Vegas baby!

Last week my schedule opened up due to some new guys training and an overflow of officers on graveyards, so I was able to take Katy and Nick on a surprise trip to Las Vegas for an Annivegasry or Annevadaversary if you will. Katy figured out where we were going once we went east of I-5 and she realized there was only one thing out there in the desert. Still, she was super excited and it made the anticipation of my last 3 weeks of planning all worth it. I'm not one for keeping secrets. We stayed at the Paris, since I probably won't get to take Katy to the snobby European one for another 20 years, at least it had the same name! Fortunately, we only lost around $200 to the casinos but definitely made that back in the amount of food we ate at the buffets (much to my waistline's chagrin)! Here's a tip though. At an adult location like Vegas, a 4 month old who needs routine 2 hour naps every 3 1/2 hours does not bode well. But, when one young boy's stomach only feeds on breast milk, and one young mother's bosom can't pump out a week's worth of said milk in a moments notice, he comes along for the ride.

In a nutshell, here was our week: late night drive, early morning stuffing of faces, walk a mile to see lions sleeping, picture taking, more eating, watch fountains to music, lose money, drive to Hoover dam, look at the Bodies exhibit of cadavers, see pieces from the actual Titanic, walk by lots of illegals handing out flyers for hookers, more fountain gazing, more stuffing of faces, more walking, ride to the top of the Eifel tower, lose more money, you get the idea.

Since neither Katy or I had been to Vegas since our pre-teen days, it was a lot of fun seeing how much more stuff there was to do, especially since we pretty much couldn't do a thing back then due to our age. We would've liked to have gone to one of the shows, preferably Cirque de Soleil but it probably wouldn't have been a good idea to bring a baby in to a $100 a ticket show and as for child care, well that would have worked if we wanted to pay some lady $180 minimum to watch Nick for 4 hours. We'll pass.

I will bore you with one story before I show the pictures. While watching fountains rise and fall to Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On," Katy observed a few ducks in the surrounding pond/water area. Here's how the line of questioning went:

K: How do you think these ducks got here?
R: They flew Kates. How do you think they got here?
K: I don't know, maybe imported?
R: Right, someone just crated some poor ducks and hauled them to Vegas.
K: It could happen. How are you so sure they flew?
R: First of all, logic, they can fly.
K: No they can't (with a hint of sarcasm herself)
R: Second of all, I saw one flying while we were at Hoover dam.
K: How do you know it was a duck?
R: What do you mean how do I know it was a duck? The same way I know these birds in front of us are ducks?
K: Yeah, but you don't know for sure, I mean how do you really know these are ducks?
(Let me pause and say that I can't believe she set me up to say a great line that I never thought I'd actually get to say about ducks, so here it comes...are you ready? do you know the line too???)
R: Well, if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the week. Go to our Picasa site for all of them.

Nick enjoying the new hotel room and going on about 3 hours of sleep at 2am when we got there.

Rob and Nick doing what we do best while in Vegas...watching in room TV. Nick has some hair growing to do!

The Eifel Tower, Vegas style

Empire State Building at New York, New York

Statue of Liberty at New York, New York with Excaliber in the background

On Wednesday we had a beautiful sky, this is right outside our hotel before leaving for Hoover Dam. It ended up not raining until halfway through Thursday, and then only misting really.

Mead Lake, created by the creation of Hoover Dam

Katy and Nick on the edge of the Hoover Dam with the new bridge on the left being built for the freeway overpass and the visitor center on the right.

We got some cooky Brit who was also carrying a Nikon to shoot this for us.

Through the Hoover Dam looking glass


And here it is, where Pierce Brosnan took that famous flying leap in GoldenEye, or whatever James Bond film it was. Also known as Hoover Dam

Mead Lake from the other side of the dam.

Nick and Katy enjoying a laugh, probably at my expense

Or perhaps they were laughing at me pretending this dam builder was pooping on my head

Us after the Bodies and Titanic exhibit still trying to calm Nick down

Nick and I enjoying some guerilla time at Rainforest Cafe in MGM

Ahhh the fountains at Bellagio

On the way home we stopped by my roomate from the Academy, Jason Graham, and his wife Tina's house in Victorville. Jason works as a Chippie in Riverside. Their son Nathan snuck in this shot with Jason and Nick

Five years and Sixty-five to go!

On this day 5 years ago I married my best friend and the most beautiful woman in the world, Kathryn Ann Bernard. Since it is a bit of a milestone, I felt it merited a blog post since I have been absent from the blogosphere. Each of these pictures holds within it a story from our past I'd like to divulge and show the personality traits that help me fall more in love with my bride with everyday that passes. And, like most of my significant posts, this will be rather lengthy.

Content. Let's start with the above shot of our rings. My wife loves me in spite of the fact on Christmas morning, while in the shower, the ring I spent two months of my paycheck on failed her. Two of the prongs were chipped and the diamond popped out and went down our shower drain which did not contain a trap. Gone, after 5 years, was the diamond I asked her to marry me with. And she felt bad. She didn't need to, but did, when the real culprit was me for not purchasing a steadfast setting. Reason being she's never been one to ever care about our economical state, even with almost nothing. So missing her diamond, while tormenting to me, she thinks nothing of it except for taking the blame and feeling bad for me.


Resiliance. This picture was taken at the top of a hill containing a large "P" right above Cal Poly, my alma matter. For those who know Katy, you'll know some of her least favorite things are excercise out of the water. Yet here she is hiking to the top of a steep incline for me because I wanted to. Now this was about 6 months into our dating relationship, and about another month later we hiked up a peak called Bishop's. I have no idea how high it actually is, but the hike itself is around two miles long. The morning before we went by a bagel shop for a quick bite before hiking and she happened to have a sundried tomato bagel with strawberry cream cheese. The afternoon happened to be a warm one for San Luis Obispo, and lets just say when Katy got to the top of Bishop's she was so excited to be at the summit she could no longer contain her breakfast...and yet hiked down with a smile on her face!

Clothing Taste. While these engagement pictures turned out well, the shopping before hand did not. One thing about my wife is she takes care of how I look. So after 4 hours at Gap the afternoon of, we came out with these complimentary sweaters.

Flame Retardant. On this grand day, our major malfunction took place during the lighting of our unity candle. As many weddings do, we had our mothers light the candles from which we would together light the center candle. After we lifted the side candles, lit the center one, and placed the side ones back down we turned around to do communion with our friend John Garrison who officiated our wedding. While we were taking communion, we didn't realize Katy's veil was directly next to one of the side candles and proceeded to catch on fire! Fortunately, only a small hole burned through the veil and Katy's hair containing 10 cans of hairspray did not! What a trooper!


Patience. We enjoyed a beautiful trip to Kauai for our honeymoon. While there we were able to go on a killer horseback riding trip through the fields above the beaches, just the two of us and our guide. Let the record show, I'm not the equestrian guru you all think me to be. Katy however, definitely is. For an extended period of time we were able to get the horses in a full on gallop for a good mile and Katy was extremely polite, complimenting my riding ability or lack thereof, calmly explaining how to get the horse up to speed. Even keeping her comments to herself as my horse took a huge dump right in front of hers.


Resourceful. While this is not the correct wedding, taken at the Ferguson's wedding about a month before ours, it did remind me of another of the million weddings we have been to, the Davis'. I know you're sitting on the edge of your seat to hear this, so here it is. We lived in Sacramento at the time and traveled down to SLO for the wedding in a whirlwind day trip. For the wedding, Katy was going to wear a dress that required a strapless bra. In our haste Katy left said undergarment in Sac. In order to wear said dress Katy allowed me to MacGyver her dress with a couple of hairpins hiding her standard bra. I'm sure if I had duct tape she would have allowed me to use it as well!

Sense of humor. Contrary to what her face expresses in this picture, Katy found my impression of an elk quite humorous. Let it also be noted that she absolutely hates this shirt I'm wearing in this shot, yet chuckles to herself and shakes her head everytime I wear it. And yes I do still agree with Jimmy!


Empathy. While at the CHP academy I was put through physical hell, lost 30 pounds, and became more toned then I can remember being. Hopefully the loss of weight can be seen in my face through this picture taken at my end of the academy party. You'll also notice how amazing Katy looks. Everyday while I was at the academy doing physical training, Katy was at home doing a similar routine from a preparation video. As much as she hated it, she put herself through a similar pain, without the screaming PT instructors, because I was going through pain. I only wish I could have extended her the same courtesy during her labor with Nick, which I tried to do by watching his circumcision, but we all know how that turned out, and if you didn't, read our labor story.

Understanding. One thing about the CHP, as with any job, is it can definitely take you away from your family in more ways than one. While at the academy I never once heard Katy complain about me being gone for so long and not spending time at home, but I still knew from her face that she missed me. Once on the job, things will come up at the last minute keeping me from coming home on time, and all I ever hear from her is, "Ok, I love you and be safe." So many guys on the job are going through divorces because their wives don't get what they do. I feel so blessed to have a wife who not only gets my job but fully supports me in it and loves that I love what I do.


Mobile. When we were assigned Santa Barbara Katy was nothing but willing to pick up and move from the friends she loves, a house she enjoyed, and a wonderful church family, to wherever the CHP called us. This mobility might have something to do with where we now reside on the central coast, but nonetheless...mobile.

Beautiful. I never thought there was any truth to the whole "glowing" conspiracy associated with pregnancy, but as this picture shows just a month after we found out we were going to have a baby, there is truth in it. While pregnant I've never been more attracted to my wife as I'm sure is true with other marriages. Not to mention my wife's beauty continues to increase the longer I know her as these characteristics become more apparent!

Appetite. When the stereotypical dating relationship begins the woman will order a salad and water. Not Katy. I think on our first date she had peanuts, rolls, chicken, shrimp, desert, popcorn, mike and ike's, and cheese fries. Oh, and she's always down for a BJ's pazookie. This girl can eat! And it only multiplied exponentially when she got pregnant. Now I love food, but Katy LOVES food! If only she could pass on her metabolism too...maybe Barak can fix that as well while he's messing with stem cells.


Sleep. I married a woman who loves to get her shut-eye. Some of our best Saturdays before I was working for the state were spent with the first 1/2 of the day lying around the house as long as we could. We definitely don't get those types of Saturdays, or any days for that matter, any more, especially once the kiddo came along, as can be seen by our state of exhaustedness while visiting in Sacramento.

Courage. Going through labor. Need I say more?

Faith. Katy's faith in Christ that His hands were on her throughout our attempts at having a child and the entire pregnancy process is something I strive towards everyday. This has always been evident since the first moment I heard her testimony at our college group. She went from being a athletic collegiate prospect to losing almost all control of her motor skills both voluntary and involuntary and turning not away from Christ but towards him, makes her my hero. As soppy as it sounds, it's something I don't joke about and is entirely true.

Compassion. I used to think Katy was compassionate until I saw her interact with Nick and it reached a whole new level I never thought possible. Nothing compares to a new mother's love and I love watching Katy love on Nick.

Love. While this shot was at my last birthday the point of this hundredth paragraph is this. Since Katy got sick in high school with spinal meningitis and encephalitis writing has been difficult for her to say the least. What takes us a second or two to sign our names takes Katy a good 15-20 seconds. That being said, every major event, birthday, anniversary, valentine's, etc., Katy always gets me a card and always has a very well thought out, heart felt, written section that I know took at least 10 minutes. She does this not out because she's required to but because of her love for me. And I love her for it, everytime.

Girly-girl. There are a few things Katy does that could be considered a bit tom-boyish. For example, high volume audible bodily functions, appetite, gun shooting, etc. But even with a slight tom-boy tendency, Katy is still, and always will be, very much a girl-girl. This Christmas season we were able to attend my office's CHP party and dress up. Katy sparkles when she's able to get her hair done, dress up, and go out like "real" adults. Which of course, makes me get my hair done, dress up, do my makeup, the whole nine. I guess it's tolerable once in a while!

Love for Christ. When it all boils down, the thing I love most about Katy is her belief, trust, and love of Christ and His works. While on our recent Annivegasry, Katy asked me what my first memory of her was. Easily recalled, Katy was giving her testimony to our college group and while not the most comfortable at public speaking, she told of how she became a Christian to around 200 people not because she was proud of it, but because she hoped her story would help someone else come to know Christ. While visiting the Hoover dam we stared in awe and wonder at this massive work of the Department of the Interior, amazed at how quickly it was completed and how well it worked. While I pointed out man's wondrous creation, Katy calmly stated, "Look at how God gifted these men and the canyon He created perfectly for it."

I love this woman now more than ever and will for all of my days. I hope you all enjoyed the lengthy description of how and why I continue to fall in love with my bride Katy. Thanks for sticking around to the end!

And thank you Kates for the past 5 years of marriage, 6 years and 2 months of being with you, our puppy, our home, our son, and our life together. I love you with all my heart and soul.

Love always, Robert Andrew

Too Long!

I have been telling myself that since Rob has his degree in English he should be the one to post because my writing pales in comparison. However, every chance he has I seem to find something else for him to do (i.e. hold the baby). So now I'm taking the responsibility on my shoulders. Just a heads up my posts will not be as long or interesting as my wonderful husband's but I will try not to bore you by adding pictures from time to time.

The last time you heard from us was right before Thanksgiving. For Nick's first big holiday event my family came to stay with us for a few days and Rob and I were able to go out on a date for the first time in over 3 months. Being a new mom it slipped my mind to take pictures on Thanksgiving day so all of the shots are of the next few days.

so here is our son on the changing table, for some reason we have come to find that this is were he is the happiest.

CUTIE!!

At the beginning of December Rob had his office Christmas party so his Mom made the long trek from Sac to stay with our little boy for the evening. It was a fun night, everyone who came was put in a raffle for a new TV and blue ray player and a bunch of other fun prizes, of which we won a night of wine tasting!?!? Perfect for the one person there who was breastfeeding.

Nick's first Christmas tree experience.

Next was Christmas with my family in good old Fresno where Nick got to ride his first horse.

And the cousin's where able to get together and have their picture taken (thanks uncle Rob) for Grandma to keep on her wall.

Just a week later Nick's first Christmas was upon us and we found our home full with Grindy's. Pappy, Noni, uncle Jon, aunt Natalie, Dada, Mama, and the little boy. On Christmas eve we were asked to light the Christmas candle at church so Nick was able to show the whole congregation just how much he loves the baby Jesus. Or maybe it was just his Mom and Dad hoping.

Noni and Pappy getting in a little love before bed.

Uncle Jon, Aunt Natalie, and the dogs getting in some love before church (doesn't Jon hold him like a pro?)

This is Nick's other favorite thing to do lately, look upside down.

Jealous dogs!

It was a wonderful day to celebrate our saviors birth! (over 50% of the gifts ended up being for the newest member of the Grindy clan.)

We were able to see our friends the Wisner's after Christmas. Their son, Tyler, and Nick are going to be best friends (even if they don't know it!)

So that bring us to or first son's four month birthday. I can't believe it! He weighs 15 pounds 3 ounces and is 24 1/2 inches long. We had a good time of Q & A with the doc (much to Rob's chagrin), then the time came where they stuck him for his immunizations and made Mama lose her mind along with a bunch of hair. However, the doc did say that he was the best baby boy in the world!! (JK) We'll try our best not to let it go so long, the way it's going though we'll only be posting about 12 times a year! Some day we'll learn to balance this parenting thing and the rest of life!