Blog Trip: Day Four - Let's Go Shopping!

Call me crazy... I hate shopping! Perhaps it's because I don't know how to shop. Shopping for groceries is a necessity, of course. I give kudos to those who can shop for a week (or month!) in just one trip to the grocery store. With kids in tow, I lose my patience and usually rush out forgetting things we really need at home.

Shopping at Costco can be fun for me, but not for my bank account. I tend to cruise every aisle for items that catch my eye and may need a home in my cupboards (or garage, or laundry room). Can anyone shop there for less than $100 a trip?

Shopping for myself is impossible. I'm not too picky I don't think, or am I? I can't seem to purchase items for myself (clothing) yet I'm always in the Boys' Section of every Target I go to. I just have to see what's on sale or new for my boys.

I feel rushed and often am succumbed to a guilty feeling spending money on items for myself that tend to shrink in the wash and never get the chance to be worn again. My closet has clothes that are 2-3 years old. Is that bad? Sure, styles change, but I've never been "in style" anyway, and why start now? Give me a giftcard and it'll take me months to find something to use it on. The hassle of arranging for a kidless trip to a department store alone is daunting. Then, when I'm out and about without kids, I feel the need to hurry back to them, like a mother hen. Oh, then there's fitting rooms.... let's not go there.

So, if you're looking to "shop" in Sacramento as a tourist, I'd suggest Arden Fair Mall, the Folsom Outlets and Old Sacramento for souvenirs. Our downtown Westfield Mall is an outdoor 2-story mall that's struggling a bit to keep people shopping there. It does have a theater and some nice restaurants, including the Hard Rock Cafe.

Happy Shopping!

Sparks, Nevada or Bust!

I'm not sure how many we've gone to, but I'd say for the 20 years they've held this event, surely we've been to close to 10 of them! And this year was bigger than ever for our clan... after recruiting the in-laws a few years back, along came Rudy's sister and brother and their families. Adding to our group this year are Grandma and Grandpa Gertie (my parents). Whoo hoo! We sucked up the high gas prices, grabbed the opportunity to stay at John Ascuaga's Nugget (the host hotel) for the weekend and tried our luck at slot machines and craps tables.

We got a late start to our trip on Friday. I worked until 12:00, met Rudy at home, who was doing yardwork and still had to pack up the car. We left the house with a screw in a tire, so went to get that fixed before picking up Papa and Grandma Avila. Oh, of course, Rudy had to stop by the bank first. So, needless to say, our hopes of getting "on the road" by 1:00 p.m. were shot. A small stop to purchase a Lotto ticket before the freeway and we once again find ourselves behind Ben and Kristie. They ALWAYS find some way to get ahead of us!

We arrived in Sparks, NV ready for ribs! I was hungry. After checking in and gathering the gang, we braved the crowded streets in search of the best ribs. Awesome Aussie's were my personal favorite. The kids enjoyed frozen bananas while we walked to the end of the street for a sit-down break (and a funnel cake! - for Bianca). Back up to our rooms for getting the kids ready for bed. The big boys went in search of a lucky craps table, while the little boys and I sunk into our beds (...or tried to!)

We woke up Saturday morning for a Breakfast Buffet and headed out to historic Virginia City. It's a "Long and Winding Road "(who sings that?) and out in the middle of nowhere. No jackpots were hit for the adults. The kids scored their own jackpots with ice cream, a mechanical horse ride and a smushed penny souvenir. Grandma Gertie bought Donovan a sombrero. It may never get worn again, but it was good for pictures!

Back to Sparks for some swimming with the primas, more ribs, and some pooped-out parents. This time I got to try my luck at some slot machines with my mom while the boys went to the arcade to play games and Papa Gertie guarded Baby Devin up in our room. Thanks Dad!

Another day, another buffet (paid for with Rudy's slot winnings)! Off to Circus Circus in Reno to gather our bags full of stuffed animals (the treasured bedtime stuffies). The girls got their faces painted and were pretty in pink. Bianca was too cool in blue. Not really thinking my boys would be willing to get their faces painted too, knowing full well that pink and purple would probably not be ideal, Dominic was enthusiastic when I asked him. Donovan made his decision while we waited in the 1/2 hour line. I couldn't convince him to be a tiger or puppy. He wanted to be like his brother. So, we settled for a smaller version of Dominic's half red half black Spiderman for him. After a few hours of being in disguise and frightening people coming out of elevators, their Spidermen faces turned to Spidersmear faces. Finally we hit Boomtown before officially heading back to Sacramento. The boys slept the majority of the way home. Even Papa and Grandma caught a few winks.

Another Labor Day weekend down and another day full of laundry to do!
Here are more pictures of the fun we had...

Blog Trip: Day Three - Let's Eat!

This, by far, is the most difficult leg in this trip - deciding where to eat. There are tons of culturally diverse cuisines out there. For me, you can't go wrong with Italian or Mexican food. Of course, there's even a range of authenticity that's a deciding factor. Because this is such a difficult decision for me, going with the good ol' favorites is what I'll give you here.

Back in July, we celebrated out 11th anniversary with a getaway, oh.. about 7 miles from where we live! We had dinner at Scott's Seafood on the river and it was fabulous! It was very enjoyable dining outdoors. There are quite a few restaurants along the river that are enjoyable. Some day, I hope to make it out to Joe's Crab Shack. I've heard good things about that place.

My last recommendation would be Il Fornaio's. This is where my work has held its Christmas Party for a few years now. Probably not the best place to take children, but makes for a nice dinner for two, or even a double-date!

So, there's my day three. Let's eat!

41, Look What They've Done!

It's been another year! Last year my parents (or Grandma and Papa Gertie, as the kids call them) celebrated their 40th Anniversary on this date. I don't think I can ever forget how long they've been married because they have 30 years on our marriage!
Congrats on 41 years Mom and Dad!

Blog Trip: Day Two - Got Gas?

Because it's not feasible to taxi around with 3 kids by foot or bicycle (or bus for that matter), I have come to depend on "Mini Pearl". She gets me everywhere. And by the time I arrive to work in the morning, I've already been EVERYWHERE: 2 kids off at daycare, one off to school and back on the freeway for a near 30-minute commute to work.
Last Thursday, when I filled up, I got gas at $3.65 a gallon at Safeway (includes the 10 cent discount per gallon). During our weekend trip to Reno, NV, I was seeing prices running around this area as well. So, it seems that prices are going down from the $4.19 or so high we saw not too long ago.

Nevada prices.

Check out the best deals in your area. We use GasBuddy.com to see if there's somewhere along our routes that we might need to stop to get gas at.

Search for gas prices by US Zip Code

Blog Trip: Day One - Welcome!

Life is a highway... Welcome new friends!

My posts for this "trip" may link to subjects which I have blogged about in the past. I've tried to include my personal experiences of places we have been to that are within Sacramento. Have a look back in time!

As you can see, I'm a mom to 3 terrific boys (*snicker, snicker*). The oldest is in 1st Grade and attends a private, Catholic school. The other two attend a home daycare. My husband and I work full-time away from home - a home watched over by two dogs. We are blessed to have our jobs, our family nearby and this home to call our own.

I have lived in Sacramento, CA my entire life and usually visit communities within, such as Rosemont, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights and Elk Grove on a weekly, sometimes daily, basis. Thank goodness gas prices are showing a slight decrease.

There is a variety of "things to do" within our city. With Sacramento being the capital city of California, surely you might want to visit the Capitol Building itself. It's where the Governator works and where our legislature can't pass a budget! We have the American River Parkway nearby with miles of trails, Old Sacramento, Sutter's Fort, Raley Field (Home of the RiverCats) and Arco Arena (Home of the Kings) for all of you sports buffs. Of course, we have our Zoo, which is situated in Land Park; Fairytale Town and Funderland close by as well. We've got museums, golf courses and malls. The mountains and Lake Tahoe are 2 hours to the East of us, San Francisco and the Bay Area are 2 hours to the West of us. Something for everyone I'm sure.

I'm coming to your town next! Show me the way!

I'm trippin'!

Call me crazy... Yep, I'm a trippin'! This is my first stab at trying something like this, so if you're new to my blog, WELCOME! If you're an avid lurker, come out! And if you already know me and visit my blog often, sit back and well, enjoy the blog....or join me! I'm going on a trip! Stay tuned to five days of fun, from September 1st to the 5th. I will be posting on each of those days as mommy bloggers from all over come cruising by to visit me and my post for the day (I will be visiting their's too!).

I'm looking forward to a vacation - one which gives me something to blog about each day. You're not tired of my kids are you?

But before I start packing, The Rib Cook-Off is coming up! That'll be a post to look forward to!