Monday, September 16, 2013

San Francisco Girls Trip

May was a great month.  It started off with me traveling all by my lonesome to California.

Whitney picked me up and we met Megan for lunch.  We almost got killed, but the food in the hole in the wall place was amazing.  Love these girls. 

Then I went to my parents house and saw these delicious babes.  I hadn't seem them since they were itty bitty at their blessing, and it was fun to see how they have grown.  My sister, Rachel, is one amazing mama.  I hope these little boys know how lucky they are to have her as their mom. Feeding time is craaaaaazy, and it's always better to have help.  Grande is on Isaac, and I'm not quite sure what he is wearing on his head, but it makes me love him even more. 

Quite the arm workout.  Especially when they are wiggling.  I might have been struggling to not drop them here. 

Family.  So glad they are mine. 

I went down and spent the night with Melissa and after we dropped off these cute kids at school, we went on a hike and I was so sore for daaaaaays. I love my niece and nephew. 

Then Rocia picked me up and headed into the City for our fourth annual dental wives reunion.  I was stoked that I actually got to go! I went the first year, but the second year I couldn't go because Dave and I were in Colorado interviewing for our job there (wah, wah), and last year we were in the middle of moving.  So needless to say, this was a long overdue weekend with these girls. The stars all aligned-the weather was perfect, we (Megan and Jocelyn) found a great place for us to stay, and it was a perfect weekend.
Driving across the Bay Bridge.  Made me teary eyed.  Hello, beautiful San Francisco. 

Eating was high priority on this trip.  First stop, Dragon Well.  Then donuts after. At 11 pm. Multiple donuts were consumed by all.  Traveling is hard work, and we were starved. 

Staying up way too late talking and playing Jocelyn's little "Who will..." game. We should have kept track of the answers! 

More food.  Mama's.  My all time favorite San Francisco food.  We waited in line for almost two hours, and it was worth it. 

We played tourist and rented those little yellow cars.  I always wanted to rent those while living there, but it seemed odd for a local to rent them, so this was the perfect chance.  


Reg and I shared a car and went to our old stomping grounds.  The amount of hours we spent at this park with our young babes... So many great memories. We called it "Audrey's Park". We moved to this part of the City when I was seven months pregnant with Joshua.  We would go on walks every morning and if you opened the windows in our apartment, you could hear the waves crashing on the beach. I remember walking to this park with Audrey and Joshua when Joshua was less than a week old.  It was my place of sanity, our own little sanctuary.  A friend could always be found at this park, and so many laughs, and some tears, were had here. And it had no swings, ha! I don't like swings at the park.  I want my kids to run and play, not sit and be pushed. 
Our old apartment. 

On our walks we would always walk past an old abandoned hospital.  Since moving away, it has been renovated to this beautiful building, and I think it's some sort of living center.  Nope, couldn't live there. Ever. Creeeeppppyyyyy.  We walked past the broken windows and overgrown shrubbery for too long. 

Massages. Heavenly. 

The things I miss about San Francisco...



Saturday morning we walked to "our" Safeway, bought some breakfast and then rented bikes and rode out to the Golden Gate Bridge. 


Then we shopped alllll day long. And ate more food, of course. Nick's Crispy Tacos and the Mall Food Court, which sounds lame, but really, it is good.  
 

These girls, they were right by my side during an amazing/overwhelming/glorious time in my life.  And I love them all dearly. 
 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

April's Instagrams

Hayden's our hero! Supporting cystic fibrosis.


We love you Aunt Ritz! Thank you for coming! 

So glad I am in mutual weirdness with my best friend. 

Such a fun day "working" with my girl. #gettingpaidtoeatandpretendingtoshop #itsformothersday #againhowamithemom
Side story: I loved this job.  I love any time I get to work with my kids. We parked in some random parking lot and there happened to be some party bus limo there that offered to take us to the restaurant where the shoot was.  Audrey loved riding in it! The only problem was it was a few blocks away, and I had no idea how to get back to the parking lot. After the shoot, the owner of the agency drove us around until we could find our car.  We needed $5 to pay the parking guy and we had no cash.  Between the two of us, we scrapped enough change together to make $5. Audrey had left her jacket on the party bus, and we were both so sad about it.  That same party bus happened to be in the parking lot when we got back, and her jacket was still in the car. Lots of tender mercies! 

We love this amazing family! Thank you for coming, can't wait to see you again soon! 

This whole buttoning his own shirt thing is highly entertaining. When I pulled it out of the dryer I had buttoned the top button. He was so confused why his shirt had shrunk. 

What happens when a tired mom picks up Audrey from a play date and heads right to soccer? Audrey has to practice in her boots because her soccer shoes are still at home. #suchagoodsport #kneesneedprotection too #atleastirememberedtheshinguardsandshorts #iclearlyneverplayedsoccerasachild

The venue for tonight's runway show. Not too shabby.  #eeeekkkkkk

Rehearsal. #pleaseblessidontfallinthewater

I had such a great time doing this charity event to help kids in Africa. #noonefellinthepool #dontmesswiththehair

There will come a day, and it will be a sad one, when Audrey won't want (beg) us to come eat lunch with her. So until then, we will go eat lunch with her once a week, just like she asks. #withmycircusintow #austininthecrowdfavorite 
 
My heart is so heavy. This helped. Many prayers going to Boston.
(Boston Marathon bombing)
This is happening right now. 

The venue for tonight's fashion show benefiting World Neighbors . #thatwasaveryslipperyrunway #sogladididnotfall #butthatwouldhavebeenfunny
None of these girls fell either.  Such a fun night! 


Yep, pretty much.

Road trip with my best little friend. #weareofftoseethewizardthewonderfulwizardofoz
Burgers, fries, and shakes at midnight. #whynot #pleasedontcallcps


As a parent, I live for those "payday" moments. This weekend with my Audrey was an amazing "payday". I feel so blessed to be her mom. 

Pictures from the show last weekend.  #thatdressisthebombdotcom

I had to document the personalization of our storm shelter. It makes me smile to see these little hand and feet prints. Someday I will look back and say, "Remember when..." For now, I will try to enjoy the "when". 

Austin's long lost friend. #clearlyidonttakehimshoppingenough

Audrey and Joshua for Hobby Lobby.  #theylovetheirdayjob #joshuasaid"thisisthebestdayever"

My son, through and through. #chickfilasaucebythegallonplease #whoneedschickennuggetsorfrenchfries #bringonthesauce

I spy with my little eye...Audrey and Joshua's packaging at Hobby Lobby.  #ilovetheselittlefaces #monsterstrawtoppers
 

Oh Mango Passion Granola, how I love you. #weateanentireboxforbreakfast #onedowneighttogo #igotalittletearywalkingintotraderjoes #remindedmeofoursanfranciscoyears #ihaveasickkidathome #canyoutell #overgrammingtoavoidstartingthelaundry

I am passing up going on a girls night out so I can go to...bed.
#startingtofeelsickandineedtosleep #itstinkstoberesponsible # vacaystartsnextweekandidonotwanttobesick #goodnightworld


West Siiiiiiiide (said like Schmidt from New Girl). Fun night! Thanks Heather!