Viva Las Vegas

Tomorrow is the big day that we have been planning for almost a year! We are surprising my mom for her 50th birthday and we are all going to LAS VEGAS!!! Goodbye California and Hello to the City of Lights! I'll be sure to post tons of pics and video of her reactions as everyone shows up to the hotel! I'm so freakin' excited that I am not going to be able to sleep tonight!!!

Snow.......in the Desert?

Okay, so maybe it didn't fall on the actual floor of the Coachella Valley.....but it sure did lay a nice blanket of white on our mountains. Thank you Mother Nature for such a nice touch of winter to go with our sand and cactus. We love the snow, love the rain and love, love, love the weather at 42 degrees.

Heart Warming

I saw this story on the news this morning. (I blubbered like a baby while cuddling Brady at the foot of our bed.) What a wonderful human being this woman is. She is so forgiving and seeing the best in people even when something bad has happened to her. A true example of courage and optimism. It's a reminder to us all that we need to be more like her in this world of negativity and hatred. Thank you ABC for sharing such a heart warming story for us all to enjoy this holiday season. Go here.

Decorations complete.

It Takes 45 Minutes......

to get those silly dogs to sit together for the picture above. I'm exhausted..... Jeremy has a sore finger tip from taking so many pictures......and the boys are fat and happy after all the treats we used to bribe them.

Celine Dion Concert

What a night! Thanks to a good friend of Eric's.......we had incredible seats! Here's a slideshow from the concert. There were too many good shots to post them all.

I was blown away........and reminded why I have been such a huge fan of hers for all these years.

Tonight.......

Staples Center......with my two of my favortie boys......I can't freakin' wait!!!!

Thanks SNL!!!

This was brilliant!!

Who knew Justin Timberlake could look so good in a leotard and heels?

Fires

I am at a lost for words. Our hometown of Yorba Linda, battled 3 horrific fires this weekend. Almost all of our friends and family were evacuated. Some had time to collect their belongings....while others had to leave with only the clothes on their backs. It has been devastating. Yorba Linda is a small community, and I feel so helpless being two hours away from the town where I have so many wonderful memories and so many loved ones.

Although the majority of our family and friends have returned home safely, there are the many unfortunate that have returned to total devastation. They are in our prayers and will continue to be as they try to re-build and start over. Thank you to all of the firefighters for their hard work and dedication to saving our city.

Our hearts are aching.......

Dancing With The Stars

I just love this! Makes me crack up everytime I see it.

StageCoach 2009

I am sooooooooooooo freakin' excited!!!! As a devoted country music fan.......the line up and the dates for the StageCoach Festival were released this morning on our local radio station!!! And the best part....the 2 day ticket has been lowered to $99! Last year it was almost $250 and we opted not to go. But this year we are totally in! Who's coming with me?????

Our New Commander In Chief

No matter what all of our beliefs are....and no matter how each of us voted today.....you have to admit that it was pretty amazing to be a part of history tonight. As Jeremy and I watched Barack Obama deliver his acceptance speech, we couldn't help but think.........how cool to be able to tell our children, grand children and great-grand children that we witnessed this huge event from our family room television.

Today is the BIG DAY

Get out there and do it!!!

The Golden Years

He loves his Goldens........
Jeremy and Dusty Circa 1984.

Jeremy and Murphy Circa 1990.

Jeremy and our boys, Brady & Boomer this summer in Big Bear.

Happy Halloween!

I wanted to wish everyone a very happy and safe Halloween!!! I will be at home with my Dad, Cheryl, Jeremy and the dogs to pass out candy to all kiddies in our neighborhood. I am also making homemade chicken enchiladas, mexican, rice and beans. It should be a mouth watering feast!! Hopefully we can squeeze a scary film into our festivities as well. Here is Elvis (aka Boomer) last year on Halloween. He was not happy, but I can't help but laugh everytime I see this pic.

The Power of Three

HERE IS MINE:

Three names you go by: Amber, Ambos, Babe

Three things you are wearing right now: Wedding Ring, Black pants, Olive Green Blouse

Three of your favorite things to do: Travel, Cook, Hang out with my husband and dogs

Three things you want very badly at the moment: to be at home with my hubby and pups, a vacation back to our honeymoon spot, to take a nap

Three favorite pets you have had: Boomer, Brady and Mandy (our childhood dog)

Three things you did last night: Went to The Taste of Palm Desert, played with the dogs, watched a recorded episode of Oprah on Proposition 2, it was very interesting.

Three things you ate today: Special K Cereal, Soy Milk, Banana

Three people you last talked to: Jeremy, my Mom & Lindsay

Three longest car rides: 40 day trip across the country in a motor home with my parents and grandparents, drive home from Vegas when fires were all over Southern California, I think it was in 2004....it took us almost 10 hours, to Big Sur when the motor home broke down with Grammy and Grampa and we got lost from my mom and dad....it was 16 hour ordeal.

Three favorite holidays: Christmas, Thanksgiving, 4th of July

Three favorite beverages: Strawberry Lemonade, Dr. Pepper, Pelligrino with a slice of lime

Three people I tag: Nina, Erin, & Lisa

HERE IS JEREMY'S:
Three names you go by: Frey, Jer, Jeremy
Three things you are wearing right now: wedding ring, shirt, pants
Three of your favorite things to do: golf, boat, hang out with the wife
Three things you want very badly at the moment: to be at home, a new truck, a cold beer
Three favorite pets you have had: Boomer, Brady, Murphy
Three things you did last night: went to school, watched T.V., ate dinner
Three things you ate today: burrito, burrito, burrito (haven't eaten lunch yet)
Three people you last talked to: contractor, wife, building inspector
Three longest car rides: 16 hours, 4 hours, 2 hours
Three favorite holidays: 4th of July, Christmas, New Years
Three favorite beverages: diet coke, coors light, non fat milk
Three people I tag: What is tagging? Isn't that illegal?

Mia..........The Fastest Dog In Town

I am such a proud aunty of my sister's puppy Mia. A local animal photographer in Irvine captured some shots of Mia at the dog park and wrote a little diddy on her. Go here to see it.

A Tale of Two Homes

Here is an Update on my previous post. The families have been chosen for the Indio Home Makeover/ Make-A-Difference Day project that Jeremy is in charge of. Here is a link to an article in our local newspaper telling the stories of the two families and the history of their homes. Jeremy has a quote or two in the story. There is also a little video interviewing the families. http://www.mydesert.com/article/20081010/NEWS01/810090366/1140/yourtown05

Fresh & Easy........

is the greatest! They opened one of these markets by our house in Indio a few months ago and we absolutely love it!! The fresh, organic produce and other products are fantastic! They make it so easy, (hence the name) to eat healthy food without preservatives, pesticides, hormones, etc. The prices are cheaper then Trader Joes & Henry's too. We really love the 100% whole wheat pizza dough, homemade soups, large variety of veggies/ herbs and of course the desserts.

Check it out here for the closest location to you.

S.L.O.

My mom, sister and I left on a road trip to San Luis Obispo this past weekend. My sister is relocating to there so our mission was to find an apartment, local farmers market/grocery store, a vet for little Mia, a fitness center, and a frozen yogurt place. It was an adventure to say the least. Here are a few pics from it all:

The beautiful driver.

The anxious wanderer.

We finally made it to the Travelodge.
(notice Grizzly the bear making an appearence in the background)

Bizarre Light in our hotel room, and I had to get a pic of it. .

The three of us in the middle of the "gum alley".

Lindsay texting in the "gum alley".

This bench was hilarious in front of some old shops near the Cal Poly Campus.

The long drive home....at least it was beautiful!!!

"ABSOLUTELY"

This is Jeremy's new favorite word. He says it all the time. He even makes the same expression every time he says it.....a smirk showing his dimples, squinting his eyes and crunching his eyebrows together.

"Jer, can you please feed the dogs."
"Absolutely."

"Are you ready to drive to mom's?"
"Absolutely."

"Thanks for cleaning out the garage."
"Absolutely."

Even in a text I sent him this morning..

"How is golf? Are you having fun?"
"Absolutely."

He is on a roll with this word. I need to ask him this.....

"Babe can I get another puppy?"

Hopefully the "Absolutely" trend will fit right into answering that question.

Delicious Halibut = Smelly House

Tonight I grilled some amazing halibut on the stove. And although my dinner was yummy, it left a nasty smell lingering in the house. Seeing as how we are still having 110 degree weather out here in the desert, I couldn't just open our windows and let it air out. So began the search online.....and this is what I found. It totally worked!! I brought a pot of water to a boil and added the juice of three lemons plus the rinds. I then added a few dashes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Then continued to let it boil for 30 minutes and let it sit on the stove for another 30 min. after that. My house smells fresh and clean with a hint of baking cookies (must be from the cinnamon & nutmeg). Brilliant and so "green" not having to use air fresheners that not only pollute our air but irritate my allergies.

Light On

THE MAN, Mr. David Cook, has released the first single off his new record due out November 18th. I am sooooooo excited!! As a devoted "Cookie" fan, (I know some of you are laughing at me) I LOVE David's new song. Even Jeremy, who is normally pretty picky when it comes to music, said "That's a great song!". I am not too sure about the "manliner" in the pic, but I do know I can't wait to hear the entire album.

For your listening pleasure:

Happy 30th Matt!!!!

I am posting this straight from Highlands Ranch, Colorado. I am in the lobby of our hotel with a bagel and some OJ!!! Yesterday we flew into Denver to surprise Jeremy's best friend and college roommate, Matt Franz for his birthday. Heather, (Matt's Wife) has had this party in the works for several months now. It was a great celebration for Matt's 30th!!! He was shocked!! And even more shocked to see Jeremy and I standing in the back of the room! Of course I forgot my camera last night....so I will have to post more pics when I get some from the Franz family. Jeremy is out golfing today with all the boys and I am going to visit with our friend's, Jason, Lisa & Braylon Maxfield in Parker. Then we fly home tomorrow afternoon. I wish we had longer. It is so beautiful here and Jeremy is so happy to be back with his buddies.......more posts to come.....but for now here is one of my favorite pics from our wedding of Jeremy and Matt.

.....Cause I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane....

DON'T KNOW WHEN I'LL BE BACK AGAIN.........

BUSTED!!!

A few posts back, I had mentioned that Brady, (our sweet little rescue dog), has had some issues with eating soil out of my potted elephant ear plant. Since the major destruction day, we have not caught Brady in the act, but we still find the soil disappearing from the pot and then we end up finding it in little piles all over the house. Well look what we found today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looks like big brother Boomer has been doing the dirty work and Brady has been getting blamed for it!!!

My new obsession

I normally don't post on such a girly thing..........but this is seriously some amazing mascara. I have to admit that I love my good ol' Max Factor 2000 Calorie mascara that I have used since highschool. I've tried many other products, but was yet to find something that worked as good on my lashes, both cheap and expensive. That was until now. My cousin Sarah introduced me to a makeup line called Benefit. And although its a hefty $19.00 a tube...it is really, really, really, really worth it. You can get it here.

Pampered, Relaxed and Sunburnt.

Today was absolute heaven. My mom and I took a little road trip to Glen Ivy Hot Springs Day Spa. My mother in law, Karen, also joined us. Karen had never been to a day spa, and I believe this is one of the most unique ones that she could experience. It was so nice to just float in the pools, surrounded by a tropical oasis, go in the mud pits, steam rooms and the indoor roman bath tubs. The weather was sunny and gorgeous. It was a nice escape from the 110 degree heat we are still experiencing out here in the desert. I forgot my camera in the locker, so unfortunately I was unable to capture the day in photos. I even ran into some of my old co-workers from Alexander's Grand Salon & Spa as well as some girls I went to high school with. It was a perfect day and we can't wait to go back.

Jeremy In The Local Newpaper

My hubby was in the Desert Sun Newspaper today regarding a project he is working on with the City of Indio and the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort and Spa. Check it out here.
He is also going to be interviwed next week on a local radio station 100.5 regarding the home makeovers!!! I am going to record it and then attempt to somehow post it.

I am so proud of all his hard work and efforts in helping the less fortunate in our community.