La Jolla & Laguna Beach

Like I said before, my sis and Darrin REALLY know how to entertain. This past weekend, they took me to La Jolla beach then to Laguna beach the next day. Since I have been to California a few times now, they like to think of new things for us to do when I am in town. Isn't that so nice? I cannot be grateful enough because they know they don't have to do that for me! Anyways, we made it to La Jolla on Saturday just in time to see the sunset. The sunsets in Ca are absolutely stunning and even neater to watch on the beach. The colors are so bright and change so quickly- I could not get enough pictures! After the sunset, we went to my sis & Darrin's favorite Mexican restaurant nearby and had the BEST guacamole dip...I think I ate more than the three of them combined! We watched the waiter make it and think the key is the orange they squeeze on top and the finely chopped jalapeños. I am going to have to try and make it at home sometime!

Saturday, we woke up early and headed to an awesome breakfast place, my sis had been wanting to take me to. She knows how much I love breakfast and this place was famous for their pancakes. We ordered strawberry banana pancakes with some eggs & bacon. It was such a treat and great way to start out our day. Then we headed to Laguna beach where we did a little shopping, mainly walking, around. We did find a MUST- cute summer/beachy dress marked down to $15. Later we drove through Huntington beach and stopped to eat a late lunch at Cheesecake Factory and had our favorite, the chopped salad. After eating we headed back to Laguna to see the sunset and Darrin found the perfect spot. We went down some stairs (that almost looked private) and enjoyed the beach where it looked like nobody else really went...like a secret spot! It was like a dream, so breathtaking to watch the waves rolling in and the sky change colors. It was seriously heaven! I wished Forrest could've at least been there for that part of the trip because it was so incredible.

Wish they all could be...

California Girls!

Living like a California girl with my sis and Reagan has been amazing. I get to spend 10 days here and I could not imagine a better trip so far. First off, when I am visiting, I do not have any expectations because all I care about is seeing my sis and her family. Some of my favorite memories are us just sitting around in our pjs in the morning watching GAC! But they always go above and beyond to entertain me. This time, we started off the trip by going to dinner to a place called Cafe Coyote- some of the BEST Mexican food I have ever had. The restaurant is in Old Town San Diego which is a neat place to see if you are ever there. We walked around Old Town and found a neat store with really authentic Mexican looking things. Really just all of the stores are fun to walk around in.

The next day, the three of us girls went to Fashion Valley to shop. This is a really good mall with a lot of big stores like Nordstrom & Neimans (which I don't waste my time in!) but just to give you an idea of what kind of mall it is. We did a little shopping but mainly just walked around. The weather is just so pretty in Ca, it is nice to do as much as you can outside!

Another shopping center we visited that I enjoy going to when in town, is Otay Ranch. We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory there and again enjoyed walking around, stopping in a store once in awhile. So nice to do those kinds of things because we don't have anything like that in College Station!

We took Reagan for a ride that night in the wagon. :)

I took this picture for Forrest because it has a little history behind it. Long story short, his nickname for me derived from this ice cream store!

Here, Reagan is officially 17 months old! Big girl! We celebrated with a big milestone: TWO bows in her hair. Later we got some pictures of her having fun at Gymboree, making it easy for us to shop for her. We stopped at McDonalds afterwards for some sweet tea and Reagan LOVED it- she hogged it all! She had the tightest grasp on it, we couldn't get it back from her!




The next set of pictures are us girls at Coronado Beach. We caught the sunset which was beautiful and walked around some little boutiques there. Later when Darrin came home, we went back for ice cream at the Coronado hotel, a good historical place to visit. We found a cozy spot by a fire and all indulged, especially Reagan!

Overall a fabulous first half of my trip. I am looking forward to the rest!!!

2009 Wrap Up & NYE

The year 2009:

First I want to remember three loved ones we lost this year: two of Forrest's dear grandfathers, Papa Sug & Papa Honey. He shared a special relationship with both and the family gatherings will never be the same without them. We also lost my Aunt Rosa. We will never forget the memories made during their lifetimes.

Highlights of the year:

Visited Mahan Estate and took Papa Honey to see it

Had a "Girls' Weekend at the Houstonian

Ashtie turned two in March

FREE fourth row tickets to Taylor Swift at Houston Rodeo

Accepted into A&M nursing program

Spring trip to California with Amberly:

Visited LA, Santa Monica, San Diego Zoo

Spent Easter at A-Team beach house

Vaughn Party in the Woodlands

Celebrated Cheri's 50th birthday

Last day of work at Central Texas Heart Center

Started nursing school

Forrest started tradition of making my birthday cake

Celebrated our TWO YEAR anniversary on June 23rd

4th of July crawfish boil at the beach house

Sister & Reagan home for a month:

Visited Morgan in Houston and went to American Idol concert

Reagan turned ONE!! Had a big birthday bash at the Snider's

Rescued Lil Girl

Aiden turned 4

Vacationed to Las Vegas

Started football season with a new tailgate spot

Boys Trick or Treat in College Station

Forrest's parents got the ranch they dreamed of

Surprised Big Forrest with Bevo & Raider for his birthday

Thanksgiving at our house

Sister & Reagan home for a month for the holidays

First time to have Christmas at the ranch

We spent New Years Eve night with Kara and Anthony and met up with some friends at Christopher's for dinner. Afterwards the four of us went out in downtown Bryan where we brought in the new year.

All in all, 2009 has been a great year for us. We are very grateful for each other, our family & friends, and the fun memories made this year. Looking forward to seeing what is in store for 2010!