King's Game

Josh got a couple tickets from AAA to a Kings Game on October 18th.  We went to the game with Allen and Mercedes (Allen works with Josh).  Hockey is one of the few sports I like to watch... but only live.  This game was especially fun because AAA paid for the tickets and the parking :)  We got to sit up in the VIP box and enjoy the Kings clobbering the Blues.  Check out the score, 5-0... that made it fun too.

Megan & Ryan Return

On October 14, Megan and Ryan came back down to Southern Cali after moving to Atascadero a few months back.  They came down for a wedding Megan was working in San Clemente and stayed with us all weekend.  We have definitely missed our game nights and movie nights with these two. 

We pretty much had only one day together so we spent it well.  We went to the Crab Pot, which I heard was amazing, and I'm not gonna lie, it really wasn't amazing.  It was borderline gross even.  Sorry guys, my bad idea :/  But it was a cool experience and we got to wear some cool bibs.

We also went to the farmers market and bought some hats and some cheese and olives which we later stuffed ourselves with.  That was some good cheese.  Then we watched a movie which turned into a nap for me, whoops.  It was gone too soon, but we snuck in some good memories.  We miss you already, come back soon!

Quick Visit with Meagan and James

Meagan and James came down to celebrate their anniversary at their favorite place, Disney Land!  They cam over to Long Beach on October 9th, just in time to pick Josh up from his flight returning from Utah... have I mentioned we have been crazy busy? 

I absolutely love when Meagan, James, Josh, and I get to spend time together.  We have had a few times together over the years and while they are always too short they are packed with laughs and good times.  I only wish they lived closer because we sure do love them and there is nothing like a sister :) 

Meagan and Zino bonding

Delicious Elephant Bar, which is not a steakhouse by the way ;)

Can't wait to see you at Thanksgiving!

Kelsie Date

Friday, October 7th, my long lost Kelsie came over for brunch.  She got to meet my Zino, who loved her... as you can see, he jumped right on her lap

We went to Schooner or Later, right on the water in Long Beach, one of my favorites

It was so good to catch up with one of my oldest friends, I sure did miss her.  We were so sad that Lauren, the other part of our threesome, had to work like a grown up.  I am too excited to meet up with the complete group in less than one week!

Grill Friends Reunion

On October 6th I got to meet up with my "Grill Friends", otherwise known as the girls I went to dental hygiene school with :)  It was sooo nice to get together again.  I was used to seeing these girls every single day for two years... we were beyond close, and now everyone is off doing their own thing.  We knew this would happen but it's still kinda sad.

We fell right back into how things used to be and talked and talked for the next few hours over some Olive Garden and Starbucks, just like old times.  We are going to try to meet up more regularly and I sure hope we do cuz I miss these girls!

Jackie, Melissa, Me, Joni, & Jenn

Las Vegas

Jamie had never been to Las Vegas before so it was my job to show him around a little.  AAA put us up in the Palazzo which turned out to be amazing.  The room was super nice and we had an awesome view of the pool and the strip. 

I took Jamie to walk the strip the first night.  We got to see the main sites and my personal favorite, the Bellagio fountains.  We also stopped by Serendipity to get a frozen hot chocolate, which I've always wanted to try.  I got the original, aka the Fro Ho, and Jamie tried the white hot chocolate, aka Vanilla Chilla.  These became our nicknames from here on out ;)

The next day we went to the Sugar Factory which is kind of amazing.  There is still a whole lot of stuff I want to try from this place.

We also stopped by the Coca Cola store and tried their cokes from around the world.  There are about 16 to try, 4 of which are pure disgustingness, a couple were really good, and the rest fall somewhere in between. 

Then we went to the M&M store where I made Jamie watch a free 10 minute M&M 3D movie, haha.  But it was a cool place to sit for free and take a break from the heat outside :)

That night we went to see Mystere, a Cirque Du Soleil show, at Treasure Island.  It was a pretty cool show. It was funny, awe evoking, and creepy... very well rounded :)

We even had time to go to Fremont Street to watch the light show in the sky and eat a shrimp cocktail.

It turned out to be a nice trip.  I'm glad that I got some one on one time with Jamie... that almost never happens.  He has grown into such a great guy.  He is more mature than I ever realized and had such a big heart.  I am lucky to have him as a brother.  Love you Jame!

Josh's Utah Time

Josh, Jamie, and I drove down to Vegas late Friday night, stopping in Primm to sleep.  On Saturday, October 1, we were due to check into the Palazzo for a trip Josh won through his work.  Before we left Primm Josh got a call that his mom had had a stroke and was being taken to the emergency room.  It scared us all to death.  We knew right away that Josh would never be able to enjoy a weekend in Vegas while his mom was having serious health problems 6 hours away.  Josh's brother, Brandon, was nice enough to meet us in St. George and take Josh back to Utah to be with their mom. 

Loretta had a lot going on before the stroke.  Her father passed away about a week earlier and she had knee surgery about 5 days prior.  Needless to say, her body was under a lot of stress.  She happened to be in a rehabilitation center for her knee when the stroke occurred so she was extremely close to the hospital. 

We are so so thankful that Loretta is doing much much better now, but it really was a scary time.  Strokes are never something to be taken lightly.  Josh got to spend the week in Utah with his mom and attend his grandfather's funeral the following weekend on October 8th.  It was so nice for Josh to have had the means to stay the week and support his mom.  He was so cute about taking her blood pressure and monitoring all the readings.  He even read through the instruction manual and learned all about systolic and diastolic blood pressure and what means what.  I even overheard him on the phone with his dad when he got back explaining how to take the blood pressure right :)  Josh got some quality family time in which is sometimes hard to come by.  And he feels even closer to his mom than ever, which I love.