So Cal Weekend

What a fun vacation weekend we had! We started Thursday, and headed to Newport beach where our neighbors have a gorgeous time share at The Newport Coast Villas. Beautiful!!!View from our balcony...wouldn't mind waking up to a pool and ocean view every morning.

Our villa was the one in the middle, 2nd floor!
Friday morning we drove to Balboa island, rented bikes for 3 hours, and rode up and down the beach, and through gorgeous neighborhoods where I could only live if I won the lottery. We finished the day at the pool and spa, coupled with a few pina coladas and live music.

Saturday we left Newport and had no plans set in stone. We ended up in Santa Monica, with a beautiful sunny day. We cruised the pier/boardwalk, had lunch outside at a cool restaurant, and let S play in the sand at the beach.

That evening we checked into our hotel in Sherman Oaks, relaxed for a few minutes (literally). Jim did a search of things to do in the area, and next thing you know we were off to Universal City Studios city walk (not the theme park). We cruised around, had dinner, listened to live music, and finished the night with Ben and Jerry's ice cream. S wasn't in bed until 11pm! and she was happy the whole time!
The next morning was Father's Day! Happy Father's day to the best dad I could ever ask for for our daughter! To my dislike, I woke up numerous times in the night with acid reflux and began the morning throwing up - I guess my dinner didn't settle right :(

Being that it was Father's Day, I hung in like a trooper. We headed to Beverly Hills - 90210 - and had coffee and muffins on Rodeo Drive. There was a Father's Day car show going on, so we walked Rodeo Drive and went into a couple shops...but only a couple. We saw a show being taped (and actually talked to the main guy, because his son wanted to play with S), searched for stars, and saw a ton of Ferarri's, Range Rover's and Jag's.

Last but not least, we visited Hollywood and all the fine specimens it has to offer. S was scared to death of Barney and Baby Bop, so no character pictures for her. We cruised around, looked at the "star walk", and had Jim and S had a quick lunch (my stomach still wasn't up for it). We had a fantastic vacation, and packed as much as possible into the 3 nts/4 days as we could.

Yosemite

Last weekend was a busy and very fun weekend! Saturday morning we headed to Bass Lake where the Blythe's were camping/RV'ing. We loaded our bikes and ourselves into the RV and off we headed (on a bumpy ride) to Yosemite. Just one big happy family!

Once into Yosemite valley, we spotted 2 bears off the side of the road. S thought it was the greatest thing ever. We were all SO excited (you should see and hear the video). Thinking we were so lucky to see bears, we never thought we would see MORE! Oh yes! Hours later, we were driving along, and I suddenly spoted 2 bears moving in the woods. Rich pulled over, we all got out, and there we were, 150 feet from 2 bears! Adrenaline rush! We stayed out of the RV for about 5 minutes just watching them (close enough to the RV in case we needed to make a dash for it). Absolutely amazing!



We had a great day, biking through the valley, down to the lower falls, and through the main village. It rained on us, but it sure didn't put a damper on the day!

Such a long day, the girls snoozed while riding in the bike trailer.

My 1st "real" haircut

My first "real" haircut was on Saturday, June 6th. I was a very good girl and sat still for my Aunt Leslie (it pays to have an Aunt that's a stylist).

Twilight has captured me!

I'm hooked on "TWILIGHT"! and this is probably the reason I haven't posted anything for a while. Never did I think I would want to read a huge book(s) about vampires, but once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. I finished the first book in a couple days, and now I'm on page 433 of the 2nd book. My TV hasn't been on in a week and a half. As soon as Miss S is asleep, my nose is stuffed in the pages...waiting for Edward! :) You know what I mean if you've read the books!

Anyways...last weekend we headed to SM for the Rodeo and parade. She got her 1st tootsie pop at the parade, and was in heaven with her sugar high, cousins, and her Pop. The older boys (our nephews) did "mutton bustin" at the Rodeo and won 1st and 2nd place. They were awesome - they held on to the sheep and wouldn't let go. Miss S watched the entire Rodeo and loved every minute of it. She said "my turn mommy" and wanted to have a turn riding the sheep too. I can completly see her wanting to "mutton bust" when she's 6, and taking 1st place over all the boys!

Girl Time!

One of my best friends called earlier in the week to see if we had plans for the weekend. When we said no, she asked if she could come down (from Sac) to spend some well-needed girl time together. We went to lunch, spent the day shopping (and bought the exact same outfit, including the same shoes and all), and went out for dinner and a margarita! Thanks for coming to town Jamie!!!

The girl loves chicken legs...

Last night we went to my friend Jessica's house for a BBQ and pool time after work (TGIT for us, no work Friday's). She BBQ'd chicken legs for the kids, and Miss S loved them. I thought it might have just been because the other kids were eating them, but after tonight I know I'm wrong. I (yes I) BBQ'd some chicken and veggies tonight and she gobbled them up again. When she asked for more (can you believe my skinny little daughter would ask for more), I grabbed the camera. Nothing like getting messy with summer BBQ!

Before and After :)

One week later, and our wood floors are finally done!! After a week of chaos, messes, disorganization, and a layer of dust everywhere (from having the tile chipped out) we are finally getting back in order! We LOVE the floor!! Yippee, no more carpet under our dinner table!

A Day in the Life...

So just imagine...you're 2-years old again. Life revolves around you, or so you like to believe it does. You have a creative imagination, everything is new and exciting, and your mom and dad think you're so cute they take pictures of it all :) First, she was off to the dress-up box, where she threw on a fuzzy pink hat, tons of braclets, a pair of high heels, and of course, you can't forget the boa! She pranced around in that for a while, waved her wand around like a princess, and looked at herself in the mirror and said "cute". Talk about a girl! Then she threw everything off (and left it for me to clean up) and grabbed her mermaid barbie doll. I followed her to her room, wondering what she was doing, and as I watched from a distance, she opened her bathing suit drawer and tried to put her bathing suit on barbie. When that didn't work, she headed to the bathroom in search of a brush (for Barbie's hair of course) but instead came out with her toothbrush and toothpaste! (She is my daughter indeed!) Again, I grabbed the camera, and watched as little Miss Dental Hygienist cleaned Barbie's teeth! Mommy is so proud! Just a glimpse of a day in the life of a 2-year old! Too fun :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful mom, and all the great mother's I know! We all deserve a little praise, and what better day than today! Being a mom isn't an easy job, but it's the best job, and most important job anyone could ever have.

We took a drive to Bass Lake and had breakfast at The Forks with Jim's family. We enjoyed the fantastic weather, played in the lake and pool, and had a cheerful little girl who kept telling me "happy mother's day mommy".

Happy Mother's day! I love you mom!!!

I am 2!!

Well she is officially 2-years old! Unbelievable!! Thank you for all your cards and gifts...we have the best family and friends. What a wonderful 2-years it has been. We love you!!!!