Day 316

So this weekend marks the official countdown until our first wedding anniversary. Only 8 more weeks and I'm more than positive you will hear the countdown often if you speak to me on a day-to-day basis or week-to-week basis. {So be prepared} Chris and I haven't really made permanent plans for the big day, but we do know that we are going to be in town that weekend. Our friends Monika and Rick are getting married two days before our wedding anniversary. We've been talking a lot about the 'paper' anniversary; and so far we came up with tickets to something {hockey game, flight, you get the picture}; hey, it's paper! I'm sure I'll share the news as soon as we figure it all out.

For a few months now, Chris has been begging me to go hiking to this one place in Castaic. If you don't know where Castaic is; it's just next door to Six Flags- AND I'm sure everyone knows where that is. After reading online about some history about Castaic {yes, that is my husband} he read that there were lost caves in what is now known Castaic {his childhood home}. Researching further he came across a map and plotted the adventure. Because this map was more topographical and did not include modern day roads, he placed google maps over the image to find out how to access the caves. TODAY, was that day.

We headed over to the Castaic industrial center and headed on our adventure. It was an incredible day with temperatures peaking in the 70's with a bit of cloud coverage. We hiked a good portion of this adventure with the tallest grass I've ever experienced. There were no trails; we created our own. After a short break, we scouted the area to find where on earth these caves could be. We looked over the ridge and saw what could be the destination, but it looked about another 500 feet up {yes UP}. We contemplated if this is where they were as we still were unsure. About a few seconds later, a nest of Quail evacuated their nest in some shrubbery and scared the living daylights out of me. I went running, no joke! We decided to head back and further investigate the location for a future trip. TO BE CONTINUED...

Here's the link to article about the Bowers Caves


This is the map, Chris found online


Of course a self-picture, I couldn't resist.


After an adventurous hike, we were pooped!


Chris is prepared for anything, he brought his binoculars.


We think the caves are at the top of this ridge.


The scenery was perfect for close ups. This was by far my favorite!


The end of our hike looked like this; what an incredible looking day!

And I can't forget about one of my favorite moments of the weekend, LAYLERS! We had breakfast with Mom and Royce this Saturday and of course the munchkins came. Layla was so funny and here's just a few pictures of her and Uncle Chris riding with Fozzy and the choo-choo train.


Chris really loves being a kid, can't you tell?


Yah, that smile is pretty deceiving.


Fozzy is her best friend, really!

Like I said, TO BE CONTINUED; I'm sure we'll be back at the Bowers Caves. I hope we get to find some cool artifacts, if there is any left.

xxoo
Mrs. Waycott

Day 309

Remembering a day like this for the rest of my life.

Day 306

I just realized that another month went by; another month where I forgot to wish The Mr. a Happy Monthiversary. Yes, we are those people who 'celebrate' every month with a good 'ole "Happy Monthiversary babe" call, kiss or email. Today, was when I realized we were two days past due... so Happy Monthiversary +2 days babe!

February/March flew by. I couldn't really tell you if I was coming or going during this time, there was so much going on. I do recall a few fun things that Chris and I did; here's the proof!

The Getty Center: February 12, 2011. We celebrated our version of Valentine's Day with a day trip to an incredible property in LA. I had never been to the Getty (I know, after living in LA for how many years, OH WAIT, my entire life!) and have to say, it's a pretty incredible place to go and enjoy the beauty of LA. We actually ran into some friends there, which is so odd in a city with millions of people that you run into someone from your hometown (SMALL WORLD). I've started to really learn how to use my DSLR camera and took some incredible photos of the landscaping and some of the donations to the property.


Absolutely love this view of LA!


Obsessed with this angel trumpet flower; I have a million pictures, no lies!


See, I had to take a picture under it!


We make shadow puppets, but this one took the cake!


Did I tell you that we are the spokes people for RayBan?


LA with all of its smog; I know, but it really is a beautiful city!


What a view of our coast line at night, seriously magical!


Sunset pictures are so romantic!

Late that night, I got a text indicating that my Dad had gone to the emergency room because he couldn't breathe.... and so the story goes....
I left for Vegas the very next day for work. It was one of our biggest trade show's and it's mandatory to go! I didn't really think about anything during that trip; things sounded fine on the home front so I didn't really bother to call. That was something I learned a hard lesson over. I was flying home on Thursday morning when I felt that I should check in on Dad. I got some bad news that he was sent to the ER again and that he probably has pneumonia. As soon as I flew home, I headed over to see Dad. Let me just start off by saying, I've never seen this man look so terrible in my life.

After sitting in the ER for over 8 hours he was transported to ICU and diagnosed with double pneumonia. Chris and I visited him after work and on the weekends. We tried being there every day but boy oh boy was that commute so difficult. So with a long story short, Dad had double pneumonia, H1N1, a blood clot in his leg and his kidney's were not doing well. After 21 long days, he was released from the hospital and sent home. I'm so grateful that he's home, that he can spend his time on his own terms. I'm not going to lie, he's still not the same man he was about a month ago and he's on oxygen 24/7, but it sure is nice to visit without nurses poking and prodding him every 20 minutes. So Dad, I love you and I'm happy you are home and "on the mend"!

Here's a few pics from the hospital!


Dad on his good day.

We joked a lot in the hospital, especially Karen! Had to make the best of a bad situation.

Ahh the little booger hanging out in Grandpa's room; she was really so good!

AND...finally, he came home! He reconnected with the Keekers (our family doggy!) Doesn't he look happy? Shortly after, he was bitching... he's back to normal!


So the last BIG thing that happened, was some major change! CHA-CHA-CHANGES! I left Tarina Tarantino after 8 years. I cannot even believe that it happened but it did! I was offered an incredible opportunity with a line of handbags/small leather goods/belts that I could not resist. It was probably the hardest 2 weeks of my life and one the hardest decisions to make for myself; but after all was said and all was done, I'm so happy! I'm ready for change! My first day at work was March 14th! I took a picture running out the door... YES, just like a kindergarden picture! I seriously was so excited! So that's the big news in life.



I've realized that family is most important and I need to do things that genuinely make me happy in life! I would not take back anything that has happened or the experiences I have gone through. I'm here today because of all of them. So here's to the next chapter in my life; I hope it's filled with love, laughter, happiness and of course family!

Day 286

Ok so shoot me, I've been terrible about blogging and keeping you all up to date. I do promise I will be better in the weeks to come. So instead of doing the rehash from what has happened from almost 100 days ago, you'll see it in the photo montage below...


Christmas Eve Dinner- cookies came later :)


Yes, I got an iPad for Christmas, and YES this is what my face looked like when I opened it. Thanks babe!


Chris always has the most amazing smile. Did you see our yule log on?


Merry Christmas 2010: our first "married" Christmas


What's Christmas without Little Layler's priceless face?


DUCKS gear from the Waycott's. The snuggie comes in handy!


Sisters on Christmas with the Goldstein/Thomson clan


My incredible nephew, Frazier O'Neal Phillips IV: Born on December 30th, 2010. He's seriously the most amazing little boy ever! PROUD AUNTIE


Auntie Jen and Uncle Chris were the first to hold Baby Fraz.


Chris is such a natural at this!


What's New Year's Eve without our besties, The Moser's? This was shot #1


And of course, what's New Year's Eve without rock band?


Home made Churro's by yours truly with all the fixings! They were delicious!


Yep, those are marshmallows in our mouths.


Lots of cooking was done at Casa de Waycott, including home made Tortilla Soup!


Image has been blurred to protect the identity of those who fell asleep too early on New Year's Eve. {in robot voice}


It SNOWED in Santa Clarita! It seriously was the most exciting thing ever!


It piled up on the Newhall Pass.


NYC in January. Snowy, cold and with the love of my life!


He really was so excited to be there. We even got to see WICKED! Thanks Mom and Dad Waycott!


Typical tourist trapped photo


The Empire State Building was so magical. It was the first time I had been there! It even started to snow while up 80 stories high.


Chris walked the city and took some great shots of Brooklyn


He took this one on the clearest day in January!


The night before our departure, the city had a decent snow storm. This was Central Park after the storm; pretty incredible!


The usual picture of The Waycott's (3rd generation) with Starbucks in hand.

Well, that's a quick catch up through January! I'll be posting some additional pictures soon as well as some exciting and well, not so exciting news! Looking forward to a few more posts before it's officially our 1 year anniversary!

Mrs. Waycott