Mid way through summer

This summer has been super busy for us. We've been to the Lake twice, Bismarck, and I went on a mini vacation to San Diego.  And we've done our best to stay busy back home in GF.  Amaya restarted Gymnastics at Red River Valley Gymnastics but in a different class, Lil Acro, and she is also doing one session of dance.  Although I think she may not be ready for it yet.  But we will see how it looks at the end.  She spent 4/5 days in Bismarck with her Auntie Tara, Uncle Rick and cousins Kendall and Jaxon and she still asks us when we get in the car if we're going to go see her cousins.  :). She had a blast and I know they kept her busy.  They saw Despicable Me 2, went to the Sandbars (I still don't know what they are, lol) and her and her big cousin Kendall got their nails painted...among other things.  We missed her tons, but I knew she was going to behave, which she did, and that all the kids were going to have fun, which they did.  So it was a success for everyone involved.  We also went to the lake on the 4th of July and although my baby got eaten alive by mosquitoes she still had fun and especial wanted to stay out and watch the fireworks. I was not fond of the mosquitoes, but what else is new?  I just can't get used to them no matter how hard I try.  

But my Amaya turned 3 this summer and has been one busy kid so far and I don't see her slowing down.  I'm just glad all vacations have ceased right now because I am loving all this time at home with my fiancée and daughter!  I just feel so lucky and blessed.  Despite the issues that arise I am happy and things will only get better from here.  #operationAugust2014 

Pictures from the summer:

She got into mommys makeup

Cousin Love 

BISMARCK 

At the Lake!  Thanks to pacey for making the picture funny!  But more cousin love :)  

All things San Diego

It was that time again for me and my cousin/best friend to see each other and enjoy each others company and San Diego was the perfect place for that to happen.  Unfortunately for me she loves there and I don't! :(. Lol.  But San Diego was absolutely fabulous and even more fabulous was that we accomplished everything we set out to do: tour the USS Midway, attended a professional baseball game (a first for me) San Diego Padres vs. San Francisco Giants!  It was perfect that the padres just happened to play our  home team and it was hilarious that the Giants had more fans than the Padres.  Another fabulous occurrence was that thanks to the ticketmaster kiosks right outside the stadium we got 2 tickets for $16 total!  What a deal! We had deals all weekend.  Friday consisted of Mission/Pacific Beach and shop at the outlets.  We went to the outlets right on the border.  I swear I did not know San Diego was that close to Mexico! Crazy.

 But even better than that was the crazy amazing deals we got.  I easily had 6 bags of purchases (including gifts for Eric and Amaya) for $50 total.  Although it was gonna be a right squeeze in my carry on suitcase I could not pass up on any deals.  Next was the Beach and boy was it fabulous! It was just gorgeous and beautiful and relaxing and we could not get our minds off how one day we were going to own a beach house or have a timeshare or something.  Because, although, we don't swim and the water is cold just looking at the ocean is relaxing on itself and it takes your mind off everything else that doesn't matter and you just live in the moment.  Plus there's no mosquitoes and horse flys that bite you to death (like at the lake).  

After the beach, and our "accident" (inside joke), we went to one of my favorite spots to eat: Chili's!!  And we ran into a girl we went to junior high with!  It was crazay!  We weren't always the nicest to this girl but c'mon it was junior high and by graduation time we had made up and even cried.  Lol.  But yeah we talked with her and that was really nice to see how much we've all grown up and have done different things in our lives.  

On to Saturday....PRIDE!!!!  I had my 5k and the parade and it was fabulous, thankfully Devonna lived right across the street from where the 5k and parade were so parking was not an issue.  And I succeeded in goals for my first 5k which was to NOT stop for anything and to finish in 30 minutes. Well I got 30:47 and I consider that 30 minutes.  And my cousin was waiting for me at the finish line and took some good pictures. After the 5k it was Parade Time and that was a sight to see (to say the least).  It was so much fun and exciting and motivating to just be yourself! While my cousin had to go to work I went and got myself my Carne Asada tacos from TacoRey! Delicious and I went and took a nap.  Then we walked from Devonnas job, which is right downtown, and went to see the Sklar Brothers at the American Comedy Club.  We had so much fun! All the comedians were hilarious.  After that it was a night out on the town in downtown Diego and boy were the streets packed!  I mean the streets were filled with crowds and groups of people on every street, every corner!  It was fun!!!!  We had some troubles finding a karaoke bar, Yelp messed us up so we just called it a night because I had a 6am flight.  :(. Devonna came back to my hotel to ensure I could fit all my clothes into my carry on luggage and we did it!!!! It was sheer will cuz in theory it should not have worked.  Lol.  

My cousin Devonna and I had a blast, grown woman style! And it'll be a weekend I never forget!  San Diego was love at first sight.  I absolutely loved the city, it was easier to get around than I thought it was going to be, especially once I traded in my convertible Camaro for a Hyundai! Haha.  I had to do it, I wasn't trying to kill myself.  I knew what was best, but I still love the Camaro, we just didn't work out.  :(. People were nice and there was so much to do and easily accessible!  We were dreaming about how one day we will own beach property!   If anyone does it, it will definitely be me and Devonna cuz we stay motivated and we motivate and support each other to the fullest!  I love her and will always be there for her and I know I can count on her.  

Now it's time for Pictures: