Boston-August 26-28, 2005

(an unexpected trip up to)

Boston

otherwise known as "the weekend of the dogs"

I say it's the weekend of the dogs because Steve and I babysat my roommate's dog, LULU. We promised Erin a few weeks ago we would and with an unexpected trip up to Boston we decided to take her with us. As you can see, Lulu cuddled with Steve (she's his Bitch). In Boston we were staying with the Diolosa's who have Pedro and Nina...lets just say it was a full house at 1999 Comm. Ave.

Oh, isn't that precious. This is Lulu! The cutest pug one will ever see.

HOWEVER, she is quite the little eater. This cute little pug ate 3 times on Saturday--her dog food and both Pedro and Nina's plus all the "treats" Steve gave her. I think we returned her to Erin 5 lbs heavier. Her "sweater" was a little snug.

On the drive up to Boston, we stopped at Burger King. Steve, per Schwartz family tradition, had to get a crown. He was King of the car and Lulu was his Queen.

Steve and his Bitch-Lulu. She sat in his lap for the majority of the trip up to Boston. We took her for a pee stop in Hartford (somewhere) and ended up at a gas station near where the Rolling Stones concert was being held. We got to listen to the Stones cover Bob Marley's "Get up stand up".

That was AWESOME!


We tried to sleep in on Saturday, but the dogs needed to pee. We took Lulu for a walk down to dunkin' donuts in Cleveland Circle and grabbed breakfast...

Lunch time. We're all hungry and we're in Boston. Where else does one go for a delicious (and cheap) burrito? ONLY ANNAS! This place comes highly recommended. Might I suggest the al pastor, which I believe is only offered at this location on Harvard Ave.

Steve finishing up his super al pastor (with black beans, rice, salsa and hot sauce)... Anna's is his home away from home! According to him, Anna's has the best burritos! Your thoughts?

The Diolosa's. This was Olivier's first trip to Annas. I think he enjoyed the super al pastor burrito with black beans, rice and the works (salsa, sour cream, lettuce, guacemole, hot sauce).

Liesel (this time) didn't get a stomach ache.



Lunch finito. Job well done by us all, don't you think?

After a hardy lunch. We needed to relax. We took a drive up to Lexington to see the new Diolosa household. Then is was moving time....then it was time to relax.

The boys played video games...

The boys took a break and played Charles' X-box.

There was some fighting going on--girl on girl mostly.

Boys will be boys.

Olivier at least took a break to eat his frozen yogert from Angora! Yum, yum.


To get some fresh air and after we figured out our plan for the

night (thanks to Oliver and a coin toss some went to Red Eye others watch the game at the Ave to take advantage of the $1 bud) we walked the doggies.

Walking Pedro, Nina and Lulu on Comm. Ave to the B.C. cemetary. Liesel had the poop bags, the dogs strutted their stuff and Steve and Charles and I went along for the ride. Instead of running around with the little runts, we threw the frisbee around.

Charles and "Charles River" (that's the frisbee's name. You'll have to ask him the story why.)

Charles and Steve resting on the "bank" on the side of the street (in the cemetary)

We all met up at the Avenue for some cheap drinks. A few of us watched the Red Sox game.

Jaren and Vigdis at the Avenue. Vigdis looking all put together, and me looking like a slob.

Dave and Olivier aruging. I think Dave said something to piss off Olivier. I think they were able to settle the dispute.




Olivier sipping a beer with no hands. He spends so much time with Pedro and Nina (the doggies) he is beginning to act like one. Liesel, I would be worried.



Steve and Jaren


Dave and Steve chatting about what?



John and his side view (see here for the other side view)



Olivier, Vigdis and Liesel looking for the "T". Oh, how I do NOT miss the green "B" line




The gang: Vigdis, John, Liesel, Olivier, Dave and Steve.
Liesel is panicing about catching the "T"...don't worry we were able to catch the last one. That was interesting. There was a little scene: drunk college kid about reading to puke and a bum yelling at him...we survived

Anna's: What's your opinion?

ANNA's TAQUERIA

As many of you know, I enjoy a tastey and cheap burrio. And, Annas seems to have everything I'm looking for in a delicious burrito--offers cheap prices, provides many options and makes homemade guacemole.

I'm curious (and I'm sure others are too) to hear your opinion on:

1) Anna's Taqueria. Share your pros/cons, experiences, favorite meals, etc.

2) Any other burrito joint (hopefully in the NYC region)

*Just click on "comments" to share.

Many thanks and kind regards.

The Farm-August 19-21, 2005

The Farm

August 19-21, 2005

I drug Steve out to good ol' Everson, WA to visit the Thompson Family Farm.

We had a great weekend seeing friends and family.

Friday night:

Arrived Seatac. We were met by Baby with containers of puppy chow. Yum, yum. Thanks Baby! Then we drove up to Lake Stevens to see Jessamyn's new apartment and to meet Jason. We had some Kokane and (it's not take it's..)DiGeorno pizza. Lets just say it was obvious Jessamyn had spent the summer in the woods. She put the pizzas in with the cardboard sitll underneath. She smoked out her apartment and set off the smoke detectors on her first night.

Saturday:

Morning:

My Dad made a delicious "farm breakfast" for Steve and I. A typical "farm breakfast" consists of: eggs, beacon, sausage, hashbrowns, biscuits with homemade starwberry jam.

Steve making sure the beacon is cooking properly.

After a hardy meal we walked uptown down main street...a 5 minute stroll...

Then it was up to Vancouver, B.C. to visit Steve's college friend, Suzie.

We had drinks at "Cactus Club" and chatted.

Then we hit up "Robson Street" and did some shopping.

Evening:

We came back from Vancouver and the BBQ began. Greg made his famous ribs with corn on the cob, salads, baked potatoes and all the fixin's.

Everyone who attended farm camp (from left to right: Jason, Jessamyn, Ashley, Jadyn, Steve, Greg, Jaren, Annie, Joan, Scott, Jacob, Nick and Darek--Lynda and Garth are somewhere and Megan is taking the picture)

Here's me with my adorable cousins Jacob and Nick

The Chef enjoying his ribs...He's a little upset Annie interrupted him eating...

My uncle Scott!

Nick eating (or should I say sucking on) ribs. We start them out young eating bbq.

Scott and Nick. The two had a love hate relationship. Here Nick wants his rib back...

Megan waving to the camera and Nick grinning big :-)

All the old folks needing some R&R

As the old folks rest, the kids play...we're off to check out the barn...

(don't worry Jadyn, I won't tell anyone)

Steve and I examine the chickens.

Ahh, here's us at sunset.


And the rest of the gang.



Dinner was accompanied by some booze (as you can see)....

Jessamyn, Jason, Jadyn, Steve and myself stroll uptown to "Bobby Lee's"--the ONLY bar in (I'd say a 10 mile radius of Everson). As we walked in, everyone's heads turned to look at us (mind you we're all in our matching "farm camp" t-shirts)...there was kareoking and drinking. Drinking and kareoking. Dancing and drinking. Dancing and kareoking...you get the point.

Jadyn and I singing Dixie Chicks.

The 3 of us singing the Joker, by Steve Miller Band. Damn we're good.

The sisters at Bobby Lee's

Now Steve here is a pro! He got the crowd going to the tune: My Angle is a Centerfold.

(nice sweatshirt Steve)

Here we are waving our hands to the beat of the song, per Steve's request.

Drinking some more...

Jaren and Steve ( a reenactment of the first night we met)
More dancing...

Ahh, isn't that cute! Jess and Jason

I think we're cuter...Steve and Jaren

Jadyn and I singing (AGAIN!)

The boys caught in action (taking their umpteeth shot)

we made friends with the locals...


Jadyn and my Mom singing Crazy..Mom was a little stage fright so Jadyn had to sing with her.

Steve is whispering some sweet nothings while we dance to Jadyn and my Mom singing.

Here's Jadyn with her 'boy'..."hands home, Jadyn"

Singing with another local...Steve, Jaren, Jadyn and ???

After a crazy night, Jess needed some assistance walking home...

Sunday:

All of us were hung over and in need of a big greasy farm breakfast.



Then, we began to paint the farm. All day we painted.

We used a pressure washer and climbed very high ladders.

Steve pressure-washing...Jadyn working hard holding the ladder.

Scott and Joan on a role.

Here I am up on the roof.

While I'm working hard....look who was caught taking a nap (dreaming of wrestling a horse)

Here I am up on the roof getting the hard to reach places

Greg. Don't look down.

The above are the before pictures and voila, the after...

Job well done!

503 Main Street, Everson, WA

Freshly painted and looking as good as it once did 100+ years ago!

After all our hard work Garth cooked a meal salmon for dinner.

Then, it was off to the airport, with a detour of the UW campus and U-District area.