Gavin... up close and personal!

I had the pleasure today to meet a little man called Gavin; whom we've all been waiting for a very long time now! He's not the usual newborn infant you meet...he really knows how to make quit an impression! He hung on to me like a cute little monkey, but strong enough to lift his head off the floor, and not shy at all at passing the flatus! Therefore, he's a perfect little guy showing us already just how colorful he will be at giving his family much love, laughter, and excitement for years to come!

Samson's surgery

We took Sam yesterday to UC Davis for his scheduled appointment with an orthopedic MD for his left knee. He is "under the knife" today, and will be recovering in puppy hospital overnight. He will be getting a new ACL replaced since the poor guy was born with cruciate's disease that deteriorates the ACL ligament...poor puppy. Tomorrow Trav and I will be picking up little Sam from the hospital. I miss my doggy, can't wait to see him:)

Go Bears!

Last saturday... Travis took me out on a nice day to the Cal Bears game who beat Washington
48-7. We had great 40-yard line seats, 23 rows up. It was fun hanging out in Berkeley for the day, and drinking beer and eating hot dogs.

Xmas Tree Farm

We drove to Gilroy to the xmas tree farm, and went to cute down our tree! We took Samson with us...he enjoyed himself smelling and sniffing all the tress, and some children too!

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Guitar Hero Rocks!!

So last monday, the last day we spent in Oregon, we let the children open one of their xmas presents before we left. It was the coolest present for children of all ages! Here's some pics to show how much the "children" enjoyed their cool gift! We had a great weekend with the Kinyons!

Thanksgiving and Smith Rock!

Saturday, was prethanksgiving dinner with Travis' family in Oregon. It was a cold quiet day, which was perfect since we were all recovering from the Bars the night before. Travis made a delicious turkey, and we all ate to our hearts content! Sunday, we spent our day hiking around Smith Rock, north of Bend and a beautiful place to go hiking and rock climbing!

Bar Hopping in La Pine

Last weekend was a blast! We got to visit the Kinyon clan in Oregon and spend a long weekend with them. Lacey hitched a ride up to visit Dan as well:) We drove straight from the Bay Area to La Pine a total of a 9 hour ride, after we all worked a 12-hour shift! Crazy i know, but being young and "twitter peetted" does that to some people!! LOL!! Anyways, That friday night we decided to go to some local "honky" bars. Enjoy the pics!

Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy!!!

Now, you all know i really don't like country music, but there's this one place i really really like going to called the Saddle Rack! And yes, they play country music (and other genre's), but i think it's more than just the music...it's the alcohol!! We've been there several times and it's never disappointing. Last saturday Lacey and Dan came to visit us (or each other) lol!!! And we all went out for some good night fun! We met up with a couple of my fellow nurses from work, and cousin Wendy too!! Here's some pictures of the events that proceeded!!

Don't Cry for Me Argentina!!

ARGENTINA!!!

We had such a blast during our honeymoon! We enjoyed every bit of it. We stayed in Buenos Aires for 3.5 days, we ate to our hearts content!! We saw tango shows and a lot of sightseeing, did i mention A LOT of EATING!!!! Next, we flew south to Puerto Madryn to watch whales mating, and elephant seals raising their new babies, and Penguins looking for a girlfriend. It's spring time down there so there's many animals that migrate down to mate and raise their young. Wish we could have spent more time in such a wonderful country that had so much to offer. We had a great adventure!!

OUR WEDDING DAY!

Well...the day came and went all to quickly!! Had a fabulous time with wonderful family and friends around me. Travis' family were taking bets to see if i cried during my vows, but i held it together and scored!!! The day was beautiful in every way! I had my trusty bridesmaids that kept it light and cheery all day long! Everyone helped make the day spectacular...from my aunt doing all the girls hair in record time, to Brianne helping get our makeup beautiful, to Alicia decorating the table with the centerpieces, to the speeches that made the whole house cry, to my dad who stunned everyone with his dance moves while we danced, and to Travis... whom I'm thrilled to call my husband!! Travis and I deeply enjoyed our wedding day, which we will never forget and always cherish the beautiful memories that were made.

Bridal Shower Weekend

My wedding chi is in full force now! Only a month away and the excitement is building up! Had a great weekend with family and friends attending our couples shower this weekend in Pleasant Hill. The weather was hot, the food was good, but most of all there was a great crowd of peoples i enjoyed spending time with. Travis and i received several nice gifts which included the extremes ...from silver serving platters to x-rated delights to "redneck" china which basically means paper plates and cups!!! You gotta love Travis' family with their silly sense of humor! But the fun didn't end there. A group of us got together after the shower and went bar hopping in downtown Walnut Creek. We ended up at a gay club and danced to the wee hours of the morning, all because Travis thought 1 more shot of patron would be okay!!!! Yup, i had a blast!!

My Bach bash at Lake Berryessa!

I got to spend this weekend with some pretty special girls. The weekend was warm and relaxing. We got to spend it out by the water, but first had to work on some wardrobe malfunctions! Thank goodness Lacey was beside me to making sure we all got a sneak peak! We got some cool cups and tin cans that Michelle specially made for us (she's so freakin' crafty)!! I got to pop some balloons with my bum, and Trinette brought a cool game, which was perfect to play and drink to! The mommas of the bunch, brought their mommy spirits and made lunch for the rest of us. And the jersey girls with their funny jersey talk made it amusing to speak to. Too bad they had problems with a california shower! Overall, I had a fun time- hope the girls enjoyed spending the weekend at the lakehouse!

1 car down!!! Ohh no!!

So travis got into a fender bender this past week. But thank goodness he's okay. His truck can barely run, and we're surviving on my little "Julio" getting us around. I hope we can get the truck fixed and repaired, but they haven't told us the costs of the damages yet. We're keeping our fingers crossed...really don't want another big expense with wedding stuff right around the corner!

VISA!! NOT the Credit Card!!

For those of you who don't know how hard it is to get into the States...allow me to inform you. Now, we all know you can either get into this country the right way or the "wrong" way. Obtaining a visa is no easy chore, and for some people they would rather run, swim, or tunnel their way across the border!!! But for those who attempt to do it the right way like my cousins coming from Costa Rica. It has been a long, expensive, and tedious task. For example, one must buy a passport (like we do) before they know if they can even use it, next comes more $$$ to apply for a visa...then obtain work, school, bank,property documents validating who you are and promising you'll come back to the country. After that they must wait in line a pray immigration offices grant them an appointment to see them. Next, I and(my parents) must write letters of invitation, wedding invitations, and SSN, license #, property ownership and w2 forms, in order to prove we can and will provide a place to stay and pay for expenses while they are in the U.S. Overall, this process has taken us a little less than 1 year to gather.

Nevertheless, I'm please to inform you that is has been worth the wait... My cousins have been granted the Visa, along with my Great Aunt. I can't wait to see them for my wedding, and have them visit California!

So, if you were thinking that it was easy to cross the border the "right way"....think again! If I was a good swimmer...I would take my chances!!!

Ellsmore family!!

It was a great end to our week long vacation visiting the Ellsmore's house, and meeting the twins, and playing Wii with Jamie and Scott! As always, the Ellsmore's always the great hosts, even Samson got a couple of "hello's" from Ming-Chow. (I think the cat won the smackdown! lol!!) As for the Ellsmore twins... pics just don't grasp how cute and adorable they are...even when they're spitting up on you, just gotta luv them! And i do have to say Jamie and Scott looked so natural being mommy and daddy, i hope trav and i can be the same way when we grow up...oops...i mean, have children..LOL!!

Visit to OREGON!!

Trav and I decided to go surprise his family last weekend with an un expected visit. We told his sister about the visit swearing to us she wouldn't tell a soul...well by the time we got there everyone either knew or at least had a hunch. All but Shirley (trav's mom) which surprisingly found a black dog bursting into her home thursday afternoon with Trav and I trailing behind him. She was pleasantly surprised!! We had a great time relaxing by the lake, fishing, and doing what we do best... drinking!! Good times, it was too bad we only had a few days to visit, but we'll see them soon!