The Spring Flower Show...

...in the Home Store section of South Coast Plaza started today. While the weather outside is uncharacteristically gray and blustery, the inside displays of plants and lawn and garden paraphernalia were most definitely spring-like. The number of plants that had been carried in just to create the display areas was astounding, and there were every imaginable kind of potted plant for sale.
Would have loved to have bought from more than one of the vendors on hand, but with fumigation looming in less than two weeks, it makes no sense to be planting anything right now! We did pick up a small flag for the entry-way, which reads, appropriately, "A Very Spoiled Dog Lives Here".
Yes, we know, two of them :)

Our first anniversary...

It's hard to believe that a whole year has passed since our wedding day! Circumstances made a get-away impossible right now, but we did spend our anniversary eve at Steamers, listening to some great music.

Most beautiful flowers...

Margaret's brother, George, and her sister-in-law, Karen, sent these lovely floral bouquets to help us celebrate!

Our Unity Candle...

Our Unity Candle came out of storage and was re-lighted last evening; it's such a wonderful reminder of our vows, and of course, of a most beautiful day. Larry's gift of red roses and a perfectly grilled steak created a lovely evening of remembrance.

American Family Pet Expo...

...a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. (Especially a Friday afternoon - not as crowded as the weekend days are sure to be!) We went with thoughts of finding a particular toy that Sassy and Nica would LOVE us to replace. We didn't find the toy, but experienced so many wonderful dogs and other animals, as well. Here are just a few of the great pets, some looking to be adopted, that we saw.

Not your every day pet...

One rescue group
at the Expo takes in unusual and exotic pets that have been found neglected or abandoned.

"Splash Dogs"...

...also known as "Dock Dogs". The handlers toss a toy into the pool and the dogs are scored on how far they jump. What a kick!

The Birthday Boy...

..."charging" the new hands free device he requested.

When asked how he wanted to spend his special day, his wishes were simple - time in San Juan Capistrano, communing with his largest four-legged daughter and lunching on ribs at one of his favorite bbq places.

Heather and the kids visit the Fullerton Arboretum...

We've mentioned before how great Heather is about taking the kids on field trips to places of interest around the area. These pictures were taken at a wonderful arboretum here in Orange County. Looks like the kids were having a ball!

Brandon and Grandpa...

We were thrilled to have Brandon spend his spring break with us! He and Grandpa always crack each other up.

Family time at Easter...

Heather sent us this wonderful picture of their beautiful family, taken on Easter Sunday.

Spring flowers - our Easter centerpiece...