Testing the Miracle Berry with friends

I learned about the Miracle Berry a while ago and was just looking for an excuse to try them out.
Theresa and I have been hosting a TV night ever since we moved out to California. It started with shows like 24 and LOST, then continued with Heroes and Firefly. Recently we've started watching the excellent BBC show Sherlock. Now Sherlock is about Sherlock Holmes and his perceptions. I thought it would be interesting to alter our taste perceptions tonight.

So what is the Miracle Berry and what does it do?
A fruit of the Synsepalum dulcificum bush, this berry contains miraculin which totally messes with your tongue's sweetness receptors. After taking it, items that would normally be sour, suddenly taste sweet!

Egg Dyeing at the Flowers' house

How long has it been since you decorated Easter eggs? It had been far too long for us, so on Feb 18th, I sent out an email to all our friends to have them save the date of March 28th to come over and dye eggs with us.

Visiting the Easter Bunnies at Disneyland

Theresa and I were off work today and decided we needed to go to Disneyland. After all, we're nearing the anniversary of Ian's very first trip to Disneyland ever!
Here's Ian a little over 11 months ago.

And here's Ian today!
What a difference a year makes! The Easter Bunny on the other hand hasn't changed a bit.

2015 Disneyland Egg-stravaganza Easter Egg scavenger hunt

Theresa and I are off work today and figured there's no better place to spend the day than Disneyland. There's a couple fun events going on that we were excited to do today. The first is an Easter Egg Scavenger hunt around Disneyland.

Big Thunder Ranch BBQ with Mike and Lindsey

T's cousin Michael, his wife Lindsey, and their daughter Macy came out to visit. They spent the first few days at our house hanging out, then spent their last 3 days at Disneyland. After work on Tuesday, T, Ian, and I hopped on the freeway and joined them.

Mike, Lindsey, and Macy visit from Colorado

Theresa's cousin Mike, Lindsey and their daughter Macy all came to visit us in March.
On the plane, Macy kept saying she wanted to see Ian.

Dennis the Menace park and Monastery Beach

It's Saturday and it's our last day in Monterey with my brother Jon and his family.

Monterey Bay Aquarium part 2

Continuing our day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
This next section was enclosed in glass and every few seconds a giant wave would come crashing over you. Emma is waiting in anticipation.

One of the cool things I learned about the Monterey Bay Aquarium tanks is that it's not a closed system. All the water for the tanks comes from the bay and goes right back into the bay. During the day filters are turned on so the water is clear enough for people to see the fish. At night the filters are turned off and regular sea water containing microscopic food comes in. Cool.

Monterey Bay Aquarium part 1

Theresa, Ian and I joined my brother and his whole family up in Monterey for the weekend. Number one on our list of things to do was the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Enjoying a delicious Dole Whip, but we're not at Disneyland!

Surely I don't need to explain what a Dole Whip is. This tasty treat is a staple for many who visit Disneyland. Produced by the Dole Food company, this dessert was previously only found at Disney parks and in Hawaii. Lately though, they have expanded their offerings to other places.

Just down the street from the King's Hawaiian Factory in Torrance, there is a free standing King's Hawaiian bakery and cafe called The Local Place.

2015 Spring Dapper Day weekend - Sunday

Sunday is finally here and it's Dapper Day!