Larry Slotkin's Funeral

This past weekend Brett and I attended Larry Slotkin's funeral (my Aunt Debi's father).  My Dad and Aunt Lori came into town and so the four of us went to Costa Mesa to go support Debi, Amanda, and her family. I had known Larry for years from the many combined family gatherings, so I felt it was important to be there and represent.
This was the first Jewish funeral I have ever attended and I was very interested to see how it differed from a Christian funeral that I am familiar with.  The funeral was a very nice tribute and celebration to Larry.  Everyone that spoke did a nice job in sharing many memories of Larry.  My cousin Amanda had put together a little power point of all these pictures which was very nice to see.  She even added Frank Sinatra in the background because he would play Sinatra all the time.  At the end the 23rd Psalms was said followed by a prayer in Kaddish.
After the funeral and graveside, we went to the Slotkin residence and had a nice catered meal from Larry's favorite Italian restaurant.  The food was really good and the dessert was even better.  Even though funerals are a sad time, it's always nice to catch up with everyone and celebrate the life of that individual.  I would also like to add that I admire my Aunt Debi who was seriously the rock for her family during the final days of Larry.  She is a fantastic and lovely person!

Dad, Aunt Lori, and Uncle Jerry 

Someone thought we were models

My cousin Amanda and her beau Corby

My Aunt Debi with the flowers from the Carpenter family.

 

Feeling Crafty with Pumpkins

I was feeling crafty this last weekend so I took on a project that I was excited about.

Before

After 

(They came out so cute!)

The Gummy has left CA

My paternal grandmother aka "Gummy" Ruth Carpenter, left her house in Yorba Linda after nearly 50 years to go move to Utah a couple of weeks ago.  She will be 90 at the end of November and because she is slowing down, her 4 kids decided it was time to move her to my Aunt Dona's and to sell the house.
I must say that it was a bittersweet moment because I've had many memories in that house over the last 25 years.  It's where I spent a lot of time with Papa and Gummy as a child, it's where we always had family gatherings on holidays, it's where I actually lived for 18 months after college, and it's also a reminder of the "falling out" that has strained my relationship with Gummy.
The last month, my Uncle Jerry and Aunt Debi have been cleaning out the house like crazy to prepare for the move.  It wasn't easy for them due to how difficult and demanding Gummy is.  There were a lot of family heirlooms that they were trying to save after Gummy kept giving them to this lady who thinks she is related to us.  It was a lot of drama, but my grandmother likes to do that.
I do feel grateful and because I was given the piano, the patio furniture and a bedroom set for my spare bedroom.  This bedroom set was a huge blessing especially the dressers because Brett and I were overflowing with just the one dresser that we have.  I also really love having a piano again so I can actually play.

The piano

Dressers

On Monday, I went to the house for one last time to pick something up.  I walked through the bare house and started to become emotional.  I'm going to miss this house!  But then I laughed!  Brett and I noticed a box with her pots and pans and we found the pot we burned that created such drama.  We took it home and plan on giving it to her as a Christmas present. ;)

4751 Lavell Dr. Yorba Linda, CA

Sparky's 1st Birthday

Happy 1st Birthday, Sparky!

This past Wednesday, Sept. 12, Sparky, my beautiful Blue Point Siamese, turned one!  It seems like I just brought him home, but that was almost a year ago. Where did the time go?! All I can say is Brett and I love Sparky a lot.  He is the best cat ever and we have really cherished the memories with him so far.  He is a lover and big time "mama's boy."

Here's some facts about Sparky and why we love him.

-Beautiful eyes
-Very gentle
-Loves playing with straws (specifically In 'N Out) and Q-tips.
-Still loves stealing my make-up brushes.
-Goes ape crazy over salmon
-Uses the trash can to get on the fridge door and then proceeds to the top of the fridge
-sits on your shoulder (loves to be high)
-chases demons
-lays like a sphinx or poses majestically
-plays fetch with his paint roller
-follows me around like a dog
-loves his little brother Chip.

The list could go on, but I think these are his finest qualities and why we love him!
Happy Birthday Sparky!

4-5 weeks old

He loved to snuggle

Tucking him in after he had his shots

One of my favorite pictures ever!

Loves Chip

Andrew & Lisa's Wedding in Cabo San Lucas

Last weekend Brett and I went to Cabo San Lucas to attend Andrew and Lisa's wedding.  Andrew is one of Brett's best friends from high school.  They were also teammates on the Los Altos basketball team.  Andrew and Lisa were engaged back in February and had told us they were having a destination wedding.  So, we left Thursday for Cabo with our friends Alan and Brenda and stayed at the Las Cascades Resort.

Friday was the big day so we spent the morning swimming in the ocean and hanging out at the pool.  In the late afternoon, we headed to Sunset Beach which is part of the Pueblo Bonito Resort.  It was hot and windy, but it was such a beautiful place especially with the huge waves crashing onto the beach.  The ceremony was really nice and both the Bride and Groom looked fabulous.  The reception was at the Sky View Lounge? which is at the top of the resort.  We had an excellent meal and had fabulous company.  There was an open bar, but since Brett and I don't drink due to our LDS beliefs, we took advantage of a lot of Mock-tails and Shirley Temples.  Pretty refreshing!

At the reception!

With Brenda and Alan

 (we never got a picture with Andrew and Lisa)

Girls wore purple

We got apple juice and everyone else had tequila.

They had a DJ, so of course I was going to go and dance. I even incorporated some of my Zumba moves which seemed to be a hit. I was able to get Brett out on the dance floor and he just cracks me up!  It was a lot of fun!

On Saturday, the four of us went and got a couple's massage for a really great price with tip and tax included.  I love massages!  We ate a nice breakfast at the resort with Beatrice (Andrews' mom), hung out at the beach, took a trip to the Lover's Beach and the Arch, and then later went to find some good street tacos.  These tacos were delicious!  

On Sunday, we ate breakfast, packed up, and then left for the airport.  We were a little sad that it was time to go home, but it was time.  Overall, it was a great little mini vacation with great memories and bonding time with Alan and Brenda.  Thank you to Andrew and Lisa for inviting us and a big Congrats on getting married! :)

P.S.  Check out the best shower curtain ever! haha!

Meet Chip!

Remember when I babysat Sparky's three little brothers for two weeks?  Well during that time I was getting attached to all three, but there was one little Chocolate Point Siamese that caught my eye...

Meet Chip

Such a diva

Chip loves Sparky

Sleeping on Careesa

Brett and I really love Chip!  We made the decision to get another cat because Sparky was getting lazy and needed some Siamese companionship. With me teaching dance three nights a week and Brett busy finishing up his MBA, this was essential for Sparky's sake.  Chip is such a nice kitty and fits right into our home.  He is loving with his purrs and quite vocal when upset or just because.  He is funny in his own way just like Sparky. The best part is Sparky and Chip love each other.  Whenever Chip sees Sparky he just purrs and purrs which is very comforting.  Unfortunately, Chip still tries to nurse off of Sparky (poor Sparky).  Anyway, we are so happy to have Chip around and life is good!

Leaving Belize August 18, 2012

Overall, I think Belize was a wonderful vacation and I would go again in a heart beat.  My favorite part of the whole trip was swimming with the manatees and snorkeling near Caye Caulker.  I did a lot of things that I was scared of and overcame those fears.  It's very important to Brett and I to have life experiences and we feel that traveling is one way for us to grow as a family unit.  I really enjoyed having most of my side of the family with us to share these moments.  It's really fun to keep building relationships and memories with those you love.  As for me, I always can't wait for the next vacation or adventure.  Stay tuned! :)

This was hanging in our cabana.  Perfect image!