Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach will always hold a special place in my heart. It's where I lived my first real independence (post BYU graduation). It's where I lived with my two best friends (Lindsay and Brooke) and had the time of my life. It's where I met my sweet husband on 20th Street and fell completely in love for the first time. It's where Jeremy proposed to me (20th Street- bench by the beach). It's where we got married (well actually Newport Beach Temple, but close enough). And it's where we brought home our first baby from the hospital. Even though we don't live there anymore, I knew it's where I wanted our first real family photos taken. So many dear memories are there. The very talented and sweet Jylare took our family photos, and I cherish them. Thank you so much, Jylare!

while daddy's away...

we will play... (opted for mcd's ice cream cones for dinner)

and the rest of our so cal trip...

Bedtime was finally on a good schedule before we left for california. I was putting Pearce down between 7:30 and 7:45pm. It was so nice to finally have my evenings "back". But now, she is not going down until the 8:30pm range. :-( But at least she is back to sleeping through the night (all four molars are settled in).

Anyways, here are the last bit of pictures that I had from my phone and camera. The iPhone camera is so handy, I end up taking most of my pics with it. Seems like our last 3 days went by super fast. Thursday morning we headed down to the Rainbow Factory in San Clemente. My old rainbows were barely hanging on, I could feel every rock I walked on. So I picked up some new brown ones.

We cruised up Coast Hwy and make a quick stop in Laguna Beach, and walked around a bit, ocean look-out point, and a little shopping.

Oh, what a year makes! I dug up this photo from last year, in the same spot, just different bed linens. 

And that's where the photo tour ended for Thursday. We hit up Cafe Rio with Briscoes for lunch and Beach Pit BBQ with Schumanns for dinner. and I went with Michele to the HB 4th ward book club hoping to chat with friends. But it turned out to be a formal book club with no mingling--just formal Q&A with the author. :-(

Friday was another low-key day. We spent most of the day in Newport Beach first stopping off at our favorite Bakery on Balboa Island, Cinnamon Roll Fair, and snatched up the remaining 4 of their sugar cookies. 

And then relaxed a bit at a lookout in Corona Del Mar. 

So gross, that I let Pearce play with the pigeons. But, hey. The things you do for love...

I want to call her "Emily" in this photo below. I need to find some of my baby photos, because I think she is totally making a me face here.

We walked around Fashion Island a bit,  noticing all the new stores, but quickly left because we wanted some BIG BELLY DELI!!! It was soooo bizarre--as we were parking in front of BBD, Rachael (Jeremy's sister who lives in L.A.) and his parents (who just arrived in town for Rachael's FIDM graduation) were doing a U-turn on PCH coming for the same parking spot! Not planned at all!!! It was great that we could all eat lunch together and that Pearce could see her Auntie-Ray-Ray.

Friday afternoon while Jeremy was taking his pre-U2 concert nap ;-)... I took Pearce and the Briscoe kids to the park down the street. Pearce really thinks she is one of the big kids. She was chasing them around and trying to keep up the whole time. Even trying to climb a hill... and rolling over. :-/

Tickling Jack's knees. hahahaha It was sooo nice of the kids to be so sweet and play with Pearce. Michele, you've raised some really good kids!! :-)

While Jeremy was at his U2 concert with his sister, I met up with my good friend Katie, that I miss sooo much!!! We worked at our last two marketing agencies together. She was my BFF at work. I think it's because we both like to complain a lot. hahahaha We ate at my all-time-favorite lunch place--Baja Fish. I went there like 3x a week while pregnant on my lunch breaks.

And Saturday, was kind of a sad day, knowing it was all ending... Briscoes had a BBQ at their place and we said our good-byes (see-you-laters). Pearce was still in heaven playing with her long-lost-friends. Thank you Briscoes for being wonderful hosts, we had such a great time with y'all. See you next time!

Jet-packing in San Diego

Ok, have you ever seen anything more insane??
A man propelled by water 25+ feet in the air!!

Picture above is Brandon Briscoe in something called a "jet pack". Really, it's the craziest thing I've ever seen. Brandon helped Bob (guy on jetski who controls the throttle and who built the jet pack) with the welding. And from there and instant friendship was born, hehehehe. They were featured in the OC Register this past week. 

So, of course, Jeremy had to give it a try...

Getting strapped into the contraption.

Brandon made it look really easy, but It's harder than it looks! After a couple tries, and a lot of concentration, Jeremy got up, and was SOARING. 

and loving every second of it.

Here is a short video I took on my phone of Brandon cruising around in the air. and please use your mute button, I hate the sound of my voice. (Am I alone here?)

Meanwhile, the rest of us were just chillin' beach-side. Eatin' lunch and mango salsa. And jetski-ing (for the less brave of us).

What a great way to kick of a vacation! 

home sweet home

We just got home yesterday from a great little trip to our old stomping grounds--Huntington Beach. Jeremy's U2 concert that was cancelled/postponed last summer was rescheduled for this past weekend, so I decided to tag along and we made it a little family vacation. We stayed with are good friends, the Briscoes, and made the most of each day we were there. (Lots o' pics to come!)

The first thing I checked on once settled at home was our garden. Boy, did I miss it! Each plant is like our little babies. So I was tickled when I saw a whole line of bright green lettuce popping up! I saw a new pumpkin flower, and a small row of little tiny beets, too. The zucchini plant is the largest so far, and the peppers are treckin' along as well.

There are a few planter boxes on the side of the house that have a random mix of things: mint, berries, rhubarb, and parsley. And as soon as I spotted a RED strawberry, I looked deeper, and picked a handful of red beauties. Pearce and I ate them on the spot since we were right next to the outside hose.

just because

some of my favorites from the past weekend

fun in the sun

The past several days have been so warm and lovely. Breezy, too. In fact, "shake the house" breezy. We've been outside everyday. Now that pearce can walk, she wanders around the yard like a free little chicken. I just pull out a lawn chair and watch her. She use to love to swing on the porch swing, but now she is so anxious to walk everywhere she doesn't last long at all.

A side shout out to my bff, Linds for this cute little dress she sent Pea for her bday. 

Whenever we walk by the lilac tree (everytime to/fro the car) pearce loves to smell the lilacs. Jeremy has been bringing in fresh bunches every couple days and makes the house smell so nice.

Still keeping up on the garden. Adjusting sprinklers, weeding, and such.

Yesterday we took a walk along the driveway, for a change in activity, and Pearce loved looking for all of the big red ants- YIKES!! So when I found out that she liked the rocks, I figured that was by far a better distraction. She ran up and down the driveway and collecting rocks, and throwing a few here and there.

Another shout out to my other bestie, Brooke, who gave this outfit to Pearce for her bday, as well. She is one lucky little girl! 

memorial weekend

We had the most fun weekend! Everyone came out to the ranch for the long weekend. It's so fun having everyone here and I love seeing Pearce playing with all the cousins.

Saturday was a FULL day of garage sale-ing. We were all out the door by 7:45am. We mean serious business! Clyde had all the garage sales mapped out the night before. We scored some good deals: Jeremy got a good condition snow board for 75 cents and a smoker for ten bucks. Me and Pearce bowed out early so Pearce could take a nap and so I could start on the BBQ. Since all of J's family was there we had a little family birthday party. We love BBQ, so I made bbq pulled pork sandwiches, homemade baked beans, and loaded baked potato salad.  

Jeremy made some flavored water that was awesome, so we made a new batch everyday. He got the idea from -you guessed it- Jamie Oliver. It was the bomb. Strawberries, lemons, lime, orange, and a wee-bit of cucumber. The kids were afraid to try it at first, but they ended up all loving it.

Leslie made the most delicious chocolate pies for J's little celebration. Why is it that most of my pictures are of food? 

The rest of the weekend was hanging out, playing games & watching movies, Grandpa's big breakfasts, playing in the yard including a few friendly races, tilling & planting the garden, a drive to Yakima to visit Jeremy's grandparents' cemetery & Minor burger, walks to the pond & paddleboat rides,  Smore's and a trip to Ellensburg to the watch Pirates.