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.

Sooooooo hungry!

This past weekend was Yom Kippur, which for those who might not know is one of the high holy days in Judaism. Aaron traditionally observes the holiday like many Jews by fasting. I hadn't ever fasted before, but wanted to support Aaron. The idea is that you fast in order to improve your ability to focus on repentance and ask for forgiveness - it's a day of atonement. My main outstanding question for Aaron was that if this was indeed a holy day, how does watching football fit into the plan? Why were we starving ourselves only to entertain ourselves with tv rather than doing something more spiritual or observant? So, the tv was turned off and we spent some quality time together. We made it through the day with only the expected and tolerated amount of grumpiness.

Phoenix

Today I took my first of many trips to Phoenix for work. It was a quick flight, though very early in the morning, and I returned the same evening. I've weighed out the plus and minuses about this new role that I have at work - I'm the lead marketer for our Arizona practice - and all in all I think it's going to be a good gig. One of the obvious bonuses is going to be watching my Rapid Rewards program membership from Southwest Airlines grow. SWA and I are going to be good friends!

Lenny Schneider

Aaron's grandfather passed away Thursday morning. I got to know Lenny during the past 4 of his amazing 83 years of life and knew him as a strong willed and generous person. He will be missed, but he leaves a legacy of a very tight-knit family who will remember the love he shared and carry that forward.

Wake-boarding weekend

Aaron's cousin, Mike, invited us on a wake-boarding trip for this past weekend and of *course* our answer was yes! After just about an hour's drive from our place we were at Lake Pyramid and all set for a fantastic weekend.

Mike's girlfriend Alyssa made it look easy - she's been riding since she can remember - so Aaron and I were a little bummed that we weren't catching on immediately. But with my water skiing background (I use that term lightly - I went once over 10 years ago) I caught on in the afternoon of the first day. And by the end of the weekend I had stood up 10 times. Aaron didn't have such good luck, but we'll get him up next time.

We camped overnight in a nearby campground that had running water but no showers. Not to worry though since we were just going to jump in the lake in the morning anyway. We set up camp, ate untill we were stuffed, played some cards, crashed out for the night and then went back on the lake all day Sunday.

We had an amazing time!

Introducing Alex

Alex came into our backyard for the first time a couple of weeks ago. He must know a sucker when he sees one because he hasn't left since. Within a day or two we were feeding, brushing, and playing with him regularly. Alex has warmed up nicely to being around us and others, so we're pretty sure that he has had a family already. We have a couple of theories on his back story... but I wont go into those.

People have said that it's only a matter of time before we let him in the house, but so far I think that keeping him outside has worked out pretty well. Aaron and I have are enjoying giving Alex a home, which is a little surprising considering we have always been "dog people." Our plan is to take him to a vet to see if he's microchipped, get him neutered, and then officially call him ours. I've caught him during his afternoon nap in these photos. I never would have thought that I would find a cat so adorable!