Globe-trotting Grovers: Swimming with the Fishies

our story

It all began on the evening of Nov 29th 2003, at former Chat Noir French Restaurant in Costa Mesa, CA. Brad approached me [Jana] and we instantly connected; it was love at first sight. The next 4 years that followed were a whirlwind of romance, growing pains, and adventures. We circled the globe, traveling to South America, Europe, and Asia. Then one night, Brad surprised me with a romantic beachside proposal. We made it official on August 23rd 2008 with an intimate wedding at a hip art gallery in Laguna Beach. A year later we finished redesigning our home in the beach village of Corona del Mar.

On May 18th, 2010, we were blessed with a sweet little miracle of our own, our baby boy Taj Leon. He stole our hearts and took our breath away! Then, 19 months later, his incredible little brother, Jax Franz, arrived on Christmas morning (December 25th) 2011. What an amazing gift we received! In an effort to slow down the clock and enjoy our beautiful family, in Spring of 2012, we sold our CA seaside home and moved across the country to our dream lake house in Brad's hometown of Bemus Point, a resort village on Chautauqua Lake in Western New York! Even though we are living a more slow paced life, we are living a life far from ordinary!

From the West Coast to the East Coast, our Grover family adventures continue! So won't you come along and join us on this journey of love, family, and travel we like to call our La Vida Grover!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Swimming with the Fishies

On our Sunday Family Day this month we visited the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Taj fell head over heels in love with the fishies.... or "BA!" as he excitedly yelled each time one swam by and blew a fishy lips kiss at him! I don't think the fish replaced his love for dogs though, but they came in 2nd!

Pay close attention to the expression of delightful awe on his sweet little face in all these pics, he was beside himself. Watching him look amazed at all the sights made the experience so much more beautiful and special for us. Isn't it awesome to view the beauty in this world (especially wildlife) through the eyes of an infant that is seeing it for the first time? I think at times Taji really thought he was in the tank swimmming with the fishies and turtles :)

Two cool dudes in their dark shades scoping out the shark tank.....

Taji doing his new funny look he does for the camera now, he loves to show off his tongue!
Here he is with his buddy, Mirtle the Turtle :)

Waving at mommy......
He's doing the wave and sticking out the tongue, BONUS!
As always, we cherish our family time and we just love going to places we have never been before with our prized little boy in tow. We love showing him bits and pieces of this world, especially the beautiful nature and wildlife. Stay tuned for our next adventure as a family!