I always enjoy going home. Of course, I now consider myself a Utahrd and Utah is my home, but I will always be a SO Cal boy at heart. Every time I go back I experience the same emotions, I get off the plane and feel the warmth of the sun and see the swaying palm trees and I wonder to myself, "Why did I ever leave?!" Then I get on the freeway and the reasons rush in like the smog rushes into my lungs! HAHA! I still love it and am grateful to have the opportunity to visit several times a year. This time was no exception.
On Memorial Day, Sarah, Leah and I drove around Chino a bit and saw some of my old stomping grounds. Chino has changed quite a bit and grown amazing big. The dairy reserves have been lifted and there are new housing tracts everywhere! I can easily get lost. What once was open dairy land between Chino and bordering towns is not an overlapping concrete jungle where borders merge without notice.
This is the my old restaurant. It actually isn't mine, it is Darden Restaurants', but it my home and responsibility for some time. We also drove by the old Miller's Outpost and Sambo's which were my first two jobs.
This is our church on Philadelphia Avenue....kind of. The old church which was built by the literal hands of the saints back in the day was burned down in order to build this newer version. This is nice, but I miss the old one.
The 7-11 on Riverside Drive. You could come to the 7-11 at any time and there would be a decent chance you would find one of the Trospers there. I have a home movie where my brother and I pull into the 7-11 to get a drink and Dad was there just about to leave. By the time we were leaving, my Mother pulled up. Too funny.
This is the park by my house where we used to play football on an almost daily basis. Of course the trees are so huge now that I don't think it can be used for that any longer.
Another shot of the park with the playground and pool in the distance.
This is the house my family moved into on Larkspur Lane way back in 1976. I helped lay everyone of those bricks in the walk way and planted the two palm trees just before moving out. The lawn is so small. I can't imagine that ever took me much time, but I loved doing it.
Don Antonio Lugo High School. This place too has changed a bit.
Home of the Conquistadores. The Sun Always Shines in Q Country!
Conquistador Pride
The new DAL stadium. It's about freaking time!
Sunday we met at Scott's house for some grub and relaxation. Mom and Dad didn't make it and Mom asked that we get a pic of us all together. Here you go Mom.
Hailey and her new cousin, Grace.
Mom's Grand-daughters, Grace, Hailey, Leah and Madyson
Leah loves her cousins and I am pretty sure they love her back.
Leah loves to play with Virgil. Poor Virgil just had his life turned upside down with the arrival of Grace and all the following visitors. He seems to take it in stride. What a good dog.
Uncle Jim and Grace.
Leah showed little jealousy of Grace. She was always interested in her things though such as the swing, blanket, etc.
Hair in her eyes an food on her face. Is she an orphan!?
Grace Lorae. Of course, she is the reason we headed South in the first place. She is so cute; beautiful skin, brown hair everywhere and deep blue eyes.
Grandpa playing with Leah
Leah loves vacationing because this means everyone feeds her all the junk that Mommy and Daddy tend to limit. She LOVES whip cream from Duke's Hula Pie.
Sarah excited to dig into Duke's Lilikoi BBQ Ribs. They turned out to look much better than they tasted. My Huli Huli chicken was fantastic though.
Huntington Beach, California
Sarah and Leah at the beach
Leah does not like the dry sand. Much like grass, it took some time for her to get used to it. She is going to have to get used to it, because the majority of our travel destinations are to sandy locations!
She loved watching the kites.
Daddy and his favorite little wahine
What a cutie.
Grace sleeping. It is amazing that she looks like Scott and is so cute! That seems like a contradiction! Just kidding, Scooter.
Madyson tried to teach Leah how to roll down a hill
Leah anxiously tried and her first roll came to a stop when her face acted like a kickstand!
Playing at the park near Scott's home
Hailey and Leah. Another reason why Leah likes to travel is that Mom and Dad give in on the "no binky rule" so easily.
Leah looks drunk here....drunk with cousinly fun!
WHEEEEE!!!!
Leah shaking her money maker! WOOT WOOT!
Hailey texts more than she breathes!
The next two pics are blurry, but I liked them so I included them anyway
Proud Papa. I didn't get many pics of Cynthia. She spent a lot of time feeding Grace and for some reason she didn't want to be photographed then. You can see pics of their family that I took on
their blog as well. We know Scott and Cynthia will be such great parents. They are both kind at heart and caring people.
Lately, Leah loves playing Momma by wrapping her baby, or rocking it or kissing it. She is definitely mindful of what we do.
Uncle Jim and the girls
We are excited to have Madyson and Hailey come visit us for a couple weeks this month. Aunt Sarah has a bunch of fun activities planned. I also have some planned...dishes, laundry, cleaning, etc.
