Baby, It's HOT Out Here!

Wow! Can you believe it - we were at the beach this past week-end with 87 degree weather. We camped at Emma Woods State Beach with friends Jim and Danielle. Kelly drove up and joined us on Saturday evening and spent the night. The weather was perfect - sun shining with a gentle breeze. There were dolphins playing in the water all day, both days. I've never seen that before. Must have been a lot of food in that area. There were babies jumping out of the water and playing. It was so cool! Nothing like good friends, good weather, just sitting on our butts not doing anything but relaxing!


Glenn taking it easy with Sophie - no we didn't get a new dog. Sophie is our friends dog. Ben and Maggie would be so jealous!















Kelly and Booger soaking up the sun.















Jim and Danielle











Perfect sunset to end a perfect day!

49 and HOLDING!

That says it all - 49 and holding. I'm in the last year of my 40's. I'm feeling a little weird about it - and I think it's because I'll be a half century old next year! Yikes . . . I have a wonderful husband, 2 great kids, and been blessed with a terrific life so far -- and I don't want it to go downhill from here on out!!

There are some things about being in your 40's that kind of suck:
1. Your body slowly starts to fall apart and break down when you hit 40 - at least for those who aren't exercising on a regular basis - or any other basis.
2. You don't get the stares from the "younger" guys any longer, and if you do, you get labeled a "couger." Terrible word.
3. You start getting emails about AARP membership.
4. You really start to think that you should have started that IRA or 401k sooner.
5. Hot flashes really suck!
6. You go to bed when your kids are heading out the door to go out for the night.
7. You have to wear those reading glasses a lot longer - and they don't even help much when the room is poorly lit.

Seriously, I'm trying to be positive about the whole thing - I'm just thinking when I hit 50 next year, they'll be saying that it's the new 30!

I really did have a great birthday week-end celebration. Chuck and Jen (my bosses) took me and Glenn to dinner Friday night to Maggiano's. First time we've been there and it was really good. Jen's mom and dad went also.

Saturday, Glenn made breakfast for everyone and then we went to Santa Anita to the horse races. I won 3 out of 9 races. None of my long shots won, but it was a lot of fun. Michele won a race and Tyler won a race. We ate at Jerry's Famous Deli in Studio City afterwards.








And they're off!















I won the last race - lucky horse number 13!













Sunday, we went for a ride on the Harley's with our friends Jim and Danielle. Rode to Santa Barbara and ate at the pier. It was a beautiful day - the wind had moved all the clouds, fog, and smog out of the area and the islands were so clear.

Navy Guy

This is Chris Adams. He's in the Navy and has served a little over 3 years. He is currently stationed in Hawaii (how horrible - lol). He is one of the crew on surveillance planes. Chris just returned from serving in Iraq for 6 months. We didn't get to talk too much about his experience there except that when it was hot, it was REALLY HOT.

Michele and Tyler grew up with Chris and they are best friends. We lived across the street from the Adams family for 15 years on Camino Del Zuro. I feel like he's our other son!

Chris is holding his nephew, Collin, in this photo. He is saying good-bye and Collin didn't want to let go.

Chris was home for the holidays - he went to Las Vegas with Michele, Tyler and other friends. He just flew back home this past Sunday.

We're glad you are home safe and sound, Chris! Thanks for serving - you are a hero.


Chris and Michele.

Mechanics in the Family

She gets her hands dirty! Michele learned how to replace her brakes last Sunday. Glenn is a do-it-yourself kind of guy; so he thought he would show Michele how to work on her car. Her brake light kept coming on when she was driving, even though her parking brake was off, so they knew something was up. She and Glenn went to Pep Boys and bought all the parts. Glenn did the right side and Michele did the left side. Glenn was impressed that she stayed the whole time with him and didn't make excuses to go inside the house! And it was kind of cold and windy that day. Yeah Michele!!


After Michele's brakes were done, Glenn and Tyler decided to change the oil in Tyler's truck. I feel like we have a mechanics garage at our house!

A new year and a new learning experience.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and wish you a happy, healthy 2009. Our Christmas was great - we had dinner at our house with Aunt Melody, Uncle Jerry, cousins Kevin and Ethan. We played Mexican Train after dinner - the boys won all the games - Melody and I didn't win one game! We all went to Kim and Ron's for dessert around 6:00pm. Ron's mom, dad, brother Ray, and his wife Tracy, and the twins - Jordan and Adena - were at their house for Christmas. Aiden had a fun Christmas and Ashton just rolled with the program! I unfortunately don't have any photos from their house.

Michele and Tyler went to Las Vegas with their friends for New Years. Glenn and I stayed home - Glenn was on call at work and he didn't really feel very good - that cold and cough has a hold of him. We watched Tropic Thunder - we liked it! We also sat in the spa for a while and drank some champagne to ring in the new year. We actually stayed awake until midnight!

I have to make my new years resolutions - haven't quite wanted to think about it too much. Most of them are the same as last year - scrapbook more, clean my house more, lose weight, and generally be a better person! I need to add some resolutions that I might be able to keep!

Glenn and I celebrating in the spa. We pretended we were in Hawaii!