Happy Easter - April 24th 2011

Happy Easter everyone! 

Megan & Amy made this egg for us this week before they left. There is a really nice craft store here called Michaels where you can buy anything arts & crafty. They were buying stuff for their America scrapbook  but also bought this egg & decorated it for us...How cool is that?

Boys Night Out - April 23rd 2011

(L-R) - Ed, Mike, Damian, Tony, Gary, Gerry

Some of the guys from our Brit Meet Up group got together tonight for an evening out. It started with a round of Crazy Golf at Mulligan's in Murrieta. Despite Tony's practice earlier in the week he couldn't quite sink those 4ft puts and ended up 4 shots off the lead. Over 35 holes (missed the first 18th as you lose your ball!) the results were: Gary - 97, Gerry - 98, Ed - 100, Tony & Mike - 101, Damian - 103. 

Then it was off to the Tilted Kilt (Scottish-ish) Sports Bar in Temecula for a couple of pints and some grub. Gary being the reigning Crazy Golf champ got his drinks & food paid for ! For a boys night out it was quite civilized and nothing like the bender we went on a few months back!

Next time we are planning a pool tournament.

Back Home for the Spicer Family - April 22nd 2011

There was just the 4 of them - Seriously!

It just seems like yesterday when Steve, Suzanne, Megan & Amy arrived. Time goes by so quickly. Jen said her goodbyes last night as she left early this morning to head out to Phoenix in Arizona for Easter with her parents & brother.  Tony wanted to drop the Spicers off at LAX and also needs to be back at work on Monday morning so is staying home with the animals. 

Outside our home. The car is packed

Tony drove the crew to LAX but not before a final stop at Coldstone Creamery for Ice Cream. If you have never had Coldstone you are missing out ! You can create your own or choose a Signature creation and they mix it together on a marble slab and put in a cup or waffle cup for you.

If you love Ice Cream you will get seriously addicted to Coldstone! Click on the link here to see their menu - Coldstone Signature Creations

Suzanne, Amy & Megan

Amy's creation

 Oreo Cookie & Chocolate Ice cream mixed with Brownie, Oreo's, Sprinkles, Chocolate Fudge sauce

Megan's Creation

Oreo & Cotton Candy Ice Cream mixed with Marshmallows, Gummy Bears, Sprinkles & Marshmallow sauce

We arrived at LAX with plenty of time to spare, but unfortunately British Airways then delayed the flight 4 1/2 hours, so Suzanne & Steve got to spend a little too much time at the airport. Eventually they got on their way and arrived safely back in the UK Saturday afternoon.

SeaWorld, San Diego - April 21st 2011

To finish a great holiday we took the Spicer's to SeaWorld in San Diego. Always a great day with lots to see we planned our day around the major shows that go on at the park...

The Sea Lions

The Dolphins

Shamu & The Killer Whales

Steve, Suzanne & Jen at Shamu Stadium

We also saw "Pets Rule" - a dog & cat show, and visited other exhibits like Shark Encounter (see above) and the Penguins (below)

At the shows you can sit in the "wet zone" which of course we had to do for the Killer Whales. However we got off lucky - or not depending on if you talk to the adults or Megan & Amy. Afterwards we queued for the Shipwreck Rapids ride and got not so lucky....poor Steve, Megan & Tony got soaked.

Megan & Jen trying to warm up

Hot Chocolates & Coffee's in hand for the drive home

Mulligan's Family Fun Park - April 20th 2011

The Spicer's were back in town after 2 days doing Disneyland & shopping in Orange County. Today we had a local day at Mulligan's Family Fun Park in Murrieta, CA. This is a great park for both kids & grown up kids too, with Crazy Golf, Go-Karts, Lazer Tag, Arcade's, Batting Cages etc, and is close by with a quick 15 minute drive south on Interstate 15.

Jen Teeing off on Crazy Golf

The Course - We had to score 18 holes

Guess who won - despite a strong back 9 from Tony

The Go-Karts - It's Steve & Megan versus.....

Tony & Amy

Revenge is sweet !!

Amy's enjoying the ride at least!

Two Brits playing Baseball ? - It's just wrong

Home run Tony - Nice shot !

We came home & Jen cooked her special Pan Seared Filet Mignon. Absolutely Fantastic !! - It was the first time Megan & Amy had eaten steak and they gave it a big thumbs up. Seaworld tomorrow for the Spicers last day  :(

Jen & Yvonne visit Erica & little Cole - April 19th 2011

Jen having a hold !

After hearing the news of Erica's baby last night both Jen & Yvonne went to visit Erica in the hospital. Yvonne is pictured below. We thought we would be nice to Erica and not post pics of her drugged up in the hospital bed ! 

Erica has her Baby ! - Cole James Robinson - April 18th 2011

Cole James Robinson

born 4/18/11 @ 11.42pm

weighing in at 8lbs. 11oz

Jen received a text from her girlfriend Erica in the early hours of Tuesday morning confirming the arrival of Cole. Both Mom & Baby are doing just fine.

Whale Watching ?? - April 17th 2011

Davey's Locker - Newport Beach

Today we drove to Balboa Island in Newport Beach. Davey's Locker do whale watching trips so we were booked on the 2.30pm Cruise.

Our Boat - The Western Pride

Newport Harbor

Unfortunately for us, it turned out to be a Dolphin watching trip. Didn't see a single whale ! - However the video clip above gives you a little idea of what to expect. Thankfully Jen was prepared with coupons so we didn't pay over the top not to see anything!! - Steve & Tony could not stop laughing when the crew were asking for tips to be put in the jar on the way off the boat....So tempted to write on a piece of paper - Here's a tip...Find some bloody whales!!

Tony, Amy, Steve & Megan

Sea Lions on a Buoy (pronounced Boo E in America!)

Video of Sea Lions hanging out

After the trip we went for Ice Cream, and then drove to the Block at Orange to do some shopping, before heading to Jen's Mom & Dad's in Anaheim Hills for a lovely evening meal. Suzanne & Steve stayed over in Anaheim Hills as they are going to Disneyland tomorrow !

Brit Meet Up @ Fay & Ed's - April 16th 2011

Just over a year ago Tony joined a British Ex-Pats Meet Up group in Temecula. This is done through http://www.meetup.com/ & is a great way of meeting new people who have similar interests. It has helped us make some wonderful friends, and we get together for an official "Meet Up" once a month at a members house. The group covers all ages from mid 20's to mid 70's & everyone gets along. It gives us all a chance to catch up on English humour & have an intelligent conversation about "real" football! From this we have had many other nights out as couples, men only, women only, wine tasting etc etc and has helped us increase our social circle in the Inland Empire where we live.

This month we met at Fay & Ed Hasnip's home in Lake Elsinore. Fay & Ed both work for Fresh & Easy (Tesco's American branch) & they always put on a wonderful spread. Fay had an Easter theme going & even had a pinata for the kids. Jen made a curry & we arrived wine in hand along with Steve & Suzanne & the girls for a great night. A few of our friends are pictured below.

Kate Hancock (Group Organizer) & Margaret Rhydderch

Gerry Rhydderch

Patrick & Geraldine Shelton

A Girly Morning at the Nail Shop - April 16th 2011

With Mum & Dad out of town and two girls to look after, Jen could not resist treating Megan & Amy to a Manicure & Pedicure. So the three of them spent the morning being pampered.

Megan enjoying her foot bath

Amy having a foot massage while her nails are worked on!

The end product !!

Knott's Soak City, Palm Springs - April 15th 2011

Suzanne & Steve took a 2 day trip to Las Vegas so Jen & I volunteered to babysit Megan & Amy for a couple of days. Knott's Soak City is a big water park and always a hit with kids (and Tony), so we drove just over an hour east to Palm Springs. With Palm Springs being in the desert it is always warmer than where we live and today was 35C. (95F)

The wave pool

This was a big hit with the kids - See the big bucket at the top, and the slope beneath it?

Guess where the kids stand !

Megan & Amy's favourite ride

Jen & the girls

We had a great day, didn't get too sun burned, enjoyed all the rides with little queue's and made it back home by early evening. The girls couldn't wait to see Sadie, and I think the feeling was mutual !!

Sadie is busted !! -Not allowed on the beds