After a night out to Disneyland to use our annual passes for the 3rd time this year, (even just that many times makes it worth it!) the Buzzlightyear ride was the only thing we had the patience to wait for... and even that was 30 min in the "rain", which made the wait even more fun :) Luckily we were in the pleasant company of Robin and Brett who is visiting from Montana. The best thing about the ride is that you get to shoot a gun and they email this picture to you. I just had to share it... the facial expressions were too funny. So after the ride... we were done. I don't know how parents do it... spending the entire day at Disneyland with kids! I have to go back though. I didn't get my fill of enjoying the Halloween Decorations and entertainment. I HAVE to go on the Haunted Mansion Holiday. I will just be sure not to go on a Friday night :)

Good Music... Great Company

While Haws was out at the King's first home game of the season, I decided I wasn't going to stay home and I headed to LA myself. Out with the girls to the Pat Monahan concert at The House of Blues. We headed out to dinner at the Geisha House which is one of Ali's favorites. It was good... but I think it is a place you would enjoy more if someone else was paying :) These girls are so much fun. The concert was good... but the people there made it even more entertaining. Not only the group I was with, but the strange array of people who showed up to the concert. We were surrounded by people (mostly couples) ranging 18-90... well maybe not that old, but close. I love to people watch. In fact, Pat could have sucked and I might not have noticed. One high light was running across the street in the strong wind and heels being warned by the drunken woman that we better be careful or we would get our selves killed... the woman could barely walk herself! Too many random moments to mention... but here are some pics to share :)

Adventures in Babysitting

My Brother John and his wife Brooke asked us to babysit Friday night so they could go on a "date" to the Temple. I keep telling Brooke that if she really wants Haws and I to start having children soon, she will have to stop asking us to babysit for them! Actually... I love watching these little guys. It is a lot of work though, and it really makes me to admire a mother who has more than one child under 5, or any child for that matter! Having Haws around helps a ton since Joshua is obsessed with him. He is at the age where he is trying to push the limits. "Time for Bed Joshua"... "I want a drink, can I read another book? One more??" I am sure you can imagine. Luke was having a bi-polar sort of night. In between grunts and whines, there was laughing and jumping in his new jumper. He is such a cutie!!! I love them both so much... can you blame me?

Bye Mommy! Bye Daddy!
Luke was quite happy after his bath.






Haws and Joshua in Montana... what a pair!

Just wanted to throw this shot in because it is such a typical scene.

Luke after his bath...

Adventures in Cooking

After a year of holding onto the cooking class gift certificate I gave Haws for his birthday... we decided to "cash it in" and take our Cooking Class at PREP in Long Beach. I love this store! It is right next to one of the Pilates studios I work at and I often find myself hanging around in there while I am on my break (or Trader Joes and Golden Spoon :) I have come to know the owners and they are great! A couple who decided to ditch their LA corporate jobs and escape into the world of business owners... their dream kitchen store that also holds cooking classes. If you are ever in the Long Beach Marketplace shopping center... you will have to wander in there and take a gander for yourself (or come visit me at work)! Here are some of the photos from our adventure...













Making the Lemon Tart Shell. It is harder than it looks!


















Haws with Julie... our wonderful cooking class chef. He had to stir that lemon tart filling for 15-20 min. over a low boil... he is a patient man... he did marry me after all!



The food was great and the group told us that our Lemon Tart was the best dish of all!!!

Now that we felt like we were expert chefs... we decided to entertain some people from our "young marrieds" clan at church and family members. Since we were watching my parents house and actually had room to put people, we ended up with a pretty good sized group. Over 20 people! Thanks to my friend Katherine and the barefoot contessa... the meal was delicious! I made homemade guacamole, Lemon Chicken and rolls. Haws made Lemon Bars and our guests brought wonderful side dishes and dessert.. Thanks for all of your help and for the good time!! If you want to try some of the recipes... Check out the links to Katherine's blog where more wonderful recipes are posted. http://pizzaandrootbeer.blogspot.com/

Guacamole

4 large avocados2 garlic cloves, minced, the juice of one or two lemons8 dashes tabasco sauce, red onion, small-diced to taste1 small tomato, small-diced1 tsp kosher salt pepper to taste

This is the recipe for the chicken.. super easy!!

For the Grilled Lemon Chicken, I marinate 4 chicken breasts in equal parts lemon juice and olive oil (1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of each), 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 tsp dried thyme. Marinade at least 2 days- 3 days is better. This chicken is amazing! (Grill or BBQ)

Great food... even better company! Some of the group enjoying the meal. It was such a nice day, it wasn't too cold to be outside... at least that's what they told me :)

Lemon Bars with homemade Strawberry Jam.... yummy!

The End!

Vote us the Best Pilates Studio in LA

I normally wouldn't solicit votes, but one of the studios I work at and was trained is nominated for best pilates studio in LA. Since I work there... I am asking for your vote if you have the time. I know most of you have never been to the studio or any pilates studio for that matter... but I do think it is one of the best around! Maybe if I work at the best pilates studio in LA... I will get a raise :)
Here's how to vote:
Log into www.myfoxla.com/hotlist to check out the "best of"nominees. Then click on John Garey Pilates Studio and enter your e-mail address to vote for JGP. A link will be sent to your address. Just click on the link, vote for JGP, and give a comment.

Thanks!!!

October Indulgences

I love the fall! I wish it were a little bit cooler here, with leaves changing to red, orange and yellow... but there are some things I indulge in this time of the year... and I will take what I can get!
Here are a few recent favorites:

Hempz Herbal Moisturizer, Hempz Herbal Body Lotion I love this lotion! it smells great and moisturizes so well, with out feeling heavy and greasy.

A Pedicure with OPI "Lincoln Park, After Dark" in the spirit of Halloween



Golden Spoon Pumpkin Pie and Cake Batter Swirl, topped with Kashi's TLC Crunchy Granola Pumpkin Spice and Flax bars (delicious, guilt-free fall treat!)

Pumpkins and Halloween Decorations... I love the cheesy ones the most! If you are looking for some good fall decor, I recommend hitting up the nearest TJ Maxx, they seems to have a good supply.

So much more to see!