Del Mar Races + Gnarls Barkley

My Saturday didn't really get started till the afternoon when I braved the little bit of heat and headed out on a short run before my day picked up with plans. I returned home to find my little nephew Jack ready to go play at the pool. The minute you mention the pool he is off looking for his swim diaper and trunks. I got home and cleaned up and headed off to meet friends for a day at the Del Mar races. When you pile 5 girls and 3 guys into a big SUV turns into very fun drive of great conversations and lots of singing. There was also another car of 4 girls and we picked up one more guy down in San Diego. This was my first experience to any kind of horse races and I had a great time enjoying everyone's company soaking in all the crazy people around. And of course cheering on the horses. Following the races Gnarls Barkley took the stage and put on a concert. Below is a short video of the only song I really know of his. It was a very fun night and THANKS to everyone for another great summer night!

OneRepublic Concert 7/12/08

Two weeks ago I took Mark to the OneRepublic concert at the Orange County fair. Great concert and fun evening! The goal of the evening was to see how many faces Mark could pull but I ended up giving up after 20+ shots and decided just to watch the concert.

Happy Birthday Nephi

I never thought that when I met Nephi at a club three years ago we would still be in touch three years later. For Nephi 25th birthday his best friend and roommate planned a dinner for him at Hooters in Costa Mesa. Surprise!! Following dinner we headed back to 20th street in Huntington for some cake and twister. Thanks for a fun evening and having a birthday in July!

July 18th Reception

So Friday morning my family and I headed down to the San Diego Temple to attend the sealing for Christian and Kennedy. Beautiful! Outside the temple friends and family gathered for the usual photo sessions. Once we got in the large group photo we took off for lunch at P.F. Chang's. We returned to Irvine for a little time to rest and change for the next activity. We headed down to Corona Del for the wards annual corn roast. After 50 minutes of eating and socializing we headed back home for another change of clothes. It was off to the reception in Dove Canyon. I spent a short time at the reception so I don't have very many photos. From my time there you can tell the couple has a lot of family and friends showing support. Yummy tacos, salads, fruit lemonade, cake and the ice cream bar were just the perfect treat. I made plans to join friends to see Batman at 10:40 in Newport. Great movie but I did think it was a little scary but did enjoy it. Loving my summer!

The Corn Roast

Every summer since I can remember moving to Irvine I have always enjoyed attending my wards corn roast. After spending the day in San Diego I was exciting to head down to the beach for an hour to eat corn and watermelon. This year the trip was short so we could catch the wedding reception for Christian and Kennedy in Dove Canyon.

San Diego Wedding July 18th

Introducing Christian and Kennedy Clayton

The day in San Diego couldn't have been any better. The weather was just perfect and the couple was smiling from ear to ear with joy. The Clayton family grew up in Irvine and Christian became best friends with my little brothers Brian and Michael. I was blessed to spend two summer with Christian after he moved into my parents home. He became just like a little brother to me and I could not be happier for him and the next step in his life.

Quote

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Having Character or Being A Character

Some enjoy being a character, letting their eccentricity define their personalities. It is always easier to be a character than to have character! After all, getting attention is not as important as getting wisdom; the asserting of self is not as important as serving others. Yet, for some, getting attention is their way of validating their worth. Furthermore, focusing on being a character keeps us from directing our lives toward becoming the men and women of Christ by emulating His character (3 Nephi 27:27).
Those with sterling character, always in short supply, are invariably the high-yield and low-maintenance individuals who deflect attention from themselves to others—just as both of the two great commandments encourage and direct. It is too bad if seeking the spotlight diverts us from worshiping the Light of the World. Character, after all, is the composite of what we carry into eternity; it is not only portable but eternal. There is no limitation on such luggage.
~ Neal A. Maxwell


I don't have time to add my personal thoughts to this but it is something I have thought about recently and found this in a book Whom the Lord LOVETH- The Journey of Discipleship

Quote of the Week

♫ "Love isn't about finding that perfect person. It's about learning to love an imperfect person perfectly."

I saw this quote on someone blog while doing a little browsing today and felt like I would share. I have decided I will be sharing more quotes and trying to have a quote of the week on Monday. Seeing how I have not married yet I will be thinking about how this quote will help me in that future relationship. I believe this can help me love my family better. Since no one is perfect my ability to love can be perfect by allowing the love my Savior has for me grow for everyone else. It is easier to be quick to judge so trying to be quick to feel love for someone will be very rewarding. I hope if anything else happens this year my love for my family and friends will be able to grow perfectly.

My Weekend

I had a very busy weekend taking care of Avery. I picked up Avery Thursday after work and spent the night over at her house. I had my good friend from high school come over and we spent two hours in the evening discussing life and relationships. It is always fun to hang out with old friends. Since we graduated from high school in 1999 the time spent together has been brief. She graduated from BYU and began her real life job teaching school in Utah. I just realized that next summer will be my 10 year high school reunion. I just feel a little old having that just around the corner. After work on Friday I headed out to the pool to play with Avery and another friend and her two children. Avery and I got dinner and visited the spectrum in the evening. I put her to bed in my home and headed out to the Huntington Beach dance. (Side note here.. I am too old to go to dances). I was feeling the need to shake it and was over the idea of going to a club so the dance was a nice place to spread out and be around good people.

Saturday morning began very early with a bike ride with a few sisters in my ward. I have been put in charge of getting the small enrichment group together for bike rides. I returned home to clean up and head out for a day of playing with Avery. We headed over to the nail salon to have our nail painted. Following that I took her over to the opening of the Great Park and took her for a balloon ride. Following the park we spent about an hour out at the pool enjoying the very sunny day. I cleaned up for the evening and dropped Avery off back at home. I had tickets to see OneRepublic at the OC fair. I was lucky to get seats toward the top center. They put on a great show I really enjoyed the music and company.

Avery in front of the balloon

Up in the air 200 feet

Avery on the bike rack (She is sitting on a seat)

I always love my Sunday's. Especially the part when I get home from church and take a 2 hour nap. I also think my Sunday meal is pretty amazing because all the yummy food in my stomach helps me sleep longer. Following my nap I did a few things around the house before heading out to a dessert party in Newport. The girls on Pearl street were throwing a dessert party on behalf of their roommate Ashlee birthday. I managed to grab a few friends for some photos. A wonderful evening hanging out and eating way to many cookies and brownies. I can't think of a better way to end a fun filled weekend around Orange County.

Peter, Clinton, Ashlee

Clinton

Kylee

Nephi

Mike

Sam

Jeremy

Brief Update

I threw out the idea about going private a month back and have come up with a better option. This blog will stay open and I will continue to give weekly updates when I have something new to report on my summer in Orange County. It is all of you that keep me blogging and I really enjoy being able to remember all the fun events in my life by posting them here. I really can't believe there is only 5 1/2 months till Christmas and a New Year. Hope your summer is going well!

Up Up and Away

Monday night I received a call from Corbett inviting me on a night flight in the Great Park balloon. I jumped at the opportunity to see the first unveiling of the park and take a ride in the balloon. The balloon can reach up to 500 feet but Monday night we had some heavy winds and the balloon was stopped at 330 feet up. I was wishing I had a better camera to capture the spectrum and the park below. If anyone need information on how to take a ride I am happy to give direction and pass information along on the hours the balloon flies. My week is off to a great start!

New Glasses

I finally received my rebate check from the IRS and decided I was due for some new classes. The funny thing about glasses is I almost don't look like my self especially with bangs. I turned to a friend tonight at institute and asked if I looked different and her reply was that I really did look like a new person. It will be nice to finally have an option in the morning when my contacts just don't want to go in or I am running late.

Swim, Bike, Run Triathlon #2

"Um I wonder what I was thinking here."

Swimming

Coming into transition from the ride

Just beginning the run

Just 20 feet left of the race.

Irvine Open House

31 Years Ago

My parents were sealed for time and all eternity June 28th, 1977 in the Utah Ogden Temple. I am extremely grateful and so blessed to have them as my parents. I honor and love them so dearly for raising me and being my example to turn to!

The Wedding Day

The Reception June 21st, 2008

Just check out Jack in this photo. Such the camera hog.