CHICKENS!!!!

...actually, most were roosters! We try to set aside time each week to go on a date and just have fun together. Since we're not swimming in money, we end up finding some pretty random things to do for free! And I must say, it's quite fun! This last week Matt took me to Fair Oaks' Old Town, which he randomly discovered a few weeks ago!

It's basically a little road with some old buildings, shops, a park, and ROOSTERS... EVERYWHERE!!!!
If you don't see them at first, it doesn't take long to realize they are there because of the constant "Ur-ur-ur-ur-UUUUURRRRR!!!!!" in the background.

There are big ones

Little ones

Pretty ones

Red ones

Lots of them crossing the roads...getting to the other side!!! :) If you click on this picture you can see this guys neck all wacky cuz he's cockadoodledooing! :)

Black and White Ones

....I just couldn't pick which pictures to post so I decided to just put them all!

I wish I could have gotten a picture of one of them running! They were SO FUNNY to watch as they would suddenly bolt down the road as if they were excited or late for something!

Ah yes, this one was the elderly, confident one whom Matt named Josiah!

He would just follow us around and was quite large!

And for those of you who aren't the constant thinkers and introspective types that we are....who tend to worry that we might be wearing ourselves out at times with our thoughts...maybe these pictures will ease your concerns by letting you see that we actually DO relax, laugh and have quite the non-serious, non-thinking times here and there! :).......I think this is Matt trying to reflect the chickenness around us! Almost scary...but funny too!

...it was catching!!!

Matt instructed me not to try too hard to make the face but just let it happen as I focused more on the SOUND of the rooster noises.....i'm not nearly as talented as he is at this!!! too bad there's no sound attached to this!

.....he only gets better and better! :) Don't you think he looks almost chicken-like?

hmm, not sure about this one...

He makes me laugh

THIS is true joy!!! a great day with a great man...and roosters!!!

Who could ask for anything more! :)

Oh, and if you were wondering- all the chickens and roosters are in the town because several years back, a guy in town raised them, some escaped, and the town eventually decided to just let them be. Now they pretty much own the town and wander freely! Truly, they just stand in the middle of the road as if they own the place! funny times! So never lose hope for a good date, even if you're broke. Just go explore an old town and see what you find!

Independence Day!

We had a relaxing and fun time celebrating the day with family this year!

This is Emmalyn, Beth and Bob's niece...it's hard to believe she's already 9 months! The BBQ was at Bob's brother, Shane, and his wife, Kara's house in Sacramento.

Zoe, our niece, who will be going into 2nd grade this year!

Beth, Matt's sister, bringing out the pie and ice cream! YUM!!

Young and old enjoying the goodness!

In the evening we moved to the front and enjoyed some family fireworks

Then we walked to a viewpoint where we could see the Sacramento BIG fireworks! Of course, pictures don't do justice!

We are thankful to live in a country where we are free....but look forward even more to our TRUE HOME in heaven where we will finally experience TOTAL and TRUE FREEDOM!!! Happy 4th of July!

Honeymoon #3- Day 3

Super Touristy Day....but first, Phill and Carolina took us out to breakfast at a wonderful crepe cafe. We really enjoyed getting to hear their story and get to know them better since we haven't had almost any time together through the last several years. And yes, they are my uncle and aunt. Dad is the oldest of the family and Phill is the youngest of 6 kids, thus, I have an uncle just a few years older than me....and now an aunt who i THINK is younger! Kinda fun!

First super-tourist stop: Lombard St. The famous winding road.

On our way up the road to Lombard it sounded like birds were laughing at Matt as he tried to run up the steep hill. Since I love birds and didn't recognize the sound, I looked up only to find they wild parrots. We were told that several of them live around that area.
Next Super-Tourist stop: The Painted Ladies, A.K.A.- The place where D.J, Stephanie, and the Full House family lived. I think this is my favorite picture! We didn't have a football but tried our best to put on some cheesy smiles as we played and sang the theme song....

SING WITH US NOW..."Every where you look, everywhere you look, There's a heart....da-da-da-come home too...when you're lost out there, and you're all alone...dddaa-da-da is waiting to carry you HOOOooome, EVERY WHERE YOU LOOK! Da-da-da-da-DA-DA, aahhh, aahhhh, aahhh, ahh! Da-dooby-doo-BA-BA-OW! DA-DA!!! (You know you LOVE it!!) :)

My Favorite ship in the Bay...looked like a pirate ship to me!

Tourist Trap #3- The Cable Car! Matt really wanted to experience a ride, so we strayed from our "don't spend any money" goal and took a little trip!

Well worth it!

And lastly, China Town!

Happy Two Year Anniversary to My Favorite!

Honeymoon #3- Day 2

Since we walked pretty much the entire first day, we decided day 2 would be a good driving day...SOOOoooooo.....

....a good day to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge! Since it was Memorial Day weekend, who knows how long it took with all the traffic, but once again, with no time and no schedule, it was quite enjoyable!

Looking out of the sunroof. Someday we'd like to ride or walk over it, but not this day.

We went to a little town called Saulsalito, across the bay, and found a park to relax in.

Poor Matt became very close to his tissues since his allergies struck horribly that day. I enjoyed a book that mom gave me about how to keep plants alive in pots :)...and what's a restful day without a nap?!

Matt took this picture in a tunnel we went through and I just think it's pretty cool looking!

Once the majority of tourists left for the evening, we headed up to the view point. We were a little late for a perfect picture with the sun included, but oh well. Always a next time.

I couldn't resist. I think it actually looks like a paining in this picture.

Another great day with my husband

Honeymoon #3- Day 1

We went to San Francisco on our 3rd Honeymoon (2nd Anniversary) last weekend and had a great, relaxing time! It's only about 2 hours from where we live, PLUS my uncle and aunt live there, which has brought us to realize that we'll be visiting more often from now on! :)

Phill and Carolina live in a fabulous flat right in the heart of town. This picture is from the roof Friday night. GREAT view-which this picture only captures part of.
We really enjoyed getting to spend time with Phill (Carolina was out of town), and he was a great tour guide as well. Their dog, Shamis (sp?), amazed us as he just followed us around town, and even waited outside cafes without a leash while we went in for some food. A true city dog who everyone around knows and loves! :)
Ok, so I've become like my friend Tiana, who takes pictures of TREES! I think that i said, "i LOVE these trees," about every 5 minutes as we sauntered around town.
California has so many unique looking trees...or maybe it's just cuz they are different than the ones I grew up with in Oregon. Whatever the case, I like them!
After parting way with Phill in the morning, we headed to the Farmers Market. I wish i could have gotten a better shot at this little girl with her flowers, but I still like it. And of course Matt found a pastry to enjoy!

While wandering through the craft booths Matt heard a familiar song coming from somewhere nearby...don't know if you've heard of it, but we LOVE IT- "God of This City." Matt was immediately like a dog who caught a scent and darted off toward it. Sure enough, there was a huge youth group from Louisiana singing in the square!

They also had a group who played on buckets, ladders, trash cans and lids, etc. Lots of fun!

We ended up sticking around for quite a while and joined in the worship (including "Mighty to Save"- another favorite of ours). This ended up being on the top of the list for favorite memories of the weekend.

It's so easy for me to get overwhelmed by the darkness and brokenness of so many people in cities, to the point where it's easy to feel a lack of hope and an emptiness. It was an incredible reminder, as we got to praise Jesus in the middle of a city, that He is still God and in control, no matter how much it might not seem like it sometimes. He IS God of every city, no matter who does or doesn't believe it or walk with Him. And it truly FILLS me to walk in the light, in JOY...HOPE...LOVE...and all that He brings, knowing that He is at work and hasn't forgotten! He is HERE!

View from above the group and the fountains we sat by...and got burned in the sun by (unexpected GREAT weather!)
Next we made our way along the waterfront. On our honeymoons we especially enjoy not caring what time it is, so we had no plans and just took our time. We sat here for a while and watched some guys skate boarding. Quite entertaining!
And then down to Pier 39 for some ice cream, shops and of course, the sea lions!
And a happy ending to our day on top of Phill's roof again, this time in day light! Pretty nice view, huh?!?! :)

Two Years Married...

....this is what it's done to us!!! :)

LOL!!! Not really!!! Although we DO have quite a bit of fun!

The next post will be of our 3rd honeymoon pics to SanFrancisco!

We LOVE LOVE LOVE each other still and are looking forward to many more years having fun and walking through life together with God!