A Trader Joe's Christmas

This is what happens when its Christmas and you're moving.

And you realize that you packed the tape.

Have You Met My Brother?

He likes to run.

Really long distances.

Some people call it ultra running. I call it crazy.

Last weekend he flew to Virginia to run in the Hellgate 100K race.

Hellgate 100K = 66.6 miles

He was seeded 9th, but placed 3rd overall with the 9th fastest time ever on the course at 12:05:18.

I get tired after being awake for that long. He ran it.

Our dad used to call him Lazy Bones. Not really sure that applies anymore.

You should meet my brother.

Superman (second from the left)

Thanksgiving

Here are a few shots from our quick trip to Arizona.

We would have loved to stay longer, but were blessed to have a few days with the Steinbargers and the Samuels out in Kingman!

Charlie was in heaven, playing in the pantry with his cousins!

The List

Tonight at youth group we encouraged our high school kids to set high standards and consider the qualities they look for in their significant other.

It made me think back to the list I made years ago, and I found it tonight in an old journal.

Crazy to think that on January 7, 2004 I had no idea I'd be meeting Jason a few months later.

Sunday Lunch

Love these kids!

Too cute...

Hannah and Jessie have the most adorable uniforms for their internship

at the Surf & Sand Resort in Laguna Beach.

Seriously, how cute are they?

I love them, shoulder pads and all!

Even in California

Fall exists.

I found this evidence on a recent visit to Willow Glen.

Screens and Kennels

This past weekend Charlie "made his mark" on our friends' screen door.

Our friends who were kindly watching the pooch while we flew up north for a brief visit to friends and family in Salinas.

If only he had a deeper understanding of forgiveness and grace.

They were very forgiving and graceful to our four legged friend.

In the rush of a delayed flight, quick trip to Lowe’s and the re-screening of the door before driving back to our place, I didn't get a chance to snap a photo of the destruction.

But I thought it’d be worth posting a few snapshots of the kennels Charlie went through before we gave him free reign of our house.

Kennel #1

Estimated chew time: 4 hours

Kennel #2

Estimated chew time: 2 hours

Kennel #3, 4 & 5

With this one we think he slammed himself up against the side for an hour or so before the locks slid open. It became Kennel #4 when Jason zip tied the locks shut. So, naturally, he decided to body check the entire side wall until the whole wall snapped off. It became Kennel #5 when Jason then zip tied every single piece together. So, naturally, he figured out how to gnaw at the metal floor rods until they pierced the hardwood floor. He then moved it around the room a bit, creating a nice "artistic" design.

Kennel #6

“Fort Knox”

photo to come

These days we only use it when we have to, which isn’t often.

In fact, I'll have to get it down from the rafters in order to get a photo.

So far, from what we can tell, Charlie hasn’t set his teeth into the steel enforced walls of Fort Knox.

Good Day Garage Sale

Its not very often we are on the selling end of the garage sale, but last weekend we snuck up to Fontana to tag along with Suz & Joe's sale.

We came away with $74 cash, some great photos of Zach and a super cute blanket that was made years back for Suzanne's grandmother, Mimi.

Thanks Cindy for the great find!

Green is Gone

And it's about time.

Preciousness

Need I say more?

I don't think so.

60 Years

This weekend we celebrated my Grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary.

They are an incredible example to all of us.

And so cute.

Even after all these years.

Paradise

Monday was hot. 111 degrees hot.

Jason and I met up at the mall in search of air conditioning and found ourselves at the Paradise Bakery, which just so happens to be where Hannah works.

We are some of Hannah's biggest fans. She is so cool.

She made us an amazing iced caramel drink and we made faces at her as she tried to concentrate on helping her other customers.

It was fun.

Who Needs a Phone?

Something comforting about the freedom I felt for those few moments between the death of my old phone and the resurrection of my "new" phone.

Probably should've let it last a bit longer than I did.

Pictured from right: old phone, work phone, "new" phone

Godmama

This is sweet Jorde, my godson.

(on the right)

I love him.

I Love Henry

Where else can you get this much produce (and corn tortillas) for $15.66?

PorkyLand

The only flour tortilla worth driving long distances to find.

Believe me.

Weekend Getaway

We just got back from a relaxing weekend camping in San Elijo. Less than an hour drive brought us to our beachfront site, a few minutes walk from Bull Taco and a few minutes drive from Amy & Jerry's place which meant we got to see our sweet little nephews for the second time in one month!

Jason got a bit of surfing in...

We drove to Little Italy to pick up torpedo subs from Filipi's Pizza, caught the trolley from there to the ballpark where we snagged last minute bleacher seats to the Padres game...

It's no wonder why our seats were so cheap...

Then finished the day with some shopping downtown, trolley ride back to the car and another relaxing evening with dinner and a campfire...

Now back to reality.

Babysitting

The past few days have consisted of lots and lots of babysitting.

Car towed, tooth pulled, bike wreck, dead deer, traffic...all these factors let to several days of babysitting some of the coolest kids around.

We had a great time and we're glad to know that everyone is going to be okay.

Here's a photo from last night's hangout session at Remy's house next door :)

Up and Coming Artist

This blog post is dedicated to one of the precious girls in our high school youth group, Jessie Garcia. She is a beautiful young woman of God, and we are beyond blessed to have the privilege of knowing her.

Awhile back on our traditional Saturday morning garage sale run, I stumbled upon a dingy old painting with a rustic, wooden frame that screamed of potential.

Jessie discovered the piece one afternoon while hanging out at our house after church, and asked if she could paint something for us over the old canvas.

A few weeks ago she unveiled her gorgeous work of art and we now have an original Jessie Garcia proudly hung above our fireplace.

Thanks Jessie, we love it!

Houdoggy Strikes Again

Naughty Char Char.

Good thing you're cute.

Twins

We love our nephews and were blessed to spend the day with them on Sunday!

Mom & Dad Steinbarger, Amy, Jerry, Fitzgerald & Camden joined us for church and a day at the Beach Club. Here are a few of the day's highlights.

Fitzgerald...

Camden...

Swimming in the sand...

Hanging out with Nana and Papa...

The Simple Life

Today we needed a carrot and some strawberries.

So we did what you do when you live in Spreckels and you need a carrot and some strawberries. We hopped on our bikes and rode through the fields along Spreckels Boulevard, down to The Farm.

We bought a carrot and some strawberries, hung out with the goat and the duck, and then went back home.

Then Jason took a nap.