Beach Weekend- Sept '10

Back to Los Angeles for the weekend!! First stop to volunteer at Children's Hunger Fund in north Los Angeles. It was great to be back with my CHF family and serving the Lord. Afterwards it was off to Malibu Beach!! Met up with a friend from high school- Matt. We had lunch on the pier and then hung out the rest of the day at the beach-- it was beautiful!!


Next day-- Pismo Beach with Mary Ann!!! My friend from San Antonio- Mary Ann. We had breakfast at Cowgirl Cafe and then went to the beach! Lots of people surfing, horse back riding, and sun bathing on the beach. Even though the electricity was out in the town the beach was fabulous! On Sunday just chilling at home with Mary Ann and her son Waylon- fun times. 


Drive up highway 101 to Monterey to stay with my grandparents dear friends- the Bigbee's. Along the drive I stopped in Cambria for breakfast at Pine Tree Restaurant for pancakes :) Then stopped to see the elephant seals near Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Then it was a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium-- totally amazing. The sea nettles are just breath taking- I could stand in front of the tank forever! Dinner with the Bigbee's was wonderful- great company and great food. 


After my 3 day adventure along the California coast it was time to head back to Sacramento but not too quick! I  made a stop in San Jose at the Winchester Mystery House. 


~Here are some pictures from the wknd. Enjoy!!


CHILDREN'S HUNGER FUND- LA

MALIBU BEACH

PISMO BEACH

ELEPHANT SEALS

MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM

 

WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE

Day of Birth

Over the last several years I have noticed one huge thing I am hardly in my hometown of San Antonio Texas. Great example being my birthday. Most of my family and closest friends live in and around San Antonio even but for some reason I am usually not even in the same state!!  Here are some pictures from the last few years-- enjoy!!


2007- Location- El Mercado San Antonio Texas!!
     Dinner with family at La Margarita

2008- Location- Harrah's Casino- Kansas City Missouri
           Gavin DeGraw & NeedtoBreathe Concert!!

2009- Location- Downtown Kansas City Missouri with my friend Rachel!!!
       morning- run half marathon through downtown
       afternoon- shower & nap time
       evening- dinner at California Pizza Kitchen with a giant piece of red velvet cake & ice cream!!

2010-  Location- San Francisco California
      plans to be determined!!
      My friend from San Antonio, Melissa, is here to celebrate our birthdays

Butterflies!!

YELLOW SWALLOWTAIL

RED POSTMAN

GULF FRITILLARY

OWL BUTTERFLY

BLACK SWALLOWTAIL

ZEBRA SWALLOWTAIL

MEXICAN BLUEWING

MONARCH

QUESTION MARK

RUSTY TIPPED PAGE

BANDED ORANGE

JULIA

BROWN PEACOCK

QUESTION MARK & PAINTED LADY

 BLUE CLIPPER

 PAPER KITE 

 COMMON SAILOR

TIGER LONGWING

California driving lessons

Stop signs are just suggestions. Basically just slow down, check for cops and go


Yellow lights means hurry up.


Motorcycles driving down the striped lane of the highway totally not cool!


Speed limits are just numbers but rarely actually followed. 


Everyone thinks they have the "right of way"


Stop lights function independently, most days going down the same street I can hit every RED light



Honking is just their form of greeting.


Left turn only on arrow- so frustrating when there is NO traffic coming the other direction. 


Few drivers let you merge into traffic peacefully.


Blinkers are optional.


Tailgating does not mean pre-game party in the parking lot. 


Crazy drivers exist everywhere!!

Habitat for Humanity in Sacramento

Having the chance to volunteer and serve here locally in Sacramento California is so great!! I was thrilled when asked by a friend to attend a day with Habitat. I was off from work with no plans and jumped on the opportunity to serve!!! It is really just that easy to get out into your community and make a difference!!!


Little background information about Habitat- 
Sacramento's mission statement  Building affordable homes in partnership with families in need, supported by a host of volunteers, faith based organizations, donors and corporations for the betterment of our community.


Families receiving homes either a new constructed homes or remodeled homes are required 500 volunteer hours before calling it their home. 




Here are some pictures from my volunteering with Habitat-- enjoy :)

new construction home

 good thing they had extra boots for me :)

 cement pouring

 half way done 

 me

 all finished- just waiting for it to dry

 remodel home

break time!! my fav

 me

 fence building

lance with the jackhammer