See You Later, California

I (yes, just me because the hubby had to stay home. I miss you, love!!) landed in Florida Tuesday early in the morning to spend time with family and attend a memorial for about a week. So far, it has been a nice little getaway.

After hanging out at my parents house and sneaking in a nap on the first day, I went over to Matt's cousin's house, Danielle, to hang out with her and see her kids (basically our nieces and nephews). They are SO adorable.

Don't kill me, Danielle but I don't think it's bad. Plus.. you didn't mention not to put it on the blog ;)

This was my first time seeing baby Grace, so I managed to take a lot of pictures; not only on my phone but on my camera.

Love that bottom lip.

Also, Blase (her son) is so talkative now and still cute as ever. I spent a good 2 hours over there, and maybe will try to squeeze in another mini trip to her house in between all the other visits and events I have to attend while being in Florida.

The many faces of Blase

Blase with his new book

Once I left her house, I came back over to my parents and my sister, nieces, and nephews were here! I haven't seen them since September 2009. So much has changed and I really missed all of them so very much so I beyond happy I am able to spend time with them for a few days.

Times like these make me really miss being around family and closer to the ones we love. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being out in California with Matt; exploring around and just having it being us two, but sometimes it would be nicer if we didn't live about a weeks worth of driving to see family or an entire day of flying. Maybe in a 1.5 years or so we will be a little closer.....Until then, all we can do is cherish each moment we get with our families and the opportunities to be able to travel.

P.S. be prepared for a lot of posts and pictures while I have downtime during my visit. It's going by pretty quick so far.

Snorkeling In La Jolla

On Sunday, Matt and I along with some friends went to La Jolla. La Jolla is South from where we live near San Diego. This was our second time going and I love it just as much as the first time. I think it would be a great place to live........if we were rich. 

A lot of other people were there paddleboarding, snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking.

beautiful, right?

There are quite a few caves 

Another cave

shops down little alley ways

late day lunch on the beach

Look up in the sky; the cloud is shapped like a heart.

A Trip To The Sunset Farmer's Market

Yesterday, Matt, James, and I went to the Sunset Farmer's Market to walk around, grab some more hot sauce, and show James the Pacific Beach.

It was the busiest we saw the market to date

Matt and his younger brother, James.

Ordering slices of pizza.

On the Oceanside Pier

Beach at night

My favorite photo from the night

Restaraunt at the end of the pier

Blurry, but the city lights over the ocean

Afterwards, we grabbed some coldstone ice cream.

Spear Fishing

Haven't heard of it? Well, apparently you just go under the ocean wearing fins, goggles, and snorkle and throw this giants spear at fish to catch them. It was definitely spontaneous! Yesterday, Matt called me from work asking if I wanted to go with him and some of the guys from work and I said, "sure why not."
He had to go and buy the gear and wetsuit but since you only have to buy it once and then can use all of that for multiple occasions to go spear fishing or even snorkeling, it's worth it.

I didn't go in with them, I stayed outside of the water to lay on the beach with another wife that came along. Plus, if I did go in the water, then I wouldn't have been able to take pictures of the event or see my first sunset (yes, first california sunset after living here for 1.5 years!) But maybe next time I will go in with him. He said he had a great time and it was fun even if no fish were caught.

wet suit on and about to put on gear

I love my new camera because then I am able to capture moments like these instantly.

Snorkle time

I like this picture of him! It's one of my favorites from the day.

Messing around with the spear pole

I like how this turned out. It kind of gave him the silhouette effect against the blue sky

This is his oh-c'mon-not-another-picture-I-want-to-go-in-the-water-already face.

He looks good in a wetsuit!

Four of the guys. Two other showed up a little later.

I love this picture with the helicopter flying over (Matt works with those)

Sun slowly, yet quick going down.

Barely there anymore

Have you ever seen a West Coast and East Coast sunset or sunrise? Some people say there is a huge difference, but honestly, I didn't see a big difference.