Beautiful day.

I know 2 posts in a day. Today we went to a local park in the foothills to have a picnic and go for a hike. It was a beautiful day and so nice to be outside. It is amazing that in the middle of the CROWDED Silicon Valley, there is this beautiful serene area that God has made. We have been hiking before to another place but this was much better. We saw a lot of lizards which Derek wanted to stop and look at each one. While walking we played a made up game....name someone from IL 20 questions (without counting q's cause that's just too much work!) We both really enjoyed this and were trying to stump each other. We're a little competetive! It was a great day and we're going to finish it up going to dinner. I love spending Saturdays with Derek. It makes me appreciate moving here a little more because at home we wouldn't necceassarily spend the day just us. Here are a few pics from the hike.

Our picnic.

A stream we ate by.

And They're Off!

Last night Derek and I went to a local horse track called Bay Meadows. It was $1 night......admission, hot dogs, pop, beer (until 8:15, then $2). We thought it would be a fun and different thing to do. Neither of us has ever been to a race before so we were excited to go. I picked Derek up from work at about 6:30 and started on our way. It was about a half hour trip and we expected to get there a little after 7. The first race was to start at 7:20. We thought perfect time, get there, get a seat, a hot dog, a beer, and then sit and watch. However, because it was $1 night, EVERYONE else thought it would be a good idea to go as well. The first 25 min of the drive went fine, no traffic, smooth sailing. And then we exited the freeway to go about 2 miles to the track...........2 HOURS later we were finally parking! It was insane! The worst traffic we have been in since we moved! And then once we got there, it was so packed you couldn't even walk 2 in without running into someone! The line for food was not moving and not getting any shorter. We were there for an hour standing in lines to get the essentials and hadn't seen 1 race! While we were in line, they ran out of hot dogs! AGH! We decided to just watch the races and grab dinner on the way home. We watched 3 races and left....at 11:15. The actual races were pretty neat and the horses were amazing. We each picked a horse before the race started and cheer them on. I went 1 for 3 and D went 0 for 3. This is my winning horse. Her name was Lemon Kiss. Notice the jockey's wearing pink and I didn't even know when I picked the horse!

This is us, sitting in the 2 hr traffic. Not happy.

Scrapbook

MESS! That is what my dining room table looks like right now. And probably will until Caroline turns 1! OR unless somebody comes to visit! :) Obviously I am making a scrapbook of Caroline's first year as per Anne telling me too! Just kidding! Well, she DID tell me she wanted me to make one but I wanted to anyway! This is actually the first scrapbook I have ever made and I'm really enjoying it! I keep saying to Derek "I love doing this!" He has also told me he likes watching me! He's such a weirdo but I love him! I knew that I would like it becuase I like being creative but I REALLY like it! I have 5 pages done and I just started this past weekend! I made Derek go to Micheal's this Sat. so I could get more stuff. (I know, sounds like a Really exciting Sat. night!) Because he is glad I'm making one, he seems more inclined to let me spend money on it! Yay! Good thing cause this scrapbooking thing is not cheap!

A Wonderful Week

I'm sad to be back from good ol' Illinois, even though the weather was not so hot. We had a great time. It was so fun to watch Derek meeting and playing with his niece! He would say the cutest things........."Her hands are so little"! Hopefully gets him in the mood for one of his own?!? I wish! Here are some pics from the week.

Ali and I at her wedding.

Derek holding Caroline for the first time!
She's so cute! Look at that shirt!
What a smile!
Before Ali's rehearsal dinner.

I have to say it was the hardest leaving this time. Caroline has changed so much and she's only 3 mths! She's going to change like crazy over the next year and I just can't believe that I won't be around to watch it. My dad and Anne dropped me off at the airport and there I was sobbing holding Caroline, thinking she'll be so different the next time I see her! Kinda embarrassing. Oh well! I love her!

Thank Goodness for Waranties!

Derek bought our lab top about 3 yrs ago and along with it, he got a warranty that lasts 3 yrs. The waranty wears out on April 11. On April 6 our computer broke. Thats right. It wouldn't turn on. Derek called Dell support and they had him mess around with it, trying to fix it himself. However, nothing worked. They told him that the computer would need a new memory board and mother board (whatever those are :), but they are VERY expensive). They sent out a DELL guy and he fixed it up. Guess how much it cost? Nothing! Thats right nothing! Thank Goodness for the waranty!!! Just in the nick of time! Ahhhh. I'm smiling.

In One Week:

In One Week:

• We will be on a Southwest airplane
• I will get to see my niece for the first time since she was 3 wks, now almost 3 mths
• Derek will get to finally meet baby Caroline
• We will be preparing for Ali's wedding
• We will be HOME

To My Beautiful Sister

Happy Birthday Anne!

My sister, my go to girl, my confidant, my VERY best friend

From then until now.....

Anne and I have been best friends since I can remember. Whether it was needing someone to play house with or someone to cry to, she has ALWAYS been there. I have always looked up to her, as you can tell in the first picture! :) She is an amazing woman, wife and now MOM! I can talk to her about anything, everything, or nothing at all. She is the person I miss the most. I miss her so much sometimes, it hurts. She is having a birthday lunch today with mom and baby Caroline and I WANT TO BE THERE!!!! But I'm not so this is the best I can do. So happy birthday Anne, I love you and I can't wait to see you in almost a week.