Halloween

Family Picture as we were "patiently" waiting for it to get a little bit darker out.

Giving her horsey some kisses.
We have been working on looking at the camera and smiling. This is about as good as it gets for us...
Mama and Lulu
"I'm really sad." The end of her patience and the faux-pouting had begun...
Getting a ride from house to house.
Bravely walking up to the first house.

Fall Fest - 10.30.10

We decided to go to the Fall Fest at church Saturday night. Lee (and I) is usually anti-social, so this was out of his comfort zone. He is not a fan our casual acquaintances and small talk.
Lee was a trooper. He played games with her in each room and helped her collect prizes in her bag.
Lulu and her pumpkins.

Cali-Day Five (Good-bye)

Every morning Lee and I got up and ate breakfast outside. It was so relaxing.

Our breakfast view (if it wasn't foggy and dreary, you would be able to see part of the golf course and the ocean just beyond the pool):

Our "bungalow."

Thanks for the fun, California. Hopefully I won't wait another 26 years to return. And hopefully next time I visit you, I will see the sun at least once...

Cali Day Four-aka Saturday

Saturday was fairly uneventful. We had dinner with the group at Mastros. It was delicious. The was one of the appetizers that our table ordered. My poor pregnant stomach did not enjoy the smell nor the "shell bucket."

TP and Alisha

David (Lee's company's COO) and his wife Susan.

Key (His name is Key Weston K___ because he was conceived in Key West, Florida. Ew. Imagine having to think about that every time you wrote or saw your name) and Jill.

Lee and I. Notice my Shirley Temple was almost gone. Sad.

Never fear...I did not let the sight or sound of the crustaceans get the better of me. I still found room for the surf and turf (I had the filet and the lobster tail, and you'd better believe I said yes when they asked if they could de-shell my lobster).

On a funny side note, when all of our entrees were served, I asked for the salt and pepper. As I began to salt my steak, the top fell off of the shaker and the entire contents of the shaker emptied onto my steak. I tried to scrape some of it off to no avail. That could only happen to me. They took it back to the kitchen and "took care of it (I took that to mean rinsed it off with tap water and put it under a hot light for a minute, but who knows)."

My dessert:

Cali Day Three

On Friday Lee went golfing with the guys and I got a "deserving mothers' massage" in the morning and went to Laguna Beach that afternoon.

The waves. I did walk down to the water and stick my feet in. I hadn't seen the Pacific Ocean for 26 years and who knows when I will be back. It was freezing.

Crazy people in the water. I was cold just looking at them.

I think this is casual daywear in Laguna Beach. Keep in mind that this was about 2pm. Hmmm.

Friday night was our night off from dinner with the group. So...I made the executive decision to go to Morton's. It was wonderful. I ate until I could eat no more. And then they rolled me out the door.

California Day Two

Enjoying the patio and a cup of coffee first thing in the morning.

Contemplating life while gazing at the fire.

After breakfast, we went for a walk. Lee wanted me to take this picture. It is a really difficult golf hole.

We went to a mall and posed next to a fountain.

We thought this would be the coolest, rainiest day, so we did things that didn't include the beach or the pool. We were wrong. The whole time we were there it was low-mid 60's and misty/foggy. Not exactly the weather we planned for, but I am not one to complain about a free vacation.

California Day One

We arrived on Wednesday. Had a leisurely lunch outside overlooking the pool. That night we had a fancy dinner with the whole group. This was our predinner self-portrait.

The whole group in the resort's lobby before dining at Andrea Ristorante.

Apparently the risotto was to die for. We each got that as our midmeal course (that comes after the salad and before the entree, duh!). The risotto was not my favorite. Maybe that is because it is rice and wild mushrooms mixed in a huge cheese wheel and topped with fresh shaved truffles. Not really my style, but I nibbled at it anyway.

Better Kobe Picture

As we were standing at the fron of the hotel waiting for our table, he was headed down the hallway toward us.

One of the ladies in our group got her picture with him.

Blogging from California

So...as you all know, Lee won a trip to the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, California. We got here around noon on Wednesday and have been having a good (relaxing time). The weather has left a little to be desired (60's and misty), but I am not going to complain about a free trip.

Each night, we have dinner with the COO, the other award winners and their spouses. Last night we went to a place called Javier's. We parked the car and walked in to meet the others. I was walking ahead of Lee and saw this tall guy that looked really familiar. Then, I realized that I was looking directly at Kobe Bryant, not five feet in front of me. I tried to get Lee's attention subtly. The area around the hostess stand was crowded and he rubbed shoulders with Lee and I and said, "excuse me."

After I got over my shock, I chased after him out of the restaurant to try to get a better glimpse. This was the best I could do. Kobe getting into his car. No valet. No wife. No security people.

I then started chatting with the guy standing by the valet area about Kobe. Apparently Kobe lives just about 1 mile from Javier's and 1 mile from our resort (I mapquested it). It is gated, but I still might try to find it.

Currently, Lee is golfing, I just had a "deserving mother's massage" (and three butter crescents for breakfast...that is perfectly normal), and Lulu isn't sad about us being gone. Thanks for caring. Have a wonderful day.

Horsey ride

A couple of weeks ago, we took a trip out to the farm for a horsey ride. For a couple of months, she has been obsessed with horses and riding on them. Every time she went to sleep she would ask for a story about a horsey ride. Eventually we decided just to take her out and let her try it.

Much to my chagrin, she loved it.

She was a little nervous at first, but watching her papa get the horse brushed and saddled and ready to go provided enough time for her to warm up.

He let her hold the reigns (I told her they are like a leash) and tell the horsey where to go.

She even got brave and wanted to go for a longer ride. They went along the trail between the field and the pasture.

Rounding the fence on their way back to us.

Our attempt at a self-portrait.

Lulu was distracted by four large dogs that also live on the farm.

Sorry Ladies, he is all mine. Try not to be too jealous.

Playing on the play set that her Nana and Papa put up this summer.

One last ride to put the horse back with his friends.

Stupid horses...scratching each others' backs with their teeth. I guess I should be impressed with their teamwork.

10.10.70

My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary today and we spent the weekend doing family things.

Click HERE for the pictures.