Aruban Bar Trip

After graduating from law school and finishing the grueling task of studying and taking the Bar, it is customary to take a fun trip before starting work in the fall. Well, technically, Kevin and I have been taking one long extended two month Bar Trip with weeks spent at both of our hometowns of Yorba Linda, CA and Cedar City, UT - but we did take an "official" Bar Trip to Aruba a few weeks ago (I am so far behind in my blogging!) and it was AWESOME!

Without a ton of money to spend, we didn't have a lot of options for our vacation, but thankfully, my parent's had an extra timeshare week that we were able to trade in for a week at the Marriott Surf Club Resort in Aruba and all we had to pay for were the flights, food, and souvenirs - thanks Mom and Dad!

Our condo had a full kitchen, so we took a bus ride to the grocery store and ate mostly in our room to save money

View from our balcony

Our resort had several pools and even a water slide (Kevin's favorite!)

But my favorite part was the lazy river :)

We were right on the ocean and loved taking walks along the turquoise water

Iguanas were everywhere!

The end of another day in paradise

Happy Birthday to ME!!

A few days before my birthday, my whole family was able to spend the day together and we had so much fun!

Opening Kevin's present (he even wrapped it...with a little bow tying help from my mom)

An ice cream maker!! I have wanted an ice cream maker for years now...it was the perfect present! My husband knows me so well!

For lunch we all went to Chipotle and then the boys went to Outdoor World together, while us girls went to the new Tai Pan Trading store in Rancho Cucamonga. Ever since I heard of TPT, I have been wanting to go and luckily they built one about a half an hour away from my parent's house, and I couldn't be more happy! If you are unfamiliar with TPT, they are a huge discount decorator store where you can find everything from seasonal home decorations to dishware to furniture to artwork and silk flowers...in a word, HEAVEN!

Shana playing with butterfly catchers...

and candy corn!

In the evening, we went over to my sister-in-law Tracy's parent's house for a bbq provided by my brother Steve! We had little sliders, bbq pizza, carne asada, bruschetta, and everything else in between! Steve is an amazing cook and I am always happy to eat anything he makes us!

Of course, one of the advantages of going to the Sharp's is the amazing pool, spa, and view of Orange County! Cody and I had fun hanging out in the spa!

Grandma also had fun with the Cody-man!

A beautiful sunset is enjoyed best from the spa!

I love my dad!

New House Pictures!

Yippee! We finally got some new house pictures yesterday and I thought I'd share them with all of you! So far, the tile and wood floors are in, all of the cabinets are installed along with the trim and moulding. Nothing has been painted or stained yet, but it seems everything is coming along quite nicely!

This is the view after first walking in the front door (looking up)
From the front entry, you look straight into the great room (dining room is to the right)

View of the great room from the kitchen (fireplace is missing the wood mantle)

Kitchen

Upstairs gameroom

The brick and stone work are almost complete on the outside

Let Them Eat Cake...

What happens when there is only ONE grandbaby on both sides of a family and that grandbaby turns ONE? You all get together and feverishly take pictures of that poor child as he eats cake ...and then all leave before the baby gets sick!

Well, on Aug. 27th we celebrated Cody's big day with Elmo hats and cake!

Playing with his new toys

Kevin and I obediently wore our hats

(please just overlook that I put mine on backwards...I swear, sometimes they should just put a helmet on me!)

Or maybe thy should save the helmets for these guys!

Thoughts from Cody:

Why is everyone staring at me and why is Aunt Leslie taking 50 pictures a minute? Why did mom and dad give me a whole cake when I normally don't get sugar at all. Must be a trick...I think I'll just poke at the cake to make sure it's real...

Time for the taste test...

Oh baby! That's real cake! And it's ALL MINE!!

Of course, that doesn't mean I have to be a pig or anything...I can eat like a little gentleman!

Who am I kidding? That's freaking awesome cake!

I am going for it!

Hands free eating... oh yeah!

What are YOU all staring at?

The End

PS - A special thanks to Tracy for bringing this little guy into the world!

Another Angels Game!

What's better than going to an Angel's game? Going to an Angel's game with your dad (who likes to buy you treats and other goodies!)

Kevin and my dad

Me and Shana (Mark had to work)

The Beach!

While we were in California, we were able to go the beach 3 times. The first time, it was cloudy and chilly, so I stayed out of the water with Stacie and read while Kevin went boogie boarding. The waves were pretty mild (green flag was raised) and he had a really good time.



The next time we went, the weather was more cooperative with slightly warmer weather and fewer clouds. However, the lifeguard flag that was raised was the yellow flag, meaning the currents were a little stronger and the waves bigger. Kevin went boogie boarding this time as well, however, I again opted to read on the sand.



The third time we went, the sky was clear blue and it was HOT and as luck would have it, the flag was red (BIG waves and a strong rip current). Kevin AGAIN braved the water and I followed suit thinking that this would be the last chance to boogie board with him for a while. It was like being in a river, the current was so strong! We had fun anyway!

Best Friends and a Baby

While we were up in northern Utah, we were able to spend a little time with our wonderful friends from Williamsburg, the Crawfords. We have missed them so much, but it was so great to see them and to meet their cute new little girl Abby. We were able to visit with them twice, and both times they fed us our favorite foods - Cafe Rio for lunch and then yummy doughnuts for breakfast - you guys are the best! We are so sad that they will be leaving the country (not sure where to yet!) but we are excited about the possibility of visiting them in really remote and cool locales!

Me and little Miss Baby Abby

This was taken the next day when we came over for breakfast and Abby was wrapped in the cutest fuzzy blanket! Kelly has the best taste!


Don't the doughnuts look AMAZING!! I wish I would remember where Kelly said they were from. With flavors like cookies and cream, mint chocolate, and s'mores, you can hardly go wrong!

For some reason, I didn't take any pictures with Kelly, Chris, Sam, or Liam...probably just because I am getting a little baby hungry! And the doughnut picture is probably because I am hungry hungry!