Busy, Busy, Busy Weekend

I've found since Jim started working in Costa Mesa that our weekends seem to fill up quickly... from running errands, taking Maddux out to play, celebrating birthdays, to just relaxing and spending time together. I make sure not to take advantage of our time together since our week together has gone from seven days to two. Still, there is a lot to do in those two days and I think we have been doing a pretty good job balancing everything. This past weekend was no exception.

Thanks to Viv and Roxy, we had another spontaneous play date at Balboa Park Dog Park Saturday morning. It has been fun finding all of the new dog spots around San Diego. The early morning play date was followed by my friend's son's 1st birthday party. Jim was such a good sport accompanying me to the birthday without a single complaint even though he didn't really know anyone there before going. It's the little things like this that make me appreciate him more and more.



Later in the day we met up with Andrea and Reggie to celebrate Andrea's 26th birthday at Red Robin. Red Robin burgers are her favorite. Like usual, we had a great time hanging out and talking. Andrea is an awesome person and friend. I just love her! Happy Birthday!

I can never get enough of Elijah!

My mom and dad had Elijah last week and were kind enough to invite me to stay with them for the week so that I could spend some time with him too. Even though I haven't been able to spend as much time with him as I would have liked to over the past few months, he still knows and loves his auntie jac. The minute he saw me ha came running over with his arms wide open and the biggest smile. He sure know how to give hugs :) I looked forward to this routine everyday when I got home from work. Elijah sure was spoiled between me, grandma and grandpa.

My mom and I took Elijah to the beach for the first time. We started out on the board walk with a carousel ride. He loved watching all the people, rolling around in the sand and splashing in the ocean.





The next day Elijah and I spent the evening with Andrea, Reggie and Corban. It is quite entertaining to watch a one year and two year old runaround and play with each other. It was nice to gt to hangout with Andrea. Some day our kids will get to have play dates but for now I'll just have to steal Elijah for them. I never knew that blanket would create so much joy, laughs and fun. Elijah and Corban must have played under the blanket for like twenty minutes.

The time I spent with Elijah makes me miss him even more. I love my little nephew. Can't wait to see him this weekend for his 2nd birthday!

Girls Weekend Getaway

Last weekend my small group girls and I had a girls weekend. We had been planning the trip for a few months and decided to go to the OC. This was before Jim had taken the position in Costa Mesa. We stayed at the Hilton which was less than a mile away from Jim's. The girls were kind of enough to let me spend some time with Jim Friday night since otherwise I wouldn't have been able to see him for two weeks. I had a great time checking out his new place, grabbing dinner and just hanging out. I met up with the girls later that night and from there it was all girls weekend. We did what girls do best...shopping, laying out at the pool, eating and girl talk. I had an awesome time with the girls and getting to know better.

Fun afternoon at the beach!

A few weeks ago Jim and I stayed with my parents at their timeshare just north of us. We are lucky enough to have an awesome friend, Vivian, who loves Maddux and takes her when we go out of town. It doesn't hurt that Viv is Roxy's, Maddux's best friend, mom. I called Viv to pick up Maddux on our way back home and found out they were getting ready to head down to dog beach in Coronado so Jim and I decided to meet them there.


It ended up being a fun, spontaneous afternoon. Maddux and Roxy had a blast playing in the water and chasing eachother around. They both were sooo tired and but looked so happy. We ended the afternoon eating some great bar-b-que at the ferry landing and walking along the bay.

I guess we get spoiled living in San Diego.

Cheers to a New Job!

Jim recently interviewed for a new position with AAA and was offered and accepted the position on Thursday. He will be helping roll out a new claims program in Southern California. This will be a great experience and opportunity for him to grow both professionally and personally.

The only downside to the new position is that it is at the corporate offices in Costa Mesa. Jim will be living in Orange County during the week and coming home to San Diego on the weekends and possibly a night a week... this way he won't have to experience the San Diego to LA commute too often.

Although Maddux and I will miss him during the week and will have to adjust a little bit, there is no better time than now for him to take advantage of this opportunity. I believe the whole thing has been a God thing and I am excited to see what he will accomplish in his new role and where it will lead him.

Are we sure we're in Seattle?

The weather was perfect all Memorial Day weekend. Sunny, warm and not a cloud in sight. We were told that there hadn't been a Memorial Day weekend in Seattle when it didn't rain. The San Diego weather must have followed us.

For Jim's birthday this year we decided to go on a weekend getaway to Seattle. I have family in Seattle so it was great to spend some time with them and have them show us around town...plus Jim had been wanting to go to Safeco Field and watch a baseball game. Even though we were in town for only four days, we accomplished quite a lot.

Thursday evening Jerry and Sharon drove us out to Snoqualmie Falls just before sunset. We weren't sure how the viewing would be but it ended being perfect. The sun hit the falls at the perfect place and highlighted its beauty. The falls and the surrounding scenery were gorgeous.


Friday we were tourists and hit all the hot spots in Seattle. Here are the highlights:
-Seattle Underground Tour
-Fish & Chips at Ivar's on the pier (and feeding french fries to the seagulls)
-Ferry ride to Bainbridge Island
-Walked the piers
-Pikes Market (including the flying fish)
-The original starbucks
-People watching at the park overlooking the harbor
-Dinner at Dick's Drive In (although it wasn't as good we thought it would be)
-Drive past the Space Needle





Saturday morning Jim and I decided to go explore West Seattle and Alki Beach on our own. We enjoy going to new areas and just walking around and people watching. It gives us a feel for what the "non-touristy" life is like. We found a bench on what I guess could be called the boardwalk and people watched.



Saturday evening was probably the highlight of Jim's trip...going to Safeo Field to watch the Mariners and Giants though. Even though the Mariners didn't win, we had a great time watching the game and hanging out with Cousins. The next time you talk to Jim, you need to ask him about the Ivar-dog at game. He loved it!



To end the weekend we went with Sharon and Jerry to the Northwest Folk Life Festival at the Seattle Center. It was a fun experience that showed off all sides of Seattle. There were crafts, music, street performers and fair food.




Overall it was a great weekend to explore a new city together and spend time with family. Jim is already planing our next weekend get-away...of course it has to have a baseball team and stadium he hasn't seen.

*If you'd like to view more pictures from Seattle, check out my facebook album (you don't have to be on facebook to view) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2053134&id=161502075&l=022d93f280

It's a Girl!

It's official, we are going to have a little niece in September. We are all so excited for Jen, Matt and Elijah--their little family will be complete with a 'lil prince and 'lil princess. Congratulations Jen and Matt. We can't wait to meet Miss Elsie Riess Prince!