Taking It Easy - Day 8

After the previous two fun-filled days we needed a bit of a break. If we kept that pace up we'd need a holiday to recover from this holiday! So, the order of the day was to take it easy.
I got up and made buttermilk pancakes for everyone. Afterwards my parents took Nathan and Chad on a hike in the hills above town. Keith and I took Liam to run errands. We needed such boring things as bottled water, diapers, wipes and milk! Everyday life even follows one to Palm Desert! We managed to fit in a trip to Old Navy as well to do a bit of clothes shopping.
We headed home for lunch and put Mr Cranky-Pants to bed. Liam definitely had his moments while we were there. For the afternoon we took full advantage of the sun. The best time to soak it up was between 11 - 3 so we headed straight for the deck to enjoy it. The boys swam (of course) and we read and relaxed.
Our plan for supper that evening was to take my family out to the Cheesecake Factory. They had never been (so sheltered :)) and we knew or at least hoped they'd love it!

Here's the gang waiting outside for our table which took about 30 minutes or so. Keith stayed at the restaurant with the pager while the rest of us wandered through the shops at 'The River'. A very upscale shopping and restaurant area. It was busy there!

We finally got our table. Thankfully the atmosphere was quite noisy so any whinging or whining Liam did was drowned out completely. He was pretty good actually. Keith took full charge of him so I could enjoy my dinner which was really thoughtful of him. Liam filled up on bread and butter and milk. Such a well-balanced meal for a growing boy....not.

Keith ordered the shepherd's pie shown above. It was very flavourful and hearty. He enjoyed it a lot. I had the Grilled Chicken Tostada Salad:

Crisp Corn Tortillas Topped with Grilled Marinated Chicken Breast and Black Beans Piled High with Mixed Greens, Fresh Corn, Green Onions and Cilantro All Tossed in Our Vinaigrette and Garnished with Avocado Cream, Salsa and Sour Cream.

It was so fresh and delicious. My dad ordered Chicken Madiera and could not stop telling us how amazing it was. I am quite certain they will go back one more time before they leave so he can eat that again! The boys had Chicken Parmigana Sandwiches, my mom a salad of some sort and Andrew had a chicken and pasta dish. Everyone was pleased with their selections!

We ordered a few cheesecakes for afters, of course! One cannot go to the Cheesecake Factory without having cheesecake. Now that would be ridiculous!

My favorite brother with the pecan turtle cheesecake he shared with my dad.


The boys shared the 30th anniversary cheesecake. I had a small taste and it was quite amazing! Layers of Our Original Cheesecake, Fudge Cake and Chocolate Truffle Cream

Last time Keith and I ate at the Cheesecake Factory I chose the cheesecake so it was his turn and he picked the same one as my dad and brother. It was great...not my first choice but still very good.

We all left with very full bellies and a much lighter wallet. We rarely eat out as a family that it was really enjoyable and a good memory.

We headed home and watched Pirates of the Caribbean on TV. The TV at the house had hundred of channels to chose from so there was always something to watch....almost a bit overwhelming actually with so many choices!
And so that was a good end to day eight!