Utah's Golden Spike National Monument

On our trip to Utah we spent a Saturday with Papa Meyer(my Dad). We decided to go site seeing. What better place than Utah's Golden Spike National Monument. Which is located at Promontory Summit, 32 miles Northwest of Brigham City. Here is a picture of what our drive was like. What I miss the most about Utah is the mountains. Still snow on the tops and its May, go figure.

There was a lot of baby crops growing in the fields along the way. This type of farming is called "dry farming". Notice any irrigation or sprinklers? 

Out here they rely on God to water the crops. 

After driving way out in B.F.E. we made our destination. 

Turner and I posing like tourist do:) 

The joining of the rails was signified by the driving of the ceremonial Golden Spike. 

The first Transcontinental Railroad where the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific Met on May 10th 1869. 

The meeting of "Jupiter" Central Pacific steam engine on the left. Union Pacific "No.119"on the right.

Fully operational replicas of the originals that were built in 1868.

Marshall's favorite out of the two is "Jupiter" of coarse because it is his favorite color.

Papa asked the engineer questions about "Jupiter's" engine.  

We learned that both are steam locomotives made by two different companies the only major difference is one is ran on wood, and the other on coal. The "Jupiter" ran on wood. 

"No. 119" ran on coal as you can see the engineer shows. 

Each locomotive  held enough water to run the steam engine for thirty miles at a time. This is why you will find  small towns every thirty miles across the heartlands of America.  

Due to reasons like the Civil War and the California Gold Rush, most labor was done by Chinese and Irish immigrants.

The average speed of track building was one mile per day. While trying to reach Ogden Utah first, the Central Pacific set a monumental record of 10 miles of track laid in one day!

The original sign

Another adventure to put in the record book. I had a great time spending the day with the family. Remembering passed times going there as a kid, and making new memories for my kids to remember when they get older. 

oops lets try it again. Its hard sometimes to get Turner to look at the camera

And Turner developed a taste for rocks...

Mother's Day @ Hotel Del Coronado

Hello family and friends. Finally a place for everyone to see our family adventures in beautiful sunny San Diego. I was inspired by my wonderful friend Andra Mahoney to start a blog of my own. Hope you all enjoy.

For my Mother's Day my family surprised me with a beautiful brunch at the famous Hotel Del Coronado. We dressed for the occasion and man I will have to say Tom and I have produced two handsome boys if I do say so myself.

The hotel is a beautiful Victorian landmark that was built in 1887. Five or six years ago we saw Air Force One at North Island Naval Base (The base where Tom is currently stationed) where President Bush gave a speech then stayed at the luxurious resort. This hotel was also made popularly known by the movie "Some Like it Hot" starring Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemon. 

On our way in we couldn't help but take a few pics.

.I'm too young to have an 8 year old, look how much Marshall has grown

Walking through the foyer gives an eerie sense of history. It almost feels like walking through the foyer of Disneyland's Hollywood Tower of terror. Crystal chandeliers centered every room along with large vased flower arrangements. Oops caught Marshman with his eyes closed. 

Everything was intricately in its place all the way down to the bellhops. I had to get a snap in the old fashioned shaft elevator of coarse with the friendly staff.

They reserved a table for us in the Ballroom. Turner and I at the entrance.

Harp music was played on stage to set the mood for our buffet style meal. Not a very good shot of the harp player I know. She is there in the backround. I was too excited to snag me a cut of Prime Rib and steamed King Crab legs.

Family that went were Great Aunt Evelyn, Aunt Cheryl, Uncle Wayne, Tom, Marshall, Turner, and of coarse your truly. Like our corsages? I had them specially made for us. Orchids for Aunt Evelyn and yellow Pigmy Roses for Aunt Cheryl and I.  

This is me after my first piece of Prime Rib still excited for more.

Here is Turner just as excited for 2nds as I am... And  3rds, and 4ths, ect. lol

Aunt Evelyn modeling her orchid corsage, too bad I didn't get a pic of her wheels. She is quite the trend setter. Her wheel chair is decorated according to the holiday. Cheryl and Wayne wove spring flower decorations through each wheel which brought a lot of attention. 

For dessert Marshall had fun with the chocolate fountain. He enjoyed it so much he had to take some for later.

After brunch we went on a little stroll around the grounds checking out the little shops.

Uncle Wayne carrying Turner. This is what happens to Turner when he eats too much.

Aren't they such studs?  Tom and Turner striking a pose for all to see.

Alas we are sitting patiently waiting for valet to bring our car around.

What a great privilege it was to be able to have such a nice day with my family making wonderful memories. I am so grateful to have such thoughtful people in my life. Though it doesn't take much to please me they are always thinking up ways to show their appreciation. I love being a mom:) Until next time...