Sunday, October 31, 2010

What's going on over there?



That's probably what you are all thinking... "What's going on over there?" I've been in hiding from the online world for awhile just going about my ways working, playing, and serving. I got a chance to hang out with my family a lot this summer since Damon was studying for one of his four CPA exams. So far he's gone from tax season to studying, back to tax season and straight into studying. I think we are both excited to next summer when all this studying, fingers crossed, is done.

I miss him when he's busy, but love the time I get to spend with the girls. You might ask what i do with all my time while my Husband is working/studying and I'm left to do my own thing. Well, I went to the Ventura County Fair with the girls.

Had a few days of real summer in Los Angeles, and tried to make the most of them, but summer time also means Family Reunion! This year we headed back up to Utah to see the Pikula's and had an awesome time. This family is so beautiful and talented. I'm so blessed to have them in my life.
In between all the family fun we had some down time and got to the Zoo. Damon and I love aquariums and zoo's. We love the beauty of these creatures and are always in awe of them.

Los Angeles had a few days of summer, but I think most of them were work days. So when the weekend decided to be just as nice I tried to make the best of it and would spend as much time outside as possible. I had beach days with the Wallace's (Damon's sister and family), The other Pikula's (Amy, Kurtis, and Sara), and the Calder Family. I love spending time with these families. I love how close I live to our families and best friends.

(Sarai Gaitan)

My Step-Brother David welcomed his third baby and first son this summer, and marrying Damon has made me an auntie a few times over now. I am blessed to have these kids in my life. Jarom and Roxanna welcomed the first Gaitan grand baby September 15th. Sarai is here and beautiful!
Flowers delivered at work. What girl doesn't get excited when they see flowers being delivered at work and just for a second you think they might be for you. Well, I'm not sure if you can click on this picture to make it bigger, but this is a good one. The messenger knocks on the door, one of us in the operations department (four girls) answers and it's flowers. We kind of look at each other and as we look at the label it's to all of us. To the Girls at A-Mark... It's an apology bouquet from a "Grumpy Old Man" customer that had sent mad emails and even yelled at one of us girls. We were shocked and very thankful he had apologized, but I think we all deep down inside were a little bummed they weren't from our "guy."

Pool day at my parents with the whole family.

Had a few chances to go to Kurtis' soccer games. Love watching kids run around. I haven't had a chance to go to any of Colette's games and I'm sad I've missed them, but I hear she's good and loves it.

Road Trip with Colette and the Parents.
Sarai was blessed on October 23rd. Damon had a long study weekend, so I drove up to Utah with Colette and the Parents. We had a such a good time. I was worried about the long drive, since it's been years since I've made that Utah drive, but it was a really good trip. Colette and I didn't argue once! That's amazing for us. We have that big sister, little sister thing going on right now.

Got to catch with the whole family. All my Mom's siblings came and even some of my cousins. Sadly Loreal couldn't make it. It would have been perfect if she had been there. Jarom gave a beautiful blessing, Sarai was perfect, and the day was really great!

Mom's Birthday at the Getty Villa

I'm excited for this Holiday Season and getting to spend more time with our families. I think Family has been on our both of our minds lately as we feel like we just don't have enough time for it all, but hope this holiday season will be full of all those we love. There a lot of other fun things we've done and things we want to do. It's such a joy to have an amazing man by my side holding my hand though life's journey and am truly looking forward to eternity with him and our families.

Monday, July 12, 2010

How are we related?

Colette and my Niece (at the wedding)

We had lots of fun this year finding a place to park for fireworks, and at the end of the day we had the best seats in town for the fireworks and the after show. Saturday Damon's whole family came to my parents for some good swimming and bbq-ing. Mark got a new BBQ from Grandma and Grandpa for his birthday and I have to say, I think I just had the best home made burger this last weekend. We had a such a good time with all our nieces and newphew, but someone did get a little jealous (colette) with the fact that I'm paying attention with my new niece and not her. I think Colette was more upset that she couldn't figure out how they we're related. Since pretty much every one we call family is either her brother, brother-in-law, sister, her aunt, or her niece. It was cute in the end when she kept asking how her and my niece we're related.

The Girls (minus Lo) in Fillmore for fireworks




Sister's on Mother's Day (still missing one)

We've had a lot of going up to Ventura for holiday's but as people keep leaving the nest the nest keeps getting quieter and quieter. Jordan is leaving tomorrow for Utah. He'll be with good people and I'm sure he's going to have tons of fun with his brother's but us here left in California are really starting to miss everyone being her for holidays both big and small.

Damon at the Oahu Temple

We went to Hawaii at the end of May as a belated honeymoon and truly had the time of our lives. It was an amazing trip and we can't wait to go back and check out all the other islands. We did some hikes, some snorkeling, some sunbathing (ok a lot of this), some beach hoping, and some classic touristy sites. We can hardly believe this is our life together and everyday feel so blessed to have one another... he's waited a long time for me :)


Damon's favorite part of the island was the windward side with all the island country and beautiful mountain range. We had a perfect day of beach hoping and just love all the beauty the Lord has created for us to enjoy.


I'm not perfect and life keeps reminding me of that, but I am also reminded that the Lord continues to pour out his mercies upon us even when we know we need to do more. I've made many a mistake, but somehow have still been blessed with an amazing husband. I feel like I have a new lease on life, a second chance to do it right, and I plan on not messing up this time. I've learned a lot in a short while and plan on learning most of life's lessons the first time I'm taught 'cause I hate repeating classes.


Love you all,
Serene Pikula (officially)