A Hiking We Will Go

Well, it's more like a "trek," if you will.

Nonetheless, it's a great way to get the kids out and explore some nature!

The two older kids missed out because one wasn't feeling well, and the other had homework. I'm sure it would have been different if we said we were going out for frozen yogurt!

Anyway..my husband bikes on this trail, and it's also a nice walk. I just fear that a mountain lion will jump out of nowhere! I'm so NOT the outdoorsy type!

So, this was a good three hours, all the way around! Great scenery, beautiful weather, and quality family time. What more could I ask for?

 This is where you first walk in, and up a little hill. See the jogger in the back? lol

Gotta have the token family picture!

Love this picture of my husband and youngest son! 

And you gotta love the "sun in your eyes" shot! Kinda looks like my husband is winking at the camera!

My New Favorite Food Blog!

One day, I was searching high and low for some new dessert recipes.

That's when I stumbled across Sally's Baking Addiction!!

I was instantly excited because her recipes were not complicated, and the comments she received had all rave reviews!

I started out making cupcakes, and then I went onto three of her muffin recipes (I'll post pics of those later). But, today...I made the most delicious banana chocolate cinnamon streusel muffin!!! 

Love her blog!!!!

Breakfast With The Boys!

I had errands to do one morning, and I bribed two of my boys to go with me. Going out to breakfast always works! 

We Will Never Forget

Wordless Wednesday

 

Dinner With Friends

 This past weekend, we celebrated my BFF's hubby's 47th birthday!

What's better than awesome friends and delicious food? Not much!!

My friend reserved a private room at the restaurant (The Grill),  and had a personalized menu for her husband. The date says September 8th because that is his actual birth day.

Is that cool or what? Oh, and excuse the pictures, the room was a little dim, and I had to use my flash. Anyway, everyone got to choose what they wanted for their first course, entree, and dessert!!

But first, for appetizers, she ordered this amazing artichoke dip!!! I think this is the best we ever had!

 Fried calamari! Perfectly seasoned!!

 My husband chose jumbo shrimp cocktail for his first entree.

But, I don't know if it was better than my Ahi Tuna Tartare! This was amazing!

With your main course comes grilled veggies and mashed potatoes. I forgot to take a picture of the mashed potatoes. I think we were all getting excited to eat!

 

Yes, I had the New York Strip!! It really was that big!

My friends husband got the Blackened Ahi Tuna.

And for dessert, I had to get the brownie pie!! Mmmm!!

My husband loved the Key Lime Pie!

Here are some friends and family of theirs that were there.

My friend, her hubby, and their two boys!!

Hubby, BFF, and me!

Yes, we love selfies!

The "couple" picture!

My First Time

Making these bad boys!!

The first time I've seen these was years ago, when my mother in-law made them!

 I thought it was genius!!

Over the last few years, I've seen them all over the place!

Since I had a cake mix and a huge box of ice cream cones, I thought I'd give it a shot!!

I found it's easiest to place the cones in a mini cupcake pan to bake!

And voila!! Totally cute!!!!

Marble Nails!!

This was probably my third attempt at marble nails! I don't have it down yet, but it's so fun to try. This was actually a few months ago, and I still need lots of practice!!! I have to admit though, that it's alot easier than it looks!

I'm linking up with The Nail Files!!

 

Beautiful Nevada Sky

We were at my in-laws this past weekend, and the sky was just GORGEOUS Saturday evening!! I've never seen anything like it, so I had to capture it right then and there!!!

Sentimentality

My beloved mother in-law passed last December.

It was unexpected, and it left all of us with a big hole in our hearts.

Not only was she a loving wife and mother, but an exceptionally wonderful, loving grandmother.

There were no favorites. Everyone was equal in her eyes.

She was married to my father in-law for over 50 years. Amazing.

It's sad to see him live out the rest of his life on this earth without her. But, he's doing it, and he is a lot stronger than he realizes.

Our biggest comfort is that she gave her life to the Lord many years ago. We have that assurance that we will see her again one day.
 
So, little by little, my father in-law has been parting with things in the house that he doesn't need or use anymore.

One of the things is her vehicle. We were blessed to take it home with us this past weekend. It's like a piece of her is still with us. She took such great care of it, and I know that she would be happy knowing that we are taking care of it, too.

Here's a picture of all my kids with her and my father in-law. This was taken a couple of summers ago. One of my favorites!!!

Until we see her again, she will always be missed...

Pho Saigon

My husband could eat Vietnamese food all day...everyday, if he could.

And not just the Pho (soup) that is so widely popular these days. There's so many other dishes to choose from. I personally prefer the ones with rice!

I know once he see's this, he's going to crave for it again!

Like sushi, we have our "go to" Vietnamese restaurant. The owners here are super friendly, and we come here so often, they already know my order!

We always start with the fresh spring rolls for an appetizer. The peanut sauce is so good! I need to find the recipe for this! 

My husbands favorite! Beef Pho.

My favorite! Beef short ribs with egg fried rice! So bomb!!

And we just discovered this dish (thanks to one of our sons). This is a pork chop, with shredded pork on the side, and an egg noodle cake, and fried egg!

This is their beef onion roll over vermicelli noodles. Oh my gosh. To die for!

Manicure Monday!!

I'm so glad I found a blog to link up to on Monday's!! This also gives me a way to find other nail bloggers! I'm so excited!!

These are just random manicures I did on my own (on my natural nails) that I've done in the last few weeks/months!

This was my very first time trying a Color Club polish! I was surprised how good the formula was!! This one is called New Bohemian.

Since I'm always buying nail polish, my older ones seem to get neglected. Using them again feels brand new! This is one is Master Plan.

Now, this is a new one! From the 2014 Fall Collection is Ryan! Isn't it gorgeous?!

And lastly, for this week is another oldie but goodie. "Areej."

I'm linking up with Glitter and Gloss for Mani Monday! Click here check out other mani's!

Scripture Sunday

"And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."-Colossians 3:12-17

Thirteen Years In A Row

It feels like yesterday when my husband agreed to coach our kids soccer teams because the original coach backed out at the last minute.

Who knew he would still be coaching these many years later!

But, not only that, my husband and I are now on the board. Go figure!

And, two of our kids referee!!

It's a family thang!

This past weekend were the first games of the season! What a great way to start by having a shut out!! 5-0! Not that we're competitive or anything. It is a recreational league! Yah...go tell that to the parents!

Beautiful, sunny California weather! Couldn't be more perfect! 

Got to get that mommy & me photo op first!

Girls are warming up!

Game time! 

We won!

Friday Photo Flashback

I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you.

1994-Honolulu, Hawaii

Back when life was "simple." Pre-kids!!

My Simple Nail Art

This is some of the simple nail art that I've done in the last weeks/months. Practice makes perfect, and I have a long way to go!

 

 

I also linked up the nail files!! If you want to see other beautiful nail art, click here!