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

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!

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!!

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!!!

San Diego Supercross

Last weekend we did the annual trip to Qualcomm Stadium aka "The Murph" to us long time San Diegan's for Supercross. We got there as the gates open so we could find a good parking spot for a full day of tailgating fun. The boys had fun playing "Man Jenga" and Cornhole.

The big show was awesome with Davi Millsaps taking the 450 Main Event. Until next year...or maybe we'll make our way to Vegas....

...Family...

...Kevin knowing whatever he does the tower is going to fall...

Happy Valentine's Day

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?!

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!...

Family Dinner

On Sunday we made an impulsive trip down to San Marcos to have dinner with the family. I was craving pizza at the time and decided that we would go to Pizza Port in Carlsbad. Once we got to my parents house my brother and sister in law told us hat we needed to try Sublime Alehouse instead. So we agreed and went there. It's a nice place that has table seating or self seating and had variety of yummy foods to try. I decided to go with build your own sandwich. I had a chicken bacon ranch and josh had a chicken sandwich of some sort as well. All I can say is the Sublime didn't disappoint! The food and service was fantastic! My brother and Tasha love the Mac n' Cheese so maybe I'll try to that next visit.

...My yummy samich!...

...Josh and his food...

...Christopher and his Tomato Soup....

...The parents, not excited for their picture to be taken...

To Do List: Garage Shelving-check

We have lived in our house for 2 years now and have had a list of things we wanted to do. We have accomplished some but not a lot. A couple of weekends ago Josh decided that he wanted to get some shelving at Costco. We went and purchased the shelves and came home to tackle the project. Josh said "don't worry it will only take two hours." SIX hours later we finished the garage.

The project took on a life of its own. We had plans to put it on one side of the garage so we cleared it out and after building the shelves we realized the wall was too short. Then we needed to empty out the other side

The six hours of cleaning, organizing, throwing out, and a donating pile, I am happy to say that the garage is finally organized and clean.

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...

They are like Peas and Carrots

Hadley and Maverick are the best of friends. They are always close to one another.  It is so cute to see how they interact.  These two make my heart melt...

Happy New Year 2012!

2011 I think was one of the fastest years of my life and quite a ride.  We had our ups and downs, but without them it wouldn't make life interesting.  One of the best things that came out of 2011 was adding to our family. A Great Dane we named Hadley Marie. I love waking up to her every morning chewing her nails waiting for the alarm to go off because she knows that Mom is awake and its playtime. 

We rang in 2012 at my favorite NYE destination, Glamis.  We met up with some friends and had a great time in the dirt playing in the dune buggy's. 

I am excited to see what 2012 has in store for us.  I know for certain the summer is going to be killer since Christopher & Natasha and Catherine & Tater are getting married!!!!

Cheers to a great and eventful 2012 friends!

Bridesmaid Duties

As I procrastinate on the Internet I came across this article that caught my attention because I have the honor of being in one of my best friends wedding.  Since this is the first time I will be an attendant in a wedding I figured I need to do some research.  I started with flipping through bridesmaids books at Barnes and Noble, which I considered on purchasing.  I think the article from the Brides Magazine sums up everything that perfectly of what I will do. 

Can't wait for the your special day Catherine and Tater!!

15 Things a Great Bridesmaid Will Do

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2010

Photo by Jen Siska

While every bride would love to have her bridesmaid take away all the stress of the wedding, that isn't always reality. But here are some ideas on how she can make the process a bit easier.

1. GIVE YOU HONEST (but gentle) opinions as you try on dresses.

2. WEEP (along with your mom) when you finally emerge from the dressing room wearing The One.

3. CREATE a "tasteful" bachelorette-party wardrobe for you—diamond tiara, fluffy pink boa.

4. OFFER to do your hair and makeup on the wedding day.

5. STUFF 167 candy-favor bags without complaining or eating one single jellybean.

6. RECORD GIFTS at your bridal shower (in legible handwriting).

7. RUN OUT to pick up last-minute items on the wedding day.

8. CALL YOU OUT for bad behavior (i.e., making the matron of honor promise not to get pregnant before the wedding).

9. LEND YOU a shoulder to cry on when the stress gets to be too much.

10. SPEND THE NIGHT before the wedding at your place to talk, laugh, and calm your nerves.

11. DECORATE the outdoor-reception venue in scorching afternoon heat, minus any whining.

12. START DANCING to get the reception crowd up.

13. GIVE YOUR MOM special attention at the wedding—it's her day, too.

14. DEAL WITH THE DJ the second he starts spinning "Who Let the Dogs Out?"

which she knows is song number one on your "don't play—ever!" list.

15. TEXT YOU post-honeymoon for drinks on Thursday night...like always.

Thank you Living Spaces

Josh got an email from Living Spaces (his favorite furniture store) about the 4th of July sale they were having.  Needless to say we purchased new living room furniture because in the package we got the: Sofa, love seat, coffee table, 2 end tables, 52" flatscreen TV, and DVD player that is 3D.  I am about 98% positive he was so anxious on this purchase was because of of TV and DVD player.  At least the downstairs of the house is almost complete...now we just need to paint....Oh, and I forgot, we had to inspect and put the furniture together at the store at 8:45pm and they were closing at 9 pm.

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:::

Feliz Cinco de Mayo

Yes, I have lost my marbles BUT you can not tell me the Charleigh and Maverick do not look absolutely adorable in their Cacti and Chili Pepper headbands to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.