South Utah Trip

Brian Head


Roy and Filtz
Their solar powered House

Thunder Mountain


Canyon-erring

The road back to the cars

The 7 go to Napa

A couple weeks ago, I headed to Napa with my best girlfriends. These are all the girls that were bridesmaids in my wedding. We've been friends for what seems like forever (in a good way of course!) For a while, we had been going on short trips together for each others weddings, etc. It had been three years since our last trip, so we were well overdue! So we decided to head to Napa! What a great time of sharing, laughing, relaxing, and quality girl time.

On Friday morning, we all flew up to San Francisco and took the BART to Concord where Alissa picked us up. We headed to her house and her and Tim made us a fantastic lunch before our short drive to Napa. It was really fun to see their house since they've been doing all the remodeling!

Here's us eating lunch in their backyard.


After lunch, we loaded up the car and headed to Napa. We rented a wonderful house with a gourmet kitchen and a spa!



We had lazy mornings with no schedule! That was nice!


On Saturday, we got massages and then headed out to the wineries in the afternoon. We went to V. Sattui first. Then headed to Sterling. Both were excellent wineries.






V. Sattui winery had some pretty amazing wines. We also had our picnic lunch here.








At Sterling, you take a gondola to the top of the vineyards. It was a beautiful view from up there. Did I mention the weather was PERFECT?! For the wine tasting here, you go on a tour of the winery and taste along the way. Then you end up at a room / patio where they serve you at your own tables. Much better than standing at a crowded tasting counter!

On Sunday, we made breakfast at our house, then headed out again. We visited a winery that looked like a castle and then headed to the Culinary Institute for a cooking demonstration and dinner.






Here we are at the cooking demonstration with the chef. He showed us how to make a 7 (which I thought was rather appropriate) vegetable couscous. It was amazing! I can't wait to make it at home.




Outside at the Culinary Institute.


This is the herb garden where the cooks come and pick fresh herbs for cooking. Awesome!




Dinner. Probably one of the best meals I've ever had!


The 7: Alissa, Meghan, Missy, Heidi, Sara, Val & Juliana

I'm so thankful for my girls. I can't wait for our next getaway! Maybe Hawaii???

New Shutters!

Jon and I are so excited to have new shutters in our home! We previously had ordered some and got ripped off when the company went bankrupt! Not only did we not get our shutters, but we didn't get our money back either. Finally, we sucked it up and ordered new ones from Apollo Shutters in Santa Ana. They did a great job and were much more reasonably priced! Here are a couple pictures.

Kern River Trip

Together we all made it down the seven Tea cup. It consisted of about 12 repels and 2 water fall jumps.


The easy way down.


Repeling in a water fall.


Sam making it look easy.


Dana on one of the slide Rocks.

Bangkok Corner 2

Recently a new Thai restaurant opened near us in Tustin called Bangkok Corner 2 (the first Bangkok Corner is in Costa Mesa). Anyway, we have REALLY been enjoying it lately. It is a casual hole in the wall kind of place with incredible food and great prices! So if you're ever in Tustin and looking for some good Thai food, call us up and we'll take you there. I highly recommend any of the curry dishes, but I think my new favorite is the Pineapple Shrimp Curry! Yum!


Me with my pineapple shrimp curry!


Jon with Muk outside the shop. (It's on Irvine Blvd. at the corner of Old Irvine)

Destin, FLorida

Last month, I headed out to Destin, FL again with my sister. This year, the whole family came (except Jon). It was another great trip. Beautiful white sands beaches, lots of good food, and lots of laughs. The weather didn't cooperate completely, we had rain nearly every day. But we still made the best of the sun we did have. I didn't take a single picture while I was there... not sure what happened. But I managed to get some pictures from my sister.


Jake playing at the beach


Jellyfish! YUCK!


At the Crab Trap with my sisters


Mom & Dad


My birthday celebration started early with a surprise cake!


Jake, Shannon & Thys at dinner.

Happy Birthday to me!

I had a wonderful birthday this year! Started out with breakfast at my favorite place, the Filling Station in Orange, with my girlfriends. Followed by lots of love throughout the day. Ending with a surprise dinner at Las Brisas in Laguna with Jon. What a great day!


What an amazing dinner!


Beautiful evening in Laguna!