The Giles Family: March 2009

Thursday, March 26, 2009

L'Hotel

Here it is! I just looked it up and thought I'd post the picture and a little hotel info.

Hotel Information
Best Western Dana Point Inn-by-the-Sea 34744 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, California, 92624-1302, United States Phone: 949/240-0150 Fax: 949/240-4862

General Hotel Information:
Check-In: 3PM (15:00)
Check-Out: 11AM (11:00)
Hotel Ratings: AAA-3 Diamonds
Pet Policy: No pets allowed

Hotel Amenities:
Complimentary continental breakfast
100% non-smoking/public areas
Spa - Sun desk spa
Steam room
Safe deposit box
Baggage hold
Elevator
Guest Room Amenities:
Cable satellite television
In-room movies
Desk/work area
Refrigerator
Wet bar-you never know when you may get a hankerin!
Coffee/tea maker
Hairdryer

Area Information:
0 mile(s) from Doheney State Beach
1 mile(s) from fishing
1 mile(s) from Festival of Whales
1 mile(s) from Dana Point Harbor
3 mile(s) from Mission San Juan Capistrano
3 mile(s) from Flower and Garden Festival
5 mile(s) from Laguna Beach Arts Festival

I'm getting excited already!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Suite Deal

The "lady" at Dana's work who was checking on what rate she could get us at the hotel just got back to him. Drumroll please.....
for 2 rooms on JUNE 18, 19, 20 the rate is $59/per night (each). Plus tax. Compared to $200 it's pretty good right? What do you think? :)

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Celebrating 28 years of Jeff!

So... As you all know, I turned the big 2-8 this week. Carrie took me out to dinner, to play pool, and for ice cream (she put a lit candle shown in the picture). We went back to her house to watch the new episode of The Office on ti-v0, when I walked into the house and saw myself on the couch! A fully dressed (cardboard) version of myself complete with shirt, tie, basketball shorts, and shoes. It was hilarious! Her whole family helped put it together: her brother was the model for the cut out, her dad created the face image, and her mom got way too serious with the details and drew hair on my legs. It was the most original gift I've ever gotten.
I decided that my birthday should extend through the weekend. Thursday we did everything mentioned, Friday I had a shared surprise birthday party with a couple other guys whose birthdays are close to mine, and Saturday, Carrie and I went to Zions National Park for the day to go hiking. Neither of us had ever been there, so it was fun. The hike we went on said "moderate", but we were sharing the trail with a bunch of little kids and a guy who had two canes (bless his heart) it was a nice walk though. Awesome view. Next time we'll dominate the most difficult hike Zion has to offer.
Thanks for all your phone calls! And the video text from Amy and Tatum.
So that brings me to a critical question: Is Carrie a total creep for making my double? OR is she sweet, fun, and original?
Joke for the kids: Why was the baby ant confused?-- Because all of his uncles were ants?!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Baseball, Brownies, & Beyond

Carrie and I went to see the Cubs play the White Sox here in Las Vegas. I got the tickets at work one of those advertising perks. They played on our local minor league team's field.

This other picture is us making brownies. This was actually the first time I've ever made them. Yeah, it was probably the first time I've put anything in the oven other than taquitos, corn dogs or some other frozen food.

Anyway, We do a lot of fun stuff together like driving range, batting cages, hypnotist show, gondola rides, long boarding, ping pong, hiking and about every two weeks Carrie waxes my nose hairs. Gross, but I breathe better and isn't it more gross to have hair coming out of your nose?

PS: Here's something for the kids: What do you call a cow with no legs?
Ground Beef. Ha ha I sent Carrie a bunch of jokes like that one day when she was bored at work.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

This is what my head has been loudly thinking for the past 45 minutes since I found out. Apparently I booked December 18-21 for Doheney for my 2 campsites. I know people make mistakes but this is one of the most annoying ones I have EVER made and feel super irritated. Mainly because now we can't camp there in June- well we have Amy's spot. SO 8 people can camp there in her awesome spot she got. The other reason is now I just have to see if they will refund me $134.00. I called and the lady is going to get back to me. She's like "Didn't you receive your confirmation emails?" which I did but, ASS-U-ME-d it had all the info I had just entered- or that I thought I had entered.
I am so sorry. I feel horrible :(
If you have any questions I'll be here..hanging my head in shame.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Underwear Baby!

You may have or have NOT read on my blog recently about how Campbell really likes to wear Dallin's underwear? (Opposite of Sadie who doesn't like the diaper)

Tatum has been babysitting for us lately and last night we came home and found this. CAmpbell sound asleep with Dallin's unders over her Pjs! She is so funny! I love that she is starting to show her personality. She is a funny girl, but what a weird thing to like!

Someday we will have many pictures to prove it.....

I guess she just wants to be big!

Memories of Dad

* When Dad was in the hospital, and had been for a couple weeks. Tatum had been taking a little community tap dance class. Often when we were on our way home from school or anywhere we would stop by to say hello. Tatum wanted to show Dad her dance she was learning. Mom said "oh no, not here honey its just too loud" Dad quickly answered " No I want to see" Tatum was thrilled and Dad loved it or at least pretended he did.
* Dan was reminding me the other night about a story I had forgotten. Many of you probably remember how afraid of men Tatum was. Although she LOVED Dad and Jeff even though she hardly saw them. When Robin and Nick got married Mom and Dad came up for the wedding and stayed in a hotel. We came down from Provo and met them. As we were in the Lobby wating for them to come down,the elevator "dinged" Tatum turned to see and it was "Pappa" Tatum (about 2 yrs) just stood in one spot running and waving her arms! So excited that he was finally there. Dad with his big sweet smile walked over and scooped her up.
*I remember how whenever we went to Big Bear in spite of the fact that he'd been driving two hours. Without fail and without going into the house he would disappear with the blue Yamaha motorcycle. Then he'd be gone for as a much as two hours. Of course when he came back at least two of us kids would be waiting for him so we could go on a ride. The funnest thing for me was when he finally let me go it alone. I was about 12 and he let me red an old Honda. I fell and distinctly remember him saying something like don't tell your Mom about this.
*My biggest road trip with just Dad was going up to Idaho for my first semester. After leaving Joyce’s house on the second day we were passing Kolobe Canyon (which I pass all the time now) and he just took the exit, I don’t think he even asked me if I wanted to see it. We drove up the canyon a little ways and got out and looked around for a while. I had a disposable camera and we took some pictures. It was really beautiful, but mostly I was just happy to be with him--one of those rare spontaneous moments. Too bad I lost the camera somehow when I got to school.
*When Dana comes home from work the kids get excited and run to him and say "Daddy!" Lately, he's been saying "Yay!" in reply. I love it because I remember dad used to say the same thing a lot.
*Thinking of birthday cakes today, I remembered the first (and only) birthday cake Dad made for me. We weren't even engaged yet, and he was trying to make an impression. So he decided on the extraordinary plan to make a cake that would taste like a fruit salad; I suppose he was thinking ambrosia. He used an orange cake mix ( I don't think they even make them anymore) and strawberry flavored frosting (also thankfully retired). This must have been very early in the relationship or he might have guessed chocolate would have been more effective. I think I was polite, but I'm sure that cake never was finished. You all know he wasn't much of a cook, but I loved him for trying!
*Another funny memory I have was when Jeff was driving Mom's white car and it caught on fire. (We were living there with Mom and Dad) so we were all kneeling around the bed for prayers when jeff called. Dad anwsers, Jeff and said "the car is on fire, and the fire dept had to come put it out... kinda scared to tell I think. Dad yells YAAAHOOOO! Let it Burn! He was thrilled to be done with that car finally. And off he went to pick up Jeff!
* I was at the DMV the other day registering my new van (YEA!) When I remembered once running into Dad at the DMV in CA. It was so funny b/c he was dressed as usual in his roofer garb. Old dirty jeans and t-shirt and hat but the best part was that over the hat he was wearing those headphones the big ones with the little antanae sticking up on the side. Just standing there listening to whatever station he could get reception to in there. He was so funny I had to think for a moment to I really want to walk over and say "HI DAD!" Of couse I did. I'm glad for all those memories now.
*I just remembered a time when I was about 11. It was Sunday afternoon, I was wearing my cool new jean shorts, and dad was chasing me around the house. We were in the entry when he grabbed on to me by the belt loop on the back of my shorts. I pulled away really hard, and the loop ripped right off leaving a hole in my back side. I was so mad, but dad was laughing and laughing, so I started to laugh too. I’m sure mom was in the kitchen giving her usual opinion: ‘It’s all fun and games until…” Randa
*One of my most treasured memories is from when I was very little. For some reason I just loved when dad would hide behind the cereal box and then peek out at me from different sides- and the real suprise...the TOP! I loved that he really liked it too and played that game with me frequently. Very simple but very meaningful to me at the time. Katie
*One time driving to Utah with Dad, when I was 15 or so, we kept seeing signs for Hogi Yogi in Southern Utah. First we made fun of the goofy name. Then it started to sound good. Then we decided we'd have to stop and get some at that exit when it came. The exit came and we missed it. Dad got off at the next one and drove about 20 min through a small town, backtracking to the Hogi Yogi. We laughed about it the whole time. I love that Dad would go along with stupid kid stuff with us. Sally

The Giles Family