Why I love living in California

Brad and I really enjoy living in beautiful, sunny, temperate Southern California. Where we live, it rarely gets above 75 degrees and it never drops below 50 degrees, even in the winter. Occasionally, our weekends are highlighted by drives up Malibu Canyon in the evening, and there is just nothing more beautiful than the ocean at sunset. Watching the moon rise over the water is similarly breathtaking. I love living here...








(P.s. None of these photos have been enhanced. These are straight from my digital camera to the blog. CA is just that beautiful.)

World Cup

Brad's cousin Jake and his wife and daughter (Brook and Alice) came to our house to watch the USA vs. Ghana World Cup game a couple Saturdays ago. I admit, it was the only World Cup game we watched this season (and the USA lost 2-1), but it was fun! We ate carne asada and chicken for lunch, with mango salsa, guac, chips, and frito boats on the side. Needless to say - delicious!! It was fun to have them down for the afternoon, and Connor and Alice enjoyed playing together. Alice is so cute. And she just recently turned 1! How time flies!

On Target, GNO

Whilst Brad and I were in OC a couple weekends ago for Father's Day, it was also my brother-in-law Jono's birthday. So after we all ate dinner at the Crab Cooker in Newport, we drove to On Target in Laguna Niguel for some good old-fashion target practice. It was my first time ever shooting a gun (with the exception of a BB gun at my grandpa's cabin, but I don't think those count as real guns). I shot my dad's .22 mm rifle first - felt a lot like the BB gun. Then I shot my brother-in-law Sterling's .9 mm. Holy cow! See for yourself:







We all did great shooting the bad guy and not the hostage, but he became so shot up that we couldn't tell where our new shots were! So we started aiming for her, poor girl. She was just the innocent by-stander.

Not a bad grouping for by first time shooting a gun in general, let alone the .9 mm!

I shoot to kill.



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Friday, June 11 my mom, sisters, and I went for a girls night out. We first ate dinner at Bistango which is located on the first floor of my mom's office building. 3 of the 4 of us got their special - clam chowder soup, fillet mignon with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus, and a slice of cheesecake - and Claire got a Caesar salad. Because my mom knows the owner we got treated with two complimentary desserts, moulton lava cake and creme brulee - so delicious. Fat and happy, we all headed over to the Orange County Performing Arts Center (OCPAC) to see the Lion King. It was spectacular!! I love spending time with these lovely ladies. Let's do it again girls!

Happy Father's Day!

Yesterday was a great day. It was a day to honor all the wonderful dads and other men in our lives that have helped raise us or our children.

Sunday night was our family Father's Day celebration for Braddy. I made Brad's favorite dinner (sour cream enchiladas) and then we opened presents. Connor gave him coconut M&Ms and a new orange tie, and I gave him a 12 month XBox Live subscription. He got cards from both of us too - Connor even wrote in (and sucked on) his - I translated. Connor just loves his dad. He looks at him with such adoration, it makes me a little jealous. Dads just have that special bond with their kids that no one else can ever have. I love to see Connor and Brad together.




So to Bradford: thank you for being a wonderful dad - you are Connor's chew toy, playmate, masseuse, entertainer, walker, rescuer (when mom is going crazy :) ), and comforter. And thank goodness Connor has your good looks. Connor knows how much you love him and he definitely loves you. I love you too. Happy Father's Day!






This is one of my favorites of Brad and Connor together.Connor definitely has some big shoes to fill.


And to my dad: you have taught me so many invaluable life lessons. I have been fortunate to follow in your footsteps and now I have a career as a civil engineer. I am happy to have so many fun memories of us fishing, camping, playing softball, and partying (harder than normal) when mom was away. You truly are "the father who knows everything", Master Woodworker, and Norm's biggest fan. Connor and Jaxson are so lucky to have you as their grandpa. I can only hope your generosity, good looks, and sense of humor rub off on them too. Thank you for being my dad and Connor's grandpa. Happy Father's Day Dad! I love you!




Connor has so many wonderful grandpa's and great grandpa's. So to all of you who are wonderful examples for my son to follow, thank you. We love you all! Happy Father's Day!

Friends

Connor has been able to have several play dates recently. Whether his friends come to our house to play while their mom is out or Connor goes to their house, they always seem to have fun together. Connor just CAN'T WAIT to be walking so he can move around with these big boys!! For now, he wants to just hold my hands and follow them around everywhere they go.

Cousins are friends too. Cousin Jaxson is 6 months older than Connor.




Connor's friend Kevin. He is about 4 months older than Connor. I couldn't stop snapping pictures of these two cute boys together!








Connor's friend Cohen (sounds like co-en). He is about 8 months older than Connor.


Connor's friend (and girlfriend) Adelyn (Addie). These were taken a few weeks ago before they moved to AZ. At least we got in one last Disneyland trip before they left! Addie is 4 hours older than Connor. Oh we miss them!




Connor and I have so much fun with our friends!