Michelle

This past weekend my MBA friend Michelle came to visit.  The weather couldn't have been any better for her trip down from Northern California.  We enjoyed relaxing on the beach and watching a beautiful sunset on Sunday evening.  Have I mentioned how much I love living here?

Christina's last day

Today was Christina's last day.  We went on a morning hike in Torrey Pines, to lunch at the Glider Port, went to the beach and finished it all off with some Sushi Deli.  I'd say it was a pretty successful and delicious day ;)

Safari Park

Today Christina and I went to the Safari Park.   I had never been there before, but was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.  On the way back we drove by an orchards with a sign that said we could come pick our own oranges, naturally we had to. :)  I also introduced Christina to Extraordinary Deserts, of course she immediately became a fan.

Catalina

Christina came to visit me.  Our 1st stop: Catalina, well the first actual stop was the DoubleTree hotel in Orange County we enjoyed some delicious warm chocolate chip cookies. 

We rented a golf cart and drove around the island, it was a nice way to see a lot of the island for our short day trip.  Christina and I were also highly amused by the fairy, so of course we needed a shot of that too.

Girls Camp

This year they asked for volunteers to go to Girls Camp and I figured, why not?  The theme was BUGS and I was with the 1st years (12-13 year olds) we had so much fun camping right next to the beach and enjoying hours of laying in the sun.  It was definitely different than the camp I used to go to as a kid in the mountains of Colorado, but it was such a blast! 

We even enjoyed a little pranking on the 2nd years, not the best TP job I've ever done, but it had a nice look.  And when I came back from camp, my sister was here.  Life's just one fun party after another...

4th of July

 Since my company doesn't let us have much time off for the winter holidays, they give us 2 days off for the 4th of July, which also happens to be my mother's birthday.  So, I decided to take a much needed trip home for the nation's, and my mother's birthday.  I tried to make it a surprise... but wasn't entirely successful at that :).  We had a blast going to the Royal Gorge, meeting my niece and nephew's new ginny pig, brownie.  Watching my nephew's ride 2 wheelers, going to swimming lessons, and spending time at Crystal Reservoir on Pikes Peak.  

The Royal Gorge Bridge

Brownie

Walking w/ Konnie

 And of course, getting to hang out with Konnie.

 Many many years ago, we took my dad's yellow canoe that he made in college, out on the 4th of July.   We came home and had a slice of watermelon cake for my mom's birthday.  This year, I thought it would be fun to reenact that birthday again.  My dad brought the big yellow canoe down, we had so much fun!  And of course my brother-in-law and the boys enjoyed some fishing time. 

Arcata round 2

My time at the flower farm was much more enjoyable this time.  I finally knew the ropes and wasn't as confused as to what my role was.  I made some friends, and overall it was a blast.  I didn't get to explore as much being as Mother's Day is literally our biggest holiday.  One of  the employees put it best when he was comparing it to Valentine's Day, he said, "Not everyone has a valentine, but everyone has a mother"  I was exhausted and ready to come home from my 2 trips.  I left crazy early Sunday morning and was able to enjoy a beautiful sunrise from outside my little airplane window.