Shellie turns 43

Pam took care of all the arrangements and turned our regular Friday night Family time into a real party! It was a fantastic time celebrating the birth of an incredible woman! Blowing out the candles on her beautiful chocolate cheesecake!
A closer look at the cheesecake reveals Almond Roca decorating the top.
Grandma really savoured her piece!
Shellie waits patiently for the gift opening time.
All the little ones joined in to help Shellie open the gifts!

Shellie's Birthday getaway

Shellie & Steve were very blessed when Ken & Pam and Vicki stepped in and made an overnight getaway possible. They helped take care of all the details (i.e. caring for grandma, meals, some taxiing and even a very generous financial gift) which made this birthday (and anniversary) getaway so special. We even went to the resort at Lake Arrowhead where we shared our first night of marriage together. What was also cool was we kept it a secret from Shellie up to the last minutes. Thank you Ken, Pam & Vicki.

Settling quickly in our room. Ready to absorb a quick 24 hour break.
Discovering the sights and smells as we walked around Lake Arrowhead Village.
A huge Japanese Maple
A special treat - Ribs at Bin 189
Shellie trying out some of the new Arbonne "Seasource" Detox. Here is the mud mask for body and face. It really works great!!!
Yep! Steve did the whole thing also and it was not only fun, but our skin came out feeling so soft and smooth!!!
Checking out, but not leaving. We enjoyed the day walking and sitting by the lake.
At the entrance of Lake Arrowhead Resort
At Lake Arrowhead Village.
Though it was really hot and dry down the mountain at home, it was so pleasant, though very windy at Lake Arrowhead.
See Shellie's new wind blown look!
Even the lake had the wind blown feel.
Sitting down by the lake before heading back to Upland.
Just a few last seconds to relax and soak it all in!

A Side job

Steve was given the opportunity to prune some bushes and a lemon tree as a side project. Here are the before and after shots of just the lemon tree.

BEFORE AFTER

Mom's Day Celebration

Pam and Jonah! Hunter peaking out from behind the hydraingas.
Dressed up cheese cake!
Jimmy, Steve & LaVona chatting.
The official couple shot!
Everyone eating - Table 1
The rest eating - Table 2
All the mom's in the family!
The Vandegrift family

Deron, Scott & Prestin deep into their card game
Shellie & her boys
LaVona & her boys

Chick-Fil-A

The owners at Chick-Fil-A (spelt as it is pronounced phonetically) invited all of Flipside to come at eat for free! What a blessing! Several hundred people came and enjoyed the chicken combo with a shake! We even brought grandma and she really enjoyed the shake part of the deal! Deron trying to hide from the paparazzi. Prestin & Jasen savouring the moment!
Scott & Jenny chat with Jonah while Stef talks with grandma's table.

Painting Jasen & Prestin's room

On a cool May day, Shellie attacked Jasen & Prestin's room. Putting the beds into the hall and pushing their desks into the middle of the room opened the wall for painting the walls.Jasen did not miss a beat, but continued playing on his computer.
The end of the day, and the room was fresh and clean!
The next day the blinds were hung.
Finished product! Noticed Prestin has even begun playing guitar!

Family Camp with Flipside

THURSDAY - 24 April

We were able to get away for several days and join in our first Flipside family camp, held anually in San Diego. We arrived a day early and stayed a day longer, giving us a nice break! We met lots of Flipsidians and even spent a day in San Diego, riding the rail and eating lots of food.

We literally packed out our van. Our lack of camping experience was totally revealed by our bringing way too much food and clothes!Having arrived at the KOA in Chula Vista we settled in to unwind! Even Deron unwound in his high tech sort of way!
Prestin found a comfy chair and unwound!

FRIDAY - 25 April

A full day just enjoying the park. We rented a four wheeled bike thing and Jasen absolutely loved it! Prestin led the way. Even Ken got in this photo. Haley & Hunter hitched a ride!
Jasen in the drivers seat!
Haley in the flowers! So cute!
Shellie & Steve simply resting on the porch of our cabin.

Prestin even cuddled with Jonah. Another classic pose by him! Shellie's turn for a cuddle with Jonah. Deron fixing us lunch. Ken's final moments of rest before everyone began to arrive.
SATURDAY - 26 April

A sort of early country style breakfast.

We helped Ken & Pam do the stuff. We joined in at the end of the line. Well, as soon as we did others joined in for seconds! So our end of the line experience was only shortly lived.

Brushing teeth is one of Jasen's favorite things to do! Late afternoon brought getting the barbecues ready for the cook out. The chefs are all lined up. Here Steve Schmidt and Kev Reynolds flank both side's of Steve.

Our cuisine included chicken fillets and jalapenos! It was a smoky experience! Our final product! YUMMY! And for dessert... S'MORES. If you have never heard of these, s'mores consist of toasted marshmallows over a fire, placed upon a hersheys chocolate bar sandwiched between two graham crackers. They are so delicious! Shellie & Stef enjoy a few moments together.

Pam here enjoys one of these s'mores with Hunter!Jam session. Steve joined in with Chris and Kevin Ibanez for some warm ups before leading the group in worship around the campfire. Our warm ups turned into a real session as others gathered around. This was all happening while the s'mores were being devoured.
Our campfire worship was quite prolonged. Deron traded places with Steve, and Joel traded with Kevin and the session continued!

SUNDAY - 27 April

After all the campers went home on Sunday morning a group of us (mainly our family) headed off for the day in San Diego. Hunter fast asleep in Shellie's arms as we ride in the train.Just getting off the Metro rail in San Diego. Our first stop, Old Town.
Jasen sampling olive oil.Deron trying on a sombrello.
Our party waiting for a table at the renown Mexican resturant.
Steve & Shellie eating hand made tortillas freshly off the grill.
Prestin trying not to think just how hungry he actually was.

Jasen waits patiently to attack the chips and salsa.

Jimmy turned his taco salad into a huge taco.
Deron's burrito was more than he could handle. Amazingly, Prestin can't believe we were still taking pictures. "Can't we just eat in peace?"
Jasen dives right into his enchiladas.
Shellie is pleased with what she ordered!
Shellie's taco salad close up and personal. Steve really enjoyed his tamales! Prestin eating his red taquito.
Jasen contemplating after our scrumpuous meal!With our meal in our tummy, we are heading for Seaport Village for some special ice cream treat.
Where was the sea breeze? Even so close to the water the Santa Ana conditions provided us with unusually hot and dry weather.
Prestin videoing activity on the aircraft carrier across at Coronado Island

A family pose on the tree no one is suppose to get on. We were summarily asked to get away from it by the security guard.
Deron checks out the aircraft carrier.
A special treat... Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream at Seaport Village.
Waiting for our bus ride back to our campground.We were all so tired from the wild adventure on buses, trains through San Diego.
Jimmy rests with Jonah after our San Diego adventure. After our long & hot day in San Diego Ken relaxes with the dogs! Steve Schmidt was glad to see we made it back to camp.
As it was our last night the food was abundant. Here Jasen enjoys two ice creams!Shellie & Andria Ibanez the night after all the campers went home.
Our last night. Prestin in his upper bunk!Jasen on his upper bunk.
Deron checking his email or doing some other high tech thing before closing out for the night.
The inside of our cabin was like being inside of a tree. It was very cosy.

MONDAY - 28 April

We packed up and headed home! We had such a beautiful time away from the on-going care of Steve's mom. This was the first break we have had since September when we went to Palm Springs for a few days!