Work then Play

First off - Happy Birthday Chris!!! Hope you have a fantastic Friday. We wish we could be there to celebrate with you guys!

Last weekend Eric and I originally had plans to go up to visit my Aunt Janet because they were having a little beer brewing/pizza party to prepare for the Halloween party next month. We were really looking forward to getting away for a weekend. Somehow, we got dates mixed up and forgot we had promised Alison we would help them move that weekend. We didn't realize until a couple days before we were supposed to leave. They only rented a truck for that Saturday. With just her and her husband, and two little girls - we knew we couldn't back out. So sorry we missed your party Aunt Janet - we can't wait to come visit in October though!

So Saturday morning we headed over to Alison's place to start loading up the truck.



They were moving from an apartment into a little townhouse that was only about five miles away.



They had already been moving some of the smaller stuff the week before so it was mostly bigger furniture/last minute things.





We got some pizza and had lunch on their empty living room floor.



After lunch we headed over to their new place, it's very cute!



Now time to unpack again.



Sydney loves having stairs.



I didn't get too many pictures of their new place but it's very cute and they have more room, even a little patio/yard area to grill and eat outside.



And a two car garage! Something I hope for one day :)



Once everything was unloaded from the truck, it was getting close to dinnertime so we left them to enjoy their new house and unpack.

The next morning Eric and I threw some sandwiches and some extra clothes in a backpack, rode our bikes to church, and then straight from there to SeaWorld.



We love biking on Sunday mornings, it's such a nice way to start the day.





Throughout the year they have different themed shows. We happened to get there just in time to make their Spooky Kooky Castle Halloween-inspired sea lion show. This is the show Eric always remembered from when he went to Seaworld as a kid so it was an awesome surprise when we saw it was on the schedule that day.





We rode a roller coaster, which also happened to be Halloween-themed. It starts out in a tunnel where they usually project underwater fish/etc. This time it was pumpkins, spider webs, and fire.



We walked through an area that was Dia de los Muertos themed to get to the rapids ride. There were also little kids dressed up in costumes running around everywhere. They had different candy stations set up for kids to go trick-or-treating.





We ended up getting pretty soaked on the rapids ride. Thankfully it's still pretty warm here.



And lastly we finished off by going up in the Sky Tower which Eric had never done and I had only seen at night.



It was really cool to see during the day. We could see the ocean and loved trying to point out where we live and other places we know. We were a little too mesmerized to remember to take a picture at the top.



Afterwards we biked back home and watched football with our roomie the rest of the day. It was a great Sunday and nice to have a little "us" time. We are enjoying taking advantage of things that are so close to us!

Work Trip to Burbank (and Family Visit - from Tennessee)

Last Sunday, Heather and Carlos were in San Diego for an event Carlos would be speaking at. I was so glad they had some time to get together while they were in town. We met up at Balboa Theater (where the event was) downtown.



We got to grab some food and watch the Falcons game at a bar nearby. It was really so great to have the last minute opportunity to catch up with them. Having the chance to get together with family we don't see often is one of the things we were excited about moving here! Photo courtesy of Heather and Carlos.



The next morning, I had to take off to drive up to Burbank, CA for a work trip. I work in an office of about 10-15 people, but our main office is in Burbank where the majority of the employees work. Traffic was still pretty bad when I left in the morning so I took a longer route. It was a pretty drive, but I didn't get to drive along the coast (I did on my way home but it was dark by then so I didn't get to see the ocean right next to me).



I can't say I was super enthusiastic about leaving home for three days to work long hours with people I've only known for two weeks. But I'm still trying to figure out my place/role at this job so it was good to meet a lot of our co-workers that I may end up dealing with often.



The office in Burbank is much nicer and more updated than our little office in San Diego. But I have to say I prefer our modest little office better - it was much quieter and warmer than this one.



When I arrived in Burbank it was close to noon so I went straight to the office.





Thankfully the hotel was literally right next door and there were plenty of places to eat nearby so I didn't have to drive anywhere for the three days I was there.



The hotel was very nice. Since I didn't have time to do much there outside of work, all I have for you is pictures of work and my room ;)



It was three days filled with long hours. My second day there my boss had been huddled in a meeting for a while and I had already been there well past when I would normally go home. I headed back to the room and found out the next day they had stayed until 8 PM. I don't know if I'll ever get used to those kind of hours - I don't know how some of you who work 12 hour days do it!



I also have realized that everyone comes into work much later here. I'm not sure if it's just the company I'm working for, or a California thing. On the east coast it seems everyone goes into work between 7 - 7:30 in the morning so they can try to avoid peak traffic times. Out here it seems the office is completely dead until at least 9 - 10 AM when people finally start coming in.



On Wednesday I worked until about 6:45 in the afternoon then took off to head home. I got back home by about 9:15 and had just enough time to get something to eat, shower, and get to sleep for work the next morning. All in all it was a good experience, but it was tiring and I was happy to get back home!

Benny's Birthday

This past Wednesday was Eric's birthday! As I mentioned, we already had a little pre-celebration with his sister's family the weekend before. I've been having some long days at my new job so we knew we wouldn't have much time to get together with anyone on his actual birthday. Thankfully before I left for work though, I was able to decorate a little bit so he would have something fun to come home to.





Last time we were at the grocery store Eric found this bright blue Funfetti frosting with little shark sprinkles that he was pretty excited about.



For dinner we ordered Eric's favorite food - pizza.



He opened a few gifts.



Trying on his new outfit.



And we were so full from the pizza we almost didn't even make it to the cake, almost.



It was a great night celebrating an even greater guy! I hope this is the best year yet - Happy Birthday Eric!

Labor Day weekend and an early celebration

Over Labor Day weekend our new roommate, Caleb, came into town. He just moved from Texas and will be staying with us until he can find a place to live and get settled in. We all went to meet up with Alison's family at Moonlight beach.



They had a tent set up and were grilling burgers and dogs. The weather is getting much warmer here - great day for the beach!



On Tuesday I started my new job. I pretty much just shadowed people and did some data entry the first week. Everyone I work with is very nice and I'm learning just how casual of an environment it is. My boss's typical attire is shorts, a t-shirt, and flip flops. I sit at the desk in the corner of the picture below.



We've been getting Caleb into some games with us - nice to have a third player sometimes!



Yesterday we went back over to Alison's for an early birthday celebration for Eric. His birthday is this Wednesday.



We enjoyed some pool time, lasagna, and the company of family and friends.









Eric's cake of choice - always funfetti.







Happy early birthday Eric! You make 35 look good. I hope everyone has a good week!