Medieval Times

Brandon's childhood dreams of going to Medieval Times finally came true on Saturday. It was Kandi's brother's 24th birthday and we all had the best time. For those of you not familiar with Medieval Times - it's essentially dinner and a jousting show. While your wench (server) serves you food that you have to eat with your hands (soup, chicken breast, potato wedges and a pastry for dessert) you get to cheer on your Knight who is "fighting" in the arena below. We were seated in the yellow section so we cheered for the yellow knight until our voices were hoarse {sadly he was defeated by the green knight.}

fawning over the bravest knight in all the land: the birthday boy - John Paul

We had such a good time and the food was surprisingly good! Sometimes it's fun to act like a kid again.

Happy Birthday JP!

80 degrees

It was 80 degrees all weekend long in Encinitas.

This means I got to bust out the summer dresses and sandals.

We also got to ride around town in the jeep with the windows off.

Everyone seems to have come out of hibernation. The streets are filled with people riding bikes in their swim trunks, walking their dogs, and enjoying frozen yogurt. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Chat with you all tomorrow. 

♥

Bye Bye Britt

Brittney's visit home has come to an end.

She's been in graduate school in Scotland and is heading back today. 

For her last weekend in the states, Kandi and I drove to Jessica's in LA and Chelsea flew in from San Francisco. 

I could never really explain how great of a time the five of us have when we get together.

To give you an idea, Kandi and I arrive to Jessica's to find that the girls have choreographed a dance for us. 

Chelsea, Brittney and Jessica to Robyn's Call Your Girlfriend

Hysterical.

Then it was champagne, talking and more laughing. The thing is we've been friends since we were 14 years old and when we get together, we only know how to be 14. Which includes rapping to Tupac at least once during every get together.
{Everytime Changes by Tupac came on at a party in High School - we would stop what we were doing and rap the whole thing. We then requested this rap at Chelsea's wedding, and then my own and what do you know? Rapped the whole thing in the middle of the dance floor.}

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

2001 Chels in red, then Britt, Kandi and Me. We were too cool in our Arnette sunglasses.

Jessica made reservations at Pancho's in Manhattan Beach. You guys, if you haven't been - GO. Not only was it magical and dreamy inside but the food was to die for. 

This is all actually inside...made to look like the outside.

It was a terrific night with terrific friends. And even though the 405 freeway closed down and we didn't get home until 2 in the morning - I would still do it all over again. Love you ladies!

And P.S. Here's a little snippet of their dance:

And still I see no changes. Can't a brother get a little peace?
There's war on the streets & the war in the Middle East.
Instead of war on poverty,
they got a war on drugs so the police can bother me.
And I ain't never did a crime I ain't have to do.
But now I'm back with the facts givin' 'em back to you.
Don't let 'em jack you up, back you up, crack you up and pimp smack you up.
xo,

Monday Who?

It's kinda scary how quickly Monday arrives each week. 

It's like that weird kid in elementary school that doesn't take a hint.

Every time you turn around he's picking his nose or pulling your hair.

And as hard as you pray over the weekend that he won't be there in the morning...

there he is, 

snot-nosed and waiting for you.

Before the warm, tingly feelings of the weekend are completely gone

I'd like to recap. 

Wrapping Christmas Presents

 We stamped the recipient's initials on the back

  Baking Mini Apple Pies

Christmas Nails!

{Yay, you can jazz up gel polish}

Naps with Lucy

New iPhone Case

{Remember this bad boy from my wish list? Yeah, I couldn't wait for Christmas}

Charger Game
{Not only did we kick butt, but we watched the game at Oggi's for a celebration.
Our friend Bret just got an offer from the Carlsbad police department.
So we had to celebrate with aviators, mustaches and handcuffs}

The best news of all 

is that I only have 5 more days before my 10 day staycation begins!!!

Monday Who?

So to pour salt in my Monday Blues,

it was cold and rainy this morning

{the perfect weather to stay in bed}

And on my way to work,

the skies opened and it poured

{such a Monday thing to do}

And then I got to work only to realize that I forgot
my security badge and had to wait

-in the rain-
 for the receptionist to let me in.

sigh.

And even though I was kind of a sicky this weekend,
it still beats the work week.
So this is what I'll be thinking about all day:

Marty's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
{Inquire for recipe}

Twinkle lights on our dresser mirror
{aren't they so pretty??}

Day

Night

Jersey Shore Marathon

You won't share my deep dark secret with anyone will you?
I had to catch up on their Italian adventure.
Plus, the twinkle lights deemed it nearly impossible to get out of bed.

 Jackie's Baby Shower!
{my 7th baby shower this year}

I hope Monday is gentle on everyone today!


XO,

Monday who?

Going back to work on Monday after a lovely weekend is hard 

{especially with a sore throat.}

So instead of acknowledging Monday's presence, 

I'm going to share some highlights of the weekend.

1. Packages from Scotland! One of my best friends is going to grad school at St. Andrews in Scotland (where Prince William and Kate Middleton went!) You can follow Brittney's adventures here.

Lucy loved snuggling with me and my new Scottish scarf

2. Dinner with friends at Gregorio's (one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Carlsbad). It's not that clear in the picture, but Gregorio's is giving 100% of their profits to the Boys and Girls Club for the entire 2010 and 2011 year!

Have you ever seen larger raviolis?

3. Hand picked flower from B...



Almost looks fake!


4. Potato Cheese Soup, mmmm. I used this delicious recipe that I stole from Ruthie Hart! We had my best friend Kandi over for dinner and I'm so sad that I forgot to take a picture before we inhaled our food! Just envision a hearty bowl of amazing goodness.


5. Kandi wanted to help me work on #1 of my 30 before 30 list (learning to French Braid). Bless her heart for her patience because I had the hardest time. We were both standing in front of a mirror and I was watching her french braid her hair, while attempting to french braid mine by mimicking what she was doing. I actually found that it was easier to practice on her than on myself. If you promise not to laugh, I'll share my first attempt:



I just attempted the french braid at the top, and then braided the rest regularly


I hope you all had an amazing weekend as well.


XO,

Class of 2001 Ten Year High School Reunion

I still cannot believe my ten year high school reunion has come and gone. I've known for awhile that it's been approaching because my lovely friend Chelsea was tasked with setting the whole thing up (yes folks, if you're class president at seventeen years old - beware - your duties will follow you.) She currently lives in San Francisco, so planning for a party in Temecula had its challenges. She was also completely responsible for funding it (!) and hoping that there was enough of a turn-out to get her money back. She and Holli chose South Coast Winery as the venue and it was beautiful. There was an open bar for three hours (which I found impressive even though I don't drink) instead of the standard "your-ticket-includes-two-drinks" type of thing.

The gorgeous blonde host Chelsea

There were about 100 people that came which is only about 10-15% of our total graduating class - so a relatively small turn out. But let me tell you, I had such an amazing time! Brandon had kind of prepared for an evening that wasn't going to go down as one of his all time favorite nights (since it would mostly be me running around squealing with girl friends, and catching up with ones I hadn't seen in awhile) HOWEVER, he ended up having a great time! (Which I think says a lot coming from a spouse!) He met quite a few people that he has heard me talk about in the past, enjoyed hanging out with the friends he already knows, and spent a lot of his time with the boyfriends and husbands of my close girl friends.

My husband wearing my favorite argyle sweater

 So I've got to say that Facebook makes reunions a little bit weird. There were some people I truly hadn't seen in ten years yet I knew what their children look like, what they do for work, where they went on their last vacation, etc. There were spouses that I hadn't met, but felt I knew from seeing pictures and status updates. The plus to Facebook is that there wasn't much of the, "So, tell me what you do for a living" talk. I was worried that the whole night would be spent giving the same schpeel over and over. Instead, it felt like a big party with a bunch of people that reminded me of being young.

A group of Nighthawks on the dance floor at the very end of the night



It's Friday...Smile

SMILE!!

A weekend away...

As our trip to St. Thomas gets closer (15 days) we're all getting more and more excited. Brandon's mom is especially looking forward to this trip because it will be the first time she has left the states (aside from Mexico). So when she invited Brandon and myself to come to Tahoe for a long weekend to "discuss our trip and hang out by the lake" there was no way we could pass it up. We left Friday after I got off work and came home Monday evening. We had a very enjoyable, relaxing time.

Saturday morning Penny had scheduled a facial for me at a little Spa in town (early Christmas present for me!). I have to say it was one of the BEST facials I've ever had and just what my poor dry skin has been needing. If you are ever in South Lake Tahoe, or anywhere in Tahoe for that matter, make sure to see Trish Tomer at Bio Spirit Salon -- you won't regret it.

After my lovely morning, we took a walk through one of the gorgeous trails in Tahoe. There is something about being in the mountain air on a sunny day. It.was.beautiful.

I stole his sunglasses for the picture haha

There was also this underground area where you are actually standing at the bottom of the pond  (on the other side of the glass of course) and it was so neat!



Brandon and his mom Penny

We spent the evening sitting on the pier, drinking wine (and diet coke) and watching the lake. The next day was the Charger/Patriots game so we spent the afternoon at Riva Grill, a cute restaurant right on the lake that also had a big screen TV. The Chargers my have lost but the day was a successful one! That evening we had dinner with Harry and Donna (who own the two bedroom villa in St. Thomas and who were gracious enough to allow us to stay there in October). We talked for hours and hours about their favorite restaurants, shops, and must-dos while we're there. We're OFFICIALLY EXCITED and it really can't come soon enough. I dream of laying on the white sands with a pina colada and a book...it's the only thing getting me through the work days!

Frenchman's Cove - the resort we'll be staying at



I mean, come on!



Another Long Weekend

I took last Friday off of work for my best-friend Kandi's 28th birthday. As per our normal tradition, we spent the whole day together. We started off the day with VG's Donuts in Cardiff (which are, by the way, the best donuts known to mankind, I recommend you go there...soon) then we enjoyed one hour massages, pedicures, lunch at Garcia's in Carlsbad Village and then to the movies to see Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. We spent the rest of the evening torturing Brandon by holding our own karaoke session. (I've contemplated posting the video he took, but it might just be too embarrassing for public viewing.) It was a wonderful day and once again I felt so lucky to celebrate the day my best friend was born!

Happy Birthday Kandi Loren Brown!

The next morning Brandon and I went and picked up our sweet niece Bella. We just felt like she could use some special "auntie and uncle" time so we took her to Chic Fil A. Her mom packed her little backpack (which she felt very cool wearing) with a bib and some wipes. We enjoyed some yummy chicken and playing in the playground area -- she had a blast!

Ahh, I just love her!

Saturday evening we went to Kandi's apartment. She was hosting a dinner party and served her amazing lasagna AND I got to see Jordan, Kristyn and their baby Brooklyn! We played a little Mad Gab, laughed the whole evening and left with full stomachs and hearts :-)

The next day was the first Chargers game! We made our 7-layer bean dip and went over to my brother & sister-in-law's. The Chargers won, we got to stuff ourselves with amazing appetizers and spend time with close friends and family. I am officially ready for Fall!!

Brandon with Holland's baby Rio, and Amber (Brandon's sister) with Lia

By the time we got home from watching the game, I could feel a sore throat coming along and it struck full force that night. I wasn't able to go into work the next day and instead spent the day napping, drinking hot tea, whining and trying to do homework.

Lucy is a great napper