Updates...and why you should visit.

If you are wondering what we have been up to, then this is the post for you. If you have been trying to decide if you should visit, and you just are not sure yet, then this is the post for you. Because here I present, "Updates...and why you should visit."

We have a killer zoo. I know what you are thinking. The zoo in your hometown is pretty nice. It probably has some hippos, or little wax animals that come out of a vending machine for $.50. But is it set in an evergreen wonderland? Does it have viewing glass to watch the crazy huge sea lions frolic and play? Does it have a Lorakeet Feeding tent?
And a really great train ride?
(Is the little one photogenic, or what?)

Another reason you should come visit is that we are 1 hour away from a 75 year old aquarium in a space that is about 150 square feet. It has stuff in plastic tubs:
Creepy squids in tanks:
Well - OK. So we will skip the aquarium. We'll do 2 days at the zoo. It is big enough for that. The aquarium is however, right on the beach.
So that is fun, right? Now it is not the beach of Cabo San Lucas, but it is a beach and beautiful and blustery and loverly.

If you come and it is your birthday, I will make you a cake of your choosing. This one was of my son's choosing for his 4th birthday and the only request was "Spider-Man," which isn't really a flavor, but more of a theme. It was a white cake with a buttercream icing.
I know I am no Ace of Cakes, but c'mon! That is a pretty great cake! I have made some pretty ugly cakes in my day (anyone remember the baseball cupcakes of '05? ) but I am getting better. Do you like how the web is asymmetrical? I thought you would. I will do asymmetrical decorations on your cake, too, if that is your wish.

We will also host a birthday party with a lot of small children, or people your own age, if that is your thing and if you are visiting on your birthday. (Please note: we still only have about 3 friends here, so we can't promise the guests will be exactly your age, but we will try. Our dear friend Chanel is young, but acts like an old lady, so that should cover many bases.)
Are you convinced yet? Really? Ok - I didn't want to have to mention this, but we have discovered a place called "My Favorite Muffin and Bagel Bakery." (Chanel - have you been here?) Yes the name is stupid, but the muffins/bagels are not. "So what?" you are thinking. I know you have Einstein's. And I know you just normally buy those ginormous muffins from Costco that are like $5 for 50 lbs. of muffins. BUT. NOT. LIKE. THESE.
They sell a cherry cheesecake muffin, which Amy and I fantasize about on a daily basis. They also sell a coconut cream muffin that I have not yet tried, but that I had a dream about last night. They also sell bagel sandwiches on really, really good homemade bagels. And with the purchase of a bagel sandwich you get a pickle spear and a FREE mini muffin! Perhaps a chocolate cream cheese muffin with your turkey bagelwich? Or maybe a lemon crumb muffin with your roast beef bagelwich. JUST LOOK AT ALL THE MUFFINS!!!
Isn't that reason enough?

And our hot tub is working.

And we have an LDS Temple:



As you can see, there are many delightful things to do/eat here. And we are doing great.

Gratuitous tub shot: