San Diego Day 1

Since we started dating, Jason and I have always said that we want to make trips out of our anniversaries, so we've started our first anniversary BIG! We're in San Diego for 8 days, ending our trip with the San Diego marathon on June 6. Say a prayer for us next Sunday if you think about it--- we're just trying to finish!

I've never been to San Diego before, Jason has been twice. It's always fun being in a new place with him because he's definitely the ultimate tour guide and he can remember exactly where we are and where we need to go. He's good:)

We landed in SD at 10am, picked up our rental car (a Chevy Caliber that we've appropriately named Cali), and headed to In n Out burger. Always a delight! I even ate french fries--- which I haven't done in quite some time! They were worth every calorie:) DELISH!

After lunch we hopped in the car to drive around and figure out a few things we wanted to do, and we stumbled upon La Jolla cave (just to the right in this pic) and it was such a cute town. Great shops, neat restaurants and lots of beautiful beaches.

We made it to Torrey Pines for a few pictures as well. Maybe we didn't see the "championship" course, but the club house was not exciting... they had signs made with plastic tarps. Weird. However, the lodge was gorgeous! We headed to the outlets from Torrey Pines, and oh my goodness... packed. SO many people. There was no parking anywhere. We finally saw a family with two babies leaving... we stopped as they got to their car, put on our turn signal and waited... and waited... and waited... as they changed both diapers. I was so frustrated. I mean, I get it... babies need their diapers changed. But goodness gracious, there is always a McDonald's right near by to use their parking lot-especially when you KNOW a million people are fighting for your parking spot! So inconsiderate.

We're staying at Navy lodges in SD and they're awesome! We have a great room, with a great ocean view and super cozy bed. Our first lodge is less than a mile from the Hotel del Cornado. The "Del" as the people call it around here is absolutely stunning!

We wrapped up the night at Miguel's, a little mexican restaurant right in the heart of Coronado. This place was great! We could definitely eat back here again, although we're trying to get our "unhealthy fixes" out of the way before Wednesday or Thursday so we feel good for the 26.2 miles we'll run on Sunday. Anyway, Miguel's was an hour wait; however, they gave you chips and salsa to sit and eat while you wait... then once you were seated, they served an incredible queso with jalapenos. YUMMY!

San Diego is everything I had hoped for and more thus far--- we're headed to the beach today!

grillin' out

It's always a good time to get together with great friends for delicious food:) Brian and Wanda, neighbors and good friends, hosted a Memorial Day gathering for everyone--- so much fun! And so much good food! Delicious!

Erin, Lisa and me hanging out downstairs.

All the ladies

Me with the hostesss with the mostest, Wanda

A few of the guys.

Another highlight of this evening--- everyone was grabbing food in the kitchen and fixing their plates and Todd, pictured in the middle above, stopped and said "Lauren, what'd you bring?" This was such a nice compliment to me! I'm glad my cooking skills are improving!

It's a Beautiful Mornin'...

That song is stuck in my head... but, seriously, it is... a BEAUTIFUL morning. I really love getting up early and getting things done. Just checkin' things off my list! :-)

And the best part of this song, it reminds of beach music... and the beach... and shaggin' at OD... and the Tarte. And those things make me smile!

Happy Friday!

Top 10

Well, it's been about 10 weeks (okay, not that long) since I've blogged... so to catch up I'll do a top 10 list of moments in the past few weeks. I'm sure I'll leave out a few great moments as well, but that's okay. And, it's really not a TOP 10, because they're definitely not in order. I just needed something to "organize" my thoughts and update this thing... I need to get back on the blogging bandwagon--- I'll do better. I will.

10. We're running the San Diego marathon in 10 days. We've done a 20 mile run, twice. I cannot imagine running 6.2 more. Goodness gracious, I'm just ready for it to be over.

9. We've been invited to be on the Young Life Arusha committee with Zac and Hannah West. I met Zac and Hannah when we started Young Life in the Blue Ridge when I was at Western and have stayed in touch ever since. They're an incredible couple and are doing incredible things in Africa with the kids there. They love Jesus and are sharing his life and love with the kids there. Ahh, what a beautiful thing!

8. We had an awesome yard sale and made some money! We specifically planned the yard sale to use the cash for our California trip. We're doing it mostly on the cheap--- used FF miles to get there on Southwest and we're staying at the Naval Lodge for super cheap, and rented a car on priceline for $14 a day. Sweet!

7. I've started cooking more again--- and I love it. We fixed a super easy bbq chicken salad last night, just like the one at Famous Dave's. Delish. I also love that it's summer and we can grill out more! Thank goodness. And, I've started baking more (probably not a good thing for the waist line)... but it's been so great trying new recipes and yummy snacks:)

6. I was mildly, okay-totally, obsessed with Dancing with the Stars and American Idol. My thoughts: I was all for Erin Andrews and bummed she didn't win, although I knew Nicole would the whole time. I mean, duh... she's a dancer. Evan... he's interesting. Just not a big fan. And, does anyone know if Erin and Max are official yet? I mean, come on... isn't it obvious? Oh, and I loved Lee and Crystal-- I do think Crystal will go on and do well.

5. I completed a "Diversity Education" class online and should officially have my Nebraska Teaching License, finally. AND, I GOT A JOB! I'll be teaching middle school PE at Logan Fontenelle Elementary. I'm so stoked!

4. I've met new friends through the Air Force that I absolutely adore--- some who are brand new to the area and I can't wait to get to know more and others who are on the way to other places. I guess it's part of the life--- moving, loving and leaving. It will be a part of our life and I will cherish that. It's a beautiful cycle but it's never fun having to say goodbye!

3. We landscaped. Holy Cow. We landscaped. We had NOTHING in our front yard and now we have bushes, plants and trees. And rose bushes. I also tried to grow an herb garden but I think it's failing... and tomatoes, and they're failing too I believe. Oh well, we'll try again next year.

2. I've had really great conversations with some really great friends. Some of those have been here, in Omaha and others have been on the phone or on Skype. It's been really great catching up and just having some really special chats with some really awesome ladies. I am always so incredibly grateful for all of the wonderful women I have in my life.

1. I learned how to mow the lawn. Now, clearly, this is not in the right order for a top 10 list... however, I was really excited and I'm so glad that I know how to handle the yard now on my own.