A Great End to a Great Weekend!

Since Josh took Friday off for our Temecula trip and today he was off because of President's Day, we had a very fun-filled four-day weekend!  Today was no different, so we decided to head to Irvine Park with the Bridgfords and Wagners.

While we were there we took the kiddos on train and pony rides!  After that, we found a nice open field in the sun to sit down and have a picnic.  The kiddos ran around and played, while the dads threw around the football and the moms chatted away.  It was a very nice, relaxing day.

After naptime, we met back up with the Bridgfords for dinner, and the kiddos got to play some more together. Overall, we had a very fun-filled weekend!

All of us loading up on the train.  The Bridgfords in the back, the Murtys in the middle, and the Wagners up front (minus Brooke).

Ellie had a lot of fun chatting away with Brooke.

The Mamas and Ellie.

Logan riding the pony.  Last time we visited Irvine Park, Logan wasn't old enough to ride the pony.  Today he was a champ!

Lunch with Josh's Family

We don't get to visit with Josh's family as much as we'd like, so it was such a treat to see all of them today!  This afternoon we met Josh's family for lunch.  Both of Josh's cousins, Morgan and Gina, are recently engaged, so it was a lot of fun talking to them about their wedding plans!  We had a great time visiting with everyone and hope we can do it again real soon!

Josh, Granddad (Logan's Great-Granddad), & Logan.

Logan playing with his Auntie Brooke.

Daddy gave Logan a chocolate chip cookie, and he was all smiles!

Logan with his cousin, Alex.  She does such a great job with him!

Temecula Birthday Celebration!

Since my best friends and I turn 30 this year, we decided to go somewhere special to celebrate the big 3-0!  I've known Angela and Joelle since we were 13 years old!  We have been so fortunate to grow up with one another, and now raising our families together has been an absolute blessing.   This past December Mike turned 30, and in January Joelle turned 30.  We decided to celebrate in Temecula!

 We arrived in Temecula on Friday afternoon to find out that the resort/winery we were staying at--South Coast Winery Resort & Spa--had lost power in their villas and spa due to a hot air balloon crashing into a power line.  The gentlemen helping us said that they didn't expect the power to be up and running until the following day, which is when we were checking out.  He then asked if we wanted to reschedule for another time, to which I replied, "No way!  We have baby-sitters, so we're staying!"  We decided that we would buy some candles and roll with it.  Unfortunately, since the spa had no power, we were unable to receive the massages that we were so desperately looking forward to.  Since we had originally purchased the hotel package through Groupon and got an amazing deal with lots of amenities, we asked the hotel staff if there was anything they could do for us.  Luckily, they were able to reschedule our spa services to facials for the next day and provide us with a free lunch at their delicious restaurant!  We ordered tons of yummy food, and Ang, Jo, and I finished two delicious bottles of South Coast Winery's Spumante Sparkling Wine!

All of us toasting to our freebie lunch!

After lunch, we decided to continue the fun by visiting the Tasting Room.  We had a blast here, and then decided that since the power was still out, we should probably go purchase some candles and a game.  While out on our shopping run, we received phone calls that, not only were our rooms ready, but the power was back on!  Since the weather was supposed to drop to the mid-30s, we were very excited that we would have heat, light, and hot water in our villas.

Wine Tasting

Hanging out on the beautiful patio!

After everyone checked into their villas and got ready, we headed out to dinner.  Joelle booked reservations for us at this amazing Italian restaurant called, Gourmet Italia.  The food was very authentic and delicious.  Our reservation was at 8:00, but this restaurant was super tiny and a local favorite so it was packed with people.  We weren't able to sit down at a table until 9:30; however, more freebies were sent our way.  The owner of the restaurant was this very loud, funny, Italian man.  He decided to buy us a bottle of wine and an appetizer while we waited.  We had such a great time eating, drinking, and chatting with one another.

Once dinner was over, we headed back to the villas.  Each of us received a complimentary bottle of wine in our villa, so we decided to open one of those and play Taboo.  It was a very fun night!

Enjoying our free bottle of wine at the Italian restaurant.

The Birthday Boy & Girl!

On Saturday morning, Ang, Jo, and I headed to the spa for our facials.  After the facial, the therapist greeted me with a glass of wine instead of the standard water.  After all, we were at a winery!  When we were finished, we headed to Brunch and had some yummy Mimosas.

Hanging out at South Coast Winery.

Later in the day we were scheduled for a private wine & cheese pairing.  I was really looking forward to this.  Our guide took us into the Carter room, which is a room where they hold their private selection wines.  We had a blast tasting the wines and pairing them with the delicious cheeses.

Inside the Carter Room for our private wine & cheese pairing.

Enjoying the delicious cheeses!

After the pairing, we did some more wine tasting and decided to head back to Orange County for dinner.  The boys came up with the great idea of going to Chomp's in downtown Fullerton!  We again had a great time of eating, drinking and hanging out.

Overall we had an amazing weekend with our best friends!  I can't wait until our VEGAS trip!  Thanks so much, Grandma, for watching our house, our dogs, and of course, Logan.  We really appreciate all your help.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!  We hope your day was as wonderful, fun, and full of love as ours was!  Today started out like most days with Lo and I heading to Stroller Strides.  Ang taught class and we had a great work-out!  After class, we all headed to the picnic tables to share our heart-healthy snacks and Valentines.  I made mini blueberry muffins to share with everyone, but we had to make a very special muffin for Lo's girl--Lillie.  The kiddos had tons of fun eating yummy snacks, exchanging valentine cards, and playing on the playground.

After Stroller Strides, Lo and I headed home.  We had a nice afternoon together, and then I made a special Valentine's dinner for our family.  We had steaks, Parmesan potato wedges, and asparagus.  For dessert, I made Frosted Snickers Stuffed Cookie Cups--they were delicious!  We had a great dinner spending time together and exchanging heartfelt Valentines.  We are so blessed, and I am so thankful for our family.

"Be Mine" was frosted on Lillie's muffin from Logan.

Lo getting a thank you kiss from Lillie.  

Lo checking out his Valentine, Lillie.

Lo and Jillian hanging out together.

Once Jillian finished her juice, I got a picture of her looking at the camera; however, Logan was looking at Jillian.  Seriously, it's impossible to get kids to look and smile at the camera at the same time!

The families of Stroller Strides brought in Teddy Bears with special notes to donate to Eli's House--a shelter for abused women and children.

Logan holding his two current obsessions--Mickey Mouse and a ball!

Last Friday Alison watched Logan for me.  Grandma and Lo had a very fun afternoon, including visiting the Disney store at the mall.  Grandma bought Logan Mickey Mouse, and he is obsessed with him!  It's really cute because he doesn't call him Mickey, but instead refers to him as "Mouse".  Here he is giving Mouse some love on the swing.

Me and my sweet, little Valentine!

Playtime with J-Bug

About once a week or every two weeks, Logan and I get together with our good friends, Brooke and Jillian, for a playdate.  My dear friend Brooke and I met when we were waitresses at Renaissance Bistro many years ago.  We kept in touch and would get together for dinner every once in awhile.  On one such occasion, we both announced that we were pregnant.  Now, we get to see Jillian and Brooke at Stroller Strides and Kindergym on a weekly basis.  Since Jillian and Logan are only one week apart, it's been a lot of fun hitting so many milestones together and sharing so many fun memories!  Thanks, Brooke and Jillian, for having Lo and I over so the kiddos could play while the mommies chatted.

Logan's Dedication

Josh and I are committed to raising Logan the best way we possibly know how, so yesterday evening we dedicated Logan to our church--Friends Christian.  It was a very special evening, so we decided to share it with our closest friends and family.  After the service, we all headed back to our house to eat and celebrate.  I ordered a Fettuccine Alfredo dish from Lascari's, but the big hit was my mom's homemade Lasagna!  It was delicious.  After dinner, we had lots of desserts!  My mom made Panna Cotta with chocolate sauce, raspberries, and blackberries for toppings, and Alison made a beautiful Trifle and yummy brownies! Everything was amazing!

Thank you so much to all of our friends and family for being apart of such a special evening in Logan's life.  A special thanks to my mom for making the yummy food, and to my dad and sis for arriving early to help set-up everything.  Additionally, I'd like to thank Alison for making the delicious desserts, and for being such a big help by cleaning up afterwards so that I could visit with everyone.  Josh, Logan, and I truly appreciate and love all of you so much.

Josh, Logan, and I on stage during the Dedication Ceremony.

Pastor Matthew blessing Logan and our family.

Even though Logan was battling a cold and woke up from a very short nap, our sweet boy did such an awesome job on stage--thank you, Lord!

A group shot of everyone (minus my parents & sis who left the service early to make sure the Lasagna didn't burn) in the Worship Center.  Thanks again for celebrating this special moment with us.  We love you all so much!

Joelle's 30th Birthday!

My best friend, Joelle, turned 30 on Friday, January 13th!  The last time her birthday fell on Friday the 13th, she turned 13-years-old and we went to Family Fun Center to celebrate.  Ahh, the memories!  

For Jo's birthday this year we were lucky enough to join her, Aram, and all of her friends down in Solana Beach.  We went to this yummy sushi restaurant where Joelle and Aram treated everyone to sushi & sake.  Afterwards, we headed to the Belly Up to listen to a Sublime cover band.  We thought once we left the Belly Up that we were headed home, but we were pleasantly surprised when we showed up at a Korean BBQ restaurant.  We were supposed to Karaoke there, but it wasn't available, so we ate more yummy food instead!  We wound up celebrating until after 3 a.m.!

Thanks again, Jo and Aram, for extending your kind generosity and showing us another great time!  We love you guys so much and are very much looking forward to our upcoming Temecula trip!

This is what Aram served us ladies as we were getting ready to go out!  Thanks, Aram.  You really do know how to get the party started!

Jo and Aram--love these two!

Me and my girls!

We had so much fun!