...My 2010...

As this year comes to and end I figured that since I didn't start my blog until the end of the year I would do an overview on what an amazing year it has been.

...Started escrow on our first house...

...Charleigh Grace turned 2...

...Closed escrow on our FIRST home...

...Moving day...

...Family trip to Pismo Beach...

...Maverick Thomas turned 2...

...Trips to Lake Havasu...

...Family Pool Parties...

...Birthdays, Birthdays, and more Birthdays...

...Trips up to Monterrey, Modesto, Sacramento...

...Motor Home trips...

...Glamis trips...

...Decorating the house for Holidays...

...Finally agreeing on a Dining Room table and other furniture..

and

...Many wonderful hours of family time...

Now that I have written this out it doesn't seem like we had a very exciting year, but I don't think we ever stopped.  Needless to say another year is in the books and we are excited to see what 2011 has to bring to our family. 

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Motorhome...aka..."The Beast"

I started going camping out in the desert since I can remember.  Santa brought my brother and I our first quads at the ripe ol' age of 3 and 4 years old. A red Honda 70.  We had these bikes forever until both of us grew too big to ride them.  Throughout the years we started camping from just an enclosed trailer that was just a box and then added the essentials of a kitchen and then a motor home.  Josh had also been camping since he was young so it was also something the both of us wanted to get back into.


I had to take a little break from it while in Hygiene school because I couldn't risk injuring myself while going through school.  Then life happened and was finally able to make our first trip out to Pismo for a family trip.  We purchased my parents enclosed trailer loaded up the quads and motorcycle and headed out.  We had such a great time and couldn't wait until Glamis season started to get back out there.  Again, we loaded up the truck and trailer and had an amazing time with Morgan and Daniel.  Now, I don't mind camping in an enclosed trailer at all.  My only request is to have a toilet because I don't "pop squats" out in the middle of nowhere. Since we were having such a great time with camping Josh started to look into purchasing a Toybox trailer or a Motor home.  I had my own opinions on this not being the right time to purchase one, but needless to say I lost the battle.  We drove up to see family in Northern California and instead we ended up spending our days driving to beautiful Modesto and Sacramento.  We ended up purchasing "the Beast" in Sacramento.


Now I refer to it as "the Beast" because it is a 39 foot Diesel Pusher Motor home...not a starter motor home that most start out with, but as Josh would say "If a natural disaster happens we need it. This is the lowest that I have seen interest rates and we can get the best deal because of the economy."  We purchased it just in time for our second desert trip this year and had a blast in it.  I do have to say that the bathroom is amazing in it.

Christmas 2010 Part 2 & 3

This was the strangest Christmas I have had in my last 27 years of life.  We celebrated with my family earlier in the week, so when Christmas Eve and Christmas Day rolled around it wasn't what I am used to.  Every year since I can remember we would open the presents from my Mom and Dad on Christmas Eve and Santa the following morning and then go up North to visit family.  This year Christmas Eve was just any other night that I go over and hang out at my favorite Aunti's house (Josh's Aunt Marti) with his cousins.  Don't get me wrong I had a blast, but it was weird not to open presents and be with my parents and brother. I did however get to be an elf for the first time and help set up a Kitchen for a wonderful little girl.  We did Christmas morning with Josh's parent's and sister and then went up North to see my parents again.

Christmas Part 3

We celebrated Christmas again with Josh's side the day after Christmas so that the entire family could celebrate Christmas together.  We did breakfast and stockings (which I finally got my Penguin pillow pet thanks to Josh's cousin) and then spent the day with the family watching Football.  

Overall the meaning of Christmas is not what presents you give or receive, but about being around people that you love and cherish...and mine was just like that 3 times over...

Deglmann Christmas 2010

This year we celebrated Christmas early with my family becuase Christopher and Natasha had a trip planned to spend Christmas back in England.  Everyone came up to the Wagner Penguin Encounter.  My mom made her famous Chicken Tacos and we opened our gifts.  It was a great night with a lot of laughs and great conversations. It is weird as we grow up how the holidays change, but what matters most is that you are surrounded by loved ones.

 :::Tash, Oliver, & Chris:::

 :::My Daddy:::

 :::My Mommy:::

 :::Another penguin is added to the Encounter:::

Purse's....

You may be asking yourself well this is a random comment, but in reality it really isn't.  If you know me, you know that one of my obsession's is purses. I have over 70 purses (I will have a picture of the collection soon).  Now they range from off brands to brands such as: Volcom, Billagbong, O'Neil, Quicksilver, Ezekiel, or Roxy.  I never owned an expensive purse until Josh bought me my first Dooney & Burke Star purse with matching wallet for my birthday and my Coach purse from Jess for my wedding shower gift.

Yes, I do have a point...

I have always wanted a Louis Vuitton purse...I know I have been told many times how ridiculous I am, but you know what....I DON'T CARE! There is just something about the timeless style and quality of the collection.  On the first day of Hygiene school we had an instructor tell us to write on the inside cover of the book something that when all said and done what are you going to splurge on or your goal.  I wrote, own a Louis...

Josh has his own opinion on my desire, but you know what?, after 4 years I finally purchased my Louis!

Yes, on Thursday afternoon Josh met me at my parents house in San Marcos and told me we were going to start Christmas shopping at Target in Escondido. As we are driving past Target I started asking questions on where are we going and all I got was the "Mall" and then I started processing.  I just worked my first full week as a hygienist, so I said with a big grin, "We are going to Fashion Valley Mall huh?" I know where all Louis stores and Dept. stores that carry Louis are located from L.A to San Diego. (Told you I was obsessed). Needless to say Josh was a little mad that I ruined the surprise, but yes he was going with me to the Louis Vuitton  store.

I soaked in the entire experience, browsing the store admiring everything.  Now originally I wanted the Speedy, but the more research and knowing how much stuff I seem to carry in my purse I knew I needed something larger.  At the moment in my head I heard "Hallelujah and a bright light shinning and that is when I found the one, Neverfull GM...the name says it all.  It will never be full! After much debating with Josh on that this is the purse and that it was not that big look it pulls in so its smaller when needed. It was getting wrapped in the special packaging. The only downfall is that I was not able to get the matching wallet because Josh said I had to put some of my paycheck into savings (every party needs a pooper...party pooper...) but I was ecstatic over the tote that I was ok with that. (I will just get it later =D) 

:::Meet my Louis:::

 :::Sides pulled in:::

 :::Completely expanded:::

 :::Inside...Look at that storage space!:::

:::HHHMMM, I'm in LOVE!:::



**Josh's famous last phrase. "Now you ARE NOT and I mean NOT getting a new purse anytime soon AND you ARE getting rid of 10 old purses!"  Needless to say I will have my pet Louis and take it with me everywhere I go and NOT be getting rid of any purses. You never know if you will need it in the future.

Wagner's Penguin Encounter

I LOVE decorating the for all of the holidays.  Since we moved into our own home in February I have had so much fun decorating the entire house for all the holidays. Although I have been secretly waiting for Christmas because I have the most decorations for this holiday. On Black Friday I made Josh get all of the Christmas boxes down so I could start decorating the house.  I had no idea at how much I have collected these past few years until I started unwrapping everything.  Needless to say I have a TON of penguin paraphernalia....example....3 cookie jars, 7 coffee mugs (I don't even drink coffee), tons & tons of dishes, and other odds and ends.

Once I started putting items into place and stood back and took a look I got the feeling that I was at the Penguin Encounter as Sea World.  Here are some pictures to prove it....Living room, Family room, Kitchen, Bathrooms, Kitchen table...you get the picture.

I am just a little obsessed...

 :::My Mom getting in on the action:::

 :::Josh adding the tree topper:::

 :::1,200 Lights:::

 :::Penguins in the Hutch:::

 :::Found lighted garland, oh and another penguin sign:::

 :::Love Penguin's so much I covered up the Bloodhound calendar:::

 :::Family Stockings minus Josh's:::

 :::Penguin's invaded the bathroom as well:::

:::Our front yard:::

Our 1st Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the holidays that has never been the same year to year.  In years past we would always celebrate the weekend before Thanksgiving with the Deglmann side of the family so that my parents could get their "adult vacation" for 3 days out at Glamis.  My brother and I would spend the days with my Grandma Deglmann who always and the days filled with adventures or just plain lazy days.  Once we were old enough to got the privilege of going out to the desert as well.  Then the desert trips ended and we would go up to our close family friends house.  Then came Josh...we would always split the holidays between our families.  We would plan out the day on who's house we would go to first and how much time was spent there before we were off to the second house.

This year was different...Josh wanted to host dinner at our house since it was the first big holiday and we recently purchased our dining room table.  Now I am not a party planner nor do I like telling people what to bring, but the day turned out nice.  We were able to have the entire family here and able to fit everyone comfortably.  Luckily my parents came up the night before to help with the final touches and for my mom to do the turkey to make sure that it would be done in time for dinner and that it would be edible.  She did a fantastic job!

So now maybe next year I will be able to cook it like she does, but hey lets not get ahead of ourselves.

"The Boat"

Clearman's Galley is better known as "The Boat" to my family and few friends that have experienced the Boat with me it is also known as "Clearman's Galley".  The only time I remember really eating at the Boat was when my family would go back home to San Gabriel Valley to see the dentist (long story).  After every dentist appointment we would go eat at the Boat.  Now its referred to as "The Boat" because the old building used to be restaurant style but you would order your food in the galley of and actual boat! I mean how cool is that?!

You may be asking yourself this very question...whats the point?  Well for you non-experienced Boat eaters you are missing out!  The Boat has the BEST cheesy bread around.  You can purchase the containers of spread and some sour dough bread at a local grocery store and make it yourself at home, but it DOES NOT compare to restaurant style.  I mean it just sucks you in...so hot & cheesy and toasted just so perfectly that it just melts in you mouth.  Now you maybe saying "you go there just for bread?" No, the hamburgers are huge & amazing. Lets not forget about the french fries...these are huge steak fries.  See I can go on and on about the Boat. My family has been known to be craving the Boat and just happen to get in the car and take the 1:30 min or so drive up (ask Josh...he thought we were crazy the first time, but when he ate it. He understood.)

So if anyone is up for a drive for an amazing lunch or dinner I will be glad to make it. I mean its awesome food and great relaxing atmosphere eating on the big tables and watching sports on the big screen.  This is the "new & improved" but same ol' Boat that we went to. Difference is that it changed spots in the parking lot, is now a building and a boat, and much bigger.

::Street view.  This used to be the boat you ordered in::

::What more could you ask for?::

Hamburgers, Beer, & Cheesy Bread

:Front of new building::

 ::Mama Tina enjoying the cheesy bread::

 ::Look at those fries and cheesy bread::



Happy Birthday Gramma Honey!

My Gramma Honey had the best birthday.  Why do you ask...because it is Halloween!  Now, my Gramma Honey passed away back in 1998, but our family still celebrates.  It is more of a bittersweet holiday for us.

To honor my Gramma's birthday every year my Mommy and I purchase something that reminds us of her.  Normally it's a Witch and if it has purple on it it is a double bonus because that is her favorite color. Needless to say I have about 12 different Witch related items decorating my house and every time I see one it puts a smile on my face. We always go up and visit her grave site and put flowers and sometimes we eat Taco Bell with her.  Today my parent's and I went up to visit her and my Uncle came too so it was great little visit and shared a few memories of my Gramma. 

I think of my Gramma everyday and wonder how she is doing, but then again I know she is having a fantastic time up in heaven watching over us.  A quote from my favorite movie Top Gun she is, "Communicating. Keeping up foreign relations. You know, giving  the bird!"

Gramma Honey...I love you and hope you had a wonderful birthday!

"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy." ~Eskimo Proverb~

Betty Croker I am not!

My dad asked me to make him some chocolate chip cookies because my mom said, "you don't need them." Well he is my Daddy, so of course I am going to make them for him.  Now I am not a "cooker or baker". I don't have a lot of patience, so it never goes so well.  Anticipation and the smell of them is so strong and irresistible!

Finally the time goes off and to my surprise out of the 3...yes 3 baking sheets 2 were completely black on the bottom and NOT edible!  I have a double oven, 3 cookies sheets, baking a double batch of chocolate chip cookies and I have to resort to using the 1cookie sheet the cookies turned out edible on!

Needless to say, my name is Aubrey and is not going to be Betty Crocker anytime soon!!

HSN...My new favorite channel

I have this strange obsession with watching infomercials when I can't fall asleep at night or when I am waiting for something else to come on television.  Now I have purchased a few items from infomercials in years past, but then I started watching HSN.

Now HSN is infomercials on steroids! I mean there is everything on this channel from my wonderful new best friend Tom (my GPS), Cricut Imagine, and today a Versacooker.  I mean hello its Today's Special so I had to purchase it.  I have no clue who Wolfgang Puck is, but he is a pretty amazing chef & made this Versacooker that is a slow cooker, oven and something else look amazing! We all know I don't have a clue what to do in the kitchen.  It is like flipping a coin if the meal will turn out edible.

Anyways, I can't wait for it to come to cook in it. Hopefully have it turn out fantastic and edible. I will keep you inform on how it turns out!

My Cricut Imagine

I love to do scrapbooking & card making, so HSN was doing a 24 hour craft day. Well all I have to say is that I watched as much as possible & wanted to purchase everything.  We all know I wasn't allowed to purchase everything since Josh was home with me (darn jury duty), BUT I was allowed to get the new Cricut Imagine!

Now for you non-scrapbook people, the Cricut is a cutting system that cuts out alphabets & images and makes scrapbooking a blasts.  It cuts from 1/2 in all the way up to 24 in.!  The newest version of the Cricut is the Cricut Imagine.  This machine is a printer & cutter, so it gives you endless possibilities!  I have having so much fun playing with it and getting to know how to use it.  I am still in the beginning stages of learning all of it but I have made my first card with it & LOVE IT!

 :::::The Machine:::::

 :::::Dining Room table...aka...New Craft table:::::

:::::My 1st card for a baby shower:::::

Needless to say I don't think I will be doing housework anytime soon. =)

2nd Anniversary

Two years ago today I became a married girl! I can honestly say that the day can be summed up into one word...surreal. I always thought I was the one who would live but the phrase, "always a bridesmaid, never a bride." but then came Josh.  The day was amazing from hanging out with my best friends & Captain, my walk with my Daddy to the Top Gun Theme, the AMAZING party that my parents put on, and to the AMAZING DJ who kept the dance floor packed all day, and to end it with "I've had the time of my life" was priceless.

I never became a Bridezilla because there were only a few requests that I had:

1. Walk down the aisle to the anthem to Top Gun.  No Josh has nothing to do with the Navy, but that is hands down my FAVORITE instrumental piece  of music
2. Have a Chocolate wedding cake. My favorite cake is chocolate & that cake was to die for! The entire room smelt of chocolate
3. My dress to have a little fun in it with the green theme of the wedding.

And all of my requests came true, the cake was fantastic even a year later! 

Now we may not of had the most romantic 2nd Anniversary with going to dinner to Claim Jumper & watching Monday Night Football, but I know Josh loves watching football & sometimes life gets in the way.  But then again, that is just us!

Cheers to many more years Josh!

I know my beans

Tonight Josh made dinner since it is my long travel day for work. I told him I was craving Mexican food so we decided on burritos with taco meat and rice.  He was awesome and cooked the entire meal while I changed and took a little siesta on the couch.

Once dinner is ready he wakes me up to come and eat.  As I get my tortilla heated and ready to put my beans into place I notice that they beans have a weird color and texture to them. As I sniff out my beans with a crinkle nose and odd look on my face I have Josh telling me "just to eat them they are fine!" Not trusting him and knowing that these are not the normal Rosarita Refried Beans I go on the hunt for the can. And what do I find...yes these are Rosarita Beans BUT they are BLACK! Ha, I knew it and I don't eat black beans! They have a strange texture, smell weird, and taste like dirt.

Needless to say, I know my BEANS and I am proud of it!

PS.  GO CHIEFS!!!

Airports...

For this wonderful Labor Day weekend I am lucky enough to spend it with my cousins.  I had to make the decision if I would drive the 6 hr drive alone or if I would just fly up here. In the end I chose to fly.

Flying these days are out of control. One would think that majority of the population knows the strict security rules that the airlines & airports have, but no.  Not only did people in front of not have his/her ID ready to show to go up to security they even forgot their boarding pass...really?! Since when do we get our boarding passes issued at the gate? Then there are those that think its ok to bring water/soda bottles, etc etc. Come on people read the rules or just watch the news! Signs are everywhere!!

Now the actual time in the air wasn't that bad, could use a bigger bag of pretzel's, but hey, times are tough.

As we land and are taxing to the gate out of all 20 gates to debark the airplane the gate we go to is occupied by another airplane.  So instead of getting in on time we sit on the tarmac for 20 mins.  Then comes the dreaded baggage claim.

Yes, I know I could've made it easier on myself for not doing checked baggage, but that is a whole different topic of its self.  People are CRAZY at baggage claim. They are like vulture's. First of all the second you get off the plane doesn't mean your baggage is waiting for you downstairs. Again, you just read the signs and it will let you know when the bags are on their way. The best part is when the belt starts moving is when the vulture's come out. They all run to the belt and block each other out waiting for his/her luggage, but when you are the one trying to squeeze in to get your bag no one moves. If they do move out of the way its only body width that doesn't include room to turn and put luggage down.

I guess what I am trying to say is this. Just read the signs and know what you are expected of at the airport and when you are at baggage claim if you leave a 2-3 ft. path between you and the belt it would make it easier for those people to get their luggage and for you to wait for yours. :)

Happy 33rd Anniversary Mom & Dad

On August 20th marked 33 years of marriage for two of the most important and influential people in my life, my wonderful parents. My mom and dad have grown together for the past 38 years from high school, college, work, dogs, children, life, death, and now the empty nest.  They have had the ups and downs like any other couple has, but still after all these years still have a spark.  Here is to another 33 wonderful years!

Thank you for being such great role models. Love you to the moon and back.

My 1st Time

While I was having an amazing dinner date with my wonderful friend, Catherine, she was telling me all about how she blogs.  I found it quite intriguing, so I decided that I would do one myself.  Now as a warning to all I will let you know that English was not my favorite, nor my best subject in school.  There will most likely be over use of commas, run-ons, and other grammatical errors.  I will do my best to have errors to a minimum, but you have been warned!

On another note...my life is not that fantastic or interesting. My life is consumed with work, driving, my husband, my children, and amazing family.  Yes, I am aware that my children are covered with fur, have 4 legs, slobber a lot, and howl, but they are my life.  Charleigh Grace & Maverick Thomas have a way to make my world fantastic!  I can have a great day or be in a funk be it saddness or lonely moments and within seconds of being with them everything in life goes away. 

I hope with whomever decideds to follow my blog finds it entertaining and has a glimpse into my everyday life.