Dylan

I had to post a couple pics of my cute niece! She is the Daughter of Tyler's brother, Ryan and his wife Kristen. They are from Hawaii and are here visiting right now and we are so happy that we get to spend time with them this week!

Tahoe

We got a new car about a month ago and it has finally been washed and waxed! I wanted to post a picture as Tyler did such a good job cleaning it today so that we could go sailing. He was really excited that his parent's laser fit on top so now we can go sailing more often. Chase, Tyler, Judd and I all went down to Balboa and the boys hit the ocean while I went on a nice sea breeze jog. It was nice and cool and we are so proud of our nice new Tahoe (or as Tyler likes to call it "Big Baby"-- he wanted to name it after a player on the Boston Celtics). . .

Anaheim Ducks.... Goal!!!

Well tonight we had an amazing time watching the Anaheim Ducks win! CenSource (my Dad's Company and where Tyler and I work) had a suite and it was so much fun! All of the people from our office were there and there were also some clients and friends. It was a really good game... We won in over time. It was also Helen's 82nd Birthday. Helen is the Mother of Ron (our client from Ruby's Diner) and she got to come to the game! She was the sweetest lady too! My mom and dad surprised her with a birthday cake and we all sang! She was so overwhelmingly grateful and hugged and thanked EVERYONE that was there. She was so appreciative of all of us sharing her birthday with her. I am so glad that she had a good time... I sure did. Nothing really tops endless yummy food, sweaty men playing sports, and good company! :)

Jack, Tyler, and I
Freddy... Gettin Jiggy
Jonathan, Brett, Dad, Ron
Rick and Eric
Helen... The Birthday Girl
Helen and Wild Wing
Kim, Danielle, and I

Dad, Mom, Pat, Kim, Jeff, and Eric

55

yup... my dad is 55 and yes he still exercises. He has lost 50 pounds over the last year or so and I am so proud of him! Well the reason I mention it is that I mentioned in my last post that I went on a cool hike with my dad over the weekend and tonight I went on another one so I thought I would post some photos. But I really am proud of my dad. I have recently changed my habits and have been able to lose over 10% of my starting weight. It takes a lot of hard work and discipline to be healthy and strong and I am glad that my dad gets to enjoy such beauty while he does it. I wish I lived close to this. I would be out there everyday like he is! I could stay up there all day! Enjoy...

Nothing to Report

It has been a while since I have posted so I figure I would jot down a few thoughts for you all. The last couple weeks have been busy with school and work. I took a couple exams and got an A on one and still don't know about the other, but I am hoping for a miracle in that course.

We got lucky the last couple weekends because my cousin Devon and his wife Whitney came into town last weekend and then Josh and Laura and their cute baby Kylie came this past weekend so we had fun playing games and visiting with them.

We also went to the LA Temple last weekend because the Newport Beach Temple was closed for cleaning and found this amazing Pizza place. It is called Johnny's NY Pizza and its on Santa Monica Blvd. It is superb.

We went on an amazing hike on Saturday with my dad. It was insanely gorgeous. Wildflowers everywhere! There was one part of the hike where I was walking in the middle of wildflowers that were taller than I am! I loved it. I was singing Tom Petty the whole time. :)

Oh and good news... Tyler's sister Jessica and her husband Mike are going to be able to officially adopt Aaron and Owen! They have been foster parents to them for the last year and a half and now the biological parent's rights have been terminated. We couldn't be happier. We love and miss them and can't wait to celebrate with them soon!

All in all things are good. We are still alive and we are busy busy and can't wait to be done with school. One day... one day.

P.S. I got my Diploma in the mail from Fullerton College. I earned:

"A degree of Associate in Arts Sociology with HONORS"

Seriously the last time I was on the honor roll was like 5th grade. I didn't even know I was getting my degree with honors, but apparently when they reviewed my file they decided to throw that in there. I am stoked! I am totally going to frame that puppy! Okay... I am officially done bragging for now. :)

Little Feet

On friday night Tyler and I went to visit with my cousin Shira and her husband Devin. We had a lot of fun talking until the wee hours of the morning. But the best part was when I got to feel her baby boy kicking in her cute little pregnant belly. I've known she was going to have a baby for a few months now, but it has finally sunk in. I have grown up with Shira and we have both watched each other experience things throughout our lives and we have been there for each other through it all. I love and appreciate her and the closeness that we share. It is really a special experience for me to see her prepare to be a mother. It makes me realize that I want to be in her position someday in the near future. Those little feet kicking reminded me... If God blesses me with the opportunity to be able to bare children, I will be able to feel some little feet kick my belly someday. What an amazing thing! When life brings about such majesty and splendor, how can we not see what an intricate and splendid plan this is that we are all a part of? I am so very grateful for the many blessings in my life, for the wonderful women in my life who have shown me the way, and for the little feet.

Friday the Thirteenth

So Thursday was my lil bro's birthday and we celebrated as a family by going to eat at the Rainforest Cafe and then on friday he had his real birthday party with all of his little pre-pubescent friends. Lets just say there wasn't a moment of silence in the few hours that I spent with them and there were a couple kids that I wanted to smack around, but it was a fun party. We ate pizza, went laser tagging, then opened presents and had ice cream cake.


P.S. On Friday I took this picture after the rain while we were driving down the hill to my parents house... I love California after the rain. I cannot imagine my life without days like these. They remind me of just how lucky I am to be living in such a beautiful place. I love California!

Happy Birthday Yara and Ava!

Superbowl sunday was spent in LA with Tyler's family at Justin, Christina, Yara, Ava's house. The Daniel Rex family came and so did Tyler's parents. We celebrated Yara and Ava's birthdays and watched them enjoy their cake and presents. It was a blast being with The Rex side of the family because we don't get to see them very often. Yara loved the cute little slippers we got her and she had way too much fun with all those bubbles! Thanks justin and Christina for the hospitality and entertainment!

Train ride to Oceanside...

A couple weeks ago Tyler and I got to go whale watching down in Oceanside with my sister Kim's school so we (Tyler, me, my dad, Kim, Morgan, Jack, Justin, Tiffany, and Jessica) all decided to take the train from Orange and then walk a little ways over to the harbor where the boat would take us out to look for whales. It was my first train riding experience and definitely a fun one. The boat was late getting started and late getting back to the harbor, but luckily Kim had some friends that were kind enough to drop us off at the train station. We got there just in the nick of time and a few of us had to sprint onto the train just seconds before it took off. It was exciting to say the least. Here are some pics of us at the Harbor and on the Boat. We didn't spot any whales, but we did see a ton of dolphins... if you look closely in one of the pics you can see some coming out of the water...




and on the train...

Valentines Day!

Tyler and I exhanged gifts before we went out to dinner and a movie for valentines day. I got Tyler the complete Rocky collection and some white chocolate and he got me...


This pretty necklace, a ring and roses! We ate at Wood Ranch for dinner and then met up with his parents to see He's Just Not That Into You. The food was amazing, the movie was funny, and the company was great too! Happy Valentines Day!

Can I REALLY do this?

That was the first thought that entered my head as I walked onto the Cal State Fullerton campus on tuesday. I always knew I would get to a University and finish up my Bachelor's degree, but was I really cut out for this? I felt like a very small fish in a very very large pond. I went to my classes and it wasn't too bad, but I came home and really got to thinking how badly I really wanted this. I came to the conclusion that I am too close to the finish line to give up now. I can totally conquer this... even if that means that I finish courses without even fully grasping the reason as to why I was there, eat lunch alone and sweat like crazy as I walk to and from campus everyday. I really had to remind myself of how much I love my major. Luckily I am in a Soc of Family class, which I can already tell will help me remember why sociology is so completely amazing to me. Although I cannot say the same about my research methods class. All that comes to mind when I think of that class is ?????????
But not to fear... I will finish and I am even more motivated than ever before to get my degree. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I am going for it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYLER BRADY REX!!!

TODAY IS TYLER'S 24TH BIRTHDAY AND LUCKY FOR HIM THE WEATHER SOME HOW KNEW IT. IT IS COOL, RAINING, AND GLOOMY...JUST HOW TYLER LIKES IT. I AM SO HAPPY THAT HE IS HAVING A GOOD DAY SO FAR. WE ARE BOTH WORKING TODAY AND GOING TO LUNCH WITH ALL OF THE PEOPLE AT OUR OFFICE TO CELEBRATE TYLER'S AND PAT'S BIRTHDAY! THEN WE ARE GOING TO DISNEYLAND (TYLER REALLY WANTS TO BUY SOMEONE A CHURRO) AND THEN WE ARE HEADED TO TYLER'S PARENT'S HOUSE FOR PIZZA! IT WILL BE A DAY FULL OF FUN AND RAIN AND I HOPE TYLER LOVES EVERY MINUTE OF IT. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH AND I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR HIS LOVING AND CARING PERSONALITY. HE IS A GOOD MAN AND I AM LUCKY TO HAVE HIM IN MY LIFE!

The New Do

Late September was the last time that I got my hair cut and lets just say I was in NEED of a new look. My layers totally grew out and my hair has been box died for the past 2 years. I decided to splurge and go for salon color and my usual cut by Amrah. She referred me to her co-worker Nichole for my color and I am super stoked about the turnout. I went with a cute layered cut and a dark brown with red tint. I LOVE it. What do you think?

Before...


After...