Labor Day

Monday morning I woke up and called my cousin Crystal who also lives in LA. She had asked me if we wanted to go bowling on that Saturday but due to all the shopping in the alleys, and traveling, we were so tired we decided not to go. Which turned out to be a good idea because my cousins Steven and Valerie came to see us and we rarely see them.

So I asked her if she'd like to have breakfast with Jr and I. Reason being... her boyfriend Gabriel was in town Labor Day weekend as well from Washington where he is stationed. He's in the Navy and because of that (even though they've been together a year) I've never met him.

Well that's kind of a lie... I did meet him briefly 4 years ago when I went with Crystal to her prom. They went to High School together and he was there. She introduced us in passing but I've ever officially met him or really talked to him. He's a very nice guy... funny... and seems to be very genuine. I am very happy for Crystal.

So anywho. We went to breakfast. The ride up to the restaurant was beautiful. We ended up a place called Norm's... it's like a Denny's or an Ihop. We also joined Gabriel's parents, brother, and sister there who also wanted to spend some time with him before he left back to Washington that night.

Crystal and Gabriel were in the Mustang

Breakfast was good and afterward our boys found out they have something major in common... the NEED to have a Monster everyday. If you know my Jr then you know he cannot live WITHOUT one each morning. He's so addicted that he get's super cranky if he doesn't drink one.

Being that it was noon already we made a quick run to get them their crack in a can.

And of course they can't be normal and buy a regular one... they needed the "B F C"

With big smiles on their faces everything was puppies and rainbows once again.

I'm not sure what Gabriel was doing but a few times he stuck his can on top of his car and I happened to snap a picture...

We invited them over to my aunt's house where we were BBQing before we headed back to Phoenix. They gladly accepted and we spent the afternoon talking and laughing. I got to learn more about Gabriel and hang out with my cousin Crystal. We hadn't done that in a very long time.

Alayna made us laugh for a while too... she's great entertainment!

Then it was time to pack up. I didn't lift a finger... my wonderful husband did it all. He's great!

Before we left I went outside to see the dogs that I haven't seen in forever! Alayna was scared of them at first but she warmed up to them.

Here she is with Casper... he's been around since I was young.

Then it was time to go... and we were off...

On the road there were a lot of college students heading off to school... I like to watch cars while we travel... here's one I got a picture of...

All the while Jr slept in my lap

And then we stopped at the Coach outlet! Holy Cow was it busy! I was looking for 2 items specifically...

Ended up not finding either... and it was so busy we left and continued on home.

We stopped for a restroom and dinner break in Quartzsite.

And finally returned home...

This was all our luggage! It was funny cuz my parents only had one medium sized bag compared to everything we had.

I love vacations but it feels so good to be home.