Birch Aquarium

While in San Diego we visited the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. Last time I was here, I was a junior in high school oceanography class thrilled for a reason to be out of school. This time, I was with my friends and together, we faced mine and Lori's arch nemesis: fish. To me, fish are like a scary movie that you watch with your hands held over your eyes. You can't leave the room, you have to be there to watch it, but you need to watch by peeking through your hands. This aquarium felt much the same way. I got the chills looking at these freaky creatures, but I just could not look away! I also feel the same way about snakes.Okay, so we did get somewhat close to a fish. We posed inside this shark mouth. Here, Nick rescues Matt from being eaten by the shark. Thanks to Nick, I still have a husband today.
Lori, Jenn and I. Jenn is the polar opposite when it comes to fish. She loves them. A view of the coastline from the aquarium. It was a pretty sunset.
Eating our hearts out at California Pizza Kitchen. We were impressed that Jenn used chopsticks throughout her meal, so Lori gave it a whirl.

Ohhhh, I love BBQ chicken pizza!!

SOOO GOOD!

Reagan and I were out and about yesterday and we stopped into Panera Bread and shared one of their seasonal bagels...Gingerbread. It was really good! The perfect flavor of Gingerbread but also a little bit sweeter than just your average bagel. There was something really sweet melted in bits throughout and I couldn't quite place what it was, so I looked online and here is the website description:

Flavored with ginger bits, cinnamon, nutmeg, molasses & filled with vanilla & cinnamon chips.

WOOT! Doesn't that sound good? We will be making many more trips there, I predict. Panera Bread Gingerbread bagels + Stephens hot cocoa = holiday heaven!

Pipes and the Beach

On Saturday morning we ate the best french toast ever at a breakfast place called Pipes near Del Mar and right next to the beach. It was a really cool setting. So good that we ended up going back the next morning for a second helping of that french toast.
Bro, check out Matt with this sign. Whattup with that?

After Pipes, we headed down to the beach, where the water was way too cold for all of us, except Reagan. She beelined for the waves, but we decided we knew what was best more than she did and kept her out of the water.

Weekend in San Diego

We took a quick trip to San Diego the weekend before Thanksgiving, to surprise Jenn and meet her 2 month old baby, Layla. Nick and Lori were also there that weekend, so they were in on it and helped execute the "Surprise Jenn" plan. Although Jenn seemed more confused than surprised (she thought we would be coming the following week), it was fun to ambush her in Nordstrom's Rack. We had a great time with our friends and have some killer photos to share.

Matt and I (well, mostly me) had a moment of silence as we passed this California landmark. We even stopped for gas at the Magic Mountain Parkway exit just so that I could smell the amusement park air. I think that is the closest I will get to this place in a VERY long time. When Matt and I are retired and 80 years old, we will be all over Xtreme and Goliath.
Not long after we met up with everyone in Mission Valley, we went to get some grub. Reagan almost walked into the mens bathroom.
We have done tons of driving for the last week and a half and Reagan has been an angel 90% of the time. We owe much of it to her new carseat. It cost us an arm and a leg, but has been worth every penny.
The cell phone obsession continues. Nick was really cute with Reagan and she set aside her newfound shy streak for the time being and played happily with our friends.
Our first night there, we ate at Islands Restaurant. It boasts this cool view of the San Diego temple (taken from the parking lot), but boasts even greater hamburgers and cheese fries. I have been hooked on Islands hawaiian burger forever, but I made some new discoveries this time: cheese fries are sensational when dipped in ranch dressing (thanks, Lori) and the yaki tacos are excellent.

Funny Moment

We just got back from an extended stay in San Diego, then Utah. I cannot stop laughing at something my 6 year old niece, Ashlee, said. She asked me what a 'soul' was. I responded that it was like a spirit or ghost, and it was something that no one could touch. She then asked, "like your privates?"

Hee, hee.

Politics

On my way out of the train station a card was shoved into my hand announcing that Barack Obama would be in San Francisco. As I drove away from the station I decided that I would leave it in Miriam Pinoli's door (my boss's wife) who is a die hard republican just like my sister Amy. I don't get into politics since voting in California or Utah is pointless, but I do enjoy getting people riled up about politics. On the way home I got stuck at a red light for a while and decided that I would personally sign the invitation for Miriam. So I wrote something like "For Miriam, thanks for being my greatest advocate. I appreciate your support and hope to see you there tomorrow night" and then I signed it "Obama". Below was her response.

Indoor Fun & Gratitude

I remember this time last year so clearly. The weather has started to cool down a bit and although I really can't complain about California temperatures, we have spent a little more time indoors. It rained some over the weekend and Reagan was getting over a cough and cold last week, so I was straining my brain trying to find ways to entertain her. Last week, I was in another room when I her grunting and complaining from the front room. I went and checked on her playing and found that she had climbed into the blanket basket and couldn't get out. This wasn't very nice of me, but I slyly watched for a few minutes from around the corner where she couldn't see me. It was kind of cute to see her trying to get out and I could almost see the wheels in her head turning while she figured out a way to do so.
Bathtime is still fun time for her. Now, when I say "cheese" or "smile" she does it! I love her big cheesy grin. She has this bath book that she likes to read. When she wants me to read it to her, she lets me know by throwing it to me, getting water everywhere.


I am very grateful for my little Reg's. It is fun for me to look back in time and see where I was a year ago, two years ago, etc. Almost exactly three years ago, Matt and I were settling into the Bay area and our new apartment, Matt was a week into his first job out of college and we were enjoying our surroundings. Almost two years ago, while I was nauseated 24 hours a day, we were finding out that our little person was going to be a girl. We had an interesting Thankgiving that year. I couldn't be around food cooking, so Matt settled for a dinner of rolls and green beans. Exactly a year ago, I was watching little Reagan grow up too fast before my eyes. So much can happen in a year and I wonder today...what will be going on in my life a year from now??? Hmmm...

I finally watched it!

I have always been a huge Dancing with the Stars fan until this season. I think I just got sick of it. That usually happens with reality shows and me. I enjoy the first couple of seasons (i.e. The Apprentice and Survivor) then I just get bored and realize that the producers of the show only pick hot people to be contestants. But now that the so-so's have been weeded out, Matt and I actually tuned into the show last night. Now I can chat with Mom Roundy about it! Here's what I think: I feel like I really SHOULD like Marie Osmond...after all she is from Utah and is Mormon, right? And the Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman is allright, she really tries. But Matt and I both agree there is something about older women who try to be 20 and sexy. Its just gross. We flinched every time Marie shimmied last night and when Jane (aka Dr. Quinn) walked out in that bathing suit...er, I mean, dress...I about died. I wear more to the beach than she did and I am in my 20's. All that aside, those two are mighty good dancers. Jennie Garth was a much better actress on 90210. I just don't like her facial expressions. Those expressions that people do in ballroom dancing (you know the ones I am talking about) can come natural to some and look good, but just not on her. But again, I have to hand it to her...the dancing is good. The soap star Cameron is good too, but I think he may be going home. Matt says he has guns and I say he has crazy eyes. Why does his partner always wear leg warmers during practice?? Let's see...who else? Mel B is good. I think she will win it. She was definitely 'spicy' last night. I actually really like her accent, too. I normally am not fond of the English accent--sorry--but it suits her. I actually enjoyed listening to her speak.

In other tv news...The Office!! Jim in a mustache and Karen...clearly still not over him. I have a strong feeling that we haven't seen the last of Karen. I had a hard time picking a quote from the episode. I enjoyed Michael asking Jim to host the dundies if he doesn't survive and also Phyllis' microwave popcorn quote. Plus Dwight had some pretty good quotes, but they contained bad words, so I guess I shouldn't post them, even though I was ROFL. Rolling on the floor laughing...I got some text message lingo from my sister Loni. Sometimes I steal her phone when she isn't looking and I read all the text messages she has received and sent. I do not understand what the big deal is over texting. Why does Loni's friend, who she just saw 10 minutes ago, text her 'Hey' and that is it? Then Loni texts back, 'Hey' and her friends writes 'What are you doing?' and yada-yada. Seriously, she could easily call her up if she had something important to say, right? I have, however, finally learned finally what LOL and ROFL means. I will throw a few more out there as I read Loni's messages and learn them.

Candy is Love

How do I love Halloween? Let me count the ways...

1. Carving pumpkins. Matt chooses the most difficult template and I choose the easiest. He spends an hour carving his, I spend 3 minutes carving mine, which is actually Reagan's.

The end result is that Matt's looks a hundred times better than mine!!!2. Playing in the cool fall weather. And enjoying sugar cookies from the neighbor, Miss Betty.

3. Attending the ward trunk-or-treat party. Last year Reagan lasted about 15 minutes before we had to take her home. This year, she ate it all up, including another sugar cookie.
4. Reagan begging for more chocolate.

5. Burning the soup that I made for dinner. This is the second pot that I have charred in the last week. Matt claims that if I really want a new set of cookware for Christmas, there are easier, less smelly ways of getting it.
6. Going trick-or-treating with friends. Reagan didn't really get the concept this year. She just enjoys being around other children. But once she realized that candy was involved, boy, she got it real fast! Candy is love...
7. All smiles in anticipation. I have noticed a trend in the photos of Reagan grinning. There is always food nearby. Can you spot the Cheerios in the first photo?

Happy Halloween!