California Pioneer Day...

 

 

Our ward had a little Pioneer Day get together.

Thanks to Tracy Elder for taking these photos.

We are having a great time getting to know the couples and families in our neighborhood. 

One thing is certain...

we are blessed to be a part of this church where we feel so at home anywhere we go.

Our ward is chalk full of kids.

Somehow James managed to nab himself a calling in primary -

without me.

Lucky for me, this weekends party provided some great chances to get to be around the kiddos.

 How cute are these two little guys?

 

 I wont hide the face that I miss St. George on days like -

ok - well on Pioneer Day.

But my home is now with this man.

And we certainly are having a blast.

 Even if we did loose the 3 legged race to some munchkins.

Marriaged...

 

On Thursday one of my dreams came true.

Dinner was prepared and my man walked in from his grown up job with flowers from our neighborhood shop.

It was a surprise I have always dreamed of.

And I ate it up.

But sometimes I think about this blog 

and what I am leaving behind for my posterity to read about our life.

I think about what I wish I knew about my parents when they were first married.

And to be honest its not just the events or the perfect moments that just make for good pictures.

Marriage is not just a bunch of fun events and adorable moments.

But what I am learning is that the imperfections in marriage are actually what make it more fun.

As one of my best friends said to me recently -

marriage would be real boring if you were the same exact person as your spouse.

So, I am attempting to not get frustrated at these differences and simply embrace them.

{key word here - attempting}

Take for example our simple decision of Friday night dinner.

I desperately wanted to try the new Acai Bowl craze...

So James willingly obliged until we walked in.

And then loudly declared that Bonzai Bowl is a chick restaurant.

Despite my attempts to throw a grown up fit...

we decided upon eating at two different restaurants.

As it turns out - it was one of the best meals we have had together.

We couldn't stop laughing at our inability to agree upon a simple meal.

Or the fact that James likes to sleep with a sheet - just one simple sheet

and I like to sleep with a comforter and a blanket.

After months and months of trying to force each other to sleep with one or the other...

We realized sleeping with two different blankets doesnt mean we have a bad marriage.

In fact, we are much happier and enjoy our nights together a whole lot more.

Or what to watch on a Sunday afternoon..

sports or a chick flick?

This typcially results in me working on some project while James watches a game.

And as it turns out - we are both perfectly happy.

So after months and months of trying to become the same person -

I have finally realized that marriage is just a whole lot more fun because we are different.

After all, opposites attract...

right?

Salt Creek Beach...

While the Skousens were in town we went to Salt Creek Beach for the first time.

Shelby grew up in Laguna Niguel so she was familiar with the area.

On Sunday afternoon we packed up a little picnic and headed down south.

I fell in love.

This park overlooks the beach right next to the Ritz Carlton.

We were there at just the right moment.

The sun was beginning to set and the sun was hitting the water just right.

It was one of days when you just sit back and realize how blessed you really are.

I couldnt help but take this moment in.

Looking out over the ocean with my favorite man in his element with great friends.

  

Of course we also hit up our local spot on the peninsula with our visitors.

We had so much fun just lounging and chatting up a storm.

At one point James noted that Shelby and I could talk for 24-hours nonstop.

It is probably true.

We hit up True Food Kitchen.

Got juiced veggies and fruit from Mamas Kitchen

{although I am the only freak that actually liked them}

and mostly just lounged and enjoyed each others company.

 

And on Wednesday night I came home to this sweet gift.

I still am in shock.

It still has the bow on top.

I felt like it was Christmas.

Shelby and Ryan were such easy house guests -

they cleaned my house from top to bottoms so I could come home to a clean house.

And then they left us this sweet thank you gift.

Honestly, I feel like they did far more for us than we did for them.

What a sweet and thoughtful gift.

James and I have been wanting to get a little outdoor BBQ for our patio...

but I knew we would never get it for ourselves.

They are such sweethearts.

Thank you thank you.

I cant wait to grill up some Salmon for Sunday dinner tomorrow.

 

 

And to top off our great weekend my man and I celebrated our 10 month anniversary.

I feel like time is flying by -

and soon we wont be newlyweds anymore.

I hate that.

I want to stay newlyweds forever.

I absolutely love this stage.

I truly hope we act like newlyweds for the rest of our lives.

The Banana Stand...

 Our friends Shelby and Ryan came to visit this past week.

Our apartment has lovingly been nicknamed Hotel Barker -

despite the lack of a bed, air-conditioning and many other basic amenities.

One of our favorite things to do around here is to visit Balboa for a late night treat. 

Lucky for us, Shelby and Ryan also took a liking to the touristy banana stand.

Lets just stay we paid the good ol banana stands multiple visits within a few days.

Now let me save you a lot of trouble -

if you visit the OC skip the Original Frozen Banana 

and head straight to Dads Frozen Bananas.

You may think there isnt much of a difference -

but we all agreed the butterbrickle at Dads takes the cake...

or the banana.

{and yes I am wearing a tie. this visit happened to be after HP #7.5. 

Lucky for me James wedding tie also doubles as a HP costume}

Wednesday Wisdom...

STORIES ABOUT MY MOTHER...

Our families, our children, are so greatly affected by our love, 

our kindness, our example in all good traits. 

Someone said “love is the most quietly creative force in the universe-so critical to our happiness. 

The infant who cannot even understand, knows his mother loves him. 

He feels her quiet movements bringing peace into his fearful, hungry world. 

She knows and feels the cries and strains at every level. 

There are no PHD’s in this hi art. It is just developed with caring for some one you love. 

A mothers love 

I remember my mothers love and sacrifice for me and our family. 

When I was attending Woodward Jr. High School, 

I was asked to go to the prom. 

This was my first formal date, 

but I had no formal gown and we had no money to buy one. 

My dear mother worked in other peoples gardens to earn extra money to buy me a gown. 

I still remember in detail this beautiful dress that she worked so hard to provide for me. 

As I grow older, the more significant this is to me. 

That is the kind of mother I had. She always had a clean and inviting home. 

There was usually something yummy she had just baked when we came home from school. 

Always clean sweet smelling clothes that had been washed in a #3 tub 

that the water had been heated in over a wood burning fire-until electricity came to town 

and we could have more modern equipment. 

I appreciate and love my daughters and daughter in-law for the wonderful mothers they are. 

Whose children call them “BLESSED.”

I still miss my mother every day. Love to you all. 

Grandma Ora.

PS The picture is of me and Roma Nisson at her wedding.

My dress was a pretty pale blue.

Even in this modern day it is still a beautiful gown.

The Great Park

 Thanks to OC Metro, 

James and I were invited to a charity event for The Great Park.

I had never heard of the park before moving here but I love the idea.

Years ago the land was a military/airforce base - 

leaving behind some amazing old buildings and a pretty run down space.

The county has decided to turn it into a park to benefit the community.

It is definitely something to go check out.

They have the worlds largest helium balloon -

that you can get in and float up for free.

Soon they will have a discovery science center, an art museum,

and lots of exciting things.

The event was incredible.

It was a Brazilian theme with a fun funky band.

I loved getting to know my coworkers a little better

and still cant get over how blessed we are to be starting our lives here.

I was so excited for our first real community event -

and as it turned out I completely fell in love with the park.

I have high hopes for that place.

 

And I must admit -

my favorite part of the night wasnt the glitz and glam...

it was watching this handsome man juggle.

The things you learn about your spouse in the most unusual of places.

Slacks. Sports coat. Juggling. Classic.

Shark Attack...

 

This was going to be a really exciting post.

On Saturday we waltzed on down to the Newport Harbor and tried stand up paddle boarding.

Of course I wanted to take some pictures.

The nice rental man told us that only 10 percent of people fall in...

so James, being the sweet husband he is, took his phone to snap some pictures.

We had an absolute ball paddle boarding.

Definitely more fun than kayaking and a great workout.

Surprisingly it is not as hard as it looks...

which for someone as uncoordinated as I am that is always a bonus!

But after about 50 minutes of complete bliss we stood still on our boards to chat for a second -

not moving.

And as James recounts a shark suddenly jumped out of the middle of no where 

causing him to loose his balance

and in he went -

phone, wallet, and all.

As I recount, James lost is balance and fell in.

I tried to yell for him to get his phone out of the water as soon as possible.

But instead I stood on my board and laughed hysterically....

before toppling in myself.

So much for James phone and my cute dress and belt.

Thus, we have no pictures -

just an excellent story of how/why my husband is now phoneless.

No, we did not see a shark.

BUT we did see our second school of dolphins.

To the people here this becomes so normal.

But to me I still jump off my towel and run to the shore.

I am mesmerized by them.

I hope my amazement of the beauty of this place never stops.

This time there were probably 20-30 dolphins swimming incredibly close to the shore.

I wished so badly that I was that man in the water just feet away from them.

 Despite our scuffle with the shark paddle board -

we are hooked and cant wait for more.

We had an excellent weekend together after a long week at work.

Here is to many more scuffles with the ocean together

and coming home sopping wet and completely happy.

A little give and a little take...

If there is one thing I have learned in my wise ol 9.5 months of marriage -
its to give a little and take a little.

I used to want James to want to go do my girly things with me.

When in reality he will go because I want him to go -

and he will still be perfectly happy.

Just like I will happily go do his manly things with him -

not because I want to...

but simply because he wants to.

So, this fourth of July holiday we did exactly that.

A little give and a little take.

 

If you cant already tell -

the day started off with my events.

Thanks to a friend at church we found out about our local elementary school bike parade.

As a parade veteran and fanatic I was stoked for the event.

It did not disappoint.

After the parade there was a fair.

I could not get over how absolutely darling our little community is.

Although we don't know a single person -

we loved walking around enjoying what

{in the far future}

could be our kids first parade experience.

I once told my husband that my only qualification for where we raise our kids is parades.

{of course I was at least 15% joking}

For some reason I had it in my mind that only small towns had this community feel.

Turns out I was oh so wrong.

 

While I was thrilled to see that our new home has parades -

James was even more thrilled to find Snow Cones.
We have searched this place high and low for these puppies.

And yes we passed up yogurtland for this little taste of summer.

 

Next up on the girly agenda -

Balboa Island for the Newport Beach Old Glory Boat Parade.

While it was my idea - I would have to say that even the boy liked it!

The island was nothing short of charming.

Sure it was as busy as can be -

but we really dont mind all beach goers.

Everyone was decked in their red white and blue.

And the boats were a site to be seen.

And then it was time for James' taking - and my giving.

Off to the Anaheim Angels baseball game we went.

Thanks to Churm Media for the incredible seats!

We went with our friends the Johnsons -

we are oh so grateful to have them as friends.

The Angels played the Detroit Tigers and James was in heaven.

Although he isn't a huge baseball fan -

this boy will take any kind of sport!

I learned all about bunts and balks and bats and balls and what have you.

You betcha I am now a resident baseball expert.

As the national anthem was sung and the huge airforce plane flew above the stadium -

this massive flag was unraveled!  

I must admit it gave me chills all over.

What a wonderful country we live in.

 All-in-all it was a fabulous “little give little take” 4th of July.

Now who is up for a beach vacation?

Come on over!

In just one day this place feels like a ghost town...

and this house is in need of a few more sandy toes.

July 4th Wisdom...

My sweet Grandma called this morning and wanted to share a patriotic message with her family -

and of course all of you.

She is sharing a talk she gave 21 years ago.

It is a wonderful tribute to our heritage.

Click below to read on...

Fireworks...

 

We had a little party for two tonight.

A little Paul Revere wanna be left James a memo this morning...

and lo and behold -

there was a party!

Mr. Barker starts his big boy job this week and I couldn't be more proud! 

That along with the holiday led to our celebration.

Our ward was packed to the brim with 4th of July visitors.

Far more beach goers than ward members today.

And we love it!

This place is overflowing with the summer spirit!

James was singing party for two all day.

Little does he know he is in for a patriotic reading tonight.

Oh how I love this great country and our heritage.

Proud to be an American.

We have parades and baseball on the agenda tomorrow.

It doesn't get more American than that.

Happy 4th of July!

Home...

Welcome to real life.

Where you work real hard.

And play even harder.

We are eating up this three day weekend together.

Kayaking around Lido Island. 

Making new friends.

Seeing a flying man.

Walking to the peninsula with 2 great couples.

Getting in the water for the first time.

Playing bocce ball.

Eating Cafe Rio,

And making this place home.

We are starting our very own 4th of July traditions and making each other our home.

This is certainly a wonderful stage of life.

Couldn't be more grateful on this holiday weekend.