Ocean Air

Touring Catalina Island
Pelican landing

My 48th Birthday

Seagull

Keylime pie - my favorite

Breanna

Rihanna - Loud Tour 2011

View of Catalina Island

San Diego Mission

Hiking above the Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles, CA)

La Jolla Catalina Island

I'm having a hard time keeping up with my blog this year - not sure why. I do, however, have an update.

Ocean Breezes
That is what we experienced during our weeks vacation in Newport Beach. We love our timeshare (Newport Coast Villas) - it feels like being in Hawaii. Gorgeous grounds, large pools, full facilities, 1 block from the beach, BBQ's, activities, and great owners.

Our weeks stay comprised of:
- Walks along the beach (Santa Monica, Newport, Laguna, La Jolla, Malibu)
- Biking riding along the ocean paths of Santa Monica to Venice Beach
- The LOUD Tour featuring Rihanna - great concert - lots of set changes and costume changes; very unique singer and performer
- Sold-out Hall & Oates Concert at the Hollywood Bowl featuring the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra - 18,000 fans packed the place. Outstanding fireworks show after the concert. Great venue for a concert.
- San Diego Mission - first California mission
- Balboa Park
- Griffith Observatory - great views of L.A. and many hiking trails easily accessible from the observatory. We did some hiking on a hot 95 degree day - worth the sweat!
- Catalina Island - took the ferry from Newport Harbor to the island. Rented golf carts and did a self-guided tour of the island. We were not too impressed with the island - we mainly ate lunch, walked, and shopped. Enough to do for just one day. It was my first time to the island and probably my last.
- Food: Had some amazing food at Duke's in Malibu and Tommy Bahama Grill in Newport Beach. Especially loved the desserts: Key lime pie and Hula pie (two of my favorites)
- Shopping: Loved hitting up the shops at The Grove, Fashion Island Mall, Hollywood Blvd., and the Promenade in Santa Monica. My new favorite store: Forever 21!! Absolutely love the style, prices, and variety; really enjoy their cheap cosutme jewelry.
- No alarms: Loved being able to sleep in (something we rarely do); our timeshare was very peaceful (no road noise just simple silence).
- 2 nights at the Hilton @ the LAX airport - loved this hotel - very practical and close to our flight
- Celebrated my 48th birthday and our 11th anniversary on this trip

Next visit (maybe next June):
- Disneyland
- Ocean swimming
- More biking
- More hiking
- California Adventure

The only thing I don't like about vacation is returning to work!

(Will post photos soon - stay tuned).

Happy trails,
V

Endless Love

Gabrille and Jason

United: May 21, 2011

(Somerset Club House, Brentwood, CA)

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Page and Maddy

United: May 14, 2011
(Wedding location: Ravenswood, Livermore, CA)

Why do I love weddings so very much? Probably because it displays:

• Love


• Devotion


• Admiration


• Color


• Laughs


• Memories


• Spirits


• Warmth

We have been to two weddings the past two weekends. YIPEE! (See attached photos.) Love capture love!

We are headed for a third in June - can't wait!

Cheers to new beginnings,

V

Sunshine

Camarones at CompadresSullivan Winery
Lillies at Domain Chandon

The "crew" at Domain Chandon

Spring time

Family

Rockers (Garth and Greg)

Ready for the plunge

Couldn't help but soak up the sun this past weekend.

Friday: Goin' Coastal Tour with Kenny Chesney! Went to see him perform at the Shoreline in Mountain View. Openers: Uncle Cracker and Billy Currington. The place was mobbed. Everyone was definitely in the coastal mood - perfect evening for a concert.

Saturday: Goin' to Napa with our friends Monica/Peanut, Stephanie/Garth:

What a splendid weekend it was amongst the vineyards. This visit we tried a few new wineries:

- Sullivan
- Pina

- Luna

Had to get in our favorites: Domain Chandon and Alpha Omega.

Had a great time - lots of laughs, wine, photos, and stories.

Stopped at Compadres for dinner - great mexican food and atmosphere sitting outside along the water.

Caio,

V

Champion

So proud to have met this legend (Grete Waitz) - I am pictured two people from the right of Grete (center in navy blue) (picture taken in 2004).

Grete Waitz had never run a marathon before the New York City race in October 1978. After it, her name and New York would be forever linked.
- She was the first woman of marathon
- Won the New York Marathan 8 times (the first three times setting world records)

Waitz died today at age 57 in a hospital in her native Oslo, Norway after a six-year battle with cancer. There was no word on what type of cancer felled the marathon legend, who disclosed no details about her condition after being diagnosed in 2005.