Cool Air

Even though we live in Laguna Niguel, cooler than Mission Viejo, it still gets pretty hot upstairs. We noticed there was wiring for a fan in our master bedroom, so we found a fan at Costco (actually we bought two...one for Alex's loft office). Our Sunday afternoon was spent putting it together...I directed and Alex did the work, since it was too high for me to reach, and too heavy. What a way to make a marriage strong...work on a home put-it-together-project. We did have fun and slept great under the quiet new fan! Here are some pictures!

Griffith Observatory

On Sunday we went with our friends, Bryan and Tussany to L.A. for lunch at the Farmer's Market at the Grove and to go to the Griffith Observatory. The drive up and back was awesome...hardly any traffic, compared with last weekend. I had never been to the Famer's Market...what a cool outside pick of any cuisine! I was most amazed by the Observatory...the views, the displays of cameras, telescopes, planets, stars, etc. We watch this show on a dome ceiling showing stars and great discoverers. I can't wait to use this in my lessons at school...very math related! Here are some pictures!

Thai Town & Transformers

This past weekend we went with 3 other couples from our church to Hollywood. We ate a delicious lunch at a Thai restaurant...my new favorite type of food. We went to ArcLight Theater to see Transformers...pretty cool on a HUGE curved screen and SURROUND sound! Fun night with special friends!!!

Our New Years Weekend Projects

Alex and I spent our New Years Eve sick with colds...cuddled up on the couch ringing in the New Year. On New Years Day we watched the Rose Parade (my favorite part of the day) and just RELAXED! What a blessing it is to spend a day not being busy with the day-to-day challenges of life and just enjoy each other's company!

Friday was spent at Lowe's and Home Depot (we ended up getting more help at Home Depot for our purchases, though). Saturday was our project day...The timer for our porch light "died", so I installed a light switch instead.

The "Door Viewer" (peep hole) needed to replaced, so with a little drilling to make the hole bigger, we now have one we can actually see through.

I replaced the old Thermostat with a Digital/Programable Thermostat.

The timer in the garage that turns on the lights outside above the garage also "died", so I replaced it with a new timer.

Finally, I have been trying to figure out why our sprinkers won't turn on anymore with our timer (the timer works, I replaced the caps to the wires and the solenoids) but I'm stuck on this one...

Together, Alex and I unscrewed the three bottom built-in cabinets from each other, the counter, and wall in our loft. We thought this would be simple, but we encountered a few problems. A few of the screws were in so tight we couldn't get them out, the counter top was heavy, and the cabinets were even heavier! We did manage to get them out and they are now in the garage!

My 28th Birthday

My 28th Birthday was so much fun this year! Alex and I drove up to Mt. High to go snowboarding because I got in free (since it was my birthday). It's been a couple of years since we had been, but we picked it up pretty well. That night we went to my parent's house for dinner. Mom made lasagna, salad, and garlic bread (my request). And for dessert..a soy mud pie! It was so special to be with my husband, my parents, grandma, and brother! Presents? Alex got me a Humidifer (yeah! I can breathe at night now), I got a label maker (watch out ... I'm already labeling things around the house), and a Drill (yes...I'm very excited about tools now that I'm a homeowner).

Alex Graduates From Pepperdine!

On Saturday, December 6, 2008, Alex graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management! I am just so proud of my husband! He began taking classes as Saddleback College while he was still in the marines and transfered to Pepperdine when he completed his assignment. Alex worked full time and went to school at night, and still was such a wonderful husband! I was blessed to live at home when I went to college, so I wanted to make his college time easy...so I too on the chores, all of the cleaning, and any other tasks that would otherwise add to his workload. Boy did it pay off! He is enjoying this week being able to come home after work and not having to stress about homework, projects, or tests. I decorated the house as you will see in the pictures for the reception we held at our home that afternoon!

Thanksgiving

This year we went to Alex' parents house in West Hills (Los Angeles) for Thanksgiving. We had such a wonderful time with his parents and sister enjoying a turkey seasoned with rosemary, mexican cornbread stuffing (gluten free for Alex), mashed potatoes (my specialty), yams, cranberry sauce, and green beans. I made gluten free brownies for dessert (from Trader Joes) and they were a huge hit!