Golf Trip

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity, along with several of my workmates, to play TPC Las Vegas golf course. Me and another chap from work drove to Las Vegas on Friday, arriving by the late afternoon. We awoke early to meet up with the rest of the Woodward crew, and got in a minibus at 7 a.m. that took us out to the golf course.  

We played a team format, and I was paired up with a chap called Fernando. We played a better-ball, scramble format, where both players take shots, and then select the best position to take the next shot from. It was a really hot day, with temperatures topping out at 104. To make conditions tricky, there was also a 25 mph wind. Even with all that, and a very difficult professional standard golf course, Fernando and I played pretty well, and managed to win the competition. We finished 2 over par, and picking up a $450 first place prize, between us.

A smaller group of friends from work went out for a meal on the Friday night, to a Benihana restaurant, and finished the night in the Sahara casino, where most of us were staying. 

Tidbits

 Stace has a friend at work who used to be a mechanic, and he offered to help Melanie and Nick out with some car repairs over the weekend. That meant he drove their car home, and Stace got to take his baby home. Pretty sweet.

Still so cute.

I was given this little crocheted plant in a thank you gift bag from Jarod, and had it on my dresser. Winston decided it was obviously for him.

Violet finished up her sophomore year of school! She wrapped up her online classes early this week, and her one day of finals at the high school on Wednesday. She got mostly packed for her upcoming trip to Alaska, so on Thursday we had time for an outing.

She wanted to check out a stained glass store in Pasadena, and it was worth the trip. She found several pieces for projects she'd like to do.

We also enjoyed hanging out with the shop cat, Chonky Thomas. He has quite a following.

On Friday, I dropped Violet off at the airport in Burbank for her flight to Seattle! Unfortunately I didn't get our traditional "leaving" photo, as we were a bit flustered because I wasn't able to park and walk her in. The short-term parking lot was full up! 

Also on Friday, Stace left for a weekend trip with his work friends - more on that in a separate post.

On Saturday, I helped Melanie with a small wedding in Redondo Beach. 

We had a nice time together, and she took me out for tacos afterwards to pay me.

I also got paid in these beauties.

Week in Review

 Stace was off Monday for Memorial Day, and we went to Home Depot to check out supplies for the catio we're going to build. He found a Panini World Cup sticker album, just like the one he filled up in 1986. 

We then went to Total Wine and More, for cider - he's been reading his cider book, and wants to brew some up this year.

Violet had a solo horse lesson on Tuesday with Rocky. She got some great experience trotting and guiding the horse directionally.

Happy girl! So glad we have found this ranch and this way for her to ride again.

On Tuesday, after her lesson, she watched the film Hidalgo with us, because it features Viggo Mortensen in a grueling horse race.

On Wednesday, Vi and Cora had Sofia and Liana over for D&D, while I met up with a friend for Happy Hour/dinner.

On Thursday, Violet and I went to the optometrist and she picked out new glasses. Cora, meanwhile, went sliding for the second time this week, and later played D&D. And on Friday, I went up to Palmdale and lunch with my former newspaper co-workers. It was nice to see them again.

On Saturday, Stace watched the Champion's League final with work friends, while I met up with "the ladies" and celebrated one of their birthdays at Agua Dulce Vineyard.

We had a wine tasting and then enjoyed a picnic. It was a great time together.

On Sunday, we celebrated Rigo's birthday at their house.

They'd had a family part on Saturday, and Rigo showed us the very old sword he inherited and was just given. Very cool!

The kids (and young adults) played Telestrations, and other games.

Mt. Pinos Camping

 We went camping with Colleen, Rigo and Liana over our long Memorial Day weekend, up Mount Pinos to a new-to-us campground. 

It was full of huge pine trees, loads of pine cones, beautiful views, and very quiet.

At 8,250 feet elevation, the campground got a little chilly at night.

There was a 1930s ski lodge near the property, and this cute little cabin was next door. Both have been abandoned for years, though in the cabin, there was evidence of squatters from about 10 yeas ago, judging by the newspapers inside.

We ate well, we relaxed, played games, and read. The sites were huge, and very quiet.

We enjoyed Colleen and Rigo's 1967 tent trailer again, perhaps for the last time, as they're looking to sell it. I'd love to buy it but we can't store it. It's really a joy to use and sleep in.

We were playing Triominoes, similar to dominoes. 

We had a lot of laughter playing Mad Libs around the fire.

It was a great trip!

Colorado, Cars and Cats

 Stace had another work trip this week - this time, to Fort Collins, Colorado, where his company has its headquarters, for a software training.

It was a short trip, but he really liked the town and had a good time walking around the downtown area in the evenings. 

He brought home a treat for us - flavored fudge from Buc-ee's.

On Saturday, Stace, Violet and I went to DeBellis Ranch and Acton Trading Post for a morning out. We then stopped at the Newhall Art Walk, where we saw art hanging on walls and being created in real time at various businesses. 

This woman was demonstrating how she makes print collages.

We then got dinner at Bricks, and old favorite.

We took Vi home and Stace and I went to a car show at the mall that benefited the high school district's foundation.

This was a 1927 Ford Speedster.

Stace loves this 1950s Jaguar XK140, which he has seen at other shows.

We spotted Seb spending time in God's Word.

Cora took Violet to the archery range on Sunday afternoon, and they took both bows so they both could shoot.

Horse Lessons

 Violet has been interested in taking horse-riding lessons for a few months, and I'd been researching different ranches in the area. There are a lot of them! One that I'd looked at on Yelp, with positive reviews, is very nearby in Newhall, a plus since most of the others are 20-30 minutes away. 

Then, walking to our car from the Cowboy Festival, we saw a flyer on a car window from this equestrian center, and it felt like a sign. I scheduled a tour, and we set up lessons - the first was Friday.

Violet is grooming Rocky, to get him ready for his saddle.

Cora is taking lessons too! This was her first time on a horse. She hadn't been interested previously, but because she'd like to try stunt work as a job, it seems prudent for her to know how to ride.

She is riding Chick, on an English saddle. Becky, the instructor, thought it would be best for Cora to learn on an English saddle, for her stunt purposes.

Violet is using a Western saddle, with the saddle horn and extra support. She got Rocky to trot and is learning posting, the rhythm of going up and down as the horse trots so it's less bouncy.

They both really enjoyed the lesson, and we look forward to more in the future!