Craft Project

I don't consider myself an artsy or crafty person. I can't sew and I'm not very good with a paintbrush. Do stick figures count? But, I think I found something I can do--at least I am going to try. According to http://craft.dow.com/ all it takes is Styrofoam, fabric, scrapbook paper, dental floss, ribbon, ruler, scissors, straight pins and glue--can't go wrong with that, right? If it turns out looking decent I'll post pictures. Wish me luck!

Flashback Friday

Mama Joan and Little Steve

Steve at 4 months

Steve with his big sisters, Janna and Kelley

Steve with his big brother Michael

Isn't this the cutest?

Simi Valley Ball Player
Elder Barlow with Elder Davis

It's a bird, it's a plane....

Actually it's a big orange pumpkin air balloon!

Last night Steve and I decided to check out Great Park's balloon ride. It was free and we live so close, why not? The park isn't actually a park-yet. It is an old marine base with old buildings, overgrown plants and dark empty streets. Kinda eery and completely appropriate for Halloween. We thought the place would be empty, not so much. While we waited our turn to ride the big pumpkin, we took turns trying on my pirate costume (I was a pirate at work today).

We're dorks, I know. When it was our turn to ride, Steve tensed up a little. As we were ascending he grabbed my arm (totally thought he was going to give the little people below a surprise) but when we reached the top he was okay. At about 400 feet the view is spectacular. We could see all of Irvine, Tustin, Lake Forest and the ferris wheel at the Spectrum. It was fun, a little romantic. Steve wants to go back and ride during the day. I haven't quite mastered taking pictures at night. I call it my "artistic" take on the Irvine view

Boo!

Home

Thought I would share some pictures of our place.

Early morning view from our balcony

Entry

Steve in his spot

Artwork by Joan Barlow

Sunset view tonight

Buddha's Favorite

Last night we went out for sushi with a group of friends in Newport. We had great food with great friends, with an awesome view of the Rhine Channel.

Debbie and Randy

Steve, Herb, Randy, Alex and Jay

Mmmmm
Eileen and Jenn

Rhine Channel

Movie on the Lawn

Last night Steve and I decided to check out the movie Ironman at the OC Great Park. We live within walking distance from the park, which is still in the early planning stages--it's being built on the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Irvine. Throughout the summer the park hosted music concerts and there is a huge orange air balloon that will take you for a free ride-all to attract locals to come check out the park plans on display.

So with our beach chairs and blankets we headed to the park to watch the comic book drama under the stars on a huge inflatable screen. Unfortunately it was the coldest night of the year, which living in So Cal isn't saying much (55 degrees), but the movie was worth the cold fingers and toes. It actually ended up being a great night. Now I need to get Steve over his fear of heights and into that air balloon.

Think Blue

Dodgers beat the Cubs tonight in the National League Division Series. Whoo hoo!

Translation- my husband will stop pacing in front of the t.v. and actually get some sleep tonight.

Irvine Festival

For the past few weeks Steve and I have been seeing signs all over town about this "Irvine Global Village Festival". Since we are now Irvine residents we figured we'd check it out. It usually takes Steve some convincing to go to these things, but once we get there we always have a great time. Not like we had anything else to do.

I lived in Irvine six years ago and apparently during that time a HUGE park was built. Bill Barber Memorial Park has a stadium, soccer fields, batting cages, several play areas, amphitheater, bicycle trails, bbqs, concession stands and beautiful gardens throughout. When we got to the park we didn't know where to start. There were cultural exhibits with everything from Henna Body Art to Zen's Purple Garden. On the other side of the park there were booths to sample food- Persian, Mexican, Indian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Hawaiian, Cajun and French. They had everything! After sampling a few plates we sat in the middle of the park and listened to Brazilian music. I guess for now this is the closest I will get to traveling the world....someday.

Sorry for the blurry pics, still using my "lame" camera.

Steve Petting a Frog

Italian Musicians

Steve Eating A Chinese Sausage (we had like 4 of these)
Eating MORE Food-Chicken CurryA Young Boy Playing A Chinese Instrument (forgot the name)

Sampling One of the Korean Plates

I thought these women on stilts were interesting-Steve didn't want to stand next to them (I think it was because they were taller than him-Ha!)

Beignet (Not quite like the ones we had in New Orleans but still yummy)

Us

Business Trip

My second week of work was spent training in northern California at KLC's regional office in Los Gatos. I flew in Monday and spent the entire week learning the ropes. I met some of my new co-workers and was greeted with a warm welcome. I am now a part of KLC's Region 1 Team. It feels great to be working again and taking on new challenges. I am looking forward to growing with the company and seeing where this career path will lead.

Not only did I work hard this week, but I was able to hang out with my family in the evening. Los Gatos is a short drive from Gilroy, where my mom, dad, bro and sis live. The first night my brother David took me out to dinner at this great little restaurant in downtown Campbell called Aqui. The food was sooo good that we went to dinner there again with my lil sis Kelly and ended the night at Gelato Classico! It was nice to catch up with my younger siblings. David is doing great in the finance dept at Extreme Learning and Kelly is going to be taking SAT's soon. Gosh these kids are growing up so quick! On the last night my entire family drove up and we had another great dinner at Rock Bottom (sounds like all I did was eat). Now I am heading back home and can't wait to see my hubby.