In Lake Isabella with the Hunters

January 31, 2009~

Some friends of ours, the Hunters, took us up to their place in Lake Isabella to hang out and go rock climbing (since I'm an experience rock climber and all!)  The rock climbing part ended up not working out but we did have a really enjoyable time just hanging out.  

Here we are on the Dam corner! (Check out the sign in the background).  Minutes later we stopped at the Dam store.--->

<---The kids playing in the dirt.

                                

                          

                                                         

                                                         

How cute is this face?

Evelyn's starting a collection.  I couldn't believe she actually picked up this big rock.

Going on a nature walk

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I'm sure you all remember being asked this in grade school.  Today I've been thinking a lot about all the occupations I've wanted throughout the years and while they're all fresh in my mind I thought I'd share.  To be honest I've never really known what I've wanted to do.  Even coming out of High School I had no clue and I guess you can say I've always been trying to figure it out.  Even now that I have time to set it aside I think about it.  Some day I do plan to go back to school and I'm hoping I'll have some idea by then.  But for the time being here's an updated list of all the jobs I've wanted throughout the years.  Some of them I gave up on years ago and some of them (the last 3) I'd still like to do.

#1 is a CLOWN.  When I was real little (like 4-6) I thought I was hilarious and I loved to make people laugh by doing stupid things.

#2 is a COMEDIAN.  Someone tipped me off to the fact that you couldn't actually go to "clown school" (7-8).  When I turned 8 and started to calm down I realized that my "humor" was just me being goofy.

#3 is a VETERINARIAN.  When we moved we started a collection of pets; dogs, cats, etc.  I've always really like animals and felt a connection with them but I realized a few years later that I'd never want to operate on or put an animal down (9-12).

#4 is a PRO SOCCER PLAYER.  My parents started putting me in different sports and I really took to soccer.  I continued to play several years of AYSO and a few years in High School but I realized that as much as I like it I'd never be good enough to play professionally (12-14).

#5 is a PARK RANGER.  I've always loved nature.  It's amazing.  So I figured the perfect job would be to live in the woods and take care of it, solve problems and help people. (14-16)

#6 is a volunteer in the PEACE CORPS.  I can't imagine a more satisfying job than to travel the world and help people.

 

#7 is a MARINE BIOLOGIST.  I love the ocean and animals so it was a perfect fit.  Science was always one of my favorite subjects and I was thrilled by the idea that I'd get to spend weeks at a time on a boat studying new species.  A little bit different but in the same field I also thought it would be a blast to work at Sea World with the underwater animals.  I'd still love to do it but I don't know how practical it would be living in Bakersfield.

#8 is a ZOOLOGIST.  As much as I love water animals I still really like land animals.  I LOVE going to the zoo.  It would be a dream job for me to care for and study any kind of animal.  Especially the babies (their SO cute).

#9 is a PHYSICAL THERAPIST.  I tossed around the ideas of getting a biology degree, a P.E. degree or Kinesiology degree.  I also took a class in nutrition and really enjoyed it.  But the problem was that not one of these had exactly what I wanted and then I read a description of what a Physical Therapist did and I was hooked.  It's the perfect combination of all my interests and to top it off I'll get to change peoples lives for the better.

Tune in to the MoneyWise show tonight at 6!

Andy's going to be on the MoneyWise show tonight to talk about his BIG movie premier!  It's from 6-7PM on KERN 1180 AM or online live.  If you have a question for him you can call in at 842-KERN(5376) or 1-800-640-KERN.  He's AWESOME and he'll do a great job so listen in! And make sure you buy your tickets to the premier ASAP before they sell out!

Happy Birthday DAD!

Happy Belated Birthday DAD!

You're AWESOME! Thanks for being the best dad and grandpa EVER!

WE LOVE YOU!

Andy, Amber, Evelyn & Preston

   

Dad, Evelyn & Eliza at the Long Beach Aquarium

January 22, 2008

In honor of my dad I thought I'd publish his infamous Mac & Cheese recipe.  This recipe is one of my all time favorites.  Not only because it tastes really good but it's super easy to make and it's a HUGE hit with the kids.

1 pound velveeta cheese

1 stick butter

1 cup milk

1 pound large elbow noodles

Cook the noodles al dente.  In a separate pot combine the cheese, butter, and milk.  Cook the mixture over low heat and stir frequently.  Drain the noodles and add the cheese mixture.  You can either enjoy as is or put in a baking dish topped with cheddar cheese. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 min.

Has it really been that long?

As of February 14 (Valentine's Day) Andy and I have been married for 6 years.  It's insane that it's been so long because it seriously doesn't seem like it.  It's been a great 6 years.  Andy is an awesome husband and father to our kids.  He has so many amazing qualities and talents that make him who he is.  He's brilliant, ambitious, loving and fun. I am so proud to be married to such a great man and I love every minute that I get to spend with him.

To celebrate we headed out early, with no kids thanks to Nichole, for a day to just do whatever we wanted to do.  Andy left the day wide open and we totally just winged it as we went along.  First we did some driving around to all our old stomping grounds; our first apartment as a married couple, the apartment we managed for a while, etc.  Then we headed over to the mall, did a little window shopping and ate a nice lunch at Red Robin where they, according to Andy have "the best burger in Bakersfield".

After filling our bellies with yummy food we went over to Camalot for a couple of competitive games of air hockey, which is like our "it" game.  In the past we've always been about equally matched but this time Andy seriously kicked my trash.  Luckily for me his victory was short lived because afterwards we played a game of miniature golf and I beat him (although I think he might have rigged the numbers in my favor).

We scoped out the new books at Barnes and Nobles and I snapped this great picture of Andy chillin' on the ground.

Lastly we drove downtown and walked to the top of the parking structure by Andy's office for a cool view of Bakersfield.  And then we walked around downtown and checked out the local scenery before heading back to pick up the kids.  

Thanks for such a great day Andy!  And for a wonderful past 6 years.  I'm looking forward to many many more great years with you.  Happy Anniversary!  I LOVE you!

Big Announcement!

I thought this post would never come, but here it it. It's official! My first feature film premiere! Mark your calendars for February 27th at 7:00pm at the Fox Theater in Bakersfield, CA... be there or be square. It's finally here!

So check out the movies cool new website HERE

And I'm even on IMDB! Check my empty, but sweet IMDB page HERE.

*EDIT: Tickets are $6 and are available on the website, from me, or at the door that night.*