"Valencrimes"

A friend of ours wrote a scathing editorial one year with the aforementioned title referring to the blessed day of love as a "crime" against men, basically. This for the cliched and obvious reasons men WOULD think it's some sort of crime to have the expectation of an outpouring of romantic adoration for their lovely wives and girlfriends placed upon them.
While I did enjoy the article, I still love V-day. And as you will see, we welcome many different forms of expression of love in our relationship--even miniature race cars...

And thanks to Josie and Justin for coming with us and blowing a wad to speed around in little lawnmowers for a half an hour...oh, and for lapping me 48 times. In my defense, 27 and never had a speeding ticket, not one. Thank you.
Super fun, we'll see you at the tracks next year!
(PS Re: group photo--Hello gnome in the land of trees)

Girls Trip!

Last weekend I had a little reunion weekend with my friends from high school--Sarah, Sarah, Leah, and Kirsten (So yes, together we make Sarah, Sarah, Leah, Lia and Kirsten!) Here's Leah, Kirsten and Sarah at Kayla's basketball game on Saturday morning...

...us at the house...

...then we were off to the Westin in San Francisco! We met up with our other friend Sarah in the city and did a little shopping! Did I mention that we could see the Chinese New Year parade from our 26th floor window?!

And here we are at a little breakfast place called Mama's in North beach--it was an hour wait, but well worth it as you can see!


Such a fun weekend--I think it's incredible that whenever we get together, which is not too often, no matter how much our lives change, we can so easily pick up where we left off! Thanks for making it happen girls!

Somehow I missed some things...

Ryan's birthday was on January 9th. As it was HIS special day, he wanted to go to Sushi, so did Kayla, so I was outvoted:( We went to Blowfish Sushi--it was kind of a mod sushi place (complete with techno music) which you wouldn't necessarily picture children in (or US for that matter, because we're so not that cool), but they had multiple flat screens situated around the dining room with anime (of course) playing. The kids dug it. And the food. Me too actually (although make no mistake, I ate nothing that hadn't been cooked), we'll definitely do it again.

And to top off the evening, I went to an authentic Mexican bakery in East San Jose to get him his favorite, Tres Leches cake. Delish.
AND as if that wasn't enough, he got not one, but TWO calendars of TWO of his favorite things: VW Vanagons and wooden boats! (Kayla only smiles for pictures when you don't actually want her in the picture).

Then he went to Thailand for two weeks for Navy Reserve...this is where he stayed...and I stayed home with the kids...that's fair...

But he did bring us back some local treasures! Not pictured: 2 pieces of "designer" overnighter luggage for me, a purse, 2 wallets, pair of cute heels...he definitely came home with more than he left with! So, we took the gifts and forgave him for living in 5-star luxury for 2 weeks.

And of course, it wasn't ALL that bad staying home, thanks to my Mom! She came up and spoiled us for 2 weeks and we had a great time too! Thanks mom/Grandma Rose, we love you, but we're glad to have Ryan back too!