Fall Break

Have you ever heard of Fall Break? About three years ago our school district added a week off in October calling it "Fall Break", at first I thought, oh geez another week to figure out what to do with the kids, but now I'm so grateful for this week of fun! For the second year, we decided to take the time off work and head South. Our choice of relaxation was beautiful La Costa Resort, with the weather still  warm in sunny So Cal. we get to enjoy some family fun pool time. This year we were joined by some special friends, my college roomy and her beautiful baby boy and hubby! We enjoyed every moment with them and look forward to doing it all over again next year!

Let the fun begin!

What kid wouldn't have a blast here?

Even the adults can get in on the fun!

My view! 

These cuties love their special time with Baby Drew!

Later in the week we headed back North to the happiest scary place on earth, Disnyland. Thinking it was in middle of the week it wouldn't be crowded - WRONG! I guess Fall Break exisits for many elemenry school kids or a lot of people just played hooky! We made the most of our two days there and had a blast! Thank goodness for Fast Passes, because I wasn't about to wait 2 hours for Radiator Springs in Cars Land! We'll be headed back soon now that we have yearly passes!!!

My American Girl

Schools out! Hence, the reason my blogging had been put on hold!
But, I do have to share Sophia's pre-birthday bash celebration! Took advantage that my future 9 year-old still enjoys and loves playing with her dolls, especially her American Girl doll, Zoey!

Sophia got to enjoy a birthday lunch celebration with her favorite friends! Here a few pictures that captured the special day!

Thanks to Marissa, Jules, Bella, Kayla and her rumbustious brother, Julian, for joining Sophia on her American Girl day!

Friends!!

The birthday girl and her Grandmothers!

The Mommies!

Strawberry picking & playing in LA

I have lived my whole life in Southern California and the thought of strawberry picking never crossed my mind until we had friends visiting from the windy city, Chicago! The first thing on their agenda was strawberry picking!!! Who knew!

So my search for strawberry fields was on. To my surprise there are many locations in Southern Cali where one can pick and purchase your own strawberries. We ended up at McGarth Family Farms, in Camarillo. Sophia and Julian had a blast!!! After an hour of picking delicious, sweet strawberries, we ended our day with some sand in our toes with a trip to one of our favorite beaches in Ventura!

Our weekend continued with a trip to Universal Studios on Sunday! I have not been there since the day I quit my job in the park 16 years ago (it was one of the funnest jobs EVER).  We all got to spend quality time together and I got to re-connect with my childhood friend and his beautiful family!

I love hosting friends out of town! Not only do I get to spend time with the people I love and miss, but I get to appreciate and see the great city we live in. There is no where else like home!

Strawberry fields

Let the picking begin!

Next time, I'll make sure they wear sneakers!

LOVE my boys!

Sunny days….

My long awaited girls weekend has come and gone way to quickly! Fortunately, Palm Springs is only 2 hours away where we can do it all over again soon!

We hit the road and arrived at The Saguaro. It was definitely not a place I would recommend for families. It was a young, retro crowd who liked to relax, drink and throw a few beach balls around!

As we arrived, we were all eager to hit the pool and begin our relaxing weekend. I do have to admit, I maybe over did-it the first day, I sometimes forget I'm not twenty-five anymore!

I thought the hotel overall was nice, EXCEPT for the restaurant-bar "El Jefe". We decided to have dinner there and were very disappointed with the quality of food. We ordered some carne-asada tacos and had to send them back because they were RAW! When they came out again, I could not get past the fact that the tortillas were old and stale. Needless to say, I won't be returning to "El Jefe" anytime soon.

We ended our wonderful weekend with some shopping! A pit-stop at Cabazon Outlets completed our quality time together! It's always great spending time with these lovely ladies. Good times with great girls!

How cute are these bikes!!!

Shopping!!!

Baby love, in honor of Mother's Day!

I was so excited this weekend to share a special day with one of my best friends and celebrate her and her baby boy! I can not tell you how incredibly lucky this baby boy will be! He is so very loved and has two amazing parents! Congratulations Justin and Dawn! I LOVE you guys!

Can't wait to meet you baby Montano!

The most beautiful mommy ever!

San Clemente living! 

Mimosa bar  

Dessert table!!!!

I love me some Ding A Lings!

Dawn's favorite! Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcake.

Heidi, Dawn's sister-in-law, did an amazing job of putting this special day together! 

Justin's daddy bag

Mason can't wait to meet his new best friend. 

My college roommate, our UCSB days!

To all the great Mom's out there, Happy Mother's Day!