A girls weekend in La Jolla

 Saturday morning I picked up two of my dearest friends.

Lisa was in town from the East coast for a work conference and Allyson was kind enough to fly in from the bay area. I was really lucky because I didn't have to fly anywhere.

We had lunch in La Jolla and then headed off to the spa for some relaxing massages.

I really enjoyed my prenatal massage!

Allyson, Lisa and Marie.

We have all been friends since middle school and I am so glad that we still get together when we have time in our busy schedules.

After the spa we walked around our hotel and the cove.

Then we went to dinner at Forever Fondue and ate so much yummy food!

Sunday morning we went to breakfast at the Cottage. Lucky for us it was just a block away from our hotel. Breakfast was delicious!

Then it was time to drop Allyson off at the airport.

Lisa and I picked up a few things for her work event and then I dropped her off at her hotel.

It was a quick weekend, but it was so much fun getting together.

Thanks to Douggie for holding down the fort while I was off pampering myself!

Mana concert

Last week I went to the Mana concert with Rob, Paul, Cris and Ebit.

We had lots of fun, despite the idiot above/behind us that decided to throw his beer all over our backs.

 We got there early and had hopes of eating at Phil's, but the line was crazy long so we settled for the Mandarin Palace. It was no Phil's, but we still had fun.

 This was my 2nd time going to a Mana concert, but it was Elle's 1st time.

She is for sure going to be a Mana fan when she is born.

They did a set of all of their old songs at the back of the arena by us.

Some of you have probably never heard of Mana, you can click here to hear my favorite song by them.  Thanks to the stranger who uploaded it to youtube!

Thanks to Ebit for getting all of the tickets and setting it up for us all!

Vacation

 We started our vacation by visiting my Grandparents in Arizona.

Papa and Abuelita joined us for the weekend.

We spent lots of time relaxing, swimming in the hot tub, playing cards, playing in the dirt and just enjoying each other's company. 

 On Sunday afternoon we drove Papa and Abuelita to the airport and they flew home.

 After the airport we met up with Brian, Dave and Katie.

Brian and Dave are some of Doug's closest friends and it is always great to see them.

It was also great to meet Dave's girlfriend Katie.

Monday morning we left the GG's house and headed to Sedona.

 We saw lots of beautiful sights like Boyton Canyon, Red Rock State Park, the Chapel and even saw Thomas Kinkade's house.

We stayed one night in Sedona and spent lots of time exploring, walking and enjoying all of the beautiful sights.

This was the first time in Sedona for Doug and Emma.

Tuesday morning we packed up the car again and drove to Tusayan, which is just outside the Grand Canyon.

 This was also Doug and Emma's first trip visiting the Grand Canyon.

 We stayed at the Grand Hotel and enjoyed their indoor pool and their fun restaurant with a live banjo player.

We spent almost all day Wednesday exploring the park and all of the amazing views.

Emma thought the "big hole" was pretty fun.

Thursday morning we packed up the car again and headed to Las Vegas.

 We stayed at the Flamingo because we heard great things about the rooms being renovated and their fun pool. We had a great time staying there.

We spent Thursday afternoon eating at Margaritaville, then dinner at Cheescake Factory and then watching the Bellagio fountain at night. Emma loved the fountain!

 Friday we spent the morning playing at Circus Circus, going to M&M World, the Coke store and then met up with Doug's good friend, Rob, for lunch at Rainforest Cafe.

After lunch we went to the pool and had so much fun going down the little slide.

We had dinner at Kahunaville and then watched the pirate show at Treasure Island.

Saturday morning we got up early and packed up the car and then we met up with Rob and Tanya for breakfast near their house. It was great to see Rob two days in a row and it was really great to see Tanya as well.

We were sad that the Jacob's family came down with yucky colds and we didn't get to see them. We hope they are all feeling better! And we hope to see them sometime soon.

A huge thank you to Papa and Abuelita for starting out the trip with us!

We were so glad you came with us and we had lots of fun with you.

And a really big thank you to GG Bob and GG Margaret for letting us stay with them.

It was so great to spend time with you two and Aunt Suzie.

Emma is still talking about staying with you and asks when we can go back again! 

We had such a great trip!

Emma did so well in the car for those long distances. The DVD player and iPod sure helped, but she was a trooper and so much fun.

Douggie was the super star driver and didn't complain one bit. He really enjoyed seeing Sedona and the Grand Canyon for the first time.

Not sure when we will take another road trip in the near future, but we sure are glad we took this one!

So good to be home!

We just got home this afternoon from a fabulous vacation to...

GG Bob & GG Margaret's house

Sedona

the Grand Canyon

and Las Vegas

We saw so many amazing places and spent time with some pretty amazing people.

I will post more soon... promise!

30 weeks

 I am 30 weeks!

Both little Elle and myself are doing well.

We had our 30 week appointment and everything is going well!

Now I start going every other week.

After flunking my 1 hour glucose test I took the dreaded 3 hour test. I got the great news on Monday that I passed with flying colors. Woohoo!!

I am starting to slow down a bit and getting more tired.

I can't be on my feet for too long, otherwise my feet start to hurt.

I have gained 13 pounds so far.

This week, while Doug was traveling, we had a bit of an accident at home. A certain 3 year old decided to take a flying leap off the bed and into my arms. Only problem was that she did so knee first and bonked me in the belly. Poor little Elle was a bit shocked and wasn't very active after that. Normally she is very active at night time. After drinking cold water and juice to spike her movement without success I called our doctor. He said he was sure everything was fine but it would be a good idea to go to the hospital and get monitored. Thanks to Papa for staying with Emma while she was sleeping and thanks to Abuelita for going with me to get checked out.

We heard Elle's heartbeat and after an hour or so of monitoring the nurse assured us that Elle was fine.

When I got home and in bed Elle's movement picked back up as usual.

Here is a little 3D picture of Elle from our appointment this morning.

We have a little less than 10 weeks to go and we are so excited!

I think we are in trouble!

This afternoon Emma was watching Shake It Up at my parent's house.

Rocky and CeCe were helping a little girl get ready for a pageant.

This gave Emma an idea.

On our drive home our conversation went like this...

Emma - Mama, I want to wear a pretty dress, put on make-up, wear a crown an be the winner.

Me - You do?!

Emma -Yes, like on Shake It Up! And then when I win I wave.

Me - Oh Emma, you have to be older to do that.

Emma - No Mama, I can do it now.

Me - Well how about we wait until you are older and when we get home Mama will let you wear her crown and I will make you the winner.

Emma - That is great! And maybe you give me flowers too!

Doug was not thrilled when he heard about our conversation.

I kept my promise and let her try on one of my crowns.

And the pose was all her.

Many years ago I competed in a couple of pageants. Never any toddlers and tiaras stuff, just in my teens and early 20s. I always said if I have a little girl she would never compete in pageants.

Well wouldn't you know it, she is already asking to and she is only 3.

Please don't worry, we will not be entering pageants any time soon.

Maybe when she is 18... maybe!

Easter Sunday

Lucky for Emma, the Easter Bunny found her basket at Papa and Abuelita's house and filled it with lots of goodies!

In the afternoon my parents hosted the family for our Easter dinner.

We had so much fun with everyone.

 We headed to the big open area just down the block from my parent's house for our big egg hunt.

 Emma took the egg hunt seriously!

She was so much fun to watch.

Emma was too busy eating her candy, so she didn't want to smile.

Happy Easter everyone!

We hope that you all had a wonderful day.

Emma's sleepover

While we were away at the wedding, Emma had a sleepover with JuJu.

She had so much fun and has already asked us if she can have another sleepover with Uncle, Aunt and JuJu.

 They dyed Easter eggs and had so much fun playing together.

Since Emma wasn't at home Easter morning, we made sure to write a little note to let the Easter Bunny know where her basket was so he could fill it with some goodies.

She was so cute and told Doug what she wanted him to write...

Easter Bunny,

I love you. I will be at Papa and Abuelita's house on Sunday.

I love Tinkerbell. I love Tiana.

Please fill my basket at their house.

Emma

Yesterday evening Doug and I attended the wedding of his childhood friend Dave Otis.

It was held at the Lido Isle Yacht Club in Newport Beach.

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding.

 Kirsten and Dave Otis

We had a wonderful time.

It really was such a beautiful wedding. It is easy to see just how much these two love each other.

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Otis! 

Crusin Grand

Last night after dinner, we went to our first crusin grand of the year.

We missed the opening night last week, so when Papa invited us to join them we couldn't pass it up.

Douggie loves crusin grand because of the cars.

I love crusin grand because of the new gelatto shop.

Emma loves crusin grand because of the candy store.

A little something for each of us.

Last desert trip of the season

We just got back from our last trip of the season.

We had a great weekend!

It was  pretty windy yesterday, but we all made the best of it.

 After setting up camp we headed the Blu In for some yummy food.

And Emma got a messy push up and loved it.

 We discovered that it is easy to fill the black tank when someone decides it is fun to push the pedal to flush the toilet. Oh and apparently it is important to use lots of toilet paper.

 Emma and Wendy went on their morning rock hunts with the dogs and collected lots of treasures.

 Some new friends, Brian and Megan, joined us and Emma loved that we got to watch their dog Hayden while they were on rides. She said that we needed a puppy. I agree that would be great, but not anytime soon.

 Because it was so windy Emma did her Easter egg hunt inside the trailer.

 And she got a special prize!

For the adults, we braved the wind and went from trailer to trailer to pass out our cash, booze and lotto filled eggs.

 Our Saturday night, family dinner was amazing Italian food and we all left so full!

 The wind died down a little bit so we all headed out to burn Brian and Megan's Christmas tree.

It was their first trip out with the group and we were so happy to have them.

 Bill had lots of tequila shots to share.

 Emma thought it was pretty fun to play in the tall bunk bed this morning.

 Since it was still too windy the night before, Emma and Brigitte made breakfast peach cobbler and it was just as delicious!

 Emma had lots of dance parties in the trailer.

We had such a great trip with such great friends!

So sad that it was our last trip for the season.

On the other hand it is pretty exciting to think that Elle will be joining us for next season!