Elevators are for wimps

So on September 26th, Matt and his firefighter buddies did a "Stair Climb to the Top" competition put on by a local Los Angeles YMCA.  It was at the US Bank building in Downtown L.A., the "tallest office building west of the Mississippi" (according to Matt :).  They had to climb up 75 flights of stairs (ouch), donning their 50+ pounds of firefighting gear!  I made Matt take a camera along to document it (and so I could have some cool content for the blog, of course!).  I think he really wanted me to include him, too.  :) So here's some fun pics from his journey up...

The US Bank building- 75 floors tall!

Matt & some of his buddies BEFORE...

A beautiful view from the top.

Matt trying to catch his breath... DONE!!

Matt & the dudes, AFTER! Elevators are for wimps, baby!

Fireproof

So tonight Matt and I had a date night with our friends Cory and Amy.  We had a blast at Yard House and then ventured over to the theater to catch a flick.  After talking briefly with my mom today, we took her recommendation to see the movie 'Fireproof'.  We hadn't heard much about it, except it was about a fireman (actually Matt was making fun of it).  Let me just tell you, I don't think I have cried that much in a movie in a REALLY long time.  It was such a reality for us.  So many aspects of the movie were exactly like our life.  Scary.  

I can't tell you how many times recently I have felt God intervening in our lives.  I am usually not the one who pays attention to stuff like that either.  I don't know if I have been ignoring it, or I have just really needed it lately.  This movie was definitely a spiritual intervention for us. After we went home we looked up the website (www.fireproofyourmarriage.com) to find that there is a whole study and books that go along with the movie.  It was amazing to see that a portion of this website was devoted to firefighters' and 'first-responders' marriages.  They had some pretty shocking statistics about firefighters and marriage. Like how the divorce rate among them has gotten to almost 75%!!  

Needless to say, we ordered the study and books and I can't wait to get them.  Both Matt and I are adamant about putting each other first and, as they put it on the website "never leaving your partner behind".  

Ketchup

I realize that I haven't blogged in a very long time (as some of you have pointed out), so I thought I would just do a day of 'ketchup'. I needed to because we've got plenty of things going on soon that I will need to tell you about!

So have fun 'ketchin up'!

Howdy Y'All!

So last week, my sis and I had our trip to the 'Lone Star State' to visit our dad and stepmom, Diane. We had a blast with them! They are two of the most mellow and funny people, and I so enjoy visiting with them. Makes me realize just how much I miss them!  We went to some really beautiful parts of the country out there, and had plenty of food. I can't tell you how much we ate, and I don't feel guilty one bit!

Dad & Diane at a beautiful restaurant we went to in a little old town called Gruene (pronounced "green"). Super cute historical, rustic town. It was great! 

Amy, Blake & I at the same restaurant.

I asked Dad where we could get a good "Texas" burger. I think the name speaks for itself. It WAS a good burger!

Here's some pics from this 'dive' we went to called the Tip Top Cafe. It was featured on the Food Network on the show "Diners, Drive Ins & Dives". We all love that show, so we decided to go see if it was THAT good. The picture below shows just how GOOD it was. I got the special of the night, Chicken Fried Steak, and it was SO GOOD!! Definitely something I will only eat in Texas! We left there feeling pretty full, to say the least.

Another idea from 'Diners, Drive Ins & Dives'- Captain Crunch French Toast. But instead of driving to Baltimore where they served this, we decided to make it ourselves. Let me just say, it was the best french toast I've ever had, and will definitely make this one at home. 

Way to go Diane!

We were fortunate enough to be there for Dad's company picnic- Texas style. And do I mean it! Here's a picture of one of the armadillos from the races they had. They are gross little things. They also had a mini rodeo for the kids, casino tables, mechanical bull, and to top it all off, plenty of barbeque to fill us up for days! 

This is a view of the Guadalupe river that runs through San Antonio. It was so beautiful and relaxing. I wanted so bad to rent a "toob" and just float down the river...

One of the most amazing things we did was visit some underground caverns near Dad's house. We went on about an hour tour that goes 180 feet below the surface to see the most beautiful caverns in the world! It was so stuffy and humid down there, but worth every minute!

Thank you so much Dad & Diane for such a wonderful time. I had so much fun, and can't wait to see you guys again soon, I hope. Love you both!

(And for those of who have never been to Texas- yes, everything is bigger in Texas, and yes, they really DO say "y'all" all the time! :)

Fiesta!

So on Sept. 20th, we had una grande fiesta!  It was my Aunt Thelma & Sandy's BIG 5-0, and we sure made it big! We had all kinds of people in from out of town, from Oakland to Phoenix! Matt and I enjoyed hosting everyone at our house. (And you all know how I love to party plan! Ok, so I get a little crazy!)  Anyways, I think everyone had a good time, even with a little drama going on (wouldn't be my fam unless there was a little!). So here's a recap of some of the night... Ole!!

Uncle Bill (from AZ) and Gillian

Uncle (Cousin) Tony and Camryn

 

Cousin Andrea and her beau, Chad. You guys are too cute!

One of the festive centerpieces, my fav...

Party on peeps!

One of the birthday girls, Aunt Sandy, and Uncle Bill.

The other birthday girl Auntie Thelma & Jasmine. Beautiful girls!

I hope you all had a good a time as we did. I had a wonderful time planning for you guys. My Aunties are so special to me, & I hope you guys felt that. Love you & happy 50 to two wonderful and loving women!! 

Not just a loo..

So we've been contemplating redoing our main bathroom, but I just hadn't decided which design style to go with.  Then came along Corner Bakery.  You guys are gonna laugh your pants off, but I truly believe that inspiration can come from anywhere.  We were eating at our local Corner Bakery Cafe, when one of the children had to do the inevitable. So I meander to the restrooms, and what do I find? The bathroom I've been dreaming, wanting, wishing for!! Ok, so maybe not that dramatic, but I really liked it.  Now the trick will be to find these cute glass mosaic tiles in that same color scheme... (So far no luck!)  Tell me what you all think!

Snip, snip!

So we (I) broke down and realized that Blakers really needed a REAL haircut. And who do we turn to for all of our grooming needs? None other than our wonderful hair guru, Jen. She did such a good job, so quick!

Even Blake loves her!! Thanks Jen!