The Big 2-7 Birthday Celebration!

Happy Birthday to my Handsome, Amazing Husband!!

Last Week marked Gabe's 27th birthday, and it was quite the birthday extravaganza! 

Gabe woke up on his birthday with balloons strategically placed all around the house and on his car.  (Much to Texas' dismay) Texas thought the balloons were predators and in an effort to protect us, at 5 a.m., barked and growled until the apartment complex all woke up.  I'm glad he's here... to protect us from the bad balloons.... 

After work that day Gabe and I headed down to the beach to eat some German Chocolate cake that I had made, (my first cake ever not from a box!  A milestone in my life for sure) And then watched the sunset. We sat on a blanket and drank Martinelli's, and enjoyed the most beautiful perfect sunset. 

I'm pretty sure the sunset was made just for Gabe's birthday.  It was absolutely amazing.  We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful place.  

We topped the evening off with a dinner fit for a KING.  We enjoyed a yummy fish, steak, and lobster dinner out on the patio.  

The next day marked St. Patty's day.  Gabe said he never liked his birthday right after St. Patrick's day.  I like to think that its my lucky day. I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be married to him.  

To celebrate, we ate sandwiches out on our porch with green chips... 

While Texas basked in the sun.  Far enough away from the balloons that they wouldn't eat him.

On Thursday after work we made our way through the awesome LA traffic and picked up Gabe's mom from the airport.  It was so fun to have her in town!  She hasn't been down since we moved, and it was the perfect weekend!  The weather was amazing!  I wish we would have taken more pictures, but we were too busy shopping, eating at awesome restaurants, playing at the beach and chatting away!  It was so fun to have you down Janice!

On Saturday morning, we made our way down to the beautiful San Diego Temple.  What a perfect day!

Janice and I (and an old man) in front of the temple.

By the end of her stay, we were in much need of some beach time.  Unfortunately the fog rolled in and covered the beach.  Texas got to run around for a little bit before we headed home.  And I was able to snap this awesome shot, one of my favorites... I love the beach!!! Thanks for coming Janice!  It was so fun to spend time with you!!!  

I can't believe a year has past since this picture on Gabe's 26th birthday.  We have been on quite an adventure since then! It has been an awesome year, and I fall more in love with Gabe everyday. He is such an amazing person.  I was going to write 27 things I love about Gabe,I will spare you all the mushy gushy details.  He knows I love him more than anything. 

I love you Gabe!  Happy 27th!  Here's to the you, and the next year. I can't wait for all the adventures!

What March looks like to us...

In regards to our last post... yes. We found something to do with our Saturday. Thank you Teddy for your comment on our last post. We took your advise chica... and we hit the beach. Texas loved it! And he was even playing and fetching sticks in the water. He also made friends with a big loving teddy bear rotwieller named Tyson. All the while Gabe and I ran around with Tex, sat back in our matching beach chairs and buried our feet in the sand.... it was the perfect day.

I can never get sick of hanging out with this handsome guy....

And I certainly can never get enough of this....

And I love hanging out with this little dude

I'm glad these boys have each other.... to tire one another out.

Nothin' beats relaxing with your toes in the sand. (or in Tex's case... your nose in the sand)

This is his guilty face, after he dug a whole underneath my chair until the chair tipped over... Thank you buddy.

And yes my fellow Utah friends... we are officially as cool as you are. We too can stuff our faces with Cafe Rio. And stuff our faces we did. They just opened a Cafe Rio in Lake Forest, just a few minutes from our house. We've been there a couple times now and you really can't beat it. I am forever hooked. Thank You, Cafe Rio, for following Gabe and I to California. We feel as if we can officially call it home, with you Cafe Rio, so close by.

The Opening of Cafe Rio in Lake Forest, CA!!!!

This weekend also marked 2 years since Gabe and I met. I know its silly to keep track of all that little stuff: the first time we met, our first date, the first kiss... but I do keep track. And not the least bit shamed.
On March 4, 2010, Gabe walked into class at the institute at the University of Utah, (lookin' all hott in his red sweatshirt and glasses) and changed my life forever. After class, a quick bite to eat at Hire's Big H and a fun, comfortable conversion was the beginning of something amazing. That night Gabe made me smile, he made me laugh, and he made me feel beautiful. And I couldn't wait to see him again...
Two years later,
He still makes me smile, still makes me laugh, He still makes me feel beautiful,
and I fall more in love with him everyday.
Here's to the last two years... and to the next forever...

(Gabe and Abby, Summer 2008)

The Show Must Go On....

A little over two months ago, Gabe and I received a new calling in the ward.... Road Show Specialists. When we attended the first meeting they asked everyone to introduce themselves. Gabe stated, "We are the Valenzuela's. We've been called as the Roadshow Specialists and we Specialize in nothing." So True. But we showed up anyway and every Tuesday and Saturday for the last 9 weeks we've been at the church singing and dancing. It has been so fun!!! We were put in charge of a group of 5 boys called they Greek Choir. They were so awesome! I love working with the youth of the church. They always remind me to joke, have fun, and not take life so seriously. After 9 weeks of hard work, the kids from our ward and all the other wards in the stake performed their roadshows. They performed Friday night for the parents and Saturday for all the kids. After the shows were done, they had a huge pizza party and stake dance. It was so fun and so different to me. While growing up in Utah, Stake dances were so NOT cool! But here in California, everyone comes and dances. Gabe and I danced the night away! (well for an hour at least) We had an awesome time, and to be completely honest, I'm a little sad its over. I don't know what we're going to do with ourselves on Saturday afternoons. I'm sure we'll figure something to do.