Trojan Pride

This week our friend, and Chris' future co-worker, Dre was in town from Michigan & we went to a USC basketball game. Basketball is one of the sports i actually enjoy. It was fun to see Dre & hang out. We were amazed at the PRIDE USC students & alumni have--everyone (but us) was DECKED OUT for the game! Even Dre & his mom (Dre did his undergrad at USC). It was basketball, which isn't their "big" sport like football and people still came showing their colors.
We will probably start going to more games (volleyball, etc. ) because we had so much fun.
I can handle sports when I am there, but I still struggle with watching them on tv--unless its basketball.

Side note: Chris is almost a USC Alum! 2 1/2 months to go!

So Much & So Many To Love

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
I love Valentines Day. Totally Commercial I know, but what a fun way to show people you love them! I think its great to have an excuse to do something nice!
Although Chris is my Valentine, I had a few others this year too!

Chris & I spent V-day in AZ. Although it wasn't very romantic, it was fun. Chris surprised me with a FREAKING AWESOME WATCH! Seriously, no other way to describe it. Its for running, it has a GPS & heart rate monitor & sooo much more! (he spoiled me, we are poor & in school..this was waaaaaay too much...but i still kept it ;) ). Chris got to golf & he got an iPhone! (although not a surprise, his blackberry died so he knew it was coming)

When we got home from AZ Chris caved & took me to a dinner & chic flick, since in his words "how much more Valentiney can you get?". We saw 'He's Just Not That Into You'. It was dumb, but funny. Chris just thought it was dumb. :) I am easily amused I guess.

I love this guy.
& he loves me.
Happy Valentines Day!

Over the River & Through the Woods..

This past weekend Chris & I decided to go visit some of my family in Arizona. I was born there & most of my mom's side is still there. The motivation to go was my Grandma Irene (mom's mom). She is 92 & amazing! My grandpa passed away a few years ago & it had been a while since I had seen my grandma & I really missed her. Also, Chris had yet to meet that side of my family, so we thought it would be a great time to go..(my mom's side is HUGE! to give you an idea: my nephew Dylan who was just born was there 119th GREAT grand child..my mom is one of 9 kids, and most of them had 7 or MORE each..you get the picture).

So it wasn't exactly Over the River & through the Woods...it was more like....Over the State Line & Across the Desert....WHAT an adventure..Let's just say I wont be falling asleep on any more of our road trips..Here's the story in a nutshell:
Chris & Mari driving happily down the freeway, fa la la la la...
Mari is getting dozy..it's 11:30pm & she worked all day...
The Gas light beeps, Mari says "You need gas..get gas Chris"
Chris says "This is the PRIUS Mari, Ive got at least another 150miles to go, Ill hit a gas station before Im out"
Mari "Are you sure?"
Chris "Yes!"
Mari dozes off....
WAKES UP TO LIGHTS FLASHES & CAR BEEPING...
OUT. OF.GAS. IN.THE.MIDDLE.OF.THE.ARIZONA.DESERT.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!!?!? It's 1am...and LUCKILY (if you'd call it luck) we only had to run a few miles to get gas, LUCKILY the gas station was open...and LUCKILY this is the longest stretch of desert without a gas station so this station was fully stocked with EXTREMEMLY overpriced gas cans..awesome.
Did I mention it was FREEZING, pitch black, we were running on a 6ft space next to 75mph semi trucks..WOW. Awful.Awful.Awful!

However, we arrived. We were safe. We laughed about it the next day (although Chris probably will never hear the end of it). Arizona was awesome, too short, but worth the chaotic drive. My extended family is awesome. I wasn't able to see everyone, but I was able to see my cousin Jill, Amy, Nicole, Noelle, Naomi, Brian, Bradley, Collin, & Coltin. They are all so tall! Coltin is 16 6'03" (his bro on a mission is 6'05"). Anyway, my parents were there also--man I miss them. They are so much fun. I really love how Chris & my dad have bonded, they golf & fish & talk sports...two of the most important people in my life are friends! Couldn't be better. Aubrie came with my parents, which was such a TREAT! she is such a cute little girl, i miss her. Here are some pics from the trip!
Let me add, my dad takes some freaking awesome pictures. He cracks me up. I would not change one thing about him.

Chris, Grandma Irene, and Me.
My grandma is amazing. She has such a legacy & I am so proud to be apart of it. She has books & books full of letters, stories, photos & cards from her entire life. She kept everything. What TREASURES! I am so grateful she kept everything so that the rest of us can enjoy & learn from her life. I can only hope to be the woman she is & live the life she has lived. She is still healthy & happy. She entertained us with stories & cute giggles. I know she misses my grandpa very much, as we all do, but I am happy to have her around for as long as we can. Love you Grandma.

Aubs & I being goofs.

Dad & Mark

Nicole & I
(can you believe she had a baby 5wks ago?! She looks awesome!)

Mark, Dad, Chris

Me, Aubs, Chris

shoes speak world about people..

Chris sitting like me..

Chris sitting like Mom..

I love this little girl, Im a proud Aunt.

My sweet, sweet mama

Three generations

My mom & her baby brother Mark

This is what Aubrie did the entire time..she found a spot to perk, and played her DS..if she wasn't doing this, she was singing OUT LOUD with her headphones (see video below)

Spring Fever!

It seems this year has started out with a theme for me: Be Healthier! Not sure if it's all of the amazing Organic Cooking Classes that I assist with from my savvy mother-in-law, the constant push & motivation from the blog my sisters started tracking their goals etc OhMyChubbiness, or the new fun blog my sister-in-law & I have in our pursuits to a fresher, healthier lifestyle BeHealthyBeHappy--2009 has got me thinkin' about being a better, happier, healthy me! And it's totally addicting! I am loving new recipes & trying new things (HOT YOGA!), etc. Maybe it's because I don't have kids yet??
I totally suggest you check out these blogs periodically if you need a boost (or a laugh!). The Ohmychubbiness blog is open too, so if you'd like to participate in the fun I can forward you my sister's info. Comment, Follow, Participate...Whatever! The more the merrier!

I certainly hope this fever lasts! I might actually keep up this no cavity thing & get me some biceps!

Surprise!!

My friend has this on her blog, and in order for me to win some curiously awesome prize from her..I must do this too! (one must give to recieve) I normally don't do this stuff, but I think this could end up pretty funny!

Here it is. and I plan on carrying this through. Lucky you! The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. {might be a little while}
4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or maybe even some creation I haven't even invented yet (but Heaven knows it will most likely be super shiny or look like it got attacked by a bedazzler). I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch?

Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!

* * *Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!***

History has been made.

What a GREAT day today has been...
The sun is shinning, it was a perfect 75 degree Southern California day.
Work was easy.
It was payday.
I had carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
I talked to my mama on the phone.
Hit zero traffic.
Had a great work out.
And came home to a clean apartment...

Oh, and did I mention...I went to the dentist and FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I HAD NO CAVITIES!! (for some of you this is quite normal but for me its rare- I spent about $8,000 this past summer on my teeth-that was just one summer! They are rotten horrid & I hate them).... So as you can see, this day marks HISTORY for me!
Call me crazy, but I am pretty dang excited about it.
(plus this is going to be a book for Chris & I when once we print it & I have to have this day marked!)

Now excuse me while I go & buy myself a treat for a reward....j/k! (about the treat, not the reward...eh Chris? eh?)