A Trip to Monterey

Last weekend for the Fourth of July, we took a trip north to Monterey, California. We got there on Friday and stayed at a hotel right off of Cannery Row, which is a popular tourist attraction in Monterey. It was also alittle over a mile away from the Fisherman's Wharf. On Saturday morning, we tried to go on a glass bottom boat but the times kept changing and we were afraid of taking a cranky Joey on a boat so instead, we went to the aquarium. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is at the opposite end of Cannery Row from where we stayed, but the distance was less than a mile. We had such a good time there with Joey. They have floor to ceiling glass fish tanks so it feels like you are looking right into the ocean. We saw some really pretty fish. There was one fish in particular that Joey didn't like and he kept swimming back by us. He was big and kinda ugly. Besides the fish tanks, we also saw sea horses, penguins, and sea otters.

Unfortunately we did not get to see fireworks for the Fourth of July because the city of Monterey is too broke and so they cancelled the fireworks this year. I don't think Joey would have liked the loud noise so it really wasn't a huge deal. It was kinda cold there and in the 60's so sitting outside to watch fireworks wasn't something that I was really excited about. But it was nice to get a little change from the 100 degree temperatures that we live with everyday at Edwards! Here are the pictures from our trip: Monterey Pictures.

We came home on Sunday and were all exhaused. I took Joey's temperature on Sunday night because he felt warm to me and he had a 103 degree temperature! We called the doctor on call and he told us to give Joey a bath and some tylenol. Apparently there was a fever going around here and Joey probably got it from playing at the indoor playplace that we go to. His fever went away and then came back a few times and finally by last night he was definately feeling better!

Joe was supposed to leave yesterday to go to Shreveport until Saturday. He made the 2 hour drive to LAX only to find out 30 minutes before the flight was to leave that he didn't have to go anymore. So he turned around and drove the 2 hours back home. We were so happy to have him back with us last night!

Last week and weekend

We had such a good week last week and weekend even though Joe went out of town again last week. He left on Father's day. My mom came to visit last Monday. She flew into Ontario Airport, so Joey and I drove there to pick her up. It is closer than LAX and easier to get to, however the roads to get there are mostly desert roads and driving through the San Bernardino forest, the only treeless forest that I have ever seen. Anyways, my mom and I hung out all week. She taught him to say "Me" when she says "Who is the cutest boy in the world?"

Joe got home late on Wednesday night, but we didn't see him until Thursday evening when he got back from work. On Friday, my cousin Eva who lives in San Diego came up for a visit. We had a really good time and Joey loved all of the attention. We all took a drive on Saturday to Pasadena and got back home really late. Luckily Joey likes to sleep in the car!

The other day, he started a new laugh. I am not really sure how to explain it and not sure where it came from, but I love it. I think it is the cutest sound that I have ever heard. Joey is also wanting to go outside all of the time. He loves to play in the backyard with his toys. Unfortunately, if we don't get out there before 11, it is way too hot to be out there and he can't even touch his slide because it gets so hot. The weather is consistently in the 100's now so outside play is limited. We having been doing some coloring with paints, crayons, and markers, and play-do inside to pass the time. He loves to do all art stuff, but he really likes the play-do. Everytime that we play with it, he tries to eat it. And everytime he puts it in his mouth, he makes an "eck" sound. I am planning on making an edible play-do one of these days so that he can enjoy eating it:)

He has definately turned into a toddler and enjoys getting into things, climbing, and throwing. I love my little monkey and he is so much fun! Here are some pictures of Joey from June: Joey June.

Last Saturday...

I just realized that I haven't posted about the TPS graduation that we went to last Saturday night. Our friend, Chris, graduated. We knew him in Minot and then he moved here to go to TPS 6 months after Joe. We had a really good time at the graduation party, hanging out with friends that we hadn't seen in awhile.

Me and Joe

Some friends from our TPS class.

Here is a picture of Joey and his babysitter, Elise. She is such a nice girl. Unfortunately, she is moving to Alabama next week so we won't have her here to watch Joey anymore:) Joey loved her!

Joey-angelo

We have a little artist in our presence. I bought Joey some paint and finger paint the other day and let him go to town. He had a lot of fun, even tasted some of it! Afterwards, I had to hose him off, but you are only a kid once, right?

Just Getting Started

Tasting the finger paint.

The Los Angeles Zoo

This past weekend, we went to the LA Zoo. We we expecting a huge zoo because LA is such a big city. Unfortunately, we were disappointed. It was small and uphill! Well, on the way out it was downhill. Anyways, we had a great day with Joey and we are so happy that we do can things like this with him and he enjoys it! The zoo had a few really good features, including the giraffes that were right in the middle of the walkway. We were feet from them. Also, they had a lot of chimpanzees and they were right up at the glass for us to see. Here are the pictures: LA Zoo and here is one of my favorites from the day.

Reason 1,285 why California is broke.

This a musical road that is in Lancaster, CA, about 30 minutes from our house. They carved into the road so that when you drive over it, you hear the William Tell Overture. It was in a different location last year, but it was too loud and the neighbors close-by complained. So they filled in that road and then moved about a mile away to a street that is not close to houses. We video taped our car driving over the road. Sorry that the camera is shaking...I was laughing as we drove because the road is kinda silly.

Rosamond Cat House

On Saturday we went to a cathouse in Rosamond. It was so strange. I guess if you lived here, you would understand. Rosamond is a town right outside the base. It is kinda a dumpy town with a McDonalds, Albertsons and a few small restaurants. So to find out that there is a cathouse didn't suprise me because I figured that it would be a smelly house with house cats. We were amazed when we got there to see that the cats weren't house cats. The cats are tigers and leopards and jaguars. Seriously, I couldn't believe it. Oh, and there were peacocks walking around right next to us. What a coincidence since Joey started saying "peacock" because there is one in his new book. You can see in the pictures how close we were to the animals. I got a little scared because I was afraid of one of the "cats" knocking down the cage and attacking me. They looked hungry.

He wanted to eat us. He just kept pacing back and forth.

Joey wanted to pet this guy. I stood close by, ready to pick up Joey and run to the nearest exit!

Here is the black panther, pacing and making a loud growling noise. Did I mention that he scared me?

This a cougar.

And here is one of the peacocks that open his feathers for us. I guess he liked us!

Memorial Day Weekend

We were so excited for my cousins Eva and Tina and to come visit over Memorial day weekend! Eva brought her boyfriend Matt. It was so great to see them and spend time with them. Joey really had a good time getting spoiled, even though he is going through a separation anxiety phase of wanting me to be next to him all of the time.

They got here on Saturday afternoon, just intime to watch the Pens game and eat wings. Joe has become quite the wings cooker. He uses me dad's sauce recipe so it feels like we are at home in McMurray:)

On Sunday morning, our friend called in the morning to let us know that the shuttle was going to land at around 8:40am on base. We had to get up and get moving so that we could get out to the flight line in time. We made it and saw the second shuttle landing since we have lived here! It is pretty boring sitting there and watching it land, but how many people actually get to say that they have seen numerous space shuttle landings? Well, now the McKenna's can!

We just hung out on Sunday, playing with Joey, going to the BX and cooking. Joey had such a fun time playing with everyone.

On Monday, Eva and Matt left and Tina stayed to play some more. Tina and I went to see a movie and picked up dinner in town. Joey and I took Tina to the airport on Tuesday, but not before we went looking for some famous people in Beverly Hills. Unfortunately, we didn't see any.

We had such a great time with our latest visitors! I can't wait for them to come back to see us again!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. Of course, I did a bad job of taking pictures. I will blame it on the fact that my camera just hasn't been the same since Joe brought it back from Brazil.

Joey getting kissess from Eva and Tina.

Eva and Matt

Joey playing cars with Tina

Playing Ace-Duecey

Trying to get a picture with Eva, Matt, and Joey

Early Summer Fun

We have been playing outside a lot recently because of the hot weather. Last weekend, we bought and Joe installed a mister for our back porch. It is a little hose that is nailed up on our back porch ceiling that mists water. It is going to be great in a few weeks when the temperature reaches 100 degrees everyday. We also bought Joey a new water pool/sprinkler. Here he is playing with it.

I also thought that maybe I had escaped Joey saying the word "no" anytime soon. Well, I was wrong. He has started saying "na na na na" which translates to me saying "no no no no." He is becoming a little stubborn,(like his daddy) and once he sets his mind to something, he will do it/get it(like his mommy.)

When I downloaded the next pictures, I realized how silly Joey looks with this hat on. But the sun here is so hot and he won't wear sunglasses. He doesn't like the hat either. I told him that he has to wear it outside and if he doesn't want to wear it, he has to go inside. So occasionally he will walk inside and take it off and then try to come back outside without it on.

When Joey saw the water squirting out of the hose connector, he decided to try to drink the water. He stood there for a good 10 minutes playing with that water and taking occasional drinks.

My weekend just got better than it was going to be! Joe has been in Abeline, TX for the past week and he wasn't supposed to get home until next Friday. Today he called to tell me that he will be getting home tomorrow! Also this weekend, my cousins Eva and Tina are coming for a visit. They will get here on Saturday. I know that Joey will enjoy playing with them and giving them hugs and kisses. I am so excited to have visitors! Have a good Memorial Day weekend!

Mother's Day Weekend

We had such a good Mother's Day weekend. It started with my mom coming into town on Friday. The plan was for me to go pick her up from the airport and then we would go straight to Joey's eye doctor appointment. Of course, that didn't work out. The flight that she was supposed to take was full and since she flies standby, she didn't get on. So Joey and I went to his doctor's appointment alone because Joe was flying that day. We got there a little early and then waited about 45 minutes after our appointment time until we finally got called back. During that time, Joey was playing ball with another little boy. The ball rolled under a chair and a lady picked it up for Joey and handed it to him. Joey said "dak-do" which actually sounds a little like "thank you" in person. The lady looked at me and said "he just said thank you!" I was so proud of my boy.

On Saturday, my mom and I went to get our nails done as a Mother's day treat. On Sunday, we went to brunch, played outside with Joey for awhile, and then went out to dinner. My mom left on Monday. The weekend went so fast but we had a great time and Joey always enjoys the extra attention. The weather was in the 90's this weekend with not a lot of wind so we definately took advantage of that! Joey has decided that he doesn't like to get his picture taken anymore. Maybe it is the flash, I don't know. But he refuses to look at the camera and smile. Here are the pictures from Mother's day weekend: Mother's Day.