Our last visit to California before two becomes three

34 weeks - in California

At the start of our 33rd week we were busy packing the cooler with frozen raw milk and snacks, loading up our bags and pillows, checking the oil and filling up the gas tank for our trip South to San Luis Obispo, thus, there is no 33 week photo.

The highlights of our trip:

1. all the time we were able to spend with both sides of the family

2. the fact that we only added 1.5 hours to our drive time on the way down, and only 1 hour on the way back - due to pee breaks and walking about

3. the blessing of a baby shower for our little Ant, complete with delish food and plenty of amazing women, and gifts, did I mention the gifts!

4. watching Andy hang out with our 5 year-old nephew and play G.I. Joes, which completely distracted me from taking a nap

It was during this time when Bridge loaded up a couple of GI Joe's into a spaceship (the Mario Cart Wii Wheel), flew by me as I lay on the couch, stopped for a moment, looked at me intently and said, "I like your hair Aunt Meg"

The low-lights of the trip:

1. the cold that hit me like a flu - without the fever - that took me out of commission for 3 days

2. the cancelled plans with family and friends, due to #1

3. the things I didn't get to check off my list of fun things to do, again, blame #1

4. cutting the trip a day short so I could get home and have an extra day to recoup before returning to real life

our other adventures:

1. Tess' water polo game

2. A visit with Cash

3. Sword fighting

4. Wrestling

5. Fabric shopping for the baby's quilt

6. lunch with Gramps 2 times

7. a visit from Yosemite with my brother and SIL

8. breakfast the morning we left with my mom, and inlaws

This is one of the kids that made me wonder what our boy will grow to be. He loves his Uncle Andy and his

Grandpa, it was so rad for me to see all week.

this is Cash - my brother's dog

After a week of much rest and a long drive, we left California behind and returned happily home to our little house to find our neighbor across the street still sporting her Christmas lights.

It's good to be back.

If only I was there right now

We've been busy lately, obviously, and there are a lot of things, yes, things (that's as detailed as it's going to get) going on. We are on our way to California next week. And I can guarantee there will be tons of twitter updates, FB photo uploads and perhaps a slue of picture heavy blogs to come.

For the most part, we'll be camped out at Andy's parents house on the hill, enjoying some San Miguel heat and family fun for a week, yes, a week. I'm looking forward to doing a whole lot of nothing, so if you're around, come out and visit me. Most likely I'll be in the pool, lounging with a book, taking a nap, eating something, or playing Wii with 10 little kids and their parents, along with doing 'nothing'. It's going to be a blast.

We aren't checking bags, just carrying on, so I've been planning my suitcase packing for some time now. Luckily, with my hair short, the supplies I'll need can be at a minimum, plus I'll be bringing lots of bobby pins and headbands to make it easier. Shoes are the one things that always cause a hic-up in packing light for me. I'm trying to figure out if I can sneak a pair into Andy's bag somewhere.

One nice thing about traveling with a man is that it's very likely he won't utilize his 1-quart size bag of liquids, so I can put manly looking bottles in his carry-on that are filled with girly items.



I'm very happy in the difficult yet necessary task of choosing what books to bring along for the trip as well. So far I think I'll be able to keep it at a minimum. One long form novel (thanks Heidi!), and one book of short stories from the most amazing female writer of all time. I'll pick up 2 magazines in the airport, a tradition - Nylon and People or US Weekly whichever looks more intriguing, and I'll be set with every possible reading need met.

Here's to 3 flights from Eugene to SLO with carryon baggage only, airport food for breakfast and lunch, and a purse filled with things to occupy. At least it's summertime so I'll be able to wear easy shoes to take off and put on, which coincidentally would have taken up the most room in my bag, so double score.

Like a list and a blog all rolled into one

1. I got sick from being on an airplane
2. I went to Vegas


Best things about Vegas
1. hanging out with my cousin Jesse
2. helping out Rise Up - it's like volunteering
3. Meeting Ashley designer of Owlita - best roommate I could have had since my husband wasn't available (i.e. he wasn't able to come to Vegas)

Worst things about Vegas
1. Everything else


3. I'm leaving in the morning for Seattle, then to Portland for work. I won't be home till Wednesday...at some point.

4. I'm tired just thinking about it.
5. Also. My life is fantastic.
6. Andy's older brother will be in Portland on Monday and I may just get to see him

An explanation of who's who

We travelled to Bend and one part of my whole family was there. My eldest cousin, his wife and their kids live in Bend and so do my Aunt and Uncle that aren't really related to me except through marriage. I don't care what any one says. They are my nuclear family. My cousin's are my brothers, their wives are my sisters-in-law and their children are my nieces and nephew. Here's a little moment from the weekend, photographs of each couple and their relation. I'll call them "cousin" so as to not confuse, but to educate. Aren't they all so cute?


My Uncle and Aunt
(she's my mum's sister). Parents of...


My eldest cousin and his wife


My middle cousin and his wife


My youngest cousin and his wife


My Uncle's sister and her husband...
I call them Aunt and Uncle too.

5 minutes later....

I'm not the only girl anymore!

what?


... ....they're adorable


he likes us both...her a bit more...


Just wait till you see what's next...

that's what family's for.

*What it's like...Five minutes with family...


yes, we know, he has beautiful eyes
I'm her namesake
It's almost like we're just wearing open
sweaters, and that's all...almost

That's what family's for.