The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel

The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel holds special significance to Joe and I. Joe started working there as the overnight cook when we were dating. I started working there as a front desk agent during the first year of our marriage. We grew closer together when I worked there, we were able to actually spend time together with coordinated days off. We made really amazing friends there, it grew to be a type of mini family...the Ritz Carlton employees really embraced our growing family. Many of our Ritz friends have moved on and are now scattered all over the U.S and abroad, some are still there, nevertheless they all, and the the hotel, mean so much to us.

During the 1st part of our trip we were privileged to be able to spend a glorious night at our former hotel. We had a beautiful room with a ocean view. We ate like kings, feasting on a 7+ course meal made specially by our dear friends. We swam in the pool, relaxed in the jacuzzi. Jade & I even trekked down the steep hill to salt creek beach and played in the sand. It was truly a wonderful day & evening....I wish we could of stayed there longer. It is safe to stay that Laguna and the Ritz will always feel like home.

California girls and a boy from Kansas

We are home in Philadelphia now. Ironically, for me, it does not feel like home. It feels like we have left our home. Left family, left friends, sunshine, in-n-out, the beach, and the list goes on and on. Our trip was eventful to say the least, but when you travel with Joe what else could you expect. The plane ride had it's ups and downs...the return home was a bit less crazy. I almost collapsed into a puddle of tears as I heard Hazel say, "Goodbye everybody, Goodbye Grandma I will miss you so much!" as we ascended into the sky leaving beautiful California behind. I caught a glimpse of the ocean, Newport, and saw my home getting smaller and smaller as we climbed higher and higher into the clouds. Pennsylvania is where God has us, this is home, but I cannot wait to be back in sunny Cali, sporting my rainbows, stuffing my face with a delicious grilled cheese from In-n-out, and seeing all the faces that we have left behind, and oh hugging my mom!

More blogs to come on our many endeavors, including Hazey's 1st trip to Disneyland, our trip to Vegas for Kacy & Brian's wedding, and much, much more.

Love
MON

Fake Flowers?

I was a bit confused when I saw the newly sprouted, purple and yellow tiny flowers cheerfully peeking out from the grass. I thought perhaps my neighbor and her granddaughters had placed fake flowers in the ground, as insane as that sounds, yes I thought it. I quickly realized they were real, actual flowers and I can't tell you how happy I was. I was just ecstatic to see these beautiful tiny, sweet forebearers of spring!!!!!!!! It was a nice 62 degrees and it was warm. Oh, lovely warmth!!!!!!! So I just closed up the house, and the girls and I stayed outside with friends for about 4 1/2 hours. They played, rode bikes, and we walked to the park and library. I was so exhausted after, as was Hazel & Jade so it was a pretty chill evening. I cannot even believe how much I am looking forward to the Spring....we are all ready for it to be warmer.

Speaking of warmer. We are so excited that in exactly 1 week we will be leaving for California...yes back HOME. We will be there for a week, so if anyone would like to say hello...let us know.

Love

MON

Baserball.

Hazel has informed Joe & I that she needs to play "baserball". So when we were out buying TP and other household necessities at good old Walmart, we picked up a "baserball" and bat for her. There was one HUGE stipulation...it had to be pink of course. So in the same night, Hazel picked princess big girl panties...and a pink "baserball" bat...she is a girl after all.

Big Girl is walking!!!

Beautiful GG...

GG stands for Great Grandma. She is Joe's Grandma. She is Hazel & Jade's GREAT Grandma, hence the term GG. Her name is Rosemary Montgomery. She is the sweetest women in Kansas...and probably the world. Joe often speaks of his childhood and how integral his Grandparents were to his growth and development and how he loves them dearly. I know from personal experience of how sweet and wonderful she is. Being married to Joe for the last 6 years has been a learning experience and a wonderful journey. GG has always accepted me, always been supportive, and has loved me like her own Granddaughter, and that has mean the world to me. Each and every time we have visited Kansas, we have had such a wonderful time and love staying at GG's house. I love her beautiful & cozy home and our long chats. I just have always felt so at home there, and it has been because GG is so warm, loving, and wonderful. We show the girls pics of her, talk to them of GG and how special she is...but nothing compares to being able to visit, which we plan to do very soon.

Well GG recently celebrated a birthday! We are so sorry that we couldn't be there to celebrate with you. You always make our birthdays so bright with your thoughtfulness and generosity. We love you so much. You mean the world to us. Not a day goes by that we don't think of you. Keep your eye out for an extra special delivery from the Montgomerys. With the tornado that is my life, I didn't get to send it to you before your actual birthday! We love you so much GG!!! Happy, Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday from the Montgomery girls, the East Coast chapter! Oh, and Joe too!!!!

The Please Touch Museum

The name pretty much sums it all up. It is located in Philadelphia and Joe & I have been dying to take our girls there. The entire museum is 100% dedicated to allowing the natural curiosity of children to run rampant. Each exhibit is designed with children in mind, and allows them to touch and experience different textures and such. While kids are used to being told, "don't touch that!", or "put that down!", the museum offers children the rare opportunity to touch and pick up whatever they wish, and even offers them costumes to try on...this place is very, very special. There is truly so much to see and do there, we really only scratched the surface of the museum and are anxious to go back and explore. Our favorite exhibit had to be the Alice in Wonderland themed floor, and having a tea party with Hazel & Jade was a true highlight. I hope you enjoy the photos, there are an over abudance of them, so happy scrolling .