My 30th Birthday (finally...)

I'm finally getting around to posting about my birthday! Better late than never, right?!?! It really took me quite a while to get over the fact that Kristen was out...I didn't even sleep that great Thursday night just thinking about how Eric had done that! It was seriously so sweet and thoughtful of him...he spoiled me! Part of Eric's gift was also some money to go on a shopping spree. I feel like nothing fits and complain every morning as I stare at the clothes in my closet and I just needed new clothes so shopping we went on Friday. Kristen, Ella & I headed down to South Coast where we met Jen & Caden and Bethany, Ezekiel, Becca Jane & Bethany's niece for lunch a little shopping. We took over Corner Bakery and I'm pretty sure we got some dirty and annoyed looks as our strollers were taking up part of the walk way but it was a really fun time! Then, Kristen and I did some shopping. I didn't have a ton of luck shopping but we had a great time anyway!

Yes...we were a sight to see!

We got home and rested for a while before Eric took us out on a date to Parker's Lighthouse in Long Beach (Ella stayed with a friend). We had yummy seafood and enjoyed the pretty atmosphere.

With my handsome hubby...how did I get so lucky???

Eric with his 2 ladies!

Saturday was quite the day. Storms were brewing in Seattle but the only earlier flight out of Long Beach was at 11:30 and that was just so early...Ryan (Kristen's husband) said he thought it would be fine and the guy Kristen talked to from Alaska Airlines made her feel like an idiot for even thinking the weather would be bad that night. So, we went on with our day. Eric had Ella and Kristen and I ran to a fabric store and got coffee and then picked up some In and Out for a late lunch. We got back around 2:30 and Kristen checked her flight status...CANCELLED! Uh-oh! She called Ryan and he said the weather was getting pretty bad. So, we checked flights out of LAX and there was a flight leaving at 4:30...all the later ones were cancelled. Immediately, Kristen got on the phone with Alaska where it said her wait time was 30 minutes. By this time it's about 3:15. There were still seats available on that flight but we weren't sure if she would get booked on one. We made the call to start driving to the airport while on hold and bank on the fact that she would get on. About half-way to the airport, she finally talked to someone and got booked on the flight with the warning that it still might be cancelled. I dropped her off and then waited a couple blocks away until she called that she was boarding. She made it home safely (thankfully) and she said it was just about the scariest landing ever...a total blizzard there! We totally felt like we were on the Amazing Race on our trip to the airport though...a fun adventure!

This was truly the most memorable birthday I've ever had! Not once did I ever suspect Eric would fly her out! I am so thankful to have such a thoughtful husband who knew what would really mean so much to me! Thank you, Babe! What a fun surprise you gave me! You truly spoiled me and WAY exceeded my expectations for my big 3-0!

Sea World

We had passes to Sea World that expired on the 31st so we went on the 30th! We didn't get there until 2:30 and then just enjoyed walking around and seeing a few shows. I love that theme park because it's not big, you don't have to rush around to DO everything there and you can just relax and take in the amazing shows. I'm still in awe of how they train these enormous killer whales to push them around, jump up, slide on their bellies, etc...my thought while watching the show is what was that first moment like for one of the trainers to be in the water with that whale. I cannot fathom the moment you are in your wetsuit and jump in the water with a creature that could swallow you whole! It's amazing to me. One of the coolest things of the day was the special night holiday Shamu show they had. On the big screens they showed different Christmas quotes and then even quoted from Luke. Then there was a choir singing and the songs they did included "Oh Holy Night" and "Silent Night." At the end, they even had all of us stand to sing "Joy to the World". We were SO impressed at how much they included the true reason for Christmas. We will definitely go back...Ella really liked it but I just know as she gets bigger it will be more and more fun!

Not a great shot but our only family one!

Christmas Part II

Sunday night we celebrated Christmas with Eric's family. We had a yummy ham dinner and then opened gifts. Eric & I do the every-other holiday thing so this year we were with his family for Thanksgiving & mine for Christmas, next year it will be switched. Thankfully, both our families are so good about making another day a special "Christmas" celebration. It has made it so much easier to not have to run back and forth on those holidays and just enjoy it! We had such a fun night on Sunday and the kids did so great!

Kaitlin & Ella playing the piano
Kaitlin, Ella & Kyle playing together....I think these 3 will be great friends one day!

Ella opening her present from Kaitlin

The Family!

Christmas Part I

What a fun time we had celebrating Ella's first Christmas! We drove out to my family on Wednesday and ran a couple errands on our way in. We went to church with my parents on Christmas Eve and then enjoyed some yummy tacos for Christmas Eve dinner. We usually open gifts on Christmas Eve but with the kids so young, they get SUPER tired & cranky after church so it just isn't worth it anymore! Christmas morning was nice & relaxing and we enjoyed some cinnamon rolls (thanks Kelly!) and omelets. Jani & Julie and their families came over around 1 and we had a great lunch all together. Jill & her family got there around 3 and we opened presents! It's a CRAZY time with 9 kids running around but it was fun and we all enjoyed ourselves. Friday, my parents took Eric, Ella & me up to Oak Glen for lunch...it was COLD up there and there were even patches of ice where there was shade. It was fun to see some dusting of snow too! Then Friday night, we went out to dinner with Kelly & Chris and Chalet & Jim. It was so fun to meet Chalet's boyfriend and get to know him a little bit. Eric & I headed back to Chalet's parents house after and played some Wii...I know it's pathetic but that was our first time playing! We LOVED it...we did bowling & tennis and I'm still in awe at how in the heck they got those controllers to work with what you are doing...amazing!! We had a great Christmas out there and I can't believe it's all a memory!

First Christmas morning

Playing with Da-da

She can hardly contain her excitement for Christmas!

The Whole Family!

Ella with Grandma & Grandpa up in Oak Glen

Kelly, me, Chalet

Oh so busy...

Man, this week is flying by and kicking my butt! We've been out shopping every day and are ALMOST done...I'm heading to the mall again tonight because it closes at 10 and I have just a couple more things to do! Yikes! I thought I was a little more on my game then this. Anyway, we are heading to my parents' tomorrow and I can't wait to celebrate Ella's first Christmas! I have so many pictures and stories to share of Kristen's surprise visit out here but they will have to wait until we arrive back home! We went to see the lights in Naples tonight and Ella loved it! It's so fun to watch her experience new things. Seeing the lights is a great tradition for us (we went there on our 2nd date and that's where Eric held my hand for the first time...awwwww) and we are excited to keep doing it as she grows up! So, Merry Christmas! I hope you all enjoy your time with family and friends and are able to celebrate the true reason of this season. This year the gift of Jesus is so much more real to me with Ella here...I imagine Mary with her baby Jesus, knowing he was going to be the Savior of the World. What a gift to us! Merry Christmas!

I've been had!!!

OK...so the post below this one is the one I started last night while my husband was helping our friend Keith fix his leaky toilet...but he wasn't helping him do that...he was picking up Kristen from the airport!!!!! What the heck?!?!?! I was SO surprised! Let's backtrack...at 9:45 last night the phone rings and it's Keith, he tells me his toilet is leaking, wondering if Eric could come help him, etc...I pass the phone to Eric. I then proceed to look up Home Depot & Lowe's to see if they were open until 10 to get the wax ring they supposedly needed...they weren't but Keith said his father-in-law maybe had one if that was the problem! So, Eric leaves. He was gone a long time and finally calls at 11:30pm and says it's taking a lot longer than they thought. This was the FIRST time I was suspicious! I couldn't figure out what in the heck he was up to but I knew it was something. So, he got home at 12:05 told me to come out and there in the front seat of the car was a hooded person...I opened the door and who's there??? KRISTEN!!!! I couldn't believe it! Anyway, we're hanging out today and tomorrow and she flies home tomorrow night! WOW...what an awesome surprise and huge husband points! Thanks, babe! That's all, I'll tell you about our time later! Must get ready for the day!!!

A New Decade

I'm 30 today. That's SO weird to me. 30 has always seemed so old and here I am feeling like I just turned 20! It's neat to look back over the last 10 years and see how much has happened in my life. Graduating college, getting married, having Ella and SO much more...the 20's were good to me! I found some pictures celebrating my 20th Birthday back in 1998. Some friends from college came with me to my parents' house and we had a slumber party. By the way, I had just gotten the WORST haircut a couple months before these pictures. I remember crying after the haircut and Cheryl, Emily, and Kelly trying to help me make it look decent! There's even a video of trying to fix it!

Fun on the ATC

After dinner, we got into the closet with all the old bridesmaid dresses and put them on...I know what you guys are all thinking, and yes, we were THAT wild in our college days!

If only I could remember what movie we watched that night!

Now, fast-forward 10 years...see if you can pick out these girls from 10 years ago!

Emily, me, Kelly, Cheryl

So, here's to a new decade! What do the 30's have in store for me?

If you're wondering what I'm doing today...relaxing this morning as I just came off a FOUR day work week, whew! and then Eric has a half-day and I've been told to keep my afternoon free! Tonight we're leaving Ella with a friend and going to dinner at a undisclosed location! I LOVE surprises and I'm so thankful I have a hubby who will fill my day with them!