Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Labor Day Weekend


For Labor Day weekend we loaded up and went to Thousand Oaks to visit my family. Alex had an extra long weekend (Friday at noon until Wednesday at noon), so we took advantage of it! As soon as Alex got off of work on Friday we raced to get everything packed and loaded in the car so that we could hit the road. I was trying to make it to my dad's volleyball practice. We hit a little bit of traffic, but nonetheless, made it just in time for practice to start. It was so nice being back on the volleyball court and just playing. I hadn't been on a court since right before we found out I was pregnant. I sure miss it! After practice we came back to the house and had dinner. After Madison went to bed, my mom and I went and bought Golden Spoon for the family! (For those of you that don't know, I'm obsessed with Golden Spoon, so it was the perfect way to end a great day)

Saturday we all got up and went to the Janss Mall. We walked around a bit, shopped a little, and had a yummy lunch at Franks Charbroiler! They have good ol' fashion cheese burgers!!! So delicious! After we got home, we just relaxed and watched tv. We had Panda Express for dinner (remember people, Alex and I live in the middle of nowhere, so we get cravings and Panda is definitely one of the places we are constantly saying we wish was closer to us). Madison even enjoyed a little Panda :) That evening we all watched the movie The Heist. Very interesting movie. It was entertaining, but not sure I'd necessarily watch it again.

Sunday we went to the Oaks Mall and did some of the same stuff as the day before, walked around, shopped and had lunch. This time we had Hot Dog on a Stick (another random craving)....I know not so healthy, but I take advantage of being able to eat out at different places when I can....most nights I am just cooking at home. Then before we left the mall I had to stop at See's candy and boy was the lady there nice. I ordered my chocolate covered toffee and went to pay for it and they lady said that I could just have it, that it was my free sample for the day! Talk about lucky! Sunday night Alex and I took advantage of my parents being around and let them watch Madison while we went out to dinner to one of my favorite hibachi restaurants: Cho Cho San. They have the best food! Alex and I enjoyed our time together and even had left overs to take home. After we got home we tried to take Madison outside to meet the doggies again (each time she has to be reintroduced to them) and it was a hoot. We were able to capture it with a couple of pictures. Once we put Madison to bed, my family and I played Tripoly (a card game for those of you who aren't familiar with it). This has become a tradition in our household. We love this game so much and you have to have at least four people to play, so whenever we are all together we try to get a game in here or there. It's sort of a combination of hearts and poker.


Monday, we just hung out and played out in the front yard, played with the dogs in the back yard, and had a yummy tri-tip dinner with baked potatoes, pineapple, and corn on the cob! It was so delicious. After dinner, watched the season opener of Prison Break. We started watching this show when it first came on and now just have to see how it finishes. It's a great show, but this needs to be the last season. They've already stretched it a bit too far.

Tuesday morning we said good-bye to my parents and then hit the road and luckily didn't hit any traffic. We're back now and enjoying the week.
Hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend and Carolyn I hope that you had a great birthday....sorry to have missed the festivities while out of town!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Beach Bum Visitors


This weekend one of my best friends and another dear friend came to visit us here in the desert! They are stationed at Pendleton (for those of you that aren't familiar with that base....it's sitting on the Pacific Coast Line so they are practically on top of the beach) and so coming out here (to the desert) in the summer was a shock to their system (weather wise). It was such a blast seeing them and hanging out. Emma stayed with us and Julie stayed with our friends the Farmer's. We hung out and relaxed for a bit when they first arrived and then Saturday night we went to Christine's for a little get together so everyone could hang out and meet/see Noah! It was a full house, but it was a blast! Along with Emma and Julie, Christine's family, the Farmer's, Erica and her girls, Carolyn and her daughter, as well as Diana and her son were there. The kids had such a wonderful time playing together and it was a great time to just hang out and have fun. After the get together, Emma came back over and we watched the women's gold medal match in volleyball since it was the US vs Brazil (where Emma's from) and this time her team came out the top dog! But....Sunday night we came out on top when the men's team also played Brazil for the gold!!! Anyway, on Sunday we went to church and then came back and had a little brunch...quiche and fruit salad, before it was time to say good-bye until we get to hang out again. Emma and Julie, sorry we live in the armpit of California, but... I'm so glad that you guys drove out for the weekend! It was nice to see you and catch up in person and I can't wait to see guys again in September!!!

Madison's One Year and Our Family photos

We weren't totally thrilled with how these turned out, but we got a few good ones, so I thought I'd post them for you to see :)





Friday, August 22, 2008

Just wanted to share these

I took these pictures a couple of days ago and just thought they were too cute not to share! Hope you enjoy them!


Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Happy Birthday Billy!!!






This past weekend we went out to Orange County again. This time we had the chance to go out (just the two of us) to help our dear friend Billy celebrate his birthday! It was a surprise party that was spectacular. Billy's parents, along with his amazing girlfriend, had the party catered and even had a live band. The party was at Billy's parents house in their backyard and was just so much fun! Billy's girlfriend even rented a video game truck that allowed up to 16 people to be playing up to 4 different video games at a time. It was really neat. There are some pictures from inside the truck. Alex and I played Guitar Hero for the first time, but unfortunately just as we were going to play against each other it was time for the truck to leave. I must say it was a lot of fun!

It was also really neat to see Alex get to hang out with his friends that he doesn't get to see very often. They are some amazing guys! We miss being closer to them. Many of them were in our wedding as well! Alex and I had a blast reconnecting with everyone!
Billy, we hope that you had a wonderful birthday and that you know just how loved you are! May God bless this next year of your life and do amazing things in and through you!




Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Baby Noah is here



My dear friend Christine gave birth to her beautiful son yesterday! She is amazing! I still remember when I got the phone call letting me know she was pregnant and the shock/excitement in her voice and now her little man is here in her arms. Her husband is deployed right now so she's been doing this on her own and she's been such a trooper through the whole thing. She is going to make a great mom!


Noah Lee Bouchard was born at 3:31 pm on August 12, 2008. He weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces and was 20.4 inches long. He is as darling as can be!

Christine, I am so proud of you! Bringing little Noah into this world is such a beautiful miracle and gift from God. You and Dave are going to be wonderful parents. Congratulations again!!!







"Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

The Dress...

When I was younger my mom's friend from college made this dress for me. My mom kept it all of these years and when Madison was born, she gave it to me. I took a picture of her in it the other day. Here is the picture of me wearing the dress and then one of Madison wearing the dress. My mom thinks I was either 13 or 14 months old in the picture and Madison is 13 months in hers.


me


Madison

Also, everyone keeps asking where Madison gets her red hair. I think it's obvious, but for those of you who don't see the red I currently have in my hair, take a look at the color of my hair in my photo. :) Now that's some red hair :)