Happy Birthday to Me!!

It feels like only yesterday that I had turned 24 and had all my friends over for a BBQ. Where does the time go? I ask myself that all the time just thinking how fast the year has flown by. Today I celebrated my 25th birthday and I had such a great day. I woke up in the morning to a surprise, Betty left a balloon on my door. I knew that there was something on my door because I heard her put something on it but the didn't stop me from getting scared when I opened the door. Also, I found a 'Happy Birthday Jessica' banner hung up in the dining room. The day was like any other day, I just lounged around the house doing nothing but today seemed different because I didn't feel guilty about doing it :) haha. Throughout the day I got birthday texts from friends and family. Mostly from family and friends that live far away, it was nice to hear from them and take the time to wish me a Happy Birthday. My mom was able to come home early from work and Betty made me my favorite dinner Milanesa ( I could eat that forever) We had dinner together and after waiting a whole entire day I just had to open my presents. I got everything that I had asked for with a few surprises in between. From Betty I got make-up and a chime from her, her daughter and her two gran daughters, it was really pretty. From my mom I got the two new 'Vampire Diaries' books (which I am going to start reading the moment I wake up tmw) the complete first season of 'Glee', and a pillow pet in shape of a dog. My mom's logic of thinking that by giving me the dog it will stop me from bugging her to get a real one, it's not doing to happen :) After spending time with family I went to my churches activity and got Happy Birthday's there too. I had such a great day and sometimes I do forget how lucky I am. To be surrounded by such great people who are great examples to me of love and faith is just truly inspiring. I am grateful to be at a point now where I love my life, family, and friends I feel complete. But the celebrating is not over yet and I still have plenty more to do :)

My surprise Balloon...

and banner

Me with all my gifts :)

Here the all are after being opened :)

Santa Monica Pier

Yesterday I went to the Santa Monica Pier with Rachel, Lisa, and James for my birthday. It was the first time that I have ever visited the Pier and I have always wanted to go. So I thought what a perfect time to go. We arrived at the Pier in the afternoon it was still foggy out so I wasn't able to get any good pictures. Before we ate lunch I decided that we should go on our first ride so Rachel, Lisa, and I went on the Scrambler just to be on the safe side. It was so much fun and Rachel even plowed into me at one point but I guess I asked for it when I told her to let go of the edge she was holding onto. After the ride we went to eat lunch at an English pub that was down there. We headed back to the Pier and went on the Roller Coaster it did not go very fast but it still threw us around like a couple of rag dolls. When it came to the end there was no one else in line so we got to go twice, it was so much fun. Before we left we just had to hit up the Arcade and play a few games and got a cool prize with our ticket winnings. We were at the Arcade for a good while and decided it was time to leave before we spent anymore money and headed home. I had such a good time and I was glad that I was able to spend some time with my friends.

I got one good picture when we got there

The Scrambler our first ride
Lisa, Me, and Rachel at lunch
It was clear enough to get a good shot
Photo op before the coaster
Rachel and I played a game of Air Hockey and I won 7-5 :)
James and I got to shoot Zombie Pirates, it was a lot of fun
Lisa and Rachel played to0.
For our prize plastic fangs, I know were a couple of dorks :)

Descanso Gardens

Katie and I went to Descanso Gardens in La Canada earlier today and it was so beautiful. Our birthdays are 9 days apart hers is on the 11th and mine is the 20th of September, so we decided to do something fun just the two of us. It was so pretty looking at the different gardens that they had. We just spent the time walking around looking at the different gardens and taking pictures. It was such as nice day. The last two days it looked like it might rain so I as afraid that it might today but it turned out to be really nice. We ended the day with lunch and we had a really good time.

The first area that we saw

Me and KatieMy Favorite PictureSome pictures of flowers:

My Summer

Before I tell you about my Summer I must ask where does the time go? I cannot believe it is the end of August. It was really funny, at the beginning of August Kimberly was driving me home from church I mentioned it was August already and she sounded surprised. She did not believe me and checked her phone to see and was shocked to find that I was right. We were both surprised at how fast the year had blew by. Before we know it it will be 2011. I think I have rambled on enough let get to my fun summer activities:

My Summer got off to a rocky start as I got let go of my job. I must admit I was angry and sad as it happened so sudden. But, I know that everything happens for a reason. I light of everything it freed me up to have the best Summer I have ever had. I spent the Summer hanging out with friends, going to the beach, and doing other fun activities. Hanging out with friends mostly consisted of seeing the top Summer movies. 'Eclipse' was my first Summer movie. I went to go see it with Kimberly and Katie as stated in my earlier entry. 'Despicable Me' I saw with my friends Katie and Hannah. I tried so hard to wait until it was in the Dollar Theater but I couldn't wait. It was so cute I couldn't help but cry. 'Dinner with Schmucks' I saw with Katie, it wasn't as funny as I thought but it had its good moments. I was not planning on seeing 'Step Up 3', but as soon as I found out it had some dancers from 'So You Think You Can Dance' I had to see it. I saw it with Hannah and Katie. Poor Katie I'm surprised that she isn't sick of me yet:) 'The Other Guys' I saw with Karina it was the best and funniest movie of the Summer. I found a new love for a T.V. show 'The Office' it is so hilarious. The Summer does have its downfalls as my favorite T.V. shows are on rerun:(. But, on the other hand when it is Summer then that means the return of my favorite reality show 'So You Think You Can Dance' this season was the best season they have had with so many great dancers and great routines. This season they tried something different where they invited dancers from previous seasons to pair with with the new dancers. I like it it was nice to see some of my favorite dancers come back. Also this Summer I have done something that I never thought I would do in a million years: teach Sunday School for church and this Summer I was called to be a Gospel Principles teacher. I was grateful for the calling as I hope that it was give me a chance to come out of me shell a little. Everyone says that I am doing a good job and it puts me more a ease now when I teach. This Summer has been awesome weather wise. It has only been starting to get hot this week. My Summer has started winding down these past couple of weeks as my friends has gone back to school. It was a great Summer and I was glad that I was able to spend some time with my friends. My birthday is coming up and I have a lot of cool things planned I want this one to be special since it's a special number 25!! So I will write about that next time.

Newport Beach

Monday's are beach days for Katie and her friends we went to Newport beach. I had been to Newport beach before but this beach is up north close to Laguna beach. Emily had been there last Monday and said that is was so nice so went all went there instead of Seal Beach. It was such a beautiful beach with tide pools for the kids and great surroundings of houses and rocks. It was overcast when we got there so it was nice and cool, so most of the kids had fun playing in the tide pools. It was not crowded at all when we arrived so that was nice and we were able to get a nice spot closer to the water. Everyone had a good time and even though it was overcast it still did not stop me from getting sun burned. We are planning to go there next week too.

Mallory had a good time, she was so good

Kaleigh and Jennica enjoying the waves

Kaleigh, Maddie, and Ella at the tide pools

"Eclipse"

After almost a year of anticipation I got to see "Eclipse" this morning with my friends Kim and Katie I had so much fun. I loved this movie a lot and I thought it was way better then the other two. The action in this one was great with so many great stunts and special effects. I enjoyed the back stories of 'Rosalie' and 'Jasper', I was interested at how they were going to portray it. It was also good to see 'Bella' have time with them something different. Of course I love all the scenes with Cullen family especially 'Alice' she is my favorite character and the ones with the wolf pack were not bad either. It was nice to see 'Jasper' speak more, usually he is quiet and trying not to kill people :) In the book we do not get to see much of what is happening with the creating of the newborns and the fight scene with the wolves and vampires. It was great to be able to see that and how it all played out. Even though I like 'Bella' and 'Edward' together I felt bad for 'Jacob'. My favorite scenes: when they learned how to fight, the battle, and the tent scene. Some of my favorite performances: Ashley Greene is perfect for 'Alice' and her leap over the wolf to get to the newborn was awesome. Anna Kendrick again stole the scenes in everyone that she was in she is such a great actress. I loved the Volturi members were great especially Dakota Fanning she how to bring on the creepy. Xavier Samuel and Jodelle Ferland were great as 'Riley' and 'Bree'. I was really glad that I read that book about Bree before I watched to movie. Bryce was good as 'Victoria' her stunts were good and the end where she meets 'Bella' and 'Edward' she did good there too. So, if I get the chance to see this movie again I will definitely go see it again :)

Kim and I got our tickets yesterday

At 1 in the afternoon people were already lined up for the midnight showingKim, Me and Katie today after the movie

Pool Party!

Well summer has officially begun and it is that time again for going to the beach and doing some other fun activities too. This summer Katie and a few other people planned some fun activities for their kids to do. Monday's are beach days and Thursday's we will be doing a different activity every week. This Thursday we had a pool party at the Jackman home (I love the Jackman family) and it was a lot of fun. The kids had a great time swimming and some of us were having fun sitting around talking and eating pizza :) I did not spend that much time in water (I did not have a suit) so I did what I do best: take pictures and helped with the kids. Some moms had newborn babies so I was pretty content for the afternoon. It turned out to be a good day and a great start to a wonderful summer. I am looking forward to the rest of the activities and for the opportunity for making new friends. Here is to a great summer!

Sweet Mallory at 5 months

Ella soaking up some sun :)

Mallory's first time in the water with mommyLevi so cute at 13 months. He had a good timeJonas had fun he swam the entire time. Susy with her beautiful daughter ElnoraLainey had fun playing in the jacuzzi Maddie had so much fun so swam the entire time too. Ella and Maddie