The Giles Family

Monday, April 20, 2009

Back-pat

I bought photoshop elements a few months back and have played with it a few times. It was a little bit harder than I expected it to be. Tonight I FINALLY made something! It's definetly a first try but kinda fun!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

April 16th

Just wanted to say Happy Birthday Kate! Glad We have always been able to share them!

(why am I such a nerd?)

Monday, April 13, 2009

Getting my domestic on.

Yesterday I made a verifiable Easter feast. I think it’s the first time I made a multi-dish, large enough for a large family (even thought it was only for three), pre-planed meal that included a large chunk of meat. For some reason, Mom, none of us seem to have latched on to your meat prepping skills.

Anyway, everything turned out SO good. It was delicious, not UNnutritious, very pretty, and perfectly timed so that the men folk got home from church just as the asparagus was getting tender. I was quite proud of myself. Thanks to all of you who guided me through various parts of the process.

The strawberry angel food cake collapsed a little bit on it's self because the plate was too small. Oh well. It still tastes great! The 'frosting' was strawberry yogurt mixed with cool whip. M-mm-mmm.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Love ya Mom!

Thanks for coming out mom! We had so much fun having you here.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter :)
(If I had a picture of the beautiful landscaping that mom did in Amy's front yard, I'd post it. Maybe Amy could do that for me.)

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Life and Love on the Border

Everyone, this is my boyfriend Eter. Eter, everyone. The long-since promised blog post is finally here. This should also answer your email, Mom.
This is us at the border. If you look closely to the right of my head, you can see a sign for Mexico. It's not super convenient having that international line between us, but it could be worse--like digging a grave for your 4 children in frozen ground with a spoon (that's a test to see if you watched General Conference). Sometimes it's pretty exciting, actually. Like last night when we got to watch some poor schmuck/fulano-de-tal make a break for it and run down the freeway, with some not-so-trim border guards trailing after him. To answer what everyone asks me, we speak both languages--whatever we feel like. Also, I have a passport and he has a travel visa, so we can come and go as we please--relatively speaking.
I got to meet Eter's super-amable family this weekend. Quite the opposite of us, he has only brothers so it's mostly a boy house. But, just like us (referring to Jeff-Carrie, Miranda-Bubba) everyone's suddenly got a girlfriend there too. It was fun, and I think they like me despite my blundering Spanish. I used to think I spoke pretty well....
He's excited to meet all of you, too. Mom will probably be first. Anyone else who would like to, come on down to sunny San Diego/Tijuana!

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? :)

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