Au Naturale

Today I spent some quality time with my cousin Yssa (who is on vacation here from Dubai). She's leaving in a few days to go back home, so I thought I'd bring her to one of my most favorite places in San Diego...Cabrillo Tide Pool!!!

{Side Note} Thank goodness for timers!

After the tide pool area, we headed up towards the visitor center and lighthouse...but first, we HAD to take a photo op with the entrance sign!

{Side Note} 

A lopsided shot! My camera was propped up on Yssa's purse on top of the car hood...womp womp ;)

After our "bonding" time with nature, we headed over to P.F. Chang's for some dinner with the family! Oh yesss...give me some of that delicious garlic noodles please :)

We hope you had a great time with us Yssa! We'll miss you! Have a safe trip back to Dubai and who knows...maybe sometime in the near future, I'll be there on vacation (crossing my fingers)!

Life's Celebrations: A Graduation & A Day for Dads

Quick recap for this past weekend...

My godchild Renee had her graduation party this Saturday. Let's just say it was a day full of games, laughter, fun and FOOOOD! Congratulations again Renee!

Of course, what's a party without some Mia time?

{Love} I love me some Ames time too :)

I think this was the only time I saw Renee that day! She was too busy partying with her friends....but at least I was able to nab her aside for a few minutes to get this shot in!

...and as the night falls, the bright lights come alive! So excuse us, but we felt the need to dance a bit here!

To top the night off...SMORES!!!

Last but not least, I want to say HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to two of the most kindhearted men I have ever known...my Dad and my Grandpa!!! 

Family QT: Happy Are We

My cousin Armando is back in San Diego until mid-Summer. After that, he's going to be stationed in Japan for the next 4 years. So we're definitely going to try and make the most of his time with us here. Also, we've re-connected with our other cousin Arnold and we're just so happy that we're all together again. I've missed these two guys...it's been a long while since we've all had any quality time together.

{Side Note}

We all grew up together...so in many ways, these three are like our little brothers & sister.

It's Mia time!

{Love}

Awww, Mia's gummy gums are showing.

Apparently, Mia loves to pet Rexy and Rexy loves...to run away from Mia! Hahaha :)

Oh, she's fancy. Mia has her very own laptop to check her facebook. 

{Love}

Okay, okay...so I posted a bit more pictures of Mia than I thought. Can you blame me?

Family QT: Mama MIA, Oh Brother

I've said it before and I'll say it again...can't get enough of this little girl!

She's so fluffy, I can't stand it!

Also spent some QT with my brother and sister-in-law this past week (they flew in from Florida).

Life's Celebrations: A Naval Retirement

Today, we celebrated my Uncle Rico's retirement from the NAVY. He served for 24 years and we are so very proud of him and his accomplishments!

I thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony! I love how their entire family was acknowledged and given recognition as well.

{Love}
My cousin Regina's Navy sailorette outfit! SO fits the theme :)

{Tidbit Fact}
Come to think of it...the majority of our family and relatives are/were Navy families. Charlene & I were Navy kids too early on. Luckily for us, our dad retired when I was 5 years old (Charlene wasn't even born yet). So, we grew up with our dad here with us :)

{Love}
Awww, that smooch...and those two crazy girls making the heart symbol :)

Regina baked all the cupcakes and decorated each one with a Naval symbol. My Uncle Rico built the tri-level platform to simulate the top part of his ship. A job well done!

{Love}
Regina was in true form for supporting her dad the entire night!

Family QT: Baby Cheeks & MIA Love

{Love}
Mia...and those cheeks! Aarmphh! I just want to bite them :)

This little girl is SO loved :)

Congratulations again to my cousin Amy (aka my Ames) and Tassi on their marriage! Mia is SO blessed to have such wonderful and loving parents :)

A Revival: Quality Time with the ReRe's

{Location: Balboa Park, San Diego}
{Date: January 5, 2012}


My sister & I took our godchildren out for some QT at Balboa Park. An afternoon of fun (and mischief) all rolled into one!

{Japanese Tea Pavillion}

{Love}
My godchild, Renee. She's the FIRST of many of my godchildren! So that makes her my special angel.

{Botanical Garden & the Fountain}

{Love}
No joke, this was totally spontaneous. I called out, "Hey guys, smile!" and all three turned around and did this pose (without knowing or realizing they were all doing the same pose).

{Love}
How Reeka looks oh so cool with her stunna shades on, as she waits for her snow cone :)


{Reuben H. Fleet Science Center}

{Love}
The fact that we can all just have SO much fun together and act as silly as we can...without thinking twice about it.

{Spanish Art Village}

{Love}
Taking a breather. We just sat here for half an hour and people watched...well, these two butterfly watched, along with Charlene ;)