Category Archives: Living

River Rats

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Last weekend, my Dad invited us on a family trip to the “River house” outside of Laughlin, NV. It was fun, a little tiring with a sick Blakey, and a memory we will treasure. It was B’s first time on a wave runner (those pics are on Mal’s camera but, believe me, he had fun).

Highlights included: Our first real road trip with Blakey who was AMAZING and didn’t get cranky at all; a highly enjoyable meal of carne asada, thanks to Jay; watching two little cousins play and swim together (sharing is still a struggle but I know that will pass); the gun show (see pic below); swimming in the pool; watching video of Mal take Fearless Blake down the huge water slide; and spending time with family.

Here are a few shots to share:

Family Ties

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This week has shown me how truly important family is. I come from a family where the aunts, uncles, and cousins are just as important as your mom, dad, and sister. We are close. This is one of the huge reasons I want to have a large family.

M’s family has shifted a little (with members moving out of state and relationships changing) but the constant in his life has always been his mother and father. When his mother passed away, it was like a huge chunk of our lives went missing. I, even as a daughter-in-law, looked to her as a mother and treasured each moment I had with her. His father has shown me how proud a father can be of his son and grandson. It consumes him–and it shows.

To our parents and grandparents (and uncles/aunts/cousins), without you we wouldn’t be who or where we are today. Thank you for being a part of our lives. We are so lucky!

xoxo,

J



Pink-ing of You

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I’ve been trying really hard to eat right and exercise. Going on power walks to the park with B. Hiking steep trails. And eating a lot of vegetables. It’s been nice, surprisingly.

A few things that have been keeping me going:

1. Trader’s Joe Lowfat Granola with Almonds
(it’s tasty with blueberries)

2. OPI “Pink-ing of You” nail polish
(this website is kinda neat!)

3. 2012 Olympic Trials (is anyone else excited?)

Have a great week!

Overcast and Overjoyed

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I feel like I live a pretty great life. I get to work from home. I get to see my child grow and learn and eat candy “watches” for the first time. I get to enjoy a lunch break at the beach when it’s humid and overcast. I get to be creative in the kitchen by trying out new recipes. I get to laugh more. I get to rest in the late afternoon because M lets me have a break.

Yes, I wake up very early and go to bed sometimes very late but it’s all worth it. I can’t think of a recent time that I felt so content with life.

Happy Friday!

J

4th of July

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So much fun this week! Awhile back, I posted this–a little insight of us finding our way here in our new city. And America’s birthday was just the time to find comfort.

Our street threw an amazing block party: water slides, 7-layer-dip, friends (Jenny & Ronnie), family (Mal & Jay), basketball games of HORSE, t-ball, a band, and tons of kids running around. Finally, I feel like we found our little niche.

Here are a few (or maybe a few too many) pictures of our great day.






Three Cheers

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For…

1. Summer–It officially started this week! While I type this, I can hear kids laughin’ and smell weinies cookin’. I wish Blakey wasn’t sick so we could enjoy it a little more. I’m starting to get a sniffle too.. No!

2. Graduation–My cousin Bryan graduated high school and has been accepted to the University of Miami on a partial scholarship for Engineering. Wow. To say I’m proud is an understatement. Congrats Bryan! (He’s in the pic with the white tie.. sharp!)

3. Adam and Carrie–Friends of ours are expecting their first babes. So neat to share in this experience with them!

Disney Cars Land

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Believe me–I’m kinda sick of posting about Disneyland. But, I had to share just one tiny post on the NEW Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure. We went Tuesday, so it had only been open a few days.

What we loved:

1. Radiator Springs – It felt like you were really in the little town! I can’t wait to see it without the crowds to get the full experience.

2. So many places to eat – When I got Just Spotted‘s email in my inbox and read things like “Queso” and “Apple/Cheddar Pie” I just had to visit. Lines were too long to actually BUY and enjoy something but we’ll be back.

3. New rides – Blakey’s excited! He really wanted to go on Luigi’s Flying Tires (pic below) but, again, the lines were way too long for an active two-year-old.

Talk to you soon (about something OTHER than Disney),

J

A Father’s Day Weekend

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Just yesterday (Monday), we got home from an adventurous trip to Running Springs, CA. We stayed at “The Cabin”–a place my Grandfather built many, many years ago. He probably never imagined the joy it would bring to so many of us. I’m thankful.

To celebrate being a Dad, Mike wanted to do some fun things with Blake. We watched Blake ride/drive the train on the edges of Lake Arrowhead, fed the ducks, ate chocolate chip cookies, played KerPlunk, vacuumed (one of Blake’s favorite things to do nowadays), swung on swings, made friends with our neighbors, opened Father’s Day presents, and, my favorite, went bowling (Blake’s first time).

Here are a few pictures that we can look back on and remember what a special weekend it was!


Happy People

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You know those weeks when it seems like every person you come in contact with is cranky, selfish or just plain rude?

Well, this past week it was the complete opposite. I’m thankful for them… because I needed a little happiness.

So, who are these people?

1. McDonald’s Drive-Thru Guy: My weakness and special treat some days is an Iced Vanilla Coffee from McDonald’s. So occasionally, I visit the local McD’s and after I pay and get my hands on that caffeine goodness, the same drive-thru guy who has the morning shift says, “Have a blessed day!” It may sound silly but for a little while after that, I’m happy and have a smile on my face.

2. Ashley (pictured with me): Mike and I went to a wedding last weekend and this blonde girl waved to us while we were walking into the church. I thought.. Hmm.. she kinda looks familiar but I’m not sure if she’s waving at us since we are with such a huge group of people. After the ceremony, everyone visited outside and it clicked… she’s the cousin of the groom who I was looking forward to seeing at the wedding! She grew up–hair curled, cute dress, and HEELS. She’s always happy. I like that.

3. Liz: Mike and I HAD to go to an Angels game on Tuesday to take one of his potential clients out. It was my first, real “take out the clients” event. I was nervous because it was a husband and wife. Is she going to talk through nine innings of baseball? Are we going to have anything in common? What a waste of worrying. She was kind and talkative and for a woman who has a 20-year-old rather than, like me, a two-year-old, we had tons in common. She made me realize that I need to go in to things with an open mind.

When I’m feeling like the world just isn’t nice anymore, I’m going to come back to this post and remind myself that happy people might just be around the next corner…or the McD’s drive-thru. ;) Hope you are having a great week!

Steppin’ Out

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…of our comfort zone.

Last September (2011), we moved to a little, picturesque community in South Orange County called Ladera Ranch. Minivans, block parties, 3.2 children… Cue the opening song for Weeds. It’s about 30 minutes from where we used to live, where we both grew up, where our friends and family are… We definitely took a chance in order for Blakey to grow up in a place where holidays are celebrated and neighbors come over to hang out.

Anyways, you know that feeling when you’re new? Like the new student in school? Or just starting a new job? Yeah, I’m feeling it. Where can I get some sushi? Where’s the public library (yes, I used to go to the library in YL)? Where is my group of girlfriends who all have kids and want to go shopping and out for a glass of wine? Lol. I know, I know, I might be asking for too much.

I know years from now I’ll look back at this and think, how silly. I just wonder how long this adjustment period is going to take.

And, by the way, I don’t ever plan on driving a minivan.