Happiness is..

Finding JOY in the simple things

Party time

This little guy was suppose to be born on my birthday {1/27}. Selina went into labor on my birthday, but didn't push the little guy out until about 3 am the next day! I guess Julian wanted his own special day! We celebrated his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle birthday party on Saturday {1/28}. Lots of food!We (the kids) played musical chairs, limbo, a pinata-just how I remember a Garcia party growing up!

Happy FIRST birthday Julian David!

Ru & Cole with their Ninja Turtle masks

With E and Sel

Love family time!

Saturday Night Sardines

No one ever hides in this Harry Potter closet. Its like a recipe for disaster! stepping over who knows what in the dark..but good hiding spot.

we really do look like sardines in a can, except for David who is under the table because spooning with Sarah was just more awkward than it would've been worth.

I was nominated as having the best hiding spot of the night. I think they looked for me for about 30 minutes or something long and annoying. I almost fell asleep. They finally gave up and I gave my secret spot away. I was curled in a little ball, head between legs, and quiet as can be in a closet. Two people swiped their hands right above me but didn't feel down far enough.

It never fails..Sardines=FUN!

Happy Birthday..

to ME! 
Happy # 27!

January 27th, 2012

Morning breakfast on my way to work. Per my request: my MIL pancakes and bacon (I got a bonus omelet too) My hunny had to get up extra early to make this for me since I have to be at work by 7 am. I spent the day working {welcome to adulthood}. Then because Evs was working until 9:30 pm that night, I decided I would call up my cousin to go get a pedicure-I couldn't just go home and watch tv {how boring and depressing}. 

We had fun and I love getting my feet tended to. Its such a luxury! Thanks Elizabeth for going with me!

After pedicures I picked up some Chipotle and met Evs at the girls basketball game @ North High School that he was working. At least we were able to be together.

Evs being the kind man that he is, only put about 6 candles on the cake..seeing as how 27 candles on my little cake would have been a bit much!

                           

Thanks for the cake and ice cream with strawberries Evs! I sure love you!

                         

Evs ended up buying me a new phone. I appreciate his generosity especially since I didn't want or need anything. I really love it though! He did good! He also worked a lot of high school basketball, soccer, and wrestling tournaments to pay for it. I appreciate his hard work. I also got my doggies groomed the next day and that was really what I wanted for my birthday! I love it when they are nice and cleaned up. I'm one lucky girl!

Wednesday JOY

It always brings a smile to my face when my oldies forget to put in their teeth and come to exercise. I was once considering dentures because I had to have some hefty dental surgery because of a fractured tooth and I was terrified of the dentist's office (@ 26 years old). I decided today, after seeing one of my oldies without their teeth, that at 27 years old, that wasn't the style I wanted to sport. 

Celebrating GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!

To celebrate the Chinese New Year I wanted to do something different for dinner. I looked up traditional  noodle recipes and lettuce/cabbage recipes and finally settled on one that looked easiest enough and was different but not too different I might not like it. As I was heading to the Asian Market after Zumba class, I was really tempted to just stop at a Chinese restaurant and get Chinese food to go, but whats the fun in that?!?! So at around 9:45pm we finally ate our

CHOW FUNN.

Noodles (面条; miàntiáo) uncut - long life

Orange (柑橘; gānjú) - wealth, good fortune, gold

Onion (洋葱; yángcōng) - cleverness

Carrots (胡蘿蔔; hú luóbo; or 紅蘿蔔; hóng luóbo), red colour- good luck

It was actually really good. My first time eating Chow Funn and first time making it too. My husband said its actually one of his favorite meals. He loves the long thick, real noodles. It was a fun family night to fix our meal together. When at the store, Evs texts me and says," you need anything else?" I said," oh you should get a Chinese drink too." He replies, "Whats that?" I said, "I dont know your the Chinese one." He replies, "LOL.Ok I got the drink." He comes home with this and says it was on sale. HAHA..Yep my China man so frugal.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!!

The Year of the Dragon is believed to bring success and happiness. "The Year of the Dragon is one of high risks and high returns — a year during which the financial crisis will finally see some light. Chung explains that this is a “Water Dragon Year,” which means a higher flow of communication between people."

-Chinese astrologer Joseph Chung

We were both born in 1985 so our Chinese animal is the Ox. Here is what Chung has to say about our animal for 2012:

Despite the risk-taking nature of the Year of the Dragon, Chung says the Ox should be conservative this year and follow his own path. “The Ox should be flexible because in his career, things are about to change,” warns Chung. Chung believes the Ox will be surrounded by love and support this year and advises the Ox to turn to friends rather than depending on therapy.

I sure enjoy embracing Evan's Chinese side.

Family festivities

Got together with half of my siblings {minus the Oregon siblings & Jen} at J&B house for dinner and fun. Watched football. Caught up on events. Ate good food. Played Scramble with friends against each other via our electronics. Looked at photos. Meanwhile, the girls played kitchen, "mom and baby", princesses and made their mark in the bathroom. Bria sitting on the toilet being a big girl and putting the fake flower in her mouth and Ru spraying Febreeze all over the bathroom {we knew they were up to something when we smelt it from the other room}. Great family times!

Last minute Saturday Night

Was spent with these girls..

Watching this movie @ Regal Cinemas..

Eating/drinking lots of this..{even if the popcorn fell on the floor} Oh and candy from our goodie bags that Britt made.

Needless to say, Evs and I had a fun night. Its nice to steal other peoples kids for the night, but when they are asking for their mommas, you know you should probably return them. I love these girls. Wish we lived closer to the other 5 nieces too. Theres something to be said about not just loving your family but just enjoying them!

Time and changes

Time has sure passed since we were just 1 year old toddlers. Life has changed for both of us. No matter what direction life takes people, in a round about way we always end up back near the ones that mean most and the ones that will always be by our side. Thankful for those that love and support me! Thank you Selina for spending an entire day with me, including a very early morning, away from your hubby on his day off & Julian.

Weekend visit

 Ev always willing to help. He will be such a great Daddy someday.

 Trace loved Sage. Sage was getting used to being yanked around, but did great with Trace.

We spent the weekend in San Marcos, CA. One of Evan's friends had a wedding reception and our bro-in-law was being called to a Bishop in his ward. We went to support him and visit with everyone. We were able to spend time with Evan's Dad who flew in from Hawaii to support Marc as well. It was so nice to see him! Family is everything!