Little Getaway

A month or so ago we planned on going on a trip right after David finished the semester. After three long weeks with super spaced out finals, the week of our trip came. I suddenly got really sick and could barely stand for more than a minute at a time. I was so mad! I wanted to be feeling good for our trip. Luckily by Friday morning I was much better, so we headed out. We got a great deal on the Omni hotel in San Diego. We drove down, had fish and chips, walked around, checked in.

 We went to the movies and then went to dinner at a little bar where you cook your own meat.

It was fun and yummy. And I got a Shirley Temple!

It seemed appropriate to see Anchorman 2 since we were in SD.

 We had a fun and relaxing time. Just what we needed to recharge after finals

and prepare for the holidays!

Mamas + Babes

Lately I've been finding myself being drawn to photos of moms and their babies. I think every day I understand more and more the amazing relationship you can have with your children. Newborns depend on you for actual life, but toddlers depend on you for comfort and happiness. It's a new experience with each thing Jude learns and it's so much fun (and sometimes challenging).

We get to choose what kind of relationship to have with our kids. We can be too easily frustrated and constantly saying 'no' or we can be involved, teaching and enjoying having them around. I've been trying to think about this when I have a frustrating day (like yesterday and today).

yellow skirted mama
orange sweatered mama

Picking the Tree

We decided to try something new this Christmas and cut down our own. We found a tree plantation down Cajalco in Lake Mathew and headed out to find the tree.  Jude had fun playing in the dirt and we spent a while searching for the perfect tree.

Thanksgiving 2013

Yummy food (including a delicious smoked turkey), cold weather and fun family.

Chloe reading her book on the couch totally takes me back to me at family gatherings 20 years ago...

Sunday Dinner in Moorpark

Date!

 For the first time in a LONG time we went on a double date. We've known Nicole and Jeff for a while (she was around when we met at volleyball/TGIFriday's) and we just happen to live minutes from each other now. It also happens that we are all four huge foodies...we love to eat good food.

We headed to the Salted Pig in Riverside for some  deep fried, battered bacon wrapped dates and the best brisket sandwich I've ever had. Oh, and a fresh ginger ale made with real ginger! Yum. Then we walked off our food comas over to the Mission Inn for some cupcakes.

We're already planning our next outing! 

Bye Boys

My brothers both left a few weeks ago- Kyle to move to St. George for some new scenery and a job and Trevor to go work in Hawaii for a few months. We had dinner at Cheesecake Factory (David was at school) and said goodbye.

Downtown Disney

In November we met up with Zac and Kara and Lola and Sabine while they were visiting Disneyland. Our passes are expired :( so we met up and ate in Downtown Disney and I got my baby holding time in. Jude LOVED Lola and we had a fun visit.

David Visits Arizona

David went to Arizona with his family for his Aunt Tina's funeral. It was sad circumstances, but I'm glad he go to go be with most of his family. I asked him to take lots of pictures and this is what I got:

An empty Fenn taco plate