After the fun at the mall, we took the girls down to La Jolla cove to see the sea lions. Not much excitement here as they were all asleep, but Reilly & Miss T were fascinated. We could have stayed here all day. Check out the lone white sea lion! We had such a great time visiting with family & friends, & the 80-degree sunshine today wasn’t too shabby, either. We’re on our way home tonight…back to more fun!

We’re on a mini-vacation in San Diego right now, visiting friends and James’ family. These are a few images from the fun day we had with the girls yesterday. We considered going to Sea World or the zoo, but then realized it doesn’t really matter where we take them, as long as we’re together and the focus is on them…hence, the fun day out to lunch, the bookstore, at the outdoor mall for Ben & Jerry’s, and checking out the sea lions camped out on the beach in La Jolla. More images to follow from the beach…stay tuned!

Reilly posing in front of a cool wall at the Pacific Sunwear store

Enjoying some yummy Ben & Jerry’s ice cream

Teagan focused on her coloring while waiting for her pizza

Teagan relaxing on the sea lion statue at the mall

..were some of the highlights of our 7th wedding anniversary. Dinner was lovely.

While we were waiting for our scrumptous meal, Stef asked what my highlight was in our marriage thus far.

Honey, you’ve got to give me more notice for a question like that and preferrably asked BEFORE two glasses of wine. (Note to all you married men: Have answers to questions like these already thought out and committed to memory)

While I was himming and hawing, Stef blurted out her answer (no fair, it was her question and clearly she had been thinking of it all day) and then tried to help me with mine.

Stef: “Was it…the birth of Reilly?”

Me: “…why yes, that was it…yes, the birth of our first daughter!”

I felt like the kid in Christmas Story who finally made it to Santa Claus and choked when asked what he wanted for Christmas.

Well there are many candidates for the answer to this question but we don’t have enough blog space to list them. So after careful thought it occured to me. There is no singular event that stands out or that I can isolate, which brings me back to the beginning. Actually, seven years ago today, the 18th, is probably the highlight for what it represented. Our first new day as a married couple.

Hightlights? Yes there are many, and there will be many more, but as for today, Stef, you are the highlight of my LIFE…everything else is a bonus! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Well it was finally time for Teagan to say goodbye to her baby furniture. Actually, it was time for Stef and I to say goodbye, miss T could probably care less..

Anyway, we ordered a cool new age appropriate set that was scheduled to arrive in a week. We thought we would time things right and place an ad on Craigslist about a week in advance to give enough time for potential buyers.

About an hour later we had several emails. And not the typical “Do you still have this” type, but “WE WANT YOUR SET, HAVE CASH NOW” type. By 7pm, Teag’s old set was in the back of a cute couple’s F150.

One problem. The new bedroom set was not here. Again, Teagan could probably care less. Stef and I felt a little bad though, so Stef ran out and at least got the mattress..which for now, is enough.

Out with the old, in with the new. Goodbye changing tables and baby monitors, hello trundle beds and High School Musical Paraphernalia. Oh boy…

BEFORE CRAIGSLIST

AFTER CRAIGSLIST

We want to wish everyone a very Happy Valentine’s Day!! It seems this day once reserved for love and romance has become more about the kids (as holidays should be!). Reilly has had her High School Musical valentine’s filled out and ready to pass out at school for over a week, and Teagan keeps saying that “it’s almost Valentime’s Day!” (no that’s not a typo…and she doesn’t have a clue what this day is about except for hearts and candy!). James and I have kind of let Valentine’s slip by without much hoopla, as our anniversary is on February 17, so we reserve our celebrating (and spending!) for then. So whatever you do (or don’t do) to celebrate today, don’t forget to tell someone you love them & give ’em a squeeze!

Okay, so here I go again, braggin’ about my hubby, but can you blame me?? I just had to share that James was named 2007 Portrait Photographer of the Year by Professional Photographers of Sacramento Valley (PPSV). I’m so incredibly proud of him! Shown here is his spiffy little plaque, as well as a few of the award-winning images from ’07 that helped earn him this distinction…way to go, honey!

It’s finally here…our new blog! It’s been a big weekend, indeed…James’ 37th birthday was yesterday, so we went with the girls to his favorite place for sushi, Mikuni. He told me all he wanted for his birthday was a sushi boat, even though these things are big enough to feed an army. Considering the size, he made a pretty respectable dent (with some help from Reilly, who has quite the adventurous palette). We topped off the night with a stop at Starbuck’s for a treat. Happy birthday to the best husband and dad in the world! We love you!

A quick note about the new blog…first of all, thanks for visiting! We’re so excited about the new look and the new, super easy to remember web address…www.enchantedblog.com. Our old blog is still online with a link to this one, and so is our regular website (there’s a link on the menu bar at the top of the page). We hope you enjoy the new blog and check back often for new stuff!

Thanks mucho to Melissa Hathaway for the blog designer recommendation, we’re thrilled!