A Few of my Favorite Things

Ok, so for about 10 minutes I had too much time on my hands. I know, how often does that happen? I just sat and listened to music and did nothing! Well I was in front of my computer, so I watched the automatic slideshow of images and realized how many wonderful moments do not make it to the blog posting board. I wanted to share a few of my favorites that brought a smile across my lips. This first pic is circa 1999, long before I owned or thought of a digital camera! 10 years this year of being together. It seemed like just yesterday....

There is something sacred about growing a plant. You take care of it, you water it, you move it if it does not get enough sun or too much shade. And then when it is mature or ripe, you pick it to enjoy it even more. My lettuce garden on my window sill is doing wonderful, the first Arugula harvest was small yet savory.

This was actually the picture that spawned this random blog. Last year camping at Sly Park for my birthday, Chris and I decided to ride our mountain bikes out where the lake usually is. I dont know what we were thinking, but we--laugh--cant type it without laughing--- thought that we could pedal through all of this mud. My cell phone rang and it was a split second and Chris's feet--laugh---flew INTO the mud, sinking AT LEAST 6 inches. We had mud everywhere, let the phone ring, and laughed harder than we both had in a while. I will never forget our muddy adventure.

Yes, I know this picture is hideous. That is the point! I love hideous pictures when you are trying to make them that way (Which we were!! Luuu you guys for always taking uggo pics with me!)

Yep, the final favorite thing blog (due to my need to move on to the next task at hand..laundry! :)) is dorks on bikes in the sand! You get to camp, exercise, get entertained, and spend time with family. That is a great recipe for how I like to spend my time.

Anyway, thanks for reading just a few of my favorite things displayed in pictures. These are only part of a massive list of things that are beautiful and fun. Hope to see you soon.

A Weekend in SF

After a long stretch for Chris, we decided to get otta dodge and spend a weekend in SF. Only a short trip away (1hour 45 minutes both ways!), we opted to stay in the touristy part by union square. We stayed at the King George Hotel, which fit most of our needs. The first day we were blessed with beautiful weather. We put on the miles that day, walked from union to nob hill to chinatown and later in the day from ghiradelli square to our hotel. (It was a day of walking, let me tell ya!)

A gorgeous view of the bay bridge with my gorgeous husband.

The side-view from our 6th floor hotel room.

Outside The Hidden Vine wine bar, after an hour of wining. We enjoyed 2 flights between us. Check out our review on Yelp.com if you are curious.

Chillin' at the Presidio.

Saturday views, the weather tempting us with sprinkles.

We spent some much needed time together in different situations! Navigating around is always a good test of your relationship. We did spend a little too much time trying to navigate around the presidio/golden gate park. We never made it to the park, but we had some peaceful moments walking and admiring the day and people out in it!

Our hotel was old, and the last night the one elevator was broken....We are quite adventurous people, in decent shape, however, 6 flights of SPIRAL stairs were a little rough on the dizzying parts of our brain. Here is Chris pushing the luggage carrier down the hall since no one was in a hurry to get it back down the elevator.

Good Bye Dad!

Well, my Dad is now (hopefully!) in Iraq. The last I heard on the 15th was that he was in Kuwait City, trying to get a flight to Iraq. This is a trip that has been a long time coming, and delayed, and what not. So, we got together one last time to spend more moments together. We gathered, as we usually do, at the Aubin's. A short walk to the park with the girls was in order, as the sun was out.

Ava was tearing up the cement on her "schooter" and Lily was doing pretty well on her bike with training wheels.

Uncle Chris was able to come visit too!

Just relaxing, watching fairies or peter pan or muppets? I don't remember...
After the girlies went to bed, and Wynter came home from work, we played a wicked game of trivial pursuit. The teams??

WRRC "work": Wynter, Rich, Robert, and Chels

The "other team" was Court, Dave, and Chris

Unfortunatley, WRRC did not win, but we put up a good fight. It was very special to hang one time more before your adventure. We love you and wish you a safe trip there and back!

LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday, Grammy

Well, after Austin's wrestling match, I scurried over to ARC for a quick run, and then off to the movies with Wynter. I can't remember the last time we did something, just us! We went to Nugget for some treats, and into the flick we went. It was fun, and the movie was great! We both had tears in our eyes at the end. Then, I drove up to Mom's and met up with Court and Rob. Chris was working until late, and he was getting up to go back to work early, so I decided to go stay at Mom's since we were celebrating Grammy's Birthday the next morn. We ate popcorn and watched another flick. It was relaxing and always nice to visit up there. A gorgeous day it was, very warmish. Gram opened presents outside, and we just sat on the grass.

Elly's classic cute yet almost mad looking smile! Yes, I think that is a spit-bubble around her teeth?

She got a kick out of swinging with Aunt Chels. What a doll!

The sistas!

Looks like a park but it's Grammy and Gramps's. We put on quite a nice tea party.

Austin's Wrestling Matches

On a sunny saturday, in Roseville, were a hundred sweaty boys from 4th-8th grade. I stopped by to see what was going on. Austin was prepared for a full day, all-out multiple matches day. His first match I saw didn't go so hot. He put up a good fight, but didn't win...

Bryce and I hung out, and he showed me how to use my phone. We played a few games of Mancala. It was also wonderful to see Don and Irene and catch up with them. Kim and Brian were also fun to see and chat with.

I waited at least 2 hours to see Austin's next match. (I was on a schedule to meet up with Wynt to see Benjamin Button.) Well, he didn't let me down! He pinned the kid in less than 30 seconds! Worth the wait, Austin! Great job! I am excited to see how your skills keep improving and I hope you keep it up through high school!

Mathew's First Birthday!

Our darling nephew decided to get older... He sure looks good doing that! The Britton's was a hopping, with family galore! It was nice to catch up with Lois, Susie, and Granny. Even though we saw them the week before, it was easier to chat at this get together. That toofters pokin' through is the cutest!

That little baby doll says "Now I lay me, down to sleep...." It is so cute, and he hugs and kisses it.

Grandpa and Grandma had to get him a quad! It has some buttons that sound just like a revving engine. It also has some buttons that are just a little annoying...where is the mute???

He was very excited to have his own cake all to himself to get messy in!

And he didn't let us down! Happy Birthday Mat from your Aunt Chels and Uncle Chris!

50th Suprise Party and 20th for Amanda too!

Janet's 50th was the main event. The event did take place on Amanda's birthday, so we suprised her too a little! Janet has never in her life asked so many questions as the week of her birthday. "What are you doing on New Years?" "I thought Chris was working." "What are you doing on New Years Eve?" Just be quiet, Mama B, is what I kept thinking, as I was dodging questions, and being silent so that Chris could lie to her face. I just kept clear of their house for a few days, for fear of blowing it! Paul was instrumental in the suprise. He was also dying at the amount of questions that this woman could come up with. "Why do we have to eat so late??" But they showed up to a room full of family and friends at Cafe Bernardo's midtown location.

Paul and Sharon made it, and also dressed as twins.

We had great service, food, and company.

Mama B modelling her reversible apron made my yours truly. Please let me know if you would like one, or would like one for a friend. I am considering marketing these. This was my third model, and I have now streamlined the process.

Enjoying each other's company at one of our hangouts!

Happy Birthday and New Years!