This time of year.....

Last night was our Soccer Banquet. Set at the Eagles Nest Clubhouse....we celebrated. Gathered with friends...and watched our girls bask in the honors of award acceptances....

Take note of Kali's heels. Super cute. She HAD to have em. And of course....the walk out at the end of the night? ...Oh the torture we go through for beauty....

Varsity Senior Girls...2011-2012

Cass, Kali, Kelly and Mackenzie 2011-2012- Los Alamitos High School JV Team

Cute shoes! Cass and K

Bestfriends.

Bestfriends and Mama.

My baby birdie is getting quite tall!

The famous candy bar.

One of my besties....I persuaded Kyoko to serve on the board this year. She did quite the job. From beginning to end. Vice President. Organizer. Awesome-sauce! My little treat was to meet before our board meetings for Happy Hour at Taco Surf. For one brew, and 2 tacos. It's the little things....

Mama's and little sweet-peas.....

Sugarplums.

JV Girls. I was lucky enough to serve them as the Rep again this year. It's so neat to see them evolve into young women. Growing, learning athletes.

Standing in line to get their awards. They sure clean up well!

Sav (Varsity Goalie) and Calah (Family, through family....)

Phoebe and Kelly....

The two girls...heading toward the candy bar....causing a raucus....

The candy bar has now opened.....

Caught...tossing candy....BUSTED! Look at Kali's face. LOL! Look at Mac's face. They had both just tossed candy at Bill.....haha!

Hurry...puulleeeze, my feet are killing me.....

And so the night ended. After a yummy dinner, laughter from a slideshow, and candy bar with friends...just like that...season is officially done. We on the board have finished our duties...our topics are closed. Until next season...

Yes, my shoes can come off soon....my High School Soccer has wrapped for now...Time to go home, crawl into my cozy bed....and get up and do it all over again! haha. Cheers!

It's these moments.....

Last weekend while Kali and I stayed home for her soccer tournament...Bill planned to head down into Mexico (Las Salinas) to be exact. His parents have a couple of houses down there. Such a beautiful spot. Such beautiful people. Right on the sand. Just the perfect spot. We haven't been back in a few years because of the rumors of crime. It's there. It's here. But they needed to check on things. The perfect time. Both parents ready. Bill ready. And they were off. Bill was, I'm very sure, a little worried. Not so much about the crime, but more of taking two parents that view mobility as sometimes frustrating. Nothing stopping them. They were so happy to be assisted into the truck. Heading to what they have always called "Their little slice of heaven". Shirley warming in the sunshine. I can only imagine the memories and thoughts that are fluttering through her soul as she sat there basking in that beautiful sunshine...

As Bill parted, I knew he'd have work cut out for him. I also prayed they'd find some good times, good food, making new memories...catching up and reminiscing. Staying safe all along. We didn't call eachother because of the rates...but these are the memories they made. A new beautiful restaurant owned by a retired guy from Southern Cali...right on the sand. Less than a mile from their house. Amazing food. Super service. Bill said it is beautiful inside and out... Simply awesome to see this.

This man. The many memories. The stories he can tell. Hardworking. Determined. Gaylord. Love him.

I asked Bill to take as many pictures as he possibly can. There are many. I love them. So much.

(View from their porch at beach house...steps to the water...When Kris and Kali were younger you'd be able to ride atv's on the sand in front of the house..and camp right on waters edge- no mas! ) And so this trip was marked with new good times. Defining why they built this place. They cleaned, they moved things around. Packed some things up to bring home.... As Bill and parents dis-embark at their house, after having "street taco's" and visiting the places they have for years....With NO WORRY of crime. They simply DO NOT care. They just care to enjoy something they built. Looking back, reaching forward....memories....As they exit the truck, Gaylord conducted his normal inspections, and immediately started to work around the house. In the garage, around the house, inside and out. Without his cane. Gaylord has used his cane daily for the last couple of years. He moved around the house, in and out of the garage, with NO CANE! Their trip offered several things. Opening the many good times they all shared there. Checking out something that made them smile on so many occasions. They dined together, sat in quiet and talked (no TV)....and made a weekend out of simply "Checkin' on the houses". When Bill shared their weekend stories with me, he smiled. He gleamed with memories that will always remind him...."It's these moments..." Hope everyone is having a great week so far. We have our soccer banquet tonight. Enjoy the weather to come this weekend here in So Cal by planning a new soup you'd like to make. Or something yummy to bake your family. Cheers to cold beers!

Sail on....to Sunrise SOCCER.....

Last night Bill and I headed to Randy's "Border Run" Kick off party...Held down in Newport...we took it as a date night...and time to catch up with Randy and Carmen....
The Host & Hostess....Lots of planning....to arrive at the night....
Sail Race Meeting...going over the territory, water to cover..and safety questions with answers....

A packed house when we arrived.....
Staff prepared to answer questions.....

Exciting view of how it all starts...and where you end....
My sweets with Randy's sweets....
As we sit with them...people continue to come up with comments, questions, testimonials...little stories...I don't think Randy ate dinner....
Our friend Russ. Ready to take on the water...He took the shorter course...which is 10 hours long. Long course is 18 hours long. UGH! Sail boats are beautiful...but you can't catch Bill and I on them in sailing waters. OR we turn green...green green!
Carmen sponsored her friend Lisa with a new tank top!
Bill and I were on our way out....and looked over at a cute little pub across from the meet. Hmmmm.. Yes, let's go in for one. Bill and I both had early mornings. Soccer for me, and a drive into Mexico with parents for him.....
Home at 11pm, out by midnight...up at the lovely hour of 5:00am for me! It's these early mornings preparing for games in neighborhoods I am not too familiar with, that keep me up and out early. Waking up the little Miss was quite the task. She is so tired, and with her busy schedule and studies, she really likes to sleep in a little...and that only means to 7 for Kali. But waking her at 5:30? No Bueno.....

After arriving in the city of Anaheim, and finding my ever so favorite Starbucks, we played on a beautiful sunshiny morning. The perfect morning for soccer. We tied 0-0. We head back today at 2 for the second game of the day....and as I type, Kali is relaxing in bed...I'm blogging and doing my normal laundry routine, preparing meals for this evening, and tomorrow...I hope everyone is enjoying this awesome day. Can't ask for better temps. Not too hot, and not too cold. Cheers!

Cup of LOVE from the LOVE Owls....

Growing up as a child, I have vivid memories of a house filled with Macrame and Owls...everywhere. Owl cups, owl pictures, owls made out of macrame, and owl chimes. Every time I see them, I think of my parents. My mom doesn't collect them any more.
This morning while sitting at my desk on this beautiful day....I receive a "text" message. The name shows "Mom". I don't receive text messages from my mom. We also received a couple pictures from their garden. All their bulbs have bloomed. The most amazing Tulips. Kali deleted hers, I did too. ugh. I quickly opened it to see this. I imagine my parents are outside, on their beautiful patio on 8 acres of land... enjoying their cup-o-joe...with the mug I sent them. Pictures of us scattered all over it. Ohhh it's the simple cute things....Thank you Mom. That made my day....Happy Friday everyone! And what a beautiful one it is! Tonight we celebrate at the Newport Balboa Yacht Club for Randy and Carmen's Yacht race. "Border Run" This sail race starts in Newport, and ends in San Diego by the border tomorrow. Kali has a 7am check in for soccer, and another game at 3:30pm. Same field, same day. We will miss a babyshower, the end of the race and party, and possibly a brunch Sunday morning....I LOVE soccer...LOL! ....Enjoy whatever you do everyone. Make it fun. Life is crazy fast. Work hard to play harder!!! Chow!

Sunshine...Sadies...Seals.....

This picture is out of order...but this is the finished plan of Kali's question to Gianni for Sadie Hawkins...Read on, you'll see her little plan for us...and of course for him. So sweet.

Gianni and Kali

2012

With a weather forecast calling for low 80's on the beach...we couldn't resist our "Sittin' on the dock of the bay" mode. Kali and I had a date night Friday night...(oh how I cherish those...especially now with her busy social/soccer life). Bill and I sat dockside with a yummy dip and 2 margarita's. Just us.

Funny trying to take a picture of us.

Bill and I were asked to be part of this scheme. Of course WE JUMPED at the opportunity to do so....

The theme this year is The Hunt...kind of like "cat & mouse".."cheetah & hunter...etc.....Don't really know how else to explain it..Kali's plan before asking Gianni was "cop & robber". She's the cop...he's the robber. I had more cute ideas...but she insisted on this. She then asked her brother to make this ticket for her...and so he did. Her plan: For Bill and I to head over to the restaurant...put the ticket on his dash, and the sign on his plates. Their dinner reservations were at 6:00pm. We headed that way...had dinner ourselves close by DIFFERENT restaurant...and when she gave us the "green light", we did as she asked. I also was told, DO NOT come near, or in the restaurant. Under NO exceptions. HAHA! And to NOT hang out. I promised her. We'd go, do our task and leave.

The question.

Creating more fun memories.

All done. We weren't told NOT to take pictures. She knows ME better than that. With no questions asked. I will always take pictures....Note: The person that wanted to park two rows over until they came out? Her Dad! Yes...you read this right. HE DID. I insisted she'd hear the truck start up. I'd get the blame....and so we headed home. She wanted to take her little group out in the little boat...for a ride, on a perfectly warm mild night. We went home, got the boat loaded with blankets...and set the music for her.....So cute to see them cruise off. Never did I imagine that day. Ever. So funny. Her driving her boyfriend off in that little boat. Sighhhh

This picture I caught the next morning made me crack up. The city trimmed all the trees across the harbor...sooo trimmed back. No home for the Egrets. No more nests. No more families of the many bird families that lived there....They were all gone. Back in October. Gone. Well...They're baaaaack... HAHAHA- My love for birds will always be. Every summer we watch them come and go with our binoculars...looking forward to that this summer too....

We woke on Sunday with even better weather. Talk about amazing. Bill, Kali and I headed over to our favorite little spot Woody's for breakfast. When you walk along the coast in the morning and you aren't cold at 9am, you know the day is gonna be perfect....and so after breakfast we headed out to the sand....just to say hello to Catalina....

And because I was dressed to work out...I decided to run along the beach to the jetty. Get that breakfast burning....I ran. Along side this dude. So sweet....

Once I reached the end...or close to, I look over and he caught a fish. The delight in his face.

One of my favorite birds....They were feasting too....

Many surfers out...NO WAVES OUT!

Just these yittle ones....

The view to Catalina...and Palos Verdes on a clear sunshiny Sunday...the perfect way to kiss the weekend goodbye...another reason to LOVE life. It's these little simple things.

When I got back from my little run....I sat down next to Bill,(Kali headed back home to study) and looked around. It always feels so good to sit on the sand next to him in the sunshine. I notice a "paddle out" memorial setting up camp. Flowers being brought to a table. Hugs given to eachother....Many many surfboards being set in the sand. A feeling of sadness lurked in the view from where I sat. I looked down, and seen this shell. It's a heart. I love heart rocks. Can you imagine a sea shell as a heart? I love anything from the Earth that naturally resembles a heart. I hope those people paddled out in the beautiful sunshine remembered the good times. I am sure there were many. I am sure they shed tears, and I know the ocean loved those flowers they brought. My wish for all of you... Remember to tell those you love, you do. Because sometimes you aren't given a second chance. Life is fast. Life is so fast. Happy Monday everyone....Another week, another day..and another chance to do what you can. Muah!