Pool in the Clubhouse

Saturday morning we got an invite from Laura and Anthony to play pool at the clubhouse of their apartment complex.  We spent the morning in the garden, weeding, planting, and painting planter boxes, as you do, and decided a nice, fun break was exactly what we needed this afternoon.

So after a shower and some lunch we headed over, with camera in hand of course.  It's been a long time since we had played pool so it took a couple shots to warm up.

Of course it was Jamie and I vs. Anthony and Laura

We all tried to keep our focus in front of the camera.

Jamie and I did pretty well, ultimately winning the best of 5; 3-2 :)

We had a lot of fun and found out distraction is one of our opponents weaknesses, lol.

Mom and Dad joined us later for a game before dinner.  Not a bad Saturday afternoon.  I think next time we will have to hit the tennis courts.  I'll warn you here that tennis is not one of my strong points!

The Huntington Library

On Saturday we went out for the day to the Huntington Library.  The weather couldn't have been better, well Jamie was a bit hot but I was loving the sun.  The Huntington Library is now a botanical garden, library and museum.  The grounds are really impressive with different types of gardens and the museum has some amazing American art and furniture.

Here is the desert garden, some really unusual plants and some beautiful flowers!

Lot's of Cacti :)

This one could have come right out of a cartoon, lol!

This was from the bonsai garden and also looks like its out of an old Disney cartoon.

The Japanese tea garden was closed for renovation but we were able to peek in and see what it looked like from a distance.

Love this Frank Lloyd Wright dinning table, so awesome!

Did I mention I loved the sun that day!

The next two are taken from the Chinese Gardens.  They were really beautiful and peaceful.

Can you think of anything better to do than wonder around here on a beautiful spring day.  It was a really impressive museum and it was nice to have the variety and option to wonder the gardens, the art collection or see the house.  We spent a good four hours there and we still didn't see everything.  I think another trip out there is definitely a must.  I'm so happy spring is here and summer is not that far!

Amanda's Baby Shower

Last Sunday Amanda had her baby shower at Taco Rosa in Irvine.  We went for brunch which was amazing as usual.  Amanda is having a boy and is due June 3rd.  I can't believe it was only a year ago that they got married.

Here's Amanda and Mark with dessert, coconut cupcakes made by Natalie :) Mark was convinced to attend by Amanda.  Usually this is an all girls event unless it is a co-ed shower but she really wanted him there.  Eddie also went so he didn't feel too out numbered.  Of course the Laker game was on to keep them entertained.

 Some of the girls. 

Amanda opening our present, such excitement :)

 

Amanda and Mark got some pretty awesome stuff for their little boy.  I had a really good time and we even played some good baby shower games which really says a lot.  Normally I'm not at all for games but Natalie really thought these ones out and there were only 4 of them so we didn't spend the whole 2 1/2 hrs playing games and not being able to just talk.  Can't wait to meet the new edition, less than 2 months now.

Happy Birthday Angela!

Happy Birthday Angela!  Below are a few pictures of a great night out at Bistro 400.  The live Jazz music was great!! 

Achievements

Well, its bonus and review time for most of us and this year has turned out to be a pretty big year.  Jamie was promoted from a Research Chemist to a Research Scientist :)  I've been offered and taken a new position as a Data Analyst within the Regulatory Reporting team (yeah me).  My Dad was given two awards this year; Manager of the Year (for the 3rd time in his career) and the Lifetime Achievement Award!  No one deserves it more than him in my opinion :)  We've all worked hard this last year and it is nice to get some recognition.  Not a bad way to start the year! 

Orange Picking

While reading a magazine, we discovered there is still a place in Southern California where you can pick your own oranges.  Unfortunately, its not in Orange County but we enjoyed the drive inland and surprisingly didn't hit any traffic.  So last weekend the weather was perfect for some good old fashioned orange picking. 

Unfortunately we weren't the only ones in on this great idea, so the oranges were all the way up there.  Easy for someone with long arms not so easy for someone like me.

 Jamie had a much easier time

I still managed to get a few. 

It was $5 for a whole bag of oranges, which is pretty amazing.  We also picked a couple of grape fruits and some really nice looking lemons (although not as big as the ones growing in our yard :)  We had a lot of fun and learned its a bit harder than it looks, lol.  Now what to do with all these oranges...maybe some marmalade I guess!

Miss Us!

Have you missed us?  It's been a while since we last posted.  We've been busy but not really doing anything that exciting.  We have started to plant some things in the front yard, which I'm sure our neighbors are happy about and have been doing stuff around the house, getting pictures framed, buying storage racks for the garage.  Not too interesting to write about.  Jamie is also taking a woodworking class on Sundays.  I should have some pictures this weekend for the Super Bowl.  The picture above was taken last year in October at our Neighborhood Meeting.  Our signature Giant Battenburg and Marzipan Fruits that everyone loved :)