Labor Day Tourists

Have you ever taken the whole weekend to tour your own little city?  We had the opportunity to do just that Labor Day Weekend.  I have to admit.  It was so much fun.  I realized how beautiful our little cities are and how much there is to do. 

Our dear friends Ellen & Allen Johnson drove all the way from Phoenix to spend the weekend with us.  We had endless fun, talks and food all weekend long. 

Vincent was such a sport and moved into Amanda's room, The Johnsons in his room and Amanda, without any hesitation into our room.


We started the day in Santa Barbara of course with food. That of course is food on the water at Stearns Wharf.

Despite the fact that the birds attacked our feet.... Okay, the pigeons that Vincent tried to poison it was a great lunch.  Vincent had a big enough lunch to last past dinner.  So pretty much, he had Linner.  I wish I had a picture of it.  The poor guy literally could not walk afterwards.  BONUS.... Ran into my dear friend Eileen and her boys that I haven't seen since we moved away.  Such a treat. 

After driving the truck onto the Wharf above the water (freaked them out) Of course we have to ride along the beach.  I am realizing now, I do not take very good pictures.  They are not with the best backgrounds or right moments..... But at least I try I guess. 

Well. I did get a picture of Amanda on the cool bikes.  Next Surfing. Alan actually brought his board and Vincent was more than excited to go.  I don't have a picture of that. I stayed behind after pushing the BoB on the sand. I wasn't about to push it any farther.  It WAS too hard.  But I did capture this most beautiful moment! She slept pretty much the whole time they surfed.

Of course end the day with an amazing drive along the Santa Barbara Coast Line.  It literally does take your breathe away.

Told you.  How can you not luv that sunset.  So beautiful.

Amanda was so excited that Alan & Ellen spent the night.

its more beach time. this time baby sis is awake.

luvd just chillin on the beach "talking"

 

actual size

 

 

 

 

of course Brian made an amazing dinner in the dutch ovens

Stuffed salmon, potatoes and Salad... YUMMY

It was such an amazing weekend.  Fast and Testimony Meeting, Beach, Girl Talks, Surfing, Pancakes, Amanda and Vincent.  Such a great weekend. 

Thank you so much Alan & Ellen for making the trip all the way out here!!

WE LUV YOU!

 

Just The Two of Us

Just some random pictures of the two of us.

A night out with some friends in Solvang. 

 

Of course the Vineyards in Santa Ynez.  It's actually

very interesting how they make wine.  Who would've

thought?

Pool side at Brother & Sisters

A swanky little club. 

 

I am so blessed to have the greatest husband. 

 

Vincent.....Back at it

I luv this picture of the two of us.  I ride with Vincent rather than him riding with me.  He has completely surpassed my ability in riding. I ask myself how the heck did that happen?  He rarely rides, I have a brand new road bike, and more skills right?  Not the case anymore. 
We moved here the last week in July.  He has already competed in two Triathlons.  One of which he didn't even train for.  In fact he saw the posting the day before the Triathlon and entered it that afternoon.

With out training at all he competed in the Lompoc Triathlon.  He was beyond amazing.  Finished with the time of 1:21.  Pretty darn good I must say. 

Two weeks later he competed in a Triathlon put on by Vandenberg Air Force Base.  When we showed up, I was a bit scared for him.  These are people that MUST stay in shape.  That train on a regular basis and train hard!! Of course I didn't tell him.  I just prayed he could do this. 

A penny for your thoughts

I luv this picture that Brian took.  Great of Vincent AND one of his young men leaders in church.  Talk about being okay to elbow and not worry about it, too bad....

before he started he talked Amanda into warming up with him.  If you look really closely you can see her running after him trying to catch up.

Here he is.... Our 2nd Place (out of 7) Winner!!!! only 1 minute behind 1st place.....

 

YOU ROCK VINCENT!!!!

Another Recap of 2013

WOW!!!!!! Where has the time gone??? The last few months have been a little crazy. We put our house in Arizona on the market, sold it in June. Rented our neighbors house from middle of June to end of July. Amanda and I got the house ready to move (what was left after the first move) picked up the UHUAL & trailer and waited patiently for the loaders to show up. I will admit, it was pretty scary yet liberating driving that beast!

Meanwhile Brian was deepSea fishing in FL and Vincent had left in June. Sounds like Amanda and I were punked? Actually no. Brian's Farther's Day present was a trip to FL and spend a week with his parents and do a little deepSea fishing.  Meanwhile, we had packed up Vincent's car backed in June. He, not by my wishes drove by himself to Utah. He spent a week there and then drove himself to Lompoc. (54 miles North of Santa Barbara) Then he was off for a week of camping in Yosemite with the Youth in our new ward!

Okay, so not to drag this out any longer. We had an amazing send off party by our friends. Made it to Lompoc after a long LONG Long drive. Unloaded that day, mind you with the windows open! 

We have had do many things happen, Brian has been in the hospital a couple times, Vincent has a tough schedule his first semester of his Senior year and Amanda is enjoying all her cousins. 

We miss so many of our friends in AZ. 

This move has been wonderful for our family. Brian has lost weight and is able to function in this weather AND purchased another RV! Vincent is enjoying our new ward and so happy to be a Senior. Amanda, getting ready for potty training and heading to preschool. Mama, I have decided to go back to work as Amanda is heading to Preschool 1/2 day. 

Hopefully I will be better at my blog posts!!!! 

And he is off! Vincent would not let me take any other pics.... Sad face

That's right!!!!that thing is HUGE and has a trailer! 💪

Morning walks are the BEST!

Thank you to everyone with unloading the UHUAL, our party in AZ and most of all your LUV and friendship. 

❤ This post is for you Lacy Bennett❤

College Bound Cousin

Our nephew Jacob has been accepted to Embry Riddle University.  It is so beyond crazy to me that he is old enough for college.  Time has flown by WAY TO FAST!!!!
We had the wonderful privilege of having him spend the weekend with us and attended his Orientation with him.  Well, at least the boys went with him.  Boys day out!

Amanda was SO excited to go pick up Cousin Jacob at the Airport.  She LUVS airplanes. 

I luv this picture.  First that Amanda bonded so well with Jacob, they all have full bellies after a HUGE breakfast AND the boys are not making their normal funny serious faces.....

Unfortunately the trip was very short.  But I know they all had fun.  We were so blessed that Jacob asked us to go with him to his College Orientation.  I can not believe that he is College bound.  It was such a fun weekend with LOTS of laughs...

 

WE LUV YOU JACOB NATHANEAL DIAZ!  YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE AN AMAZING PILOT!!!!!

AMANDA IS 2!!!!!!

It is so much fun having Amanda in our lives.  We never ever expected that it would change our lives THIS much.  We are so incredibly blessed. 

On Amanda's actual birthday we take her to get her pictures taken for the year.  It is so much fun.

Favorite TV show.  Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. 

Yummy Yummy Icecream & Cake

LUV being a Princess.... Or at least playing one.  Sophia The First!

Eden, Amanda's Birthday twin...... They were born the same day, hospital just a couple hours apart. 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA & EDEN!!!!!!

 

Thank you to EVERYONE who came and made her night so incredibly special. 

EASTER

Easter was even more fun this year.  It seems it becomes more fun each year.

They both take coloring eggs so serious.

Vincent's are not so easy to find.....

Recapping 2013.... So Far

JANUARY 2013

I had the opportunity to work at the Phoenix Open.  I did not like admitting to the my boys that there is a LOT more that goes into Golf than I assumed.  I had So much fun and learned more than I ever imagined I would. 

 

 

 

FEBRUARY 2013

The main event in the house during the month of February was Volleyball Tryouts.  We were so proud of Vincent for making the Varsity Bulldogs Volleyball Team.  How do we celebrate???  SUSHI!!!

 

They have started their new bonding game....... Wrestling.  It's more like "dintdent come here" followed with a push and then she jumps on top of him.  He is such a trooper and such a good big brother. 

 

 

MARCH 2013

 

 

Pedi's with mom.........

 

She wanted to mow the lawn with Vincent and made sure she kept up. 

Amanda was right by his side all day long.

 



 

Going Old School!!! LUV that I found these pink curlers.  The same style that my mom used to put in our hair when we were little.  So happy that her hair is finally long enough. 

 

We stopped on the way home from Prescott to use daddy's new gun!! Well at least the boys did.