July 4th, 2009

Last year for the 4th of July, we were able to experience the big celebration NYC style.  It was a hectic, crowded, long, hot/rainy day.  It was an amazing show and one we were glad to experience.   

But this year, with living so close to San Francisco and having the opportunity to watch the fireworks over the Golden Gate Bridge we were very quick to say... PASS!  We did not have the energy to fight the traffic and the crowds.  And decided this year, that we would just stick close to home and keep the celebration small. 

We met up with Taylor, Vanessa, Vince, Ashley, and Mya and ate a simple dinner of pizza.  After that we headed to the closest fireworks stand and stocked up on the stuff we would need for our personal show.  But before that could take place, we headed over to the local malls parking lot and staked our claim on a couple spots so we could kick back and be entertained by the patriotic music and the sights and sounds of the fireworks (the BOOM is always the best part). 

Happy Fourth!!

After that, we headed back to our apartment to have our own little celebration in the parking lot.  

I heart SPARKLERS!

This is Chris jumping over a fire cracker.  Yeah... I know... not very safe, but there was no stopping him.  His face is a mixture of happiness and pain.  All was good, he just walked away with some singed leg hair.   

We had a great, very low key celebration.  I love this holiday and what it stands for.  On a more cliche note, I just want to say that I am very proud to be a citizen of this Great Country, and I am so proud to be an American. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!

Time Well Spent

A couple weeks ago, my mom, sister, and my sister's friend all came down to Cali for a 3 day, mini vacay.  There wasn't too much on the agenda for the weekend, because the main event was going to be Saturday.  My sweet, little niece, Mya, was turning one.  I, sadly had to work the majority of Saturday so while I was busy slaving away, they went down to the pool and soaked up some of the extremely hot weather we were experiencing here in Sacramento.  But then finally the night rolled around, and we all gathered for a picnic in celebration of Mya.  She was so cute opening her presents and attacking her cake.  Then the party took a turn and after Chris convinced my sister to throw a cake in my brother's face the war was on.  Luckily, the only casualties were Mya's birthday cake and a couple cupcakes.
(A video of a cake fight between Amanda and Vince was posted here)  This is after my brother dodged a cake in the face from my sister and he decided that he wanted to get his revenge.  All the commotion scared little Mya and you can hear her crying in the background, but I think the most disturbing part, is the evil little laughs you can hear coming from my husband (he is working the camera).  He was so proud that his little plan worked.  They do all the dirty work, while he sits back, and enjoys the show.  HAHAHA!! Genius!

Sunday, we all decided to jump in our cars and drive to Santa Cruz.  It was well over 100 degrees in Sacramento, but once we hit Santa Cruz the temperature dropped.  It was very chilly there.  Needless to say there was no ocean swimming, but I totally didn't mind lounging on the sand and enjoyed just listening to the waves crash while watching Chris do some skim boarding (he is pretty dang good at it for being from Idaho).  He was anxious to try out the new board that he had purchased on the Boardwalk.  After the girls did some shopping on the Pier we went to dinner at a local diner and then headed back home.  We were stuck in traffic FOREVER!, but eventually we did make it back. 

On Monday, Chris decided to let him and I have the day off so that we could all drive to San Francisco and enjoy that beautiful city.  It was going to be a very fast trip, but my sister's friend had never been there and we wanted to make sure that she saw it.  So my mom showed us Ghirardelli Square where we totally ate dessert before our dinner.  This is where I stumbled upon a delectable, all organic, gourmet cupcake from a little place called, "Kara's Cupcakes".  OH MY GOODNESS!  It was completely sinful... a little pricey... but totally worth it! Loved it!  We then all walked down to Fisherman's Wharf to do a little shopping.  After a while, as the girls went their separate way to continue their shopping, Chris, my mom, and I stopped at Boudin Bakery to warm up (it was chilly there too) with a clam chowder sourdough bowl.  As we ate, we sat around an outside fire place and enjoyed the views and sounds that San Francisco had to offer. Before we left, my mom helped us find an amazingly beautiful scenic overlook of the entire city.  It was breathtaking. Thanks Mom.

Sadly, this trip came to an end way too fast.  But before saying our goodbyes, my mom treated us all to a huge breakfast at a local diner.  Yummy.  We all had a great weekend where we experienced a party, site seeing of some of my favorite places, had fun with late night dips in the pool, and enjoyed the time that we had to just be together.   

Oh, Twinkee

Our pup, Twinkee, is always good for at least one real hearty laugh a day.  She just does the most random things.  Well, this night Chris and I had gone to grab something to eat and brought it back to our apartment.  Anybody that knows our dog, knows that she is a huge beggar when she sees that you have food.  So, naturally the entire time Chris was eating, she could be found sitting by his feet staring at him, with those huge puppy dog eyes, just begging for a scrap of food.  After dinner Chris forgot to throw away some leftover cornbread that he had sitting in a bag on the floor.  Twinkee totally noticed this and took full advantage of it.  Next thing I know, I hear my mom trying to get our attention to look at Twinks and this is what we saw...

HAHAHA!!  That naughty dog, decided that she hadn't had enough for dinner and she would just help herself to the cornbread.  We were all laughing so hard.  I was just happy that I had my camera handy to capture just one of her funny moments out of hundreds.

Rafting Down the American River

Since Sunday is the only day that the guys have off in the summer, we are always looking for things to do that will 1) allow us to enjoy the summer months, 2) have some sort of water activity involved, and 3) provide a small amount of rest and relaxation because we are all pretty physically and emotionally drained from the weeks events.  Ryan and another sales rep, Jason, took it upon themselves and researched the river that we live very close to.  And hence came up with the idea that we should float the river.  What could be more perfect.  So with suits on and rafts in hand 11 of us headed off for an afternoon of leisurely drifting.   

Ryan, Jason, and Cameron.  They got the fun job of blowing up all the rafts.

Maren on her "Throne of Floats"

Walking the trail to the "American River."

Getting ready to push off.

There is always time to snap a quick family picture.

Float on.

After about an hour of nothing but floating we saw some people jumping off some cliffs and decided to join in the fun.  

Chris showed us all up with his mad flipping skills.  This is him coming out of a back flip.

Ryan just dove in.  I find it terrifying to hit the water head first.  How does it not hurt?

I have no flipping or diving skills.  So I just JUMPED!  

This is the only picture I took that shows how clear the water was.  It was beautiful. 

Besides the slight mishap of not knowing where to get out of the river to get back to our cars, which turned a 4 hour raft trip into a 7 hour one, we all had a great time.  

These smiles say it all.  Twinkee was a little unsure about the whole thing at first, but she quickly adapted.

We all loved it so much, some of us are planning on doing it all over again this weekend.   It was a perfect way to enjoy the weather and sunshine while also getting a little R and R. 

All GROWN Up

I got the privilege to represent Chris and I at our sister's high school graduation on Friday.  Somehow he has gotten out of going to both are brothers and now our sisters too.  Well, I was more than happy to step in for both of us.  I was never a big fan of these ceremonies, even when it was my own.  But there was no denying that these two ladies felt like they were on top of the world.  So I was thrilled to be there to experience their big day with them.  They were both absolutely glowing.

AMANDA

I could ramble on and on about my little sis, but I will try and keep this short and sweet.  We have six years between us and I remember us growing up and her always copying everything I did.  From the way I styled my hair to the shirts I would wear.  My mom would always tell me after I would get so angry, "Daneile, she just looks up to you and wants to be like you".  Well, know the tables have turned and I find myself looking up to her.  She is such an incredible person.  She is so talented and creative.  Something I totally envy about her.  And I think that she has already found her place in this world.  Something most people search for forever.  Amanda, you are so beautiful not only in appearance but mostly in heart and soul.  I know that you will reach any goal that you set your mind to and do it with style and grace.  I love that I can count on you to stand beside me in any battle or trial I may face and I hope that you know that I would do the same for you.  Because we are sisters and that is a bond that can never be broken.  Love you little sis.  And congrats on your big day.  

KELSIE

Aww, then there is my sweet sister in law.  She has so many qualities that so many people aspire to obtain... Beauty, charm, courage, smarts, and strength, just to name a few.  This girl can do anything she sets her mind to and she does it to perfection.  I don't worry about her too much because she has proven that she can handle any hardship that may come her way while staying true to herself and her beliefs.  Kelsie, I knew that we were going to be close from the moment we met.  I remember it because you were the first to accept me into your family with open arms and no questions asked.  I will forever love you for that.  Thank you for knowing that you can come to me with anything and I hope that you will always be that comfortable.  You are an amazing person and I am so excited to see the adventures that are in store for you.  Love ya lots.  Your brother and I are so proud of you.

They are both college bound, and as one heads off to BSU and the other to ISU, I just want to say... Good Luck on your first true adventures as adults!!  Love you girls! XOXOXOX

Road Trip

At 8:00 in the morning last Thursday Ashley, Mya, Twinkee, and I got in the car and headed out for our next adventure... An 11 hour, all girl, road trip. The destination being Pocatello, for a graduation and a quick family visit. I couldn't have been in better company.  Ashley was a blast and kept the conversation continuously flowing.  Mya was a wonderful little traveler, and besides the occasional crying spell, she was all smiles.  And Twinkee, well she used the time very wisely and saw it as time to catch up on her beauty sleep.  The time passed by so quickly going there, but on the way back it dragged a little.  We were just a little anxious to be back to our men.  It is nice going to see family, but it just isn't home unless the one you love is there with you.  In the words of Joe Dirt, "Home Is Where You Make It".  That couldn't be more true.

Sunday Night Football

On Sunday, Chris and I had the entire office over for Sunday Dinner.  We had 12 people crammed into our tiny apartment, but miraculously we managed to squeeze everyone in and actually enjoy the dinner of stuffed shells.  The majority of the time the guys ate and sat around and watched the latest basketball game, but soon nobody could resist the perfect weather outside and we all decided to walk down to the park and play football.  Definitely not my sort of thing, but I did enjoy sitting in the grass with the girls and watching the guys come together as an office.  They are such hard workers and it is nice to see them have a little fun.

I would commentate, but honestly I have no idea what they are doing :).

All smiles.

Twinkee wanted to play with the guys so bad.

Us girls on the side lines.  I love Mya's crazy hair.