Update from the West! 07/01/2010

Family and Friends!

Happy Canada Day!

Thought I would drop a line as we begin the third quarter of 2010, and look forward to a nice three day weekend to celebrate Independence Day!

James and I have really been enjoying our new home - we have spent a few weekends taking advantage of thecommunity grills and the pool. We have really enjoyed having friends over to enjoy those things with us! We are hoping to take advantage of some Fourth of July sales and maybe get a few sticks of furniture.

We are generally keeping busy and out of trouble. We have seamlessly moved from the Olympics, to the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs to the FIFA Soccer World Cup. We have caught a few of the summer movies, enjoyed some bbq/pool parties, we have both spent time on the golf course and at the beach. I am attaching a picture of us at a recent Dodger game. Yes, I was able to convince James to buy some dodger blue gear :) I think it brings out his eyes!

The same day that photo was taken, Matt and Monica's second child, Anna Rose Moore, was born. She is such a doll!!

We just celebrated our two year anniversary. We had a delicious dinner at LA Market, a new spot at the JW Marriot in downtown Los Angeles, very good food and great company :) This August 1st will be 6 years since our first date...where has time gone!??

James and I are working hard, things are busy for both of us and we can't complain. We have been a little spoiled with him home for the whole month of June, but he will be off to Italy and Sweden for July. We are excited to have family visiting in July (mine) and August (Jamey's) and looking forward to having an excuse to hit the touristy destinations!

As usual, I am sure I am leaving some stuff out Hope everyone is well, much love and health, and a Happy Fourth! Roxanne and James

In front of the fountains at Caesar's Palace - and an accidental black hair dye situation.

No judgment, I had bronchitis when this was taken!

Update from the West! 04/19/2010

Not too much to report from the West!

 We are as settled as we can be in our new home - no forward movement until we buy some furniture and as far as that is concerned, we are waiting to save up enough to really make a difference rather than buy a piece at a time, but more importantly, its a great way to delay having to make some style decisions. I honestly have NO style and need Candace Olsen (of Divine Design on HGTV fame) to magically appear in my house and make it work. :D

James is in Brazil for work this week, having just returned from Orlando (and going to Singapore next month). He is enjoying better weather than what we've been getting here (rain again tomorrow, weds and thurs AND next week!). I am grateful that his flight was not affected by the volcano! And certainly hope he makes it back without delay as well! (I hear that this is most likely NOT a concern)

 We just had a wonderful Easter with friends - many of whom don't have family out West, as we like to say: the group of "Misfit Toys." It is nice to get together with the urban family on Holidays when visiting family is not an option.

 We are excited to be adding to the urban family soon as Kenchy (groomsman in our wedding) and Melinda are expecting a baby in August! We are SO excited for them! Matt (also a groomsman in our wedding) and Monica are also expecting "Baby 2" any day now! We love their son Calvin to pieces and can't wait to meet Baby 2!

Work is going really well for both of us - we are both keeping busy with no sign of slowing down. I was also elected to serve on the Southwestern Alumni Board (I was previously a committee member) which has been really fun and is keeping me busy. We are having our annual Alumni Board silent auction, which we use to fund merit based scholarships, this Thursday. It is definitely an honor to be elected to the board and I am really excited to have a hand in the future of my law school.

 Becky and I are running a few half marathons this year, the first is coming up in about a month (May 15). It has been really fun to get back into dedicated running, and since we are running the Palos Verdes marathon (a very hilly neighborhood south of Los Angeles) we've been trying to get ready by running some serious hills and hiking. We just recently hiked to the Hollywood Sign, which was awesome. I had never been, but that is definitely the way to see thecity. There may be a marathon sometime in 2010....we shall see! Keep in touch!! LOVE Roxanne and James


At Jen and Raj's for the annual Tiki Party

Update from the West!

We are long over due for an update :)

Christmas: Jamey and I went back east to Connecticut for Christmas and had a wonderful time seeing the whole family. Unfortunately his step dad Eric fell ill with appendicitis on Christmas eve and had to have emergency surgery. He is out of the hospital now and doing well. We missed him tremendously on Christmas day.

I got to spend some time at Foxwoods MGM with Lisa, so good to see her in person
James got to spoil his nephews with Spiderman and Transformers toys :) Spiderman was a HUGE hit, which makes "unka james" very happy

New Years: We had a great New Year's eve close to our new condo - we had friends meet at our place then we all walked over to a nearby hang out spot for drinks and high calorie treats. (Irish Nachos! yum!) Everyone walked and stayed safe, and rang in the new year with lots of hope for 2010!

Karen and Jason's Wedding: January 9th, we attended Karen and Jason's nuptials in Pasadena, CA. We had a GREAT time! I was honored to sign the Ketuba (Jewish marriage contract) and make a speech on behalf of the wonderful couple. They were off to Hawaii soon after and their pictures are fantastic! Very vacation inspiring! We wish them a wonderful marriage!

Condo: We are all moved in and settled. We purposefully did not bring some of our older furniture with us, so over the next few months we will be making a few purchases. We have already been fantasy shopping and have a good idea of what we are looking for, just have to find the perfect pieces! We have been enjoying having people over for BBQ and are enjoying the ease of doing laundry!!! I personally have been sleeping like a baby here, and am very happy about that.

Work: Work has been going really well - we have been flooded by new work, which is night and day from October where we were so slow. I am happy for the work, and can't complain, but still do! LOL Jamey is off to Quito Ecuador in February, and is ramping up for that trip. He is getting used to his new office in downtown Los Angeles and the commute that comes with it. We are both getting home each night exhausted but very happy to be coming home to OUR place :)

We hope everyone is doing well! Keep in touch! So much Love James and Roxanne

PS yes it is raining in Los Angeles :P