The Well

I love our church. It is so awesome. (PS- this is a late post from Sunday). But this past Sunday Brad Bell (our lead pastor) spoke our State of the Church presentation and it was so exciting. We are just growing in so many directions and it's so exciting to see how the Lord's will is moving in our church. I feel so blessed to be part of such a contemporary and real church- one that I am proud to call ours. I'm excited to see how all of these plans work out and what they will mean to the body. Also, the presentation on Sunday was so impressive, Brad- was on his game and utilized powerpoint in a way that was so not cheesy. It was just so encouraging!!!

Beijing Madness

So I really love the Summer Olympics! The winter ones are really not that exciting to me, sorry to all that comment might offend. I'm all about summer: swimming, water polo, gymnastics, diving, beach volleyball, pole vaulting, and the list goes on. I love it- I seriously can't get enough. And is it a little wierd that I always try to imagine myself competing. Like as I sit here and type this I just watched Katie Hoff swim the 100 meter free prelims- and I think, oh I could totally do that. (Now lets be honest, I definitely can not, but I always picture myself there.) Anyone else? Or am I just crazy? Plus, the little gymnasts, my goodness they blow my mind! I only dream of flying and flipping through the air like they do. (When I watch those little crazies compete, I'm full on thinking Physical Therapy- how will they need help when the competition is over. Wow I'm a dork.) But go Team USA!!
-Jess

ps-Dave and I are so into the Olympics we had a party on Friday night complete with a sign-up sheet for games (with prizes). Our friends weren't so much into it, slightly disappointing

pps- the little nasty Chinese buffet just down the street from our house renamed the restaurant from Easy 21 Buffet (i know right?) to Beijing Buffet. appropriate?

By Request...

...wakeboarding shots from the Weaver Cabin trip. Enjoy!

My Little Book Worm

This is my wife for the next couple of days whenever she gets some free time. I can't blame her. I only wish I could read as quickly as she does. She can rip through a good book faster than Joey can eat two pizzas.

11 hour days suck!

For those of you that have been wondering, I did get the raise. woo hoo. However, in return I have had more responsibilities at work- which is very exciting, and also exhausting. I have worked until after 7 pm every night this week so far (I know only 2 but I'm expecting the same tonight). Last night, I literally did nothing and read in bed from about 8 pm to 10 pm. I was too exhausted to even move. I can't wait for Friday.

Ps- I can't wait for the Olympics. 8.8.08

Weekend in LA

So I'm late on blogging this, but last weekend, when Dave was having fun at the Weaver cabin in Shaver, I (Jess) was having fun in LA. I drove down with Jen and we headed straight to Pasadena so I could spend Friday night with my awesome friend Amy. Amy's family has an amazing house, built in the 1920's with gorgeous hardwood floor, crown moulding, and original fixtures. It is so beautiful. I loved it. I loved meeting her family- they have huge family dinners on Friday night and it was fun to be a part of. After dinner we went to the Yard House to have drinks and dessert and basically catch up. So fun! Bonus, we had free entertainment all night long- we were seated by a group of about 30 firefighter academy graduates who were celebrating (read: drinking heavily) and they provided hours of laughs for us. On Saturday, we made breakfast together for the family, enjoyed the beautiful weather on the porch, took a driving tour of Pasadena, window shopped/walked around Old Town Pasadena, ate lunch at Il Fornio on the breezeway, and just enjoyed each other's company. It was so much fun. I can really see why so many people would love to live in Pasadena. It had such a small town feeling with beautiful old architecture. I loved it.
After lunch, we drove over to Manhattan Beach to meet up with Jen and Shira- Shira has an amazing apartment literally 1 block from the beach, and Jen spent Friday night with her. We hunted down a parking spot, played on the shore line (Amy taught me how to catch sand crabs), and chatted like all girls will. Saturday night the 4 of us girls went to sushi for dinner, which was delicious, and then grabbed a glass of wine at a small bar/grill. A live band played cover songs of old school classic rock- it was so fun. I spent Saturday night with Jen and Shira, and Amy had to head back home. Sunday morning, I woke up way earlier than the other two (surprise) and entertained myself in Shira's cool apt. Then, the 3 of us walked along the Strand (sidewalk street lined with GORGEOUS million dollar beach homes facing the beach) to get breakfast. It was probably the best eggs benedict I've ever had- vegetarian version and amazing. We walked home on the beach with our toes in the water and it was amazing. So much fun catching up with such good girlfriends. I love them all!! Only downside- I got a sunburn from all the walking in the sun in a halter top. (I forgot the SPF). Oh, and Dave had the camera so I have no pictures to post- but trust me, it was fun and much needed!

Weaver Cabin

I (Dave) was very excited to be able to spend the weekend with some of my high school buddies I haven't seen in awhile. Russell and Humberto were both in town(Along with Russell's wife Ann and her cousin Julie, both from Virginia). We went up to Russell's cabin and spent the weekend laughing and catching up; it was great! I had made a pong/quarters table (Which was ridiculously heavy[Thanks for the help Matt and Chris] and I spent a lot of time spray-painting on the flames and black background) and we brought that up with us. We spent most of Saturday on their porch playing games and laughing with a little bbq in the evening. Ann almost fell through part of the deck...I fell through a step last year (Actually, I slipped on some ice and broke a 2X6 with my spine).


Sunday was spent at Shaver Lake. Most of us wakeboarded; Humberto and I got up on our first try (Yeah us) and Russell and Chris went doubles (They're better). We found a little island that nobody else was on and set up camp. Chris and I got a little bored just sitting on shore so we started playing bocce ball with some rocks. That led to hitting rocks out into the lake with an old, large tree limb. I'm sad that it had to end, but it sure was fun.


Right before we left the lake we set up a group shot. From left to right: Back row:Humberto, Chris, Me, Russell, Christina...front row:Kalia, Sarah, Ann, Julie. Thanks to all for such a great time...let's do it again
-That Guy

P.S. Jess didn't go to the cabin because she had already made plans with Jen to go down to L.A. to visit Shira and down to Pasadena to visit Amy. I was jealous.