Aloha!

Aaron and I just returned to Los Angeles after a long weekend in Hawaii. Some friends were getting married in their home town Honolulu, so of course we were excited when we got the invitation to help them celebrate! We arrived on Thursday afternoon and spent some time walking the beaches and window shopping in Waikiki. Friday we hiked up Diamondhead and enjoyed some Hawaiian Shaved Ice once we made it back to sea level. The wedding was Saturday morning and later that evening a huge group went to a club to continue the party. Sunday was a water day - we went boogie boarding in the morning and then spent the afternoon snorkeling in Hanauma Bay. I was surprised by how *huge* the fish were and very tame. They barely swam away when we approached them for a closer look! We spent our last evening on the island with our friends Karen and Jonathan driving through the countryside to check out Northshore. It was a nice extended weekend away!

Aunt Sue in Santa Monica

This weekend my Aunt Sue came to visit from Colorado. Technically she came to see my mom who lives part time in southland, but this exemplifies another bonus to having my mom here: Aaron and I reap the benefits of visitors coming through town. Aaron finished watching the UCLA football team beat Cal - Go Bruins! - and then we headed out for some Santa Monica culture in the form of a walk along the cliffs and the homeless, then back through the shopping and the street performers on the Third Street Promenade. The weather was perfect and we covered a little more than 2 1/2 miles. Worked up an appetite for dinner at Gyu-Kaku, a Japanese BBQ favorite where you cook your own food at your table. We introduced the 'older generation' with us to Pinkberry for dessert and then headed back to our place so my mom could open her birthday present from us (a couple of Newberry Award winning books to add to her collection).

All work and no play.... makes for a boring blog!

So, it's been a little while since I've blogged. I have been sooooooo busy with work that I haven't really wanted to sit at the computer for any longer than I already have on any given day. I have been to Miami and Phoenix (both for work) since I last wrote. Sadly, I don't have a hot Miami night life story to write since I spent my entire time there busy at a conference. And well, Phoenix... is Phoenix. I am still searching for 'the scene' there.

For those of you who haven't heard, little Alex is officially ours. We adopted him (or did he adopt us?). In the process he had to stay at the animal shelter for 5 days where he ate very little and caught a kitty cold. After nearly two weeks of really crappy days and us forcing anti-biotics down his throat, the little guy has made a full recovery and is as cute as ever. He still needs to gain some weight back, but he's nearly there.

Aaron and I have kickball tonight - to which I plan on bringing my new fancy camera. If I get a good shot, I'll post it so you can see us in action.