San Francisco Treat

Right in the middle of a summer swelter, San Fran and its moderate temps were just what we needed. On a bit of a whim a mini-vacation was planned to get away to the coast, and enjoy the city the way the locals do. While there we stayed a little motel on Lombard St., and enjoyed the many quaint stores within the area. Dogs definitely rule the roost around these parts. They are welcome in any store and treated like a member of the family. First night consisted of the wharf, Pier 39 and Rainforest Cafe. The kids enjoyed all the sights and sounds, especially the street performers. One who Spencer was sure was a robot. We ended the night with some sourdough turtles from Boudins. The next day was bit more relax with a stroll down Chestnut to Noah's Bagels, and then a good session at the local park. After that, it was off to the cable cars. Without a destination known, we hopped on and ended up in Union Square, where we changed our plans to eat at Lori's Diner, and it could not have been finer. After naps, we decided to continue our adventures on the MUNI and travel like the locals. It got a little crowded at times and the places we wanted to go to all ended up being closed, but the journey was fun nonetheless. Day three brought the Exploratorium and after 3.5 hours, we still didn't see it all, but our energy was fading, so we cut the visit short. Off to Lucca's Deli for some authentic Italian sandwiches and spaghetti, then to top it off, Susie Cakes cupcakes for dessert. All in all, it was a fantastic trip with no real agenda that we will be sure to do again next year to take in even more that San Fran has to offer.

Abigail's First Lost Tooth

Our not-so-little Abigail is growing up so fast and seems to reach milestones too fast for our liking. the most recent, which was losing her first tooth. This tooth had hung on for a good while, but nothing was going to keep it from falling out this night. Abigail was excited, yet a little apprehensive about pulling it out. She was definitely against using any floss to yank it out. So she slowly loosened it to the point of no return and eventually removed it all by herself. We both screamed with excitement upon realizing that it actually came out, and as she ran to show mommy the excitement turned to fright, and she started to cry. The crying was short lived, and we quickly set on making the tooth envelope for placement under her pillow. The tooth fairy made her first official visit for Abigail, and the money has already been spent.

3rd Annual Neighborhood Camping Trip

This was the third camping trip made my the neighborhood gang, second trip with everyone being able to attend. This year's location was the coast at a beautiful campsite called Costanoa. Although it was a wee bit chilly at times, it didn't take away from the fun-filled adventures everyone had. We arrived to the site on Father's Day and enjoyed a well planned night of food, drink and songs. The next day we all managed to make the hike to the beach where the kids explored and splashed in the waves. Tuesday was a two-fer, we were able to go see the redwoods on our nature hike, and go to Santa Cruz to enjoy the boardwalk and the beach. Each night we were able to all huddle in around the fire and enjoy each others company. We had many visitors throughout the trip including two skunks, many prairie dogs, one little resident kitty, and several raccoons who feasting on our food. All in all it was a great trips with great friends. Can't wait for our next camping installment.

Abigail's Hawaiian Rollercoaster

Abigail completed her last performance for the spring dance season, and might I say, it was flawless. She was front and center with her friend Clarisa, and the two of them danced in perfect unison. We are all very proud of little ballerina in her last performance in ballet shoes. She has decided that she would like to try hip-hop or jazz next time. New and exciting moves are sure to come from that. Here is a picture of Abigail with her roses that Spencer gave to her after the concert. She made sure that we didn't forget her flowers with multiple reminders.

Outta Hiding

Alright, so I thought I would give this whole blogging thing another whirl. Work is kind of slow, and I need something to keep my brain from physically dying. There has been so much that has happened since our last entry, and no amount of motivation would allow me to catch up, so with that said here is what I can remember in bullet format.

• Spencer graduated from Phoenix Preschool.
• Summer was upon us with swimming and more swimming.
• Visited the great island of Newfoundland. Top notch visit.
• Camping trip to Fallen Leaf Lake with the neighbors (rained on last day).
• Andy and I milked a free white-water rafting trip. Booyah!!
  
• Spencer started Kindergarten.
• Abigail's Christmas Dance Concert.
  
• Christmas in Cali this year. Loved the new fake tree.
• Sledding in the Sierras.
  
• Home floor reno official began, and is still in progress.
• Bring on the 2010 Rocklin Pony baseball season.
  
• Finally finished the front garden area. You're welcome neighbors.
• Grandma and Grandpa Polischuk come for a visit.
• Running Events: Davis Stampede, Run Rocklin, Parkway Half Marathon, and the World Famous Camp Pendleton Mud Run.
• Spencer graduated Kindergarten.
• Abigail's Spring Dance Concert.

... and that about bring you up to date. I know it must have been tough all those months wondering what was going on, and for that, I apologize. Here's to a bigger and better effort this time around.

The Cal-Poli's

Jelly Belly Heaven

I was finally able to take a day off to accommodate a trip to the Jelly Belly Factory. Tours run all week, but on weekends there's no actual production, so it more interesting to go on a weekday. The place was hopping, and full of tasty things to eat. The tour went through the entire factory from pre-jelly belly materials, to creation, to boxing them up for shipment. Some free jelly belly's were enjoyed at the end of the tour, and we were lucky to go during Easter, as the Easter Bunny was paying a visit. All it was a great way to spend a rainy day.

Canadian Christmas 2008

This year we decided to fly home and spend Xmas with the family in Saskatchewan. At first we were all gung ho, but then we were a little leery once we say some of the weather updates. We quickly got over it and were prepared for some fun, festivities and family. Spencer and Abigail were quite excited to go on vacation, and kept asking when we were going to wake-up super early to fly on the airplane. We had to leave the house at 4:30 am and our neighbour Andy was kind enough to drive us to the airport. The airplane/airport experience was relaxing and smooth. The kids enjoyed all the perks of flying, and had fun discovering all the plane had to offer. We arrived without a hitch and our vacation officially began. After a few short visits and errands, we were off to my hometown of La Ronge. A thermometer reading of -32 C greeted us once we arrived, but that didn't lower our enthusiasm for winter/snow fun. The very next day we were off and running. Clearing the ice rink at the Alicia and Mike's, and prepping the hill for sledding. It turned out to be a beautiful day, and the kids absolutely loved it. Neither Abigail nor Spencer had ever been on ice before, so this was pretty special. Abigail was trooper, even through all the slips and falls. Spencer preferred sledding, but also enjoyed the ice for awhile. Spencer and Abigail continued to play with their cousins Parker and Morgan every chance they got (especially on the swing in Grandma and Grandpa's basement), and we got to enjoy to child-free hours entertaining ourselves with cocktails, Wii, old friends and the odd puzzle. I was lucky enough to be invited a jam session with my bro that lasted a total of 6 hours. Many a good tune was played that evening. Finally, Christmas had arrived, and it was utter chaos with four young kids frantically ripping through anything in their path. It didn't take them long to demolish the pile of presents under the tree. Abigail kept opening every present and commenting that "I've been waiting for this." Even though we're pretty sure she didn't even know what she had before saying it. Later we got to enjoy a traditional Polischuk Xmas dinner consisting of lobster and crab, and afterwards enjoyed some Wii for a nightcap. The kids got to strap some skates on and try them on an official ice rink, which was pretty cool. Both did very well considering where they're from, and have shown a serious interest in skating and hockey ever since. They also got to take a ride on Uncle Mike's snowmobile, and if it were up to Spencer, we'd still be driving on it. They loved it. Unfortunately, our trip drew to a close and we had to say good-bye, but it turned out to be a great trip with lots of fond memories made.