Arch Light

"Permission to speak sir, I'd like to stay here with the boy." Bumble Bee Rocks! Ever since this trip was planned the excitement to see the Transformer movie has built excessively and I was not let down yesterday when Serge treated the group to the movie(thanks Uncle!) We had to see it at the Arc Light is the techies dream come true. Assigned seating, no one is allowed in or out once the movie has started, GIANT screen, gourmet treats, what more could you ask for right?We had some time to kill once we got to LA so we walked around checking out the stars on the sidewalk (there was even one for Rin Tin Tin) and hung out in a vintage clothing store trying on fun stuff. Too bad Quinn didn't still have that dead animal hanging around his chin area for this pic, would have finished off the look.

After the movie we went to Hollywood Boulevard to check out Mann's Chinese Theater and 'the freaks' that are readily available on the sidewalks. Of course I got excited when I say Captain Jack, maybe a little too excited, Vickers said the pictures that follow this one are too crazy to share. He kissed my hand first, what was I supposed to do?
Johnny Depp! Had to get the requisite picture here right? I liked seeing the big names like Frank Sinatra and the likes. Too bad we won't be here monday, we could go to the Harry Potter Hand/Foot/Wand Ceremony at the theater, an imprint of a wand? Cara, where are you for this madness?While dinner was being organized Ella and I goofed off in the backyard. One, Two, Three LAUNCH! That girl is fearless.
I love California, no wonder there are so many songs about this place!

"I'll seek help later"

Is what I mumbled to Vicky as I wandered upstairs to 'check' the blogs. Next thing I know I'm typing away like an addict. Kick Butt ganked all my pictures so they are just here waiting to be posted and even the the folks are traveling this week, I'll have them up in case they get a chance to check in. Miles's racetrack. I loved all the landscaping, especially the succulents, why can't mine grow wild like they do here?

My address should I ever move to Santa Barbara. I wouldn't mind living in Santa Barbara for a summer. Kind of like the family from Denmark we met at the beach, they are here on a house swap set up. Lucky!
What NOT to do with your skin. Grandpa Awesome would have plenty to say to this chic huh?
The Beach. When we got there it was super foggy but as the day went on it burnt off. I love the fog, I'm sure it has much to do with how great the air is and my super dry desert skin is soaking it in.
Oh the shopping! Seriously. I could have spent all day there. Retail overload.
Ella jammin as we rode along. The still shot doesn't show how she bobbing around enjoying herself. Too cute.

I'm an addict baby

OK, I know I said Kick Butt would be doing all the bloggin for me the next few days and this is a repeat of a pic she has up but I'm sitting at the computer desk enjoying the family and the fresh, perfectly cool air coming in the window and I was itching to write... so here I am, the bloggin fool I be.
Santa Barbara was awesome today (pictures to follow I'm sure at KickButt and mine to come when I get home) I loved the city and all the shopping to be had (pure torture to only look as we drove along) And the houses! Woooow. Miles took us on a scenic route up the mountain side and I was mucho impressed with his race car driving skills in the biggest vehicle known to man: The Excursion. Driven like a Mustang.
The beach was great too. Watching the kids play was so great. At one point Ella was so sad to be left on the beach as her grandpa headed out to the water she threw herself to the ground, face first into the sand. She made her point very dramatically and grandpa came back to collect her.
I can also no longer claim to be the last person alive to never step foot in a Trader Joe's. We stopped to use the bathroom and get a treat. I'm hooked. Chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels anyone? That's right dad, peanut butter.

Defer to Kickbutt

I'm here now, finally. After going back to the airport for the second and last flight of the day to la la land only to be bumped due to heat restrictions (what the?) I was then sent to SLC to catch another flight to CalIfornIA. I was happy to make it and will now defer all blogging responsibilities to kickbuttmommy since she is the blogmaster. Check in there for all the fun.

Grounded

I don't know why I feel the need to live on the edge, but I must.
Take this morning for instance. I wake up and have a split second of peace until I realize it's light out and it shouldn't be. My alarm was set for 4:45.
But it is 6:27 am.
That can't be right, my flight leaves at 7:00 am for LA I can't still be in bed...
But it is right and so I stall for another second thinking it is futile to even dream of catching the flight but I throw my clothes on, dump the rest of the stuff I had to pack into my bag and ran out the door. I made record time to the St. George Airport, green lights and no traffic, and landed at the ticket desk at 6:55 but to no avail. I could see the plane sitting outside being loaded but the gate was already closed so I remained calm (what else would I be?) and got myself on standby for the next flight in a few hours. Goooooodness. I'm fast, but I can't bend time.
Oh and the stinkin alarm? I haven't looked at it yet (we're in a fight) but I can only assume that in my sleep deprived stupor last night I set it for pm instead of am... blast. It is one one of those age old stories where I ignored the nagging thought of 'set a second alarm' and went to bed instead.

Live for the weekend

Meet Mason Spencer Hymas. He looks exactly like his pop to me. I stopped by the Hymas household friday to wish Ann a happy bday and crash their party to get in a peek at the new guy
and see Jenny pregnant. SO WEIRD!





















It makes me feel old to say something like 'it feels like yesterday that we were trading clothes, going to the cabin and consoling each other when some dumb boy broke our hearts.' But it does feel like yesterday!! So to hold Steven's boy and watch Jenny laugh at her uncomfortable state of being right now made me feel like sometimes I just want to slow life down or watch it on replay.
Ry Ry The Soup Guy. My buddy at work, he is the Anti-soup Nazi. More like the soup pusher. If I even so much as take my trash out and he sees me I end up going back to work with a carton of yummy cold strawberry soup. I was getting my mail today on the way out for the day and he loaded me up with 3 bowls to go. "Give em to your friends" So I handed them out as I ran errands, feeding the masses.





Before I left last week for the great 'up north' I helped Jana paint and put together her powder bath. She had read somewhere that your powder bath tells your visitors the style and mood of your home and seeing how she is a decorator and her powder bath was empty... she was feeling some disgrace. Especially with the Relief Society sisters gathering at her house to make bread she had to do something. So what does your powder bath say about you? I don't have one so I'm saved from this snap judgement.

The Dillpickle

Happy Birthday Dillon!!! (a day late..)

I've been a big time bloggin slacker the last few days. I've been meaning to get a post up for Dillon's bday and so I have all the pics ready to go at home but between getting home super late sunday night and working myself silly yesterday I haven't had the chance. So, Dillon, if you happen to have noticed, well, I'm sorry! And I will so make it up to you. (like he cares right?)

Dillon has always had a special place in my heart. I don't know what it is about the little guy but I have always felt a strong bond with him. Maybe because I've gotten to see him grow up more than Devin and Cari? (I love those two endlessly also, don't get me wrong!) Or maybe because he is my shadow when we're together and he can crack me up any time, any day.

He is the peacemaker in the family, has the curliest korean boy hair I've ever seen, which he hates and I LOVE, and was the best gymnast in his age group. In fact, he made all the little girls look bad when he was bumped up a class because he was smokin em all! I can believe it. Have you seen this kid move? Picture the King on Madagascar dancing to You've got to Move It Move It. Dillon taught that guy his moves. Last summer when I went to visit we went to the coast and while there went to the officers club to have dinner. A live band was playing Beach Boy covers and Dillon just HAD to dance. He kept draggin his aunt with him, it was so fun.

I can't wait to see what this little guy does with all his energy, spunk and super cool personality. Oh wait, yes I can, if I could bottle him, I would keep him forever the bebe of the family.

Me: "Dillon, you are too cute."

Dillon: "No, I'm not cute, I'm cooool!"

Yep, you are! Miss ya dude.