California Trip

(Katie on the Balcony of our Villa, on a clear day you would be able to see the Ocean but it was really foggy everyday we were down there!)

California Trip
So me and Paul went to California a couple of weeks ago for New Years and to visit Paul's Grandpa. We went with my Sister in Law Kim and her Husband Brian, there two Children Katie and Brogan, My sister in Law Laura and her hubby Jared, Paul's parents and Paul's Brother Jon.
The Trip was a lot of fun! Lucky for us Brian works for Marriott and got to go to the Newport Coast villas and stay for free and we got to go with them.

The First night down there me and Paul went exploring at the resort, we found the Ping pong tables and Giant Chess Set, the Pools and Hot tubs and then we played Basketball on there outside court, then we played Miniature golf on there mini putting green. They also had a big Fire pit going that people were sitting around. It was really fun to have all of these things right at our resort.

After that we went back to our villa which included a full kitchen, dinning room, front room, , two bedrooms, two bathrooms one of which had a jacuzzi tub and a walk in double headed Shower, and two balconies! Me and Paul found something on the back of our bedroom closet door that said this room goes for $800 a night! wow! I'm sure thankful Brian works for Marriott!(here is our Villa, This was taken on the last day, so everything is messy, should have taken pic's after house keeping :))

The second day we entered into an Iron Chief Competition at the Resort. The secret ingredient was Water Chestnuts. So we went to the store and got the other ingredients and had to rush back to the Villa to make everything in 1 hour. So me, Laura, Jared and Paul made a dish and Kim and Brian made another one. We made a Chicken Alfredo with broccoli, Carrots, Water Chestnuts, Garlic, Ginger, Mushrooms, Onions, and Chicken and put it over egg noodles. It turned out pretty good! Laura came up with the idea from a recipe she made in her crock pot! good thinking Laura! Kim and Brian made a Asian Style salad with Water chestnuts and Chinese crunchy noodles on top. Theirs was delicious and won first place for Taste! They won a Marriott mug. Katie thought it was pretty exciting! :) So that was a lot of fun!
(Here is our creation!)

We went shopping a lot while we were down there and of course I came to a Victoria Secret Store where all of their fragrance and makeup was 75% off! So, needless to say I spend money on things that smell delicious but I don't really need.

On new years day we went to Paul's grandpa's Home where he is staying in Laguna Beach. We visited with Paul's family, uncle Don and Aunt Susan, there children were visiting from Pennsylvania - Savanna and her husband, and Iowa - Channelle and her Husband. and Aunt Gwen and Uncle Jay, and there Children Talon and Ali and her husband and two kids. They were visiting from Temucula, CA and up by San Francisco. Uncle Jimmy was there as well as his Son Mike and his Girlfriend Sue. (I hope I got all of those names right) anyways, after playing the Chimes at Grandpa's Home we all went out to eat and enjoyed a nice dinner visiting one another.(all the Men & boys with mustaches and Berets)

(Santa (Jay) came to visit Grandpa, sorry its so blurry)

The next day we went to the beach and walked around a little before heading for home.

(a panoramic view of Laguna Beach)(Another picture of the Beach, I love the beach! I think I could be happy being a beach bum, it is just so beautiful and relaxing!)

(The city portion of Laguna Beach, in Panoramic view)

(Kim and Brian, Katie and Brogan on the beach, What a lovely Family)

The whole trip was a lot of fun, I enjoyed spending time with Paul and his family and appreciate all that they did to help us have such a great time.

Christmas Time!

(here is a Christmas Card Paul designed and created for us, but we didn't get around to sending it out, But I thought it was pretty cool looking so I thought I would post it)

For Christmas we stayed here and had our own Christmas morning, then went to Paul's Brother Adam and his wife Dominique's house for Christmas with Paul's family. As always we had the usual funny gifts and of course the nice ones. I love Paul's Family Christmas because there is always some gift that makes me laugh into tears! This year it had to be the old Reindeer hoof that Dori lovingly wrapped in a brown paper bag and gave to Dale with a label that said, To Dale. love, Rudolf. I guess this hoof has been circulating throughout Paul's Family for a while and I don't really know the whole story or inside joke behind it but the shear randomness of the gift made me laugh until I cried!

(Paul on Christmas)(Me and Paul after a very, very long and wonderful Christmas Day!)

(our annual Friend Christmas party, Alan, Eric, Kim, Steve, Teigan, Brian, Lindsey, Halie, Mike and me and Paul all showed up and we had a good time, we were sad not everyone could make it, maybe next year)

Christmas was wonderful and as always it was over before far too soon. Of course if you look at the weight I gained from all the goodies, it lasted long enough! That's the blessing of New years resolutions! I'm focused this year to keep my goals and continuously set new ones. I think this year is going to be a year to remember! :) At least I'm going to try to make the most of it!