Getaway at The Montage: Laguna Beach, CA!

So last weekend I had been looking forward to as a fun getaway with the hubby for a night and some alone, kid-free time!  Funny how much you build it up in your head and get so excited, and then when you leave you actually miss the kiddos!  I mean, it was less than 24 hours but I was ready to see them when I got home, and we talked about them a ton while away!  Life as a parent I suppose!

I had everything lined up, fun things for the kids to do, sitters and rides in place for the kiddos, and that is when I learned that no matter what you plan, stuff always comes up.  My babysitter showed up and she did not look well.  She could barely talk, was slurring her speech, her eyes were rolling backward, and she motioned that she was sick and her stomach hurt.  I realized immediately she couldn't stay with my kids for 8 hours like we had planned, but more I was really worried she needed medical help and fast.  She was really pale and couldn't walk straight and her mom couldn't even understand her when I had her call to come back and get her.  It was scary for all of us, and come to find out she was having a seizure as a result of a reaction to some sleep meds she was taking.  Good thing she got to the ER.  It scared me super bad and I am just glad she is ok.  

So numerous phone calls were made and fast switching on my part, and I still left only 30 minutes later than planned to get on the road and on my way to paradise!  Stressful, but successful :)

Got down there and it was GORGEOUS, and SO NICE to just be with Chip and get to enjoy our time alone.  We hiked on the coves of Laguna, the private beaches were great, lounged by the pool eating chips and guacamole, rested and took naps before dinner, had a lovely romantic dinner of sushi and mongolian beef, got delicious gelato at the most amazing place, and just enjoyed each other's company without interruption.  It was so fantastic I wish we could go again this weekend!

Enjoy the pics!

The Montage resort and Spa is behind CHip - he was on a very important business call when we first were venturing out so I took advantage and took the pics, including him in them even if he was on a call!

 Amazing beaches! (and yes I live by the beach but this one was even better!)

 Private beach we found - Chip was on another call :)

The only pics we had taken for us on our trip - So fun!

 Relaxing poolside just lounging was amazing - altho when i saw a family with little kids we both said how it would be fun to bring the kids here and how much they would love it!

 The salsa we didn't care for, but the guac was amazing!  And the service here was the best we have ever had.  Really people were CONSTANTLY asking if we needed anything or how they could help us and were so friendly and nice!

 We had a funny dinner experience, ditching a different place we originally had made reservations at because it didn't look as good as the place we passed walking there so we came to Starfish instead, and it didn't disappoint!  The sushi was great (very spicy) and the mongolian beef was so yummy too!  Great time!  Fun atmosphere!

 In the morning we went on a hike to that big rock out there - upon going we found a sign saying you couldn't climb it like we planned but we walked all around it and that was fun too!

 Chip on another important call - I enjoyed taking more pics - SO bummed I left my camera at home so only had my phone but still the place was pretty amazing to capture with pics!

 The only selfie we took! 

 The waves were huge and fun to watch!

My handsome honey int he arch!

 View of the pool from above!  Gorgeous paradise!

We left to get back around noon and then we had ward temple day.  Chip stayed home with the kids so I could attend and it was a great way to end my day.  

Yesterday at church this little girl was dressed just like me - in black and white!  funny how that happens all the time - where I just unconciously put everyone in the same colors!  So we were twins! I didn't take a pic of us together but Ivy was too cute not to take one of - LOVE this new little outfit

Great weekend and the only thing I wish is that we could repeat it again next weekend:)

In Like A Lion......

So March came in like a lion in many ways!  First, because it has done nothing but rain here in sunny SoCal since March began (which I LOVE)!  Second, because it came before I was ready to be done with February and can't believe the year is flying along!  And third, because I am SO BEHIND in blogging and can't seem to get anything under control and caught up on in my life these days - you might wonder what I AM doing - and I am not sure I could answer to make it seem like I am so busy, but I feel busy and so haven't posted many a pic from February!  I am doing a random post full of random pics to document the past few weeks! 

Enjoy!

First, the weekend of Valentines I got SO SICK with the worst Headcold/FLU I have ever had in my life!  To make it worse - Chip was also sick and so with both parents out that makes life hard on everyone!  The kids managed to escape with just getting colds, and we just can't seem to keep a cough or runny nose from affecting someone at ALL times in the house!  When I was sick - of course it was our family's turn to clean the church, I was supposed to teach RS, and Chip was leaving on Sunday for a business trip on Sunday!  Chip felt good enough to go and left, we cleaned the church even tho we all felt crummy and the other families who were supposed to help us didn't show up (at least our kids had fun right?!), and I ended up getting a friend to sub very last minute in RS and moved my lesson to the next week!  Not only did she sub for me, but she showed up after church with chicken noodle soup, the tissue box, coughdrops, and homemade ice cream sandwiches which were a huge hit!  Talk about score in the friend department!  She is amazing!!!!  I was so grateful for this kind gesture!

 Once I was feeling better it has been back to healthy eating and this is one of my favorite meals - spinach, tomatoes, feta, turkey bacon (lean), and home made balsamic dressing!  So yummy!

 This little girl likes to put herself in timeout when the boys are having to go to the corner - only she only likes this one corner! She gets mad and kicks them out if they go here!

Another yummy meal is this yams, brussel sprouts - Cash's favorite veggie - and grilled chicken!  So delicious!

 When both Cash and Griffin happened to be at school at the same time this diva girl and I did what girls do best - went shopping!  Had a BLAST!!!  LOVE that she loves dressing up and getting all dolled up!

 Another favorite is tacos at our house - and this has avocado, spinach, salsa, and is on a whole wheat flat bread tortilla that is only 100 cals at Costco!  Then, delicious carrots steamed and then sauteed in a little coconut oil and rosemary - Griffin and Ivy LOVE them!

 When I don't want to be quite so healthy we have really fallen in love with going to Menchies or Pink Berry and getting the yummy frozen yogurt - EVERYONE loves this! Great family time!

 Pineapple and Mango are my favorites right now!

 I made this cake for RS and served it with my lesson - didn't actually take a pic of the whole thing but it was beautiful and delicious!  (and very not healthy but I indulged anyways!)

 Been doing a new workout program with much heavier weights and for the first time I am starting to see some definition in my arms and am loving it!  My shoes are cute but not the most cushiony - i love my asics and sauconys and will for sure be going back!

 We have enjoyed the park play dates with our ward when it isn't raining!  Ivy LOVES the swings and will sit there all day, and Griffin loves to push her and makes her laugh hard so it is a fun combo!

 I love the pic on the right even tho you can't fully see her because she looks like her cousin Adella in it!

 Piggies at the park - had to document - so cute!

 In her corner again! Defending it!

 I have had enough rummaging and tangling of all my necklaces in the drawer and have been meaning to buy a board and knobs from hobby lobby and do up something like this - so when we were out at Home Goods and saw these already done I knew I must take them home with me!  You could say I love pearls just a little - right?!  I went a little crazy when we lived in Beijing and they are my favorites, and since I had so many had to buy 2 shelves to hold it all!  The first night after I hung these the top shelf came crashing down at midnight to scare Chip and I half to death - so the next day he went and got me the correct screws to put them in and is fixing them for me!  Good hubby! (especially cuz he didn't get too mad after seeing how many nail holes I had put in the wall prior to getting them hung the first time!)

 This little one LOVES to climb and is always on everything scaring me, but having fun while waiting for Cash at school!

 Feels like yesterday I was going on walks with Cash and Griffin in this stroller when I was pregnant with Ivy, and now lookey!  Crazy how fast time flies!

 Her piggies and vest and outfit demanded a few pics - too bad they weren't in good lighting or great but I loved her look this day!

 During a rainy afternoon we had hot chocolate - the boys wouldn't smile or look for a pic but Ivy was happy to oblige!  Yummy!

 Here is the little diva, showing her sporty side in her brother's hat and also trying to be a big girl!  She frequently asks to go potty on the toilet and whines til I put her up!  I maybe should be more excited that she wants to but am just not ready to potty train her yet!  She is only 1.5 still!  Growing up!

 Started my Book of Mormon reading for March and will complete the book again in 31 days.  Always makes March great!

And finally, this morning she cried and cried until we let her baby sit and eat with her for her breakfast!  She is such a little mother and absolutely ADORES babies!  Very sweet and loving!

Happy March 4th!