25. Paddleboard from Crescent Bay to Salt Creek

This was a lot of work, but pretty rad to be out there in such great conditions. 75 degrees in January with almost no wind; Lina dropped me off at Shaw's Cove and I was on the water by 3:08 and heading south; part of the reason I wanted to do this was to see all the little coves in Laguna. Some of the cool things I saw: girabaldi fish, seals, a pod of dolphins, massive starfish, and a cool place to cliff jump just south of 1000 steps. Perfect conditions and I got some good video on the GoPro. Arrived at Salt Creek at 5:00; plan to do this again.

10. Cook dinner for my family

Jan 28th is my mom's birthday and a perfect day to cook for everyone. I don't like to cook and I don't do it very often, but this was my chance to do my part. Lina got a case of plantar fasciaitus which is a swollen tendon in her foot from carrying the extra weight of a baby, and a toddler. So she was laid up while I took care of dinner; it was kind of nice to take care of her for a change. I made 5 T-bone steaks, a kale salad with garlic, lemon, and pomegranite seeds, and cubed sweet potatoes with salt, pepper, and olive oil. It was OK, but I'm no Rachel Ray.

21. Take Lina out for a nice lunch

January 19th is our anniversary, and this year i took the day off to spend it with Lina. We scored a perfect day just like our wedding day: 65 degrees, sunny, and a light breeze. We dropped off Coco at my parent's house and drove to Laguna. Laguna at 12:30 in the middle of the week in the winter is awesome: no traffic, no crowds, just a some old retired people walking on the beach and a couple vagrants here and there. We ate on the patio at the Beach House, had a lobster quesadilla, a burger, and a crab/avocado omelette. Such an awesome day to eat outside. Happy 4 years Lina!

17. Move into a house

"So I wanted goals

Saw all I needed was a home

With a view of something beautiful

A woman that I trusted

The friends that I grew up with

But that was asking too much

For just us"

-Crime in Stereo

Over xmas break we moved into a house in Laguna Niguel that I don't deserve to live in. But Lina, Coco, and Billy do. I am very grateful for the smart decisions Lina's parents made 20+ years ago, but I think we have the same goal in mind: that Lina and our kids have a safe place to live; Dad will work while Lina raises the fam. And Lina's parents don't mess around: 5 bedrooms, 3 car garage, and a pretty sweet view.

Funny thing, they never lived in this house and have been in it only a couple of times. They bought it as a foreclosure (brand new) through a builder's auction in 1990 and rented it out ever since. But they always had the intention that one of their children would move in and raise their family. So here we are, its great to be home!

18. Get barreled at Gravels before work

Thursday Jan 5th I finally surfed at Salt Creek for the first time in a year, great timing since I move to Laguna Niguel and it is only 7 minutes from my house. I met up with Matt, tide was high which is good for gravels but the set waves were walled. I almost didn't go out but the in between smaller waves would open up. And gravels freaking heaves barrels, it can be kind of scary first thing in the morning when its still dark. But my last wave was perfect, chest high, I was sitting next to Matt and he was psyched for me. Took off, stalled, and got a 3 second cover up, i love that sound you hear in a barrel, its like a deep, muffled wind sound. Hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Man that was fun, and got a quick drive home to take a shower before work. So stoked to live here!