Can I Just Share

I have a few favorites...

things that i love...

pictures that take me away...

can i just share?

kicking my flip flops off in the sand...


it's all in the perspective...


playful dolphin in the wild...

a vacation stroll...Jalama Beach, Ca...

pelicans feeding in the evening...

a day of surfing...

my family...

my boys...

surfing together...

playing together...

everything together!

the sacrifice...

Didn't Happen As Planned

Well my plans kind of fell through, nobody made it here in time to go to Long Beach to watch the Red Bull Flugtag.

We didn't make it down to the beach early enough to secure a bonfire pit. I called my sister who lives 45 min. away to tell her that we would still bbq at the beach but NO bonfire. Then my hubby just randomly called his friend to see how the surf was today & he said that they had a pit (they got there at 6:00 am to save it.) He said we were welcome to join them...so we are still on for the bonfire!

Besides, we'll get there just in time to watch the birds, dolphins & seals feeding (usually around 5 or 6 pm).

I took these shots at Jalama Beach in the evening (double click to view larger)

Jullien surfin' & watching the pelicans

Sometimes I guess it's kind of nice to just relax.

Let the Fun Begin

How much can you squeeze into a weekend?

Hmmmm....I'll let you know.

I actually added something else to our day tomorrow. The guys are surfing in the a.m. then we'll head to the Red Bull Flugtag in Long Beach, CA. This is a fun event where people make human powered homemade flying devices & launch them off a 30ft high pier over the Long Beach harbor. It should be pretty funny!

World Record Flight 2010

Highlights


After we'll go back to Huntington Beach for a big family beach bonfire/BBQ.

My hubby wasn't too excited about more things to do tomorrow, but my niece & nephew are only here till Wednesday, so I told him to "suck it up & have some fun!"

My niece Whitley in Laguna Beach, Ca

Practicing her Baywatch run down the Lifeguard Tower

Whitley & Johnny (niece & nephew)

Their Here...Time To Party!

(Brother & Sister just recently reunited)

I finally was able to meet my long lost niece, Whitley. She came down here with my nephew, Johnny for a short visit. It's so awesome to immediately feel the family bond. It's weird how even though you've never met someone before & by all accounts they are a stranger, you still feel complete love for them!

This has been such a blessing for our family!~

I've made tons of plans because I love to be on the go. Now I just have to get my older sister to comply. You see, where I'm a go go go girl, my sister is more of a homemaker (she takes care of everyone & is the best cook in the world)...but I like to grab her, kicking & screaming & drag her out of her comfort zone.

I guess I do that to everyone in my life...I think they need more adventures because life is too short.

So my list so far is:
1. Beach & lunch tomorrow (they will go to the beach until I get off at 1:00)
2. Balboa tomorrow night
3. Beach Bonfire (Fri or Sat)
4. BBQ/Bike Ride (Sun)
5. Melrose, Santa Monica Pier & Venice (Monday...I'm off woo hoo!)
6. Tuesday is still open

any ideas?

Wednesday they fly out to Reno, NV. to meet my dad & stepmom.

I would love suggestions to other cool places in So. Cal. that I could take them. I'm sure I could squeeze more stuff in...Tuesday's open!LOL!

Jazz & Angels

It's not very often you get the VIP treatment for FREE.

This weekend we were lucky enough to go to a Jazz Festival/Dinner at the Hyatt in Newport Beach, CA & an Angels Baseball game in a suite.

My boss gave me the $95.00 (per person) tickets for Fridays dinner & show. I've never been to a jazz concert before, the band is the world famous, "Fourplay." They were awesome & it was a nice romantic evening under the stars.

Dinner on the Patio at the Hyatt, Newport Beach, CA

Our seats were great until the tallest couple in the world sat in front of us!!
Then today my sister-in-laws boyfriend has a suite at Angels Stadium, so another fun FREE day! After the game they invited all the kids under 12 to come down to the field & run the bases. My nephew wasn't too sure if he wanted to go down. So me, being me...grabbed his hand & said, "C'mon Daniel, you'll love it!"

I never want anyone to miss out on a fun opportunity so I often do this to my hubby & kids too... (they always have fun & thank me afterward).

He still was hesitant, but I had started to run...with him in tow, trying to get to the other side of the stadium in time.

Once we got in line, he was so excited & ready to go. Unfortunately I didn't have my good camera with me so I had to settle for my cell phone, not the best quality, but you get the picture.


Daniel rounding the bases


My hubby & Daniel...yes I dragged him down with us!

Daniel in front of the dugout. Good thing they have people to clean up after them.
This NEVER would have been tolerated in a Little League dugout.


Elijah & Adam in the Suite


Adam in his new car...he drove us to the game, it was his 2nd time on the freeway, YIKES!
No, but he did good.

We had such an awesome weekend. I have to tell ya, date nights are a MUST for married couples. Be sure to take the time to hang out alone with your best friend at least 2x a month!

He Got The Payback

I posted a while ago about how my hubby "accidentally" locked me out of the house...(READ STORY HERE).

I promised to get him back & I did!

He came home from work & asked if I had fed the dog. I said, "No, can you do it?" When he went outside I quickly locked the door & headed upstairs to get my camera.

He started knocking & yelling at me to open the door. I looked down from upstairs & was laughing at him.

He didn't like it very much...can you tell by his face?

As I came down, he was trying to squeeze through the doggy door, but realized that he would get stuck. I tried to get the picture of his head peeking through the door , but he backed out too quick!


I continued to leave him out there. He finally gave up & started doing yard work. Guess that's one way to make them do their chores!LOL!

At least I gave him a warning that I was going to get him back! I finally let him in & I was the only one laughing.

And It Started Good...

Yesterday I woke up, the sun was shining and all was right in my lil' world. I thought I would sail right through my day. Well that was until I headed down stairs, had a little confrontation with one of my teenagers, which upset me & sent my mind racing into, FIX IT mode (strike one).

I raced off to work, received an annoying phone call, (strike two). Then got home & had to deal with my "teenager problem." (strike three). I was OUT!

I mentally checked out of the day!

Isn't it crazy how you can wake up, feel great, then as the day progresses, your circumstances start to control your mood & your day?

I'm making a mental note of this & the next time I'm faced with a day like yesterday, I'm going to pray & make a choice not to let other people control my mood & choose the outcome of my day!

I Got Sucked In

I set my DVR to record a new show that I wasn't really sure if I'd like it. I headed up to bed around 11:00 p.m. & hit play. As I started watching I found myself quickly fast forwarding through the commercials to see what was going to happen next.

Who was into who? What was the crazy girl going to do? Who's heart is going to get broken? Who was that annoying Hugh Jackman, look-alike guy going take on a date?

Craig McKinnon

Hugh Jackman- (see they look alike huh?)

I have to admit, "They got me!"

"THE BACHELOR PAD" was actually really good!

They took all of the memorable rejects from the past years of "The Bachelor" & "The Bachelorette" and put them all together in one room, they compete in different challenges, go on dates & the girls & guys vote each other off, all while vying for a chance to win $250,000.00.

What is it about D R A M A that we just can't stop watching?

So, now I'm "jonesing" for next weeks episode. Did any of you see it?