'Tis The Season...

To go to the beach. Before the reality of another busy work week sets in, we decided to head over to our spot in Laguna Beach. It's always nice to walk along the shore and sink our toes in the sand. Thought I would share some pictures.

Watch Your Step

A Guy Can Dream

Steve's Crane Technique

Wow I'm Short!

Rooftop Lunch Take #1

Rooftop Lunch Take #2

November Recap

Hello everyone. Jenn and I wanted to write and say Happy Thanksgiving to you all and we hope that you all are having a great holiday season. We are looking forward to spending our Christmas break up north with Jenn's family. It was Jenn's birthday on the 17th and we had a nice time celebrating with friends. Jenn is enjoying her new job. She is learning a lot and meeting a lot of new people. She is the "Magic Johnson" of her company because she does everything there. For some strange reason I am continuing to still close loans. Yes, the market is bad but rates are still good and with a lot of luck I have been able to persuade some of these lenders to close my loans. It hasn't been easy but I have been able to keep my head above water in these tough economic times that we are in. Other than work and the usual play nothing else is really going on with us.

We had a great time hanging out with the family in Simi. Mom did a great job with the feast as usual and I got a blister on my thumb playing rock band with Craig and the kids. What a cool game!!! I know what I am going to be getting myself this year for Christmas. The only other thing I need are for the Fulton kids to come to my house to play with me because Jenn's skills were not up to par. Ha ha. Had to put that one in there. Okay, that's it. Have a Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year. Hope that 2009 brings a stronger economy and good fortune.

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