Happy 36th Anniversary

You two are role models for everyone who believes in eternal love, for those who trust that there really is a 'one and only.' You are role models for the benefits of a happy marriage through unconditional love for one person for 36 years.

You are role models, showing that two are better than one, that it is better to be a team in facing life's challenges. You are role models for commitment, for caring, for unselfish devotion. 

Happy 36th anniversary! May your love continue to be a golden beacon for the rest of us. 

 Joanna Fuchs quotes  

Sushi Date with Daddy

Well teriyaki chicken roll and asparagus tempura roll is what I order. But I am moving closer to the fish....just don't hold your breath on when that day will come. 

My Daddy and Mom came to surprise me at work for a lunch date and I couldn't be happier.  I love having people to eat lunch with.

I have been telling my Daddy that there is the Sushi place called Edamame, that I wanted to take him to some day and today was the day! He was in heaven with his Eel roll, shrimp & Eel roll, and some other kind of thing. I had my chicken roll and mom had her chicken bowl. The lunch hour was perfect and went by too fast. 

Daddy trying my food while waiting for his

                    Daddy's plate!

Congrats Mr & Mrs Strong

I was so honored to be a witness these two express their love to one another. Marissa a.k.a "Friend" and I used to work together at the pedo dentist. We were co-workers, carpool buddies, and became close friends. We had a blast at her bachelorette party in Vegas back in June. And finally her wedding date arrived,  August 10th.  

The day was spectacular and breathtaking. The venue, Ponte Winery in the beautiful Temecula Wine Country made for the picture perfect backdrop for the vows. Friend looked gorgeous in her dress, her handsome groom, and the love that you felt from family and friends. 

The ceremony had perfect non-traditional music, short and sweet, and you felt the love they have for one another. Once the ceremony was over we got to enjoy more tunes from the DJ and sipped on beer (for me and a few others) and wine in the garden before we were taken to the reception area in the Barrel Room. 

The Barrel Room in an of itself was stunning, dinner was yummy, Maid of Honor and Best Woman speech had  enough laughs and sentimental moments.  The Dj played the latest hits, some oldies, and a little Latina music to keep the dance floor moving all night. 

I think my favorite part which I didn't find out until later was the fact that the Friend's Dad made her wedding cake and grooms cake. And let me tell you it was the best wedding cake i have had besides my own wedding cake. Perfect combination of frosting and moist and most of all chocolate!! I was very tempted to eat another guests, that's how good it was. 

My phone was dying so I wasn't able to take a lot of photos and I was having way too much fun, but here are a few I was able to snap. I can't wait to see the wedding photos from Lisa Lane Photography. 

South Carlsbad State Beach

Last week Wednesday night I was able to sit in a chair with a beer in my hand and listen to the waves crash below me. I was in heaven.

I'll let you in on a little secret....I love camping at the beach, but not going in the ocean water. My toes and maybe my shins will touch water but that's it. 

Thanks to the cousins we were able to use their trailer for the 3 days since our trailer was too big to take to the park. We had wonderful visits with family and friends while we were there and I was able to fit in a little reading between visitors. 

I can't wait to go back and do it all over again! 

                Beach....Books...Beer

             The best sunset we saw

      The nieces came down for the day

   Going out into the big waves with Unky

        After a long day on the beach we    come back and do arts and crafts 

The Life

For the next 3 days you will find me in a chair reading a book and having a cold drink next to me enjoying the beautiful Pacific Ocean....

Perfection....

Let te training begin...

Most people know I loath running. I wouldn't play a sport that made me run farther than 60ft.  Another thing I loath more that running is early mornings. I LOVE my sleep.

Why I am telling you this?!

Because I signed up and talked cousin, Lauren, into joining me in the 2013 Tinkerbell Half Marathon.  So I consciously signed up and paid money to be awake and ready to run 13.1 mi. at 5:30 am.! 

I signed up to run a race last year, but a month or so before the race it was cancelled. I decided that I want to challenge myself and do something out of my comfort zone. I've been working out regularly and I figured if I need to do more cardio I need to have a reason to run.

I'm nervous and excited about this adventure and so so happy that Lauren decided to run it with me!!

Now it's time to start hitting the pavement

Happy 2nd Birthday Miss Hadley Marie

Hadley Marie, our youngest pup, turned 2 yesterday. She is our little princess. Hadley doesn't know she is a dog or a Great Dane for that matter. She still thinks she is the 3 month old puppy we brought home whom we let sit in our lap and lay in bed for morning and before bed snuggles.

At 110lbs and standing at least 5' 5" on her hind legs she still thinks she can lay on you, stretch out as much as possible in bed, and always be on the couch.  She has the best and funniest personality.  She loves wrestling with her brother Maverick, annoying her sister Charleigh, and nibbling on fingers when possible. Can't go to bed without Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal or Elephant.  And is in your face to have a bite of whatever you're eating especially if it is popcorn, tortilla chips, and most importantly cheese. 

Miss Hadley Marie, we love you oh so much and you make our life so joyful. We hope you ha a wonderful birthday in the sun and loungin in bed in front of the fan.

Cheers to 30 years

I celebrated my 30th birthday in a big way.  We started the day off by going back out on the lake with Brian & Cassie and the rest of the family.  We had a blast hanging out and floating in the cove. I couldn't have asked for a more fun day on the water.

We left the lake and headed down to Carlsbad to watch the sunset and do a little bar hopping with friends.  I was so happy to see friends and family and ring in the big 3-0 with them.  We started off at Dini's by the Sea and then walked over to The Compass and came back to Dini's.  we were supposed to go to a few more bars but we were having so much fun we just stayed where the fun was.

Jake, Jason, & Bill playing a fun game of horseshoes

Josh & Brian

Jäger & Stella joined in on the fun

Laura, Cassie, Haley, & Hannah finding some tunes 

Jack

Josh and I 

Darrin and friends

Christopher and Tash

Some of the crew

I finally agreed to wear the glasses Tasha bought

Sisters!!! The party planner/host

Love my brother

Couldn't ask for a better best friend, Catherine, drove 5 hrs and still came to celebrate 

Mr. Tommy, love you!

Happy 4th of July

We ended up staying in town for the holiday weekend. It was different for us being home but we had a blast. Our friends Brain & Cassie invited us out to Lake Elsinore to spend the day on the boat/lake.

We had so much fun hanging out and it felt like being out in Lake Havasu, but only closer to home and not having to fight holiday traffic.

Happy 5th Birthday Maverick Thomas

Today my baby boy turns 5.

Maverick Thomas, you light up my life.  I love everything about you: Your kisses, your snoring, your hound sniffing, and your desire to be a lap dog at 140lbs.   

Hope you have a wonderful birthday baby boy!!

See you in October Glamis

This past weekend we made out last trip out to the desert for the 2012 season. The weather was perfect low 90s with a slight breeze all day. We went out with the usual crowd: Brad, Lindsey, Kyle, Dan, Sara, & Kevin. The days were filled with some great rides to Oldsmobile and the nights with laughter and great company around the campfire.

Now the wait until October!

I love my Big Brother

Today is National Sibling Day. I have to say that I am one lucky sister to have my crazy brother for my older brother.

We are complete opposites. He is outgoing, crazy, no holds bar, say whatever is on his mind. even if its completely inappropriate. But, I wouldn't trade him for anything. Because of my brother I didn't grow up to be a girly girl. He has taught me so much about life. How to be a fighter, play in the dirt, ride bicycles through the canyons, baseball, and other countless things that big brothers do.

Christopher, I love you to the moon and back and thank God and my lucky stars every day for you! I know you will always be there for me for a shoulder to lean on, for the best laughs, and to tell me not to take life so seriously.

Love you!!

SD Padres Opening Day

We were lucky enough to go to the Padres Opening Day at Petco Park with Michelle and family. We sat out in the bleachers so the kids could play in the sand box. Of coarse Josh and I showed up in out Dodger gear to root for "our team" and was hoping for a win. Unfortunately the Padres won, but it's ok. We had a great time spending the day with the Russell/Clymens family.

Don't gloat too long Michelle!!

Dodgers and baseball is back!

I. LOVE. BASEBALL.!

and

Dodger baseball at that.

I am so exited that my favorite sport is back in full swing. I was really bummed I wasn't able to go to Opening Day at Dodger Stadium and see the new renovations that happened durning the off season. However, I did have Sport Center app sending me inning by inning updates today at work (told you I love baseball).

Dodgers are going to do big things this year. First game, Kershaw pitches a shut out against the World Series Champs, SF Giants, and a home run?!

I can't wait to make it out to the ballpark soon. Here is a picture that was posted on the Dodgers Instagram during Opening Ceremonies. Doesn't it look beautiful?!

Go Blue!!

PLAY BALL!!

Hoppy Easter

We hope that all of you had a wonderful Easter! We were lucky enough to have a house full of family today. I was pre occupied with the food and what not I wasn't able to take photos except for the one of my Daddy, brother, and Josh asleep on the couch after dinner.

Best Friend Time in Sin City

Jessica and I have been friends since we were 7 years old. Her dad lived across the street from us and every summer for 8 weeks we were inseperatable. When we didn't live across the street and have sleepovers we kept in contact by snail mail and the next summer we would picked up right where we left off. Jess and I have been trying to get our schedules to match up so I could make a trip back to New York. I haven't been back for 13 years....yikes!! But with her finishing up her residency and the cost of last minute air fares have kept us apart.

When she posted on Facebook that she was going to be in Las Vegas I jumped on the chance to see her. It's been a little over 3 years since we have seen each other, so it was a no brainer that I would head out there even if it meant I would only see her for a small period of time.

We stayed at the gorgeous Cosmopolitan and had an incredible view of the Las Vegas Strip and we were able to watch the Bellagio water show from our balcony. The room was beyond gorgeous and modern. We had so much fun enjoying the nightlife that Vegas offers and walked until I feet hurt during the day. There were so many memorable memories and incredible laughs through the entire weekend. One of the best has to be when I saw Jess for the first time this is literally what she said, "I've missed you, but more importantly did you know there is an In-N-Out Burger on the other side of the freeway?! We are going there tomorrow!" And that we did. Dr. T was in shock at the size of the 3x3 the we ordered him and he wasn't disappointed in the quality of the food.

Jess, as always, I had an amazing 48 hours with you. You are not only my best friend, but the sister that I never knew that I wanted. I love the fact that it always, always feels as though we just saw each other and pick up right where we left off. I love you!!!

Let there be grass!

When we moved into the house 3 years ago the backyard had some grass, but mainly weeds in the backyard. Last year Josh decided that he needed to rip up the grass because the hounds decided that the sprinklers were more fun as chew toys instead of watering the grass. I have been asking, begging, and demanding at times to put grass in the backyard. Finally it happened!!!!

The hounds and Dane L.O.V.E it! Hadley ran around for a good two minutes when she was allowed on it for the first time and Charleigh and Maverick sniffed around and laid down so peacefully.

We are all so happy with the way the backyard turned out.