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

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!

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!!

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!!

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!!!

Daddy & Me movie date

When I heard that my favorite movie Top Gun was coming out in 3D I texted my Daddy and said "we have a date on Feb 8 to go see Top Gun in IMAX 3D!" His response "sounds fun", and fun it was! It was awesome to see my favorite movie on the big screen and the sound. Sounded just like being in Miramar with real jets flying over head. I can go on and on...volleyball scene ladies...amazing!

Needless to say, I absolutely loved every minute of it. Nothing better than seeing my favorite movie for the time in theaters and spending the day with my Daddy.

I love my Reefs

This is how I had felt the last few weeks. All I want is to be able to wear my Reef flip flops and not have my little toes cold. Come on Spring can you hurry up?!

Oh brother, we are going to be friends

Since I have made my blanket I have been think of projects that I want to make for all the new bundle of joys that are going to be making his/her debut in the next few months. I decided that I would make burp cloths out of cloth diapers and flannel. The project is fairly simple and I was able to remember most of the directions that Grandma Judy taught me during my Sewing 101 Class

I am so proud of that the burp cloths turned out perfect and most importantly with straight lines!!

...Trying to keep the work space neat...

...all finished...woohoo!...

Perfect Tortilla Pan Set

I L.O.V.E. informercials, they always suck me in and at the end I am pretty sure I want to purchase whatever product is. So far the perfect brownie, slushy magic, sock clips, shamwow, kaboom, and oxy clean have all been informercials that I have seen multiple times and have purchased. (Yes slightly nerdy and obsessive)

I have seen the Perfect tortilla commercials a couple of times and have wanted to purchase it but was always too lazy to find my credit card (good thing). but when I made a quick trip to buy fabric at Joann's I saw the As Seen on TV section. It's was the "ahhh moment with the little light shining down on the perfect tortilla". I had a coupon and figured what the heck just get it. I hid it in the cabinet when I it home because I knew josh would lecture me on buying more nonsense items. Well my hiding spot wasn't good enough and he found it a day later...oops ill try harder next time.

So tonight's meal we made busted out the pans and made the tostada bowls. Just like the informercials it was so easy and tasted delicious!! These pan's were totally worth the money!!!

...just simply place the tortilla in the mold...

...Pop it in the oven at 400 degrees fro 5-7 mins...

...It works!...

Sewing Class 101

I have always wanted to learn how to sew, but haven't had the courage to learn. Actually, I'll be honest...I don't have the patience either. i want it to be perfect the first time. I have a ton of friends that are expecting kids in the next few months so I wanted to make a few blankets.

I found this adorable free pattern at Joann's on one of my many crafting trips and decided that this was what I wanted to make. The instructions said that it was intermediate level and would take 3-4 hours to complete. I figured I would double the time since I have no clue what I am doing. Luckily Josh's Grandma Judy is a superb seamstress and makes tons of adorable blankets with embroidery. I called her up and luckily she was more than willing to teach me how to sew.

The entire process took 4.5 hours. Not too shabby if I say so myself. I had so much fun spending the day with Grandma Judy and her teaching me her craft. I can't wait until the next project!!

Pinterest Dinner

Hi, my name is Aubrey and I am Pinterest-oholic. Catherine introduced me to the website and I have spent countless hours pinning recipes amongst many other ideas to my virtual bulletin boards.

I was in the mood to change up our typical chicken, potatoes, and vegetable dinner. I remembered I had pinned some ideas so I pulled up the website and started searching. I came across a pin of Crash-Hot Potatoes and "the best asparagus" (which I never had, but was willing to try). 45 mins later dinner was ready and it was delicious! I highly recommend Crash-Hot Aussie potatoes and the asparagus was pretty tasty too for a vegetable.

To be a kid again....

There are just times in life that you want to be a kid again. I had the sudden urge the other weekend when Josh an I were doing some shopping at Costco. Josh wanted to buy some shelving units so we could organize the garage. I was excited for the orange flat cart. While we had other shopping to do I decided that I was tired and didn't want to walk anymore. I jumped on the cart and made Josh push me. Needless to say he was embarassed and made me get off after pushing me just one aisle. I had a blast while it lasted and as you can tell Josh was annoyed.

Gotta Love Facebook!

I check Facebook twice a day...okay, more like 5-10...hey it's interesting and I love looking at US Weekly.  Most of the time though it is to keep up with friends and family.  I love being able to comment on their status updates and see what other mutual friends or their friends I may not know have to say, (some are very hilarious).

I do have a point...really...so here is goes....

Catherine, one of my best friends and the one who got me started on blogging, always talked about her friend Ashley and how she is so much fun and that we would get along great.  A few months ago Catherine posted that it was Ashley's wedding day, so I just posted a "congratulations, and have a wonderful day" (or something like that) to the couple after that one comment its been a wonderful Facebook friendship.  We have come to find out that we enjoy the same reality television shows, same celebrity gossip, and so much more.  We finally got to meet in person over the weekend because we both have the honor of being bridesmaids in Catherine and Scott's wedding and both had to have our fitting and see the dress and color in person.  Meeting Ashley was like going to school on the first day. You know its going to be fine, but still nervous. I mean would we really get along in real life?! 

Needless to say, the minute I saw her wearing a Top Gun T-Shirt and carrying her Louis Vuitton (two of my favorites, here and here) and knew it would be a great day and it was.  We had a wonderful G.D.O. at Fashion Valley mall eating lunch at CPK and window shopping...well we did spend some time in the Louis store.  

I am so happy we finally met in real life and look forward to the next encounter.  We were too busy gossiping and shopping that we only snapped this one photo, thanks to Catherine's awesome one arm camera skills.  ...Here is to a fantastic friendship from Facebook to Real Life...

Mama Mia

I got a surprise on Tuesday at work with my boss asking me what I was doing on Wednesday night.  I thought it was a trick question, so I just said work.  He proceeded to tell me that there was an extra ticket to go with Kristin and Megan to see the play Mama Mia.  I had no idea what I was getting into because the only knowledge I had of Mama Mia was the movie trailer and the signs in Las Vegas.

To my surprise, I really enjoyed it.  The music was fantastic (not an ABBA fan) and all the actors and actresses were amazing.  I am hoping to attend more plays in the future.

My first celebrity crush...Mike Piazza...

All of us have one...I have a few actually.  But one man has been my favorite for years, Mike Piazza. I love him so much I had his poster hanging on my ceiling above my bed (creepy I know) but I am a huge fan!  I first became aware of Mike when he was a catcher for the Dodgers.  Not only is he GORGEOUS, but an excellent ball player.

I got the chance to see him in person at the CDA this weekend.  I was so in awe to see him standing 4 feet from me I didn't know what to do and I couldn't ask Mike Piazza for a picture.  A huge thank you to my friend Iris she asked Mike to give us a smile and he did!  If I had the $800.00 to purchase product and get to take a picture with him I would have, but him saying hello and this picture was huge for me.

Yes, this is now my background on my phone!

:::Mike Piazza #31 Los Angeles Dodgers:::

Happy Mother's Day

My Mommy is my rock, my best friend and partner in crime.  There isn't a day that I don't talk to my Mommy at least 3 times throughout the day and sometimes up to 10 (especially if I'm grocery shopping or cooking).  The conversations range from making sure I know the morning traffic report for my drive to work, how my evening was, or other random moments.  I would not be the person I am today without her.

For Mother's Day we spent the day at Angels Stadium.  We had so much fun from walking the stadium, enjoying the game, and being able to witness Mike Scioscia's 1,000th win as a Team Manager for the Angels. Oh and the best part....our awesome floppy hats!

:::Love the waterfall:::

:::Our floppy hats:::

Cake Class

My favorite Auntie Marti talked me into taking a cake class with her for 4 weeks at our local cake store The Cake Cottage.  I was not too sure of this adventure mainly because: A) I am not Betty Crocker (here) and I have to bake the cakes prior to class and  B) I do not have one artistic bone in my body.  Little did I know I can actually decorate a cake very well.  Now, I am not going to be the next Cake Boss by any means, but some did turn out really well.  I am moving on to Level 2!!

 :::Favorite Auntie on our first night in class:::

 :::My first cake. I went a little overboard with the flowers:::

 :::Back of Cake #2:::

 :::Top of Cake #2:::

 :::Cake #3 Artic Cake complete with Penguin, Polar Bear, and Walrus:::

 :::My first attempt at making a rose::

:::Cake #4:::