While we've been enjoying our summer I haven't had the time to blog about it...too busy living it!
We've been traveling from coast to coast, attending many weddings, exploring California and loving Hermosa Beach's many summer activities. I'll try my best to post all that we've done here in the next week or so.
We just came back from our friend's Zach and Nikki's beautiful wedding in Aspen and Zach (Brown) is flying down from San Fran to join us for Labor Day Weekend.
Next week is the end of my first quarter at Antioch (!) and on Tuesday I start my new job at Crescendo Charter Academy.
Life is great!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Youngest Brown graduates!
This past weekend Dave and I made our way back to the East coast to see his brother, Zach graduate from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, aka Kings Point. While the Northeast has been drowning in rain for the past month, somehow it held off for the majority of events and we were able to enjoy our time in New York.
The first event we attended was the Change of Command in which the outgoing seniors essentially hand over the leadership of the school to the upcoming seniors. While this is a nice ceremony and all, held behind the beautiful building that once was a Chrysler family summer estate, the best part comes after they announce that the change has been established and all 197 graduates, dressed in their whites, come screaming down the hill to jump into a pool. (I dig run-on sentences, ok?)
It's quite the site given that the grass is still wet from the morning dew, and the cadets are not exactly wearing the most appropriate running shoes.
Zach jumping in. That's the Kings Pointer ship in the background.
Cannon ball style
I give it a 9.5
The graduate himself!
The next morning, bright and early (6:30 am!!) we returned to Kings Point for Zach's commisioning into the U.S. Coast Guard. Dave had the honor of swearing Zach in, and all of the Brown men were in their uniforms!
This is the old Chrysler estate. I had never been to Kings Point before and I was blown away at how pretty and quaint the campus is. Although, after four long years, I'm sure Zach has some other choice words he would use to describe his alma mater !
It's official!
Captain Brown, Ensign Brown
We are SO excited that Zach will be stationed in Alameda, CA and we already have plans to meet up to go camping together. Alameda is about a 5 hour drive from us, and sits in the heart of San Francisco Bay. We can't wait to take road trips up the coast to visit the closest family member we've had in three years! We'll take the five hour drive!
Next stop? Massachusetts for the 4th of July for a wedding.
The first event we attended was the Change of Command in which the outgoing seniors essentially hand over the leadership of the school to the upcoming seniors. While this is a nice ceremony and all, held behind the beautiful building that once was a Chrysler family summer estate, the best part comes after they announce that the change has been established and all 197 graduates, dressed in their whites, come screaming down the hill to jump into a pool. (I dig run-on sentences, ok?)
It's quite the site given that the grass is still wet from the morning dew, and the cadets are not exactly wearing the most appropriate running shoes.
Luckily, Zach wasn't one of the many kids who ate it on the hill, and was able to make it down in one piece.
Zach jumping in. That's the Kings Pointer ship in the background.
All of the cadets took a turn jumping off the diving board...
Cannon ball style
I give it a 9.5
Dave, Zach, their Dad and Uncle Daryl were lucky enough to get tickets to the US Open which was held only a few miles from their house in Bethpage. They were able to see all of the golfers up close and had a great time.
Our indoor BBQ thanks to the rain.
Our indoor BBQ thanks to the rain.
The graduate himself!
The next morning, bright and early (6:30 am!!) we returned to Kings Point for Zach's commisioning into the U.S. Coast Guard. Dave had the honor of swearing Zach in, and all of the Brown men were in their uniforms!
This is the old Chrysler estate. I had never been to Kings Point before and I was blown away at how pretty and quaint the campus is. Although, after four long years, I'm sure Zach has some other choice words he would use to describe his alma mater !
It's official!
Captain Brown, Ensign Brown
We are SO excited that Zach will be stationed in Alameda, CA and we already have plans to meet up to go camping together. Alameda is about a 5 hour drive from us, and sits in the heart of San Francisco Bay. We can't wait to take road trips up the coast to visit the closest family member we've had in three years! We'll take the five hour drive! **********************************************
Monday, June 15, 2009
This and That...
Last week Dave took a quick business trip to Boston and he was able to go see the Red Sox play the Yankees at Fenway. Lucky guy! Zach was able to drive up and meet him there, and our friend Smitty and his girlfriend Amanda also joined them.
While he was away I received the news that I was accepted to Antioch University Los Angeles and will be starting grad school full time. I'm so excited! It is a two year program, with the first year focused on attaining my teaching credential (finally!), and the second (which is part time) on my masters in education. The program at Antioch offers everything that I wanted/needed and I can't wait to begin.
We've also been busy settling into our home with new furniture and wedding gifts!
Here are some pictures:
Of course Breck found the newest comfy spot at the house!
I love this little sign.
One of my wedding gifts from Dave was a bed side table, which I have needed in the last 3 places we've lived!
This is our guest room/office. We have always had a separate office room and guest room, so what you see here are two rooms put into one. And this is after a full day of organizing. Oy.
We bought this desk on craigslist for $20! We've done a lot of buying/selling on craigslist since we've been here. We also found our hammock on craigslist.
Our entry way furniture from Pottery Barn, it's our favorite thing!
We got all of our electronics organized with this shelf from Crate and Barrel.
Another wedding gift from Dave was the bar hutch on the left and the white doors to cover our washer and dryer. Yes, our washer and dryer are in our kitchen. He had done all of this while I was away in Rhode Island prior to the wedding, so when we returned to Cali I would be surprised!
While he was away I received the news that I was accepted to Antioch University Los Angeles and will be starting grad school full time. I'm so excited! It is a two year program, with the first year focused on attaining my teaching credential (finally!), and the second (which is part time) on my masters in education. The program at Antioch offers everything that I wanted/needed and I can't wait to begin.
We've also been busy settling into our home with new furniture and wedding gifts!
Here are some pictures:
Of course Breck found the newest comfy spot at the house!
I love this little sign.
One of my wedding gifts from Dave was a bed side table, which I have needed in the last 3 places we've lived!
This is our guest room/office. We have always had a separate office room and guest room, so what you see here are two rooms put into one. And this is after a full day of organizing. Oy.
We bought this desk on craigslist for $20! We've done a lot of buying/selling on craigslist since we've been here. We also found our hammock on craigslist.
Our entry way furniture from Pottery Barn, it's our favorite thing!
We got all of our electronics organized with this shelf from Crate and Barrel.
Another wedding gift from Dave was the bar hutch on the left and the white doors to cover our washer and dryer. Yes, our washer and dryer are in our kitchen. He had done all of this while I was away in Rhode Island prior to the wedding, so when we returned to Cali I would be surprised!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Hitched...
Well, it's official! We had our wedding on May 24, in Newport RI and it was beautiful! Of course the weather freaked me out slightly as it started to drizzle right before the ceremony and they "called it" to happen inside. I was SO disappointed because Dave and I had always wanted to get married outside, by the bay. Luckily it was just a passing shower, and some family members worked their magic, and we were able to have our ceremony on the shore of Narragansett Bay like we have always envisioned!
Our reception was awesome, with wonderful speeches and toasts, amazing dancers, and sing-a-longs on the dance floor. It was so cool to look around the ball room and know everyone there; it'll be the only party we ever go to where we know all the guests!
The whole weekend was fabulous and we thank everyone for coming from near and far to celebrate with us and our families!!
Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.
Our reception was awesome, with wonderful speeches and toasts, amazing dancers, and sing-a-longs on the dance floor. It was so cool to look around the ball room and know everyone there; it'll be the only party we ever go to where we know all the guests!
The whole weekend was fabulous and we thank everyone for coming from near and far to celebrate with us and our families!!
Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Add face masks to the registry!
I'm seriously considering wearing a face mask on my cross country flight next week. "Swine Flu" is not the look I'm going for on my wedding day.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Dog's Day at The Beach...
So, we live in a bubble. We've only been here for about three weeks, but we already realize that we'll probably never leave the South Bay area. The South Bay is comprised of three towns at the southern end of the Santa Monica Bay, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach (where we live), and Redondo Beach. Everything you could ever want, or want to do, is right here. No need to get on a crazy six lane highway and fight your way through the notorious L.A. traffic.
While our trio of beach towns have miles of beautiful sandy landscapes, beach volleyball courts, waves for surfing, and the Strand for running, none of the beaches here are dog friendly. Breck loves to swim, and play on the beach so it's a total bummer that he's not allowed to do those things here in our town.
We did however, discover that down in Huntington Beach there is a dog beach! Not just any dog beach, but a 5 mile long dog beach, barricaded by cliffs so that no doggie friends have the option of running away. So yesturday, we burst out of our bubble and headed the 26 miles down the 405 (no traffic!) to Huntington Beach Dog Beach.
Here are some pictures of Breck absolutely LOVING his California beach experience, and first swim in the Pacific Ocean! We let him off the leash and he just took off down the beach, greeting other dogs as he went along, jumping into the waves, stealing other dog's toys...you know, the usual.
Some new friends
And he's off!
I thought it was so funny-these dogs were digging a huge hole!
And here you'll notice Breck jumping up and stealing a toy out of some womens hand. No manners.
While our trio of beach towns have miles of beautiful sandy landscapes, beach volleyball courts, waves for surfing, and the Strand for running, none of the beaches here are dog friendly. Breck loves to swim, and play on the beach so it's a total bummer that he's not allowed to do those things here in our town.
We did however, discover that down in Huntington Beach there is a dog beach! Not just any dog beach, but a 5 mile long dog beach, barricaded by cliffs so that no doggie friends have the option of running away. So yesturday, we burst out of our bubble and headed the 26 miles down the 405 (no traffic!) to Huntington Beach Dog Beach.
Here are some pictures of Breck absolutely LOVING his California beach experience, and first swim in the Pacific Ocean! We let him off the leash and he just took off down the beach, greeting other dogs as he went along, jumping into the waves, stealing other dog's toys...you know, the usual.
Water dog
Some new friends
And he's off!
I thought it was so funny-these dogs were digging a huge hole!
And here you'll notice Breck jumping up and stealing a toy out of some womens hand. No manners.
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