Beach Bums

The absolute best thing about living in SoCal is the beach. That alone, (and of course, Disneyland and “winter”) make SoCal livable.

I miss having a beach only 4-5 miles from home.  45 miles just isn’t quite the same.

Even if we spend the whole time in the sand or chasing the birds, every moment is sweet, magical bliss with a magnificent soundtrack of waves and gulls and laughter.

We’ve had to resort to coordinating playgroups at the beach, which conveniently give us the opportunity to visit UCLA friends. This week, we were lucky enough to see Karyna and Macy Bouslog and the Hodges (not pictured). It’s always fun to see these two together, since they are only 6 days apart.

Though we will be leaving for our yearly UT/Cabin trip later today, so hopefully we’ll get to have some more beach time at Hebgen Lake after the BAR. Not sure if I can wait that long, but I guess I’ll have to try.

The Blues

 

The Blues

Silly Billyness: Animal Sounds

Periodically while getting dressed, Liam and I will review body parts. He knows all the ones you would expect: eyes, ears, hair, head, teeth, tongue, hand, belly, toes. But the newest one surprised me: Knee (or his word "nnni"). Threw me for a loop since it isn't one we hardly ever talk about---didn't expect that one for at least another 6 months or so.

He is learning to communicate a couple words per day it seems like and always surprises me by what he understands (like the sound a bunny makes "sniff, sniff, sniff" or a what a fan does "blow").  He’s constantly trying to say new words, though usually they come out pretty mumbled, “b-ba” for basketball, “appada” means applesauce, “huh-ma” for help me, and “mk” for milk. It’s a good thing I’m around him a lot---most people would have no idea what he’s saying.

His personality is so funny to watch---he is constantly pointing out animals, making animal sounds, reading animal books, and pretending to be one. It never fails to make me laugh. His current favorites are:

Monkey: “ooh, ooh, ooh”

Dog: “Ba(rk), Ba, Ba”

Cat: “mmmow (as is “ow”, that hurt)

Bunny: “sniffing sound”

Cow: “mmmm”

Every once and awhile we’ll get a whinny or cheep from him, too.

In honor of Cow Appreciation Day, we dressed up as his favorite bovines and went to Chic-Fil-A to celebrate with free meals. 

When I put on my headband and told him I was a cow, Liam barked, and then proceeded to make his bunny noise. I think my costume must not have been very good.

We were going to go with our friends Cammie and her son Logan, but we had already left the house when she called to tell me that Logan was ready for a nap.

The time and embarrassment of going by ourselves was totally worth it.  Not only for the food (we paid a total of 3.44 for a kids meal, adult meal, and two shakes for tonight’s dessert), but Liam loved everything about the place.

Seriously, this was Silly Billy’s dream.  He LOVED every bit of his nuggets and chocolate milk, got to play in the indoor playground, got attention from everyone (he was definitely the best-dressed and cutest calf there), but he also got to hang out with his old buddy, the Chic-Fil-A mascot.

Had I known this would have been so exciting for him, we wouldn’t have gone so close to naptime and tried to convince Steve to dress up with us (wouldn’t that be something?).

Moo.

Silly Billyness: “High Five”

Silly Billy is OBSESSED with dogs.  He sleeps with a little stuffed dog and dog blanket, carries around 2 stuffed Dalmatians all over the house, points out pictures of dogs, and barks whenever he hears or sees a dog.   William loves to show pictures of dogs (especially pictures of our dogs) to Kiki, and share his toy dogs with them. It’s really quite amusing and I love that he’s like me in that way (What I don’t like, however, is when he decides to share his food with the dogs by throwing it from his high chair).

Liam recently learned how to give “Hi Fa”s (his words, not mine), and when he saw me telling the dogs to give High Fives, couldn’t be left out. It’s often the first thing he does when he sees the dogs after he’s been sleeping or out of the house.

Enjoy the videos.

High Five

High Five, Nike

What Happens in Vegas…

Will probably end up on our blog.

We ate (awesome food), drank (lots of water to combat the heat), and had a very merry time.

William and I had never been to Vegas other than the occasional pit stop on the way to/from Utah.  We were so excited to spend the weekend with the Reynolds---it had been nearly 6 months since we had seen them and we had a great time!

Julie and I got to hang out just girls (and the babies) while the men went to a fight downtown. It was great to catch up.

We had a pretty lazy weekend, though Steve and William did find some time to lift weights. William and I strength train together 3 times a week, and I really think it’s starting to pay off. You can tell how hard they’re working by all the grunting.

Exercising with Dad.

We didn’t get in as much exercise as usual, so we went hiking in Red Rock Canyon. 

We designated the husbands as pack mules.

Steven showed off our son to onlookers.

We played a rousing game of “Hide and Seek”.And the little boys played with rocks and dirt.  Typical boys.

Rocks and Dirt

After naps, we went to The Strip.

It was practically Disneyland---though maybe not quite the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

These 2 cute boys weren’t sure about each other at first (6 months is eternity to a one-year-old), but eventually warmed right up to each other. They were running and laughing,

Sharing car snacks,

playing the piano,

(being the musician that he is, Liam would not leave the piano alone).

and being totally silly together.

No, No, No.

We were even lucky enough to have the Titeras join us for a night, to have all 3 Musketeers together again.

Thanks to the Reynolds hospitality, we were able to manage a pretty amazing get-away for around $150 (including dog-sitter and gas!).

Hope to make it back sometime soon!

Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime?*

When all the world is green

Do you ride fish in a stream,

Or lazily dream on the beach as the clouds roll by?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?

Do you swim in a pool, 

and look really cool,

or play frisbee golf when Kevin stops by?

Is that what you do? So do I!

Oh, what do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?

Do you march in parades,

or drink lemonades,

or have watermelon to try?

Is that what you do? So do I!

 

We just love summertime! Three more months to do the fun things on our list!

*Words and music by Dorothy S. Anderson ©1964

So Long, Farewell

Liam and I spent yesterday in LA, saying goodbye to two of our favorite people, Shilpa Kedia and Marissa Tate. Both of our friends are moving to Phoenix within the next few weeks (though not together), and we will be sad to see them go---but glad to have a bright side to Phoenix layovers!

Marissa has been our friend since Steven’s bachelor days in the UCLA ward---we will miss her total awesomeness and amazing spirit. Liam couldn’t bear to watch her leave.

Shilpa (far left) was my cubicle buddy for almost three years at Progressive.  Her husband just finished residency at Cedar Sinai and they are moving on to the next phase of their life---including a little girl due this September that we plan to line up with Liam about 20 years from now. Liam already loves Indian food and cute girls so I don’t think it will be a hard sell.

It was great to see all my old work friends again, even though most of them have since left Progressive for bigger and brighter things. Liam’s “uncle” Kyle even made it out for a few minutes, though he declined to stay through the girl’s night.  Every time I visit, I miss the good times in LA---and the $1 tacos at Don Antonio’s. Yum!

Races and Places

I didn’t get into the St. George Marathon this year. Though I’m still not sure whether I should be glad or sad about this, I decided to make the Fontana Days 1/2 my last “Big Race” of the year.  I’ll probably do a few 10ks and 5ks, and maybe a few other low-key races, but Fontana Days was my focus race.

I spent months training with a friend, Lisa Anderson, logging countless miles on trails, uphill, and in heavy headwinds to prepare. Our hard work paid off as we both ran a fast race.

My two cute boys came to see me at mile 10. It was awesome to have the support of my favorite people. Steve accidently left the camera on video mode, so you folks get to see what 6:45 minute miles looks like. (Summit Ave and Sierra Ave).

Fontana Days 1/2---Mile 10

I was so happy to see Steven and William. I was feeling pretty tired at that point and wasn’t sure I’d be able to break 1:30. Seeing them cheer me on gave me motivation to finish as best I could.

In fact, I ended up beating them to the finish line!

I finished with a 1:28 half marathon---an 8 minute PR!!!  Lisa finished with an amazing 17 minute PR---1:33! Unfortunately, I had a hard time finding Steve at the finish and never ended up getting a picture of us cute racing girls before Lisa left.

William had a great time! He loved the balloons, music, and food at the finish line.

Turns out, 1:28 was fast enough for 2nd place in my division (8th OV Woman).  That’s my highest placing in such a big race.

Not only did it make me super happy to get such an amazing time, but I also got a really awesome 2nd place medal out of it.

And a very tired and sore body. What a perfect day!