa this last May when he finally wed my beautiful grandmother Alice. The kids really enjoyed our (way too short) visit with their GREAT great grandparents. They even ended up with a couple of new stuffed animals.

I pray that their health improve in the simple areas as they struggle with the some of the things in life that many of us take for granted. Our visit really helped me keep in perspective the very long drive back to our condo that evening.

CHARACTERS WELCOME















How bout this cast of characters?

KARA'S PRINCESS LUNCH
























This was one spectacular lunch. The princesses were all so friendly and beautiful. We missed Jasmine and a couple of others, but overall I would say Kara was pleased with the turnout. (Gabe was too!!)

GABE'S GOOFY DINNER












I told her my name was Mickey, but she quickly realized that I was Goofy....(cheesy, but it's after midnight so my jokes are bound to get that way...)















This too was a highlight to our trip. Gabe was in the zone and even got the little boy next to us to stop crying and begin cracking up. The food was actually really good and with a buffet style we really got our monies worth. Noelle punched out Minnie because she was all over me....really she did!!! ;-)

LOOK WHO WE FOUND....












There was an Incredible Buzz when we cruised through Disney like Lightening

What a blast we had at Disneyland. The kids were at the perfect age to really enjoy and (hopefully) remember this trip. The California adventure gave us a chance to see the cast of Monsters Inc., and many of the Playhouse Disney characters. I couldn't get anyone to go on the Hollywood House of Terror though. I guess Space Mountain was enough excitement (or terror) for Gabe that this was going to be a pass on this trip.

KARA D....
















Look at those smiles....I mean really!















The wishing well was well worth waiting when we went within (What?)




















The lighter one for sure! Kara enjoys the night life at Disney




















The guys couldn't do it so Kara gave it a shot....

GABE.....















Eating carrots gives you better eyesight.....SEE!!!!















Rebels! Keep your hands in the vehicle at ALL times....















Timing is everything....




















"I am too tired to walk mom, please carry me"
A little heavy Noelle?















Gabe is thinking "boy do I have her wrapped.... ;-) "

I'm glad that I got the shot of this last carry we will ever see as our little boy gets bigger and bigger.

WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING




















Opera anyone? Gabe gets fitted and is shocked by how good looking he is....















Practice?!!! Yeah - we're talkin' about practice....















32 years later and their baby boy is getting hitched....





Gary says "Nice!!! I Like!!!"





















I think Gabe liked his gift for being in the wedding!! I just noticed that his shirt number and the date on the photo....coincidence?




















It should be illegal to have a family this good looking




















"I just checked my blackberry.....The Tigers lost again dad..."















Gabe: "I just love my sister, she is so sweet!"
Kara: "I wonder how Gabe is going to react when he finds out I stole his Webkin?"















Why is that beautiful babe standing with that geek?




















Aunt Sarah and Aunt Isabelle pose before Big Al takes the plunge




















Gabe did a GREAT job as the ring boy. Pictures were a little dark during the wedding, but I do have some great action shots.















DD and Dinani delight during dinner then dash to dance...(enough D's?)















Hey - look at my teeth!!!! Did you know that bees and dog's can smell fear?




















Unbelievable! It wasn't long ago Amara was a little baby. Yes - I am OLD




















"I'm going to have my cake and eat it too! Just like mommy does" (I'm going to pay for that one :-)















"Don't ask any questions Gabe - just keep clapping"















Malcolm and Mommy dancing the night away. Hey Mel - Nice Tie!!! Where did you get it????















Ahhhh - Finally a picture of the Beautiful Bride and the lucky dog that tricked her into marrying him..... :-)

The wedding that we had all been waiting for finally came and went. Alex and Vanna tied the knot on Saturday, August 25th. We are so happy for them as they venture into their new life together as man and wife. We are also excited that you are going to be so close to us and look forward to making many new memories (and Armenian meals) with you. We are so grateful to have been able to make the trip and truly enjoyed your beautiful wedding. I did have to stop Gabe and Kara from going after the cash that hit the floor while you were up on the chairs.....

When they asked Gabriel to be the ring bearer in the wedding, he was a little hesitant because he thought he would be too shy (I know, Gabe shy??) but he really relished the opportunity and did a great job. This was the topper to our family trip to California. More Cali pictures to follow. Stay tuned!