12.07.02

CONGRATULATIONS to Paul and Suzi!

Today was a wonderfully relaxing day and the weather was gorgeous. After Aric got back from school, we met with James and Grace at Starbucks in Lake Forest. The guys had an errand to run, so Grace and I enjoyed a cup of coffee...Eggnog Latte...mmmmmm!...while our lil' ones shared a muffin, scone, and some milk.
After the guys returned, we picked up McDonalds and went to the park for a picnic.

Heritage Park in Irvine is really lovely. We sat around, ate, and fed the ducks and birds. Even though I have a tendancy to get shat on (or get physically assaulted by the feathersome creatures), I truly enjoy feeding them. James brought an umbrella for good measure, and I am happy to say that I didn't get pelted on today. WOO-HOO! =D

After lunch and bird-feeding, we took the kids to the playground. Ashlyn had her first experience on a slide, teeter-totter, and in a sandbox. Boy, she be trippin' hard!!!
The first time we put Ashlyn on grass, she stood there frozen...scared of the texture of the strange prickly green stuff...and wouldn't move. Same thing with sand today. She just stood there, clenched fists, and shaking. But soon got over it. hehehe

HERITAGE PARK
4601 Walnut
Irvine, CA 92604

Aric and I got home around 4pm. I spent the next 5 hours making the home-made Christmas gifts for Aric's coworkers - making and canning Guava Jam. I didn't think it would take THAT long, but it did...and had I known, I wouldn't have done it. You have to be incredibly patient waiting for the fruit to achieve the jam setting. Not just waiting, but you have to stand there and constantly stir the boiling and bubbling mixture. I got burned several times by the spattering mixture. *OWIE!*
Once the jam was sealed in two dozen jelly jars, I was officially pooped! It was after 9:30pm, and Ashlyn was getting ready for bed. I didn't have dinner, but was too tired to eat. =(
Being a domesticated ingenue isn't easy, ya know! HAHAHAHAHA

After Ashlyn went to bed, Aric and I popped in "Men in Black II" on DVD and enjoyed some quality time together...sadly, I fell asleep halfway through the movie...and woke up during the ending credits. =/ Aric had also fallen asleep...guess we were both really tired!

Aric's coworker, Suzi and Paul got maried today. We missed the festivities. I don't know why we didn't go. I think when we originally got the invitation, we didn't think we would be around this weekend. I guess we were wrong. Regardless, best wishes for the happy couple.=D

For the first time in a while, we're going to bed by midnight on a Saturday. Wild, huh? hehehe

Pictures from today:


James and Aric with Lauren, Taylor, Ashlyn


Ashlyn at Starbucks


Lauren


me and AShlyn


Heritage Park


Aric and Ashlyn...and ducks!


Baby Taylor smiling


James taking precaution. hehehe


James and Grace


me and Ashlyn on the slide


scary sand!


Ashlyn


swingin'


Aric, me, and Ashlyn


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