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!
Trees and flowers have fully bloomed. Green, yellow, pink , blue, purple, red, and white is everywhere. Most days it is a comfortable and sunny 65-75 degrees with or without rain, along with really hot days where it feels like we completely skipped over Spring, and went straight to Summer! Not to mention the last 2 bizarre freezing days (35-40 degrees).... a cold front that is sweeping through and bringing icy rain that looks like snow! Eeek! I don't think I have ever experienced a weather sampler Spring, such as this! How do we feel about this? Well, for one thing.... the once again green and colorful nature quickly reminds us of why we fell in love with this place in the first place. 60-70 degree temperatures may not seem warm for some, but for us, it is unbelievably nice! The accessories of this season are surely rain boots and sunglasses.... can't leave home without them! Flips flops, shorts, and short-sleeves have made a comeback as well, and so have bare feet in the grass!! We have been bike-riding, playing at the park, going on nature walks, picking flowers, getting ice cream, throwing rocks in the lake, and eating outdoors! The boys love running around barefoot, rolling around in wildflowers, counting bugs, riding tricycles and cars, kicking balls.... especially Jax! This little man loves to chase after his brother and is enjoying all this new freedom since this is his first Spring walking and running!
Spring reminds me of a reverse Fall. Its gotta be the shortest season, but it is welcomed with open arms and gleeful cheers. The animals and nature growing and blossoming is so melodic, you realize how quiet and still Winter months were. Considering it was our first NY Winter and a long one (so the locals say...), WE REALLY SURVIVED (and can happily report back, that it really wasn't too bad!!!) Brad and I both agree that March just pretty much stinks on the East Coast! However, with all the sunshine and the green, Winter seems SO long ago. Funny, how the seasons truly elongate the year!
Just the other day, we passed 3 deer sprinting in a field, birds fluttering and playing chase, and squirrels shooting up and down trees.... life has once again re-awakened! Even the summer shops and restaurants in our local Bemus Point have reopened and booming with pedestrians, bicyclists, and runners. The docks are back in the lake (including our NEW huge one!!!), and the sound of boats and jet-skiers provide excitement of the summer to come. Our house remodel is looking SOOOOO good, we are very impressed how quickly things are moving along..... 2 more weeks and we are done!! Most importantly, we are super excited for my family to visit this summer, as well as our friends! Its going to be our first official summer in Bemus (living in our newly designed dream house), where we can enjoy the fruits of our labor, entertain my family, and really live it up! Can't wait!!!
I just got back from the quintessential girls weekend, with one of my closest and dearest CA friends, Laura (nicknamed "LaLa" by Taj). With almost a year since we moved from California and last time seeing each other, Laura and I planned to reunite. With her being on the West Coast and me on the East Coast, we thought Chicago would be the perfect meeting spot! Laura and I have been friends for over 7 years. We met while dating our soon-to-be husbands, got engaged around the same time, had our weddings 1 month apart, and then our pregnancies about 7 months apart with each child! Laura has 2 princesses, and I have the 2 princes. One day, we hope to arrange their marriages! LOL
It was my first time in Chi Town, and us girls really whooped it up! Chicago is simply incredible! With its diverse architecture, modern skyscrapers, the lakefront and river with its cool bridges, its a city that is incomparable. I've always heard that either you are a NYC person or Chicago person, and I totally disagree. I love them both so much. Just like NYC, Chicago has its own authentic charm. Its young, hip, laid-back, less fast paced and loud, and has wider and cleaner sidewalks, and less tourists for sure. It has the beauty and grandiosity of a city, with the friendliness of a Midwest small town. The hotel, restaurant, and bar scene is a cosmopolitan's dream come true! Lucky for me, its just as close of a plane ride (1.5 hours) as it is to NYC!
Laura and I left our babies in the good hands of our hubbies, and jet over to Chicago, where we had a joyful/ tearful reunion at the W Hotel City Center upon arriving on Friday. We clinked glasses and vowed to make this an annual tradition. All weekend we caught up on our lives, ate at amazing restaurants, sipped on fine cocktails, strolled through the city (we had beautiful warm weather), went on an architectural cruise tour, and did a lot of sight-seeing (by foot, boat, and elevators!). It had all the makings of a girls weekend: shopping, make-overs, photo shoot, dining, and dancing! We randomly found ourselves at the right time and place at the famous Michigan Avenue's Nordstroms, and were squeezed into an ultimate glamorous Smashbox cosmetics event that was all booked up. Couldn't have asked for perfect timing since we were just about to head back to our hotel to get ready for our Saturday evening plans. VA-VA-VOOM make-overs with fake eyelashes, hair styled, and one photo shoot with celebrity photographer Steven Khan later.... as well as in our new outfits from our earlier shopping spree, and we were ready to party! I don't think I have danced as much as we did that night on the rooftop of the Wit hotel, since my wedding night! I guess that's what happens when two fabulous mommies of toddlers get all dolled up in a cool, hip city! It was a much needed break for us hard-working mommies, and we took full advantage of it!
Cloud Gate, Millenium Park..... also known as the "bean".
Can you spot me in the reflection of the Bean? ;) Hint: I am waving!
Friday night dinner at Paris Club
Chicago River architectural boat cruise..... very fascinating!
Learned so much about Chicago's lovely skyline and history!
Our Smashbox cosmetics photo shoot:
At the top of the John Hancock building..... 96th floor. Best view from the ladies restroom!! HA!
Saturday night dancing queens..... we didn't take off our dancing shoes until 2am!
Last day.... exquisite brunch at the Ralph Lauren Cafe where we met up with Laura's college friend, and a little more sightseeing before heading to the airport.
Bye Bye Chi Town!!! Aerial view from the plane. Can't wait to go back again!!!
Its definitely Spring, and since we've had anywhere from 50 degrees to 78 degree days.... its outside play time again! A couple weeks ago when it began to warm up, the boys and I went on a nature walk around our yard and guess what we found? A bird's nest, a honeycomb, leaf bulbs on trees, flowers beginning to bloom, and even our wild mint is back. We've visited the baby chicks and ducks in a nearby Tractor Supply store, and boys got to pet them! The sun is a'blazing, and the rosy sunsets have returned!
At this time of the year, Spring resembles new life and some good Spring cleaning. And in our version, that means gut our kitchen and remodel half of our house! LOL If we are not busy traveling or going on adventures, then we are busy busy bees designing and creating! After a little remodeling of its own thank goodness for our downstairs game room that has turned into our family room-kitchen-dining room- playroom- storage during the construction! Here we go again..... it reminds me of our cottage days, where I improvised with cooking and meals. Luckily, I was able to freeze a lot of leftovers and crock-pot ready dinners. While our entire 2nd floor main level is getting an immaculate facelift, and 2 old huge maple trees had to be knocked down in our front yard (as well as some on the lakefront), the boys and I have been staying out of harm's way and going on more adventures!
Erie Zoo:
yes, that is another bandaid on Jax's forehead! This boy keeps tripping over his feet and bumping his poor head!
"Moooo" says Jax (and the cow!)
"Baaaa" says the black sheep, whom Taj fed popcorn to.
They found a new best friend!
Daytrip & Playdate in Buffalo:
Lunching with my littles at the Cheesecake Factory (at the Galleria Mall). Who knew Cheesecake Factory was so kid-friendly? The second we sat down and without asking, they brought out sliced bread and bananas for the boys! They either know their stuff, or they felt sorry for me! :)
After a little shopping, we met Taj's buddy Addie at the SkyZone trampoline place:
These two are just crazy about each other. They chase each other, follow each other, hold hands, and hug the whole time!
My little jumpin' bean!
Mayville Lunch date and Playground:
Mayville is another town across the lake from us, and it was fun to go out to lunch and play at this new playground for the first time! You can also see the trees blooming in the photo above!
And just yesterday we went on a hike in the Lakewood forest with Taj's other favorite buddy: Charley!
Charley's mommy Lesley pushing the little ones in the stroller.
exploring the woods...
A sweet moment for these two sweet friends
and here are the other lovebirds! :) Of course, Miss Maggie is 7 months younger than Jax!
.....and we can't forget all the mommy fun I have had with my fabulous mommy friends (Christy, Paula, Amanda, Lesley, and new friend Susan!), and my book club friends (pictured above, at a 5 course wine paired dinner at the Moonbrook Country Club, AND our triple dinner dates with the hubbies!
The snow has melted, the temperatures have gone up to the 50's, lots of sunshine and blue skies, and even the return of those breathtaking rosy sunsets. This can only mean one thing... SPRING HAS ARRIVED!!! HellOOOOOO Spring! My oh my, how much we are beginning to love you!!
On Thursday, we organized an outdoor play date with our new friends, Christy and her 19 month old son Miller! We caravanned to the Audubon Nature Preserve in Jamestown, where the boys got to run around and explore, and also saw turtles, fish, snakes, frogs, birds, beehive and bees, at the indoor nature center!
The nature is still pretty scarce and dry..... but with the expected 4 day-in-a-row rain showers and close to 60 degree temperatures, I have a feeling by the end of next week the trees and flowers will be blooming. I CANNOT wait to see this! And I will be sure to snap some pictures of this phenomenon :)
What a fun play date we had! All 3 boys got ALL their energy out and were so famished by the end that Christy suggested we eat at her restaurant, Guppy's, (in Bemus Point) that her and her husband own! We had a fantastic barbecue chicken, coleslaw, grilled cheese, fries, and caramel-coconut pie dinner! Thank you, Christy! Looking forward to our next adventure!
