I'll take one of these please...

The homes that lined Corona Del Mar beach were nothing less than spectacular.
I'm asking for one for my next birthday.



We had a wonderful vacation.
Getting back into the swing of things was tough.
But that's what makes getting away and spending time together so wonderful.
It makes you want to do it again and again.
And we will : )

more catch up ~ PART TWO

Balboa beauties...

a great tide pool beach ~ Crystal Cove

Crystal Cove colorless

and still more : )

a Crystal Cove sunset...

a little catch up...

Spring Break was last month and I'm just getting around to looking through our pictures.
I'll get them on here eventually.

Here is PART ONE...



This is T-Rocks in Quartzsite, AZ.
If you have any rock fans in your family then this is a must stop if you are driving on to California.
We have MANY treasures from this side stop : )

where we stayed...

The Newport Coast Villas Resort was truly beautiful.  The great deal was worth the stay.  Although this is not the way our family vacations, I could handle this every now and again. 

The gorgeous pools and life size checker board were definintely attention getters.

The fragrance of sweet jasmine was heavy in the air and lucky for us, these blooming vines covered our villa.

put this on your list...

...a trip to Balboa Island.
One of my favorite parts of our vacation.
We drove the car right onto the ferry that shuttled us across the inlet.
And I was so tempted to jump ship and grab some of those chocolate covered strawberries but I stayed put.

I think we stopped at nearly every little shop.  We met a wonderful shop owner who gave us a great deal on our purchases and then recommended we eat at this little mexican joint just a stroll down the sidewalk.  We did. And boy are we glad!  Sooooo very good. Very reasonably priced. And you could tell the locals were regulars.  That's a sure sign it is gonna be yummy!  Another recommendation came from some friends in the ward (who make a habit of coming to this exact spot time after time) who said you MUST STOP at the bakery.  MY. OH. MY.

I wish I had gotten a shot of the Balboa Island Candy shop.  Candy from days gone by and barrels of every flavor salt water taffy you could imagine.  We stocked up of course : )

Opening Day for our two All Stars!

The Braves for Cooper...


and the Ironbirds for Davis... 

And we won't be around much while the boys play ball.
It begins in March and it's all we do for nearly three months straight! : )

Take us out to the ball game!!

At the Brown household, we declare Opening Day...

a National Holiday!!!

That means the kids get to be pulled out of school.

All on account of getting to celebrate...
peanuts,
cracker jacks,

and the fact that the Boys of Summer are back!!

The hunt...

We don't make the bunny part of Easter too big of a deal around our home.
But we do enjoy hunting and searching for a few of the yummy treats.
And it brings us together for fun and relaxing morning...
which I totally support!

Who doesn't love a cupcake!!

What a fun and creative take on an Easter cupcake. 

Found the darling idea here.

The Responsiblity Project...

Given that Brent works for Liberty Mutual...

Given that we LOVE baseball...

This little story is precisely fitting.
And what makes it so great is that it's true.
Watch through to the credits : )

Enjoy!

Sunday will come...

Easter is just a few days away.

There is so much peace and hope and happiness that surrounds the message of this sacred day we celebrate.

I'm always grateful to be reminded of those moments when I am blessed with a testimony building experience.

This was one of them. 

I remember clearly hearing the words the first time.  It was November 2006.  It was a time I thought my mom might leave her broken body behind and return to her heavenly home for a much deserved rest.  I hung on Elder Wirthlin's every word.

And then I remember reading those words in the Conference issue of the Ensign.


I had the same beautiful feelings wash over me again.

Today, a little over three and half years later, I found the above highlighted clip and it was no different. 

I still feel the emotion and the power of these truths and am so grateful my sweet mother's Sunday has finally come. 

Happy, Happy Easter.

Here is Elder Wirthlin's talk in its entirety.

*photo found here