Hot Hot Summer Nights

One of the many things the hubs and I have in common is our love for college sports. One of us takes it a bit more seriously (he has made a career out of college football), but we both love cheering together from the bleachers.

On a recent weekend night we headed over to our local college's ballpark where enjoyed one of summer's true pleasures, a sweaty night of baseball. We had a great time.

The sunset wasn't bad either, right?!

Cheap Date Ideas from Money Crashers

One of the biggest changes newlyweds are faced with is dealing with their finances as a couple. Have you ever visited the site MoneyCrashers.com? It is a great resource for advice on everything from your credit score to how to thrill your hubby on the cheap.

Speaking of which, MoneyCrashers.com recently posted an article on inexpensive romantic ideas for you and your loved one. How great is that?

One of my favorite ideas that didn't make their list is to have a themed date. For example, for a Roman Holiday themed night, make Italian food, have some champagne and gelati on hand (Anya had never tried the bubbly) and maybe sneak silly pictures of each other a la the reporter in the film who follows Princess Ann. Oh yea, don't forget to snuggle up and watch the DVD too.


I loved this article from their site about romantic and cheap staycations. Here's their list of ideas just in time for the weekend. Hope you enjoy!


Picnic at the Park
You may go to the park frequently if you have young children, but this trip is for adults only. You’ll need a blanket for two, a bottle of wine or sparkling cider, a cheese sampler, and sliced fruit. Take along a book of romantic poetry by Shelley, Keats, or Browning (if you don’t have one pick up one at the local library). Take turns reading to one another or talking about something that interests you. To keep it romantic, don’t talk about the children, work, or your mother-in-law.

Bike Ride in the Country
If you don’t have bikes of your own, you might think about renting some at the local bike shop. Find a meandering country road with little traffic, or if there is a state park nearby, then head out on a slow-paced ride enjoying the scenery and the wildlife. Take breaks along the way to laugh or to catch your breath. Just being out experiencing nature together can be exhilarating and get the blood flowing to the heart.

Dance the Night Away
It’s terrific if you are a dance pro, but if you’re like me you have two left feet and your partner only has one. It doesn’t matter if you can’t do the two-step or the tango; it’s about getting out there and spending time focusing on one another. Choose a music genre you both love if possible, or try something new.

Dining Out
This idea is a bit predictable but it’s a classic way to spend time focusing on your spouse. Add a little spice to it by trying a new restaurant, eating a cuisine you’ve never eaten before, or going to your favorite spot but ordering a dish you’ve never had. My favorite romantic places are Italian or French, but these can get expensive, so I some sometimes like to go the home cooked route and fix up a simple spaghetti and salad, dress up the patio table, and put on Sinatra.

Video Game Fun
If you have a video game console lying around and you have kids, chances are you’ve never been on it. Why not hit the rental store and pick out a game you can play as a couple? Challenging yourself and each other can be fun and great way to laugh together. Pick something that will get you animated, like a racing game. The Nintendo Wii sports games and Rock Band/Guitar Hero are also great games to play as a couple.

Beach or Lake Day
Hopefully, you have a large body of water nearby. We live super close to the coast, so it is nothing for us to hop in the car and have a day of sand and sea. Hopefully you can do the same. Take the lawn chairs, an umbrella, and a cooler and hit the lake or beach. Even if you don’t plan on taking a dip, you can sport your swimsuit and enjoy time together on the shore.

Sleep In for a Change
You may be in the habit of jumping out of bed at the crack of dawn even on your day off, but try to control the urge and snuggle up together instead. Staying in bed, dozing in out of sleep, talking quietly to one another and shutting out the world can be a great way to reconnect and encourage intimacy.

Aren't those great suggestions? Do you have any fun and cheap date-night ideas?

AMAZING NEWS: I'm Going to Be...

...an Honorary Auntie!!! My best friend and Matron of Honor is going to be a first time mother in six short months. Isn't that the most exciting news since sliced bread?! I am BEYOND thrilled. I know the time is going to fly by and little baby will be here before we all know it. It is just amazing to watch the baby change through the ultrasounds.

Look at the beautiful little apricot!

It is really crazy to me how much we change as individuals over one simple year of our lives. When you look back on the years of your past often times the only constants are the people you consider family. Lindz and I have been through so many of life's turns together, it truly astounds me to think how fast eight years can pass and all that those years bring.

I really can't wait to experience this journey into mommyhood with her. So so so thrilled. Can you tell?

Isn't she going to be one beautiful glowing pregernaut???

Can't wipe the smile off my face...

Love to New Heights.

Are you ready to pick your jaw up off the ground? I just couldn't NOT repost this artsyness via Chennergy (where there are even more of these incredible shots) by way of Ever Ours.

Love on display in the sky deck of the Sears Tower. Just... wow.

Stunning and so unique.

My Boys

How the rest of the Ford family entertains themselves while lil mama's reading...


I love my life.

Long Weekend Fun

Hey Yall.

Sorry for the lack of posting but I have good excuses, I swear!

Over the weekend one of my best friends and fellow Floridians made the drive up to O-town to hang tough with her girls. Besides just catching up, we didn't do much, unless you count kicking ass at rock band as doing much! Weekend pictures to ensue, in the meantime here's some oldies but goodies (from 3 months ago). :)

What's better than spending some girl time with your favorite ladies?

Thanks for coming to visit Miss Aimee. Love you girl!

Aren't good friends one of life's best gifts?

This Beer Sorbet's For You

Looking for the ultimate summery man-gift? How's about a tall icey glass of Beer Sorbet? Yea, it does exist. I am dying to try it seeing as the reviews go a little something like this: “it’s like licking the floor of a frat house” and “takes me back to high school.” ($8 per pint, delivered in the greater LA area).

For a bit more of a grown up taste, hows about a nice bowl full of Jeni’s Kona Stout Ice Cream($48 for four)? If that doesn't suit your fancy, the independent ice cream company offers many more intriguing flavors AND they have a pretty kick butt blog for your perusal.

What's the wackiest ice cream flavor you've ever tried? For me, growing up in LA meant summers spent eating rose ice cream in Venice... The smell of roses still brings the taste of childhood back for me.

Summer is For the Kids

Do you remember how good you had it as a kid? All you ever wanted was to hurry up and be an adult already so you could be a ballerina or a fireman, and lo and behold, you were having the time of your life without even realizing it.

I think I speak for us all when I say that as children, summer really was the time of year when we just reveled in all the fun of being a kid. There's nothing better (except of course Christmas and Disneyland) and you remember those summers your whole life.

My little bro and sis are enjoying the greatness of kid summer as we speak, and they are seriously making me jealous as I sit at my office desk! What's better than summers spent on wheels, by the lake, with your dog, eating popsicles?!

You've never seen anything cuter, have you? Do you have great summery childhood memories?