Matt's Corner

MUELLER FAMILY VACATION PART 1

Words to describe our vacation = sleeping in, morning java, most amazing weather ever, AM bike rides, beach lunches, naps on the sand, walks in the surf, ocean waves, BIG family dinners, nightly beach cruiser rides…
This vacation goes in the books as A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!! We shared some fantastic times of rest and relaxation and our toes didn’t go a day without touching the sand!
Here are a few of the day’s favorite memories:

DAY ONE:

Sleeping in with Matt is seriously the greatest! Wondering when your toes will touch the floor because you have no real agenda that day = Priceless!

Psyched to try out Matt’s new ride, we spent almost every morning pedaling away the miles (my hubby is the greatest!... he knows how much I enjoy cycling, so, 2 days prior to vacation, he picks up his new road bike…it’s now something we can do TOGETHER!). I must also add that he looks incredibly sexy in his cycling gear… all those flexing muscles….

Our PM beach cruiser ride with Chris and Jean was incredibly refreshing. It was a blast to ride by and watch families enjoying vacation together: parents rounding up their kids from the beach or enjoying a sizzling meal off the grill; laughter, smiles, engaging conversations, games…. The night air was cool and felt amazing on our freshly tanned skin.


DAY TWO:

(It’s a good thing Matt and I brought our bikes because…)
Great meals together were a definite highlight! Adventures in diners, dives, and dining were always FULL of great food and terrific company. The burgers at the Navy Seal bar were excellent… but my personal favorite had to be Sammy’s Wood-fired pizza. Jean introduced us; two thumbs way up! And the desserts =.YUMMY goodness!

Vacation present to ourselves = luxury roller-blades. Mine are pink and very cool.

DAY THREE:

Momma Jean and I made a pact (and pacts cannot be broken for any reason): we are going to catch us some HAPPY BIRTHDAY waves!!! WOO HOO! You should have seen her on that boogie board; be sure to look for her next summer in Hawaii on the pro team... Matt wouldn’t put me down and forced me to go under and over the waves with him (ok, I luved it). My nose has been leaking ever since!

Apparently, we’ve been playing Phase wrong for the past two years… Who knew? Note to Dan: “jirating” only increases your chances of getting skipped, and it scares me.

DAY 3.5
1 AM:
I hate being pried from my snuggly bed for anything in the middle of the night, but my bladder is clearly telling me that it’s about to burst! Now correct me if I’m wrong, but a doors only job is to open and close nicely; our quirky door must have missed that memo. Of course, at one in the morning, when I’m trying to be quiet, it’s stuck…p-e-r-f-e-c-t! PULL, PULL, PULL… nothing. Deep breath in. Hurling myself backwards, the door finally relents and swings open, not exactly as quietly as I was going for… (I think the entire door frame and adjacent wall started vibrating). I notice the light is on in Dan’s room, but shrug and collapse back into bed.

9AM:
As I’m waiting for the coffee to brew, the boys are discussing last nights “intruder”?!? Hhhmmm… “What intruder?” Apparently, Dan woke Chris up at 1:30 a.m. because he was convinced “there was someone in the house.” BBBBBAAAAAHHHHH HHHAAA…. Sorry bout that.
to be continued....(sorry its so long, its about my scrapbook)

THE DAY B4 LEAVING FOR THE MUELLER FAMILY VACATION

It’s 5AM… and I’m off to teach my spin class. In an attempt to fire up my brain cells and drown out thoughts of my bed, I crank the music volume to LOUD!
BAM! Did I just hear something? (No way, Matt just bought me this truck…. better check...) Red tail-light pieces in the driveway are NOT a good sign… Yep, I definitely just backed into the side of the garage…. Deep breath in....
After surveying the damage (in the dark) I thought just my tail-light had been broken. (Dejavu… in high school I backed out of the garage and into my brother’s car; it only cost me a new $40 tail-light… dad sold Derek’s car)
After class I notice other things: like the missing paint and the massive dent in my side panel…. VERY sad!
Ring Ring… the caller I.D. says “best hubby ever.” I answer it…
“Do you want to tell me what happened this morning?”
Sigh…

Later I get a text from Traci….

“Wives denting cars is part of being married… I backed Robert’s Infinity into Renee’s car at 5:30am when Robert was away… Hilarious! Don’t worry it happens to every wife I know.”

FAMILY IN CALI !!!




We had a complete BLAST with my family here in beautiful California! It was absolutely the greatest! Here are some highlights and thoughts from our time together:

  • Morning walks with mom are something I wish I could do EVERY day.
  • Girlie shopping days never get old.
  • Lazy afternoons on the beach are the best… lazy afternoons on the beach with Matt’s family AND my family = PERFECT!
  • My man can cook!!!! After beach burgers never tasted so good! Side-note: I was just informed that Matt plans to retire by 50 and work as a master chef and/or a politician (president)….. fantastic.
  • Del Mar is remarkably beautiful… and the Torrey Pines State Reserve has some incredible hiking trails that overlook the ocean. I highly recommend hiking the “beach trail” and walking back sans shoes with your feet in the surf.
  • Family dinners are priceless!
  • Seaport Village in SD is always fun to explore.
  • Going to church as a family is my FAVORITE!
  • Some things never change… Our Sunday’s together still consist of 3 main components: an encouraging time worshiping the Lord, a fantastic meal together (with sports playing in the background, of course) and relaxed time of fun and fellowship with each other.
  • Some things do change… now we take up an entire row at church and Meg actually WON clue (twice)!
  • Meg and Jeff are good at lots of things… mini-golf is not one of them.
  • Mom is still my biggest cheerleader, even if it means taking her first ever cycle class and almost dying. It was so funny, I’d be instructing the class to work out of the saddle, like they were trying to attack a hill, and would glance over at her; she would be sitting down just pedaling away.
  • 27 holes in 3 hours… go dad! Mom it’s your turn to pull the flag…
  • My sis is certainly an extremely talented stylist! I hate to be the bearer of bad news Meg, but you will always be bugged to work on family get-togethers.
  • La Jolla = BBQ, Seal Beach, and swimming through caves (only Brett and I were brave enough).
  • LAX flights: Good for saving $, but traffic = BAD.
  • I miss having my mom so close; dialoguing about matters of the heart… even if we sit under the golden arches for 2 hours….
  • No one would have ever guessed I would be able to out-shop Meg and Mom… I think the fashion district is phenomenal.
  • Burgers ANIMAL STYLE… need I say more? Mother I’m so sorry I didn’t introduce you sooner.
  • Remember when I said some things never change… Mom is still the queen of clean and an amazing servant! Thanks for all your help.
  • We took off for PHX to help Meg move there AGAIN! It was a great trip together… h-e-l-l-o painting party!
  • Visiting friends is an absolute treat! It’s so fun to sit and talk like no time has gone by at all… to pick right back up where you left and forget that you no longer live 10 min away. Steve and Drew we love and miss you guys! And Steven Emery the 6th is beautiful! An incredible blessing!
  • Can I just say that the Mark of the Lion series is amazing… read it! Even better, go on a road trip with your spouse, both with your favorite books in hand, and argue over whose turn it is to drive… lol.
  • Goodbyes never get easier… I love my family, miss you guys already.

ANOTHER REASON TO LOVE SUMMER = THE MAITLAND BOAT!

It was an awesome day of wakeboarding, sun, water, fellowship, wake-surfing, tubing….Thank you to the greatest boat driver ever, Mrs. Pauley, for taking us out on your beautiful boat.

Dan wake-surfing
Ryan's backflip

Brother

SUMMERTIME



I LOVE SUMMER!

Summertime = cramming in more people than your car has seats for and heading to the BEACH!
Summertime = time to sit back and unwind.
Summertime = sitting by the waves with great friends, laughing till your cheeks hurt.
Summertime = walking in the surf with my sexy man!
Summertime = warm sand, flip flops, swimming suits, tank tops, shorts, tanned skin, hot days, sun hats, great books, beach chairs, seagulls, sun screen, funny pictures, packed lunches, beach hair, water fights, umbrellas, fire-pits, seashells, beach towels, boogie-boards, ice cream, waves, big sunglasses, sandcastles, favorite songs, and the beautiful OCEAN!
Summertime = Sunday beach days with all my girls I love so very much!