California

After I’d been in Texas for just over a week, I left the kids with my sister and flew to California to spend the weekend with Mitch and our friends. I have to say I was so nervous to be away from the kids for 5 days, only because I’d never been apart from them for that long. Clearly they were in great hands with my sister so at least I didn’t have anything there to worry about—mostly just my emotions. Also, we were beyond excited to spend the weekend with our friends, so my fears quickly eased once I  talked to my sister while I was at the airport and realized how happy the kids were.

As soon as I got to California and got my rental car, I had the weirdest feeling of being this free woman for the weekend with no kids to take care of, cleaning to do, or plans to attend… I have to say it was nice! The first day/night there I spent with my roomie from freshman year and friend of 11 years (!) Elise, in Carlsbad. We had the best day going to the pool, getting gel manicures, having an awesome dinner, and just hanging out with her two boys, and chatting! Her little boys are so cute, I wish I got a picture with them.

The next day I drove up to Laguna Beach to Sarah’s parents’ gorgeous home in Emerald Bay. This is the 3rd or 4th couples weekend we’ve done at Sarah’s house and every year it is amazing. She is the best hostess—setting up our rooms for us, giving us fresh towels, getting all the beach gear ready, and stocking the fridge with delicious Costco food. What more could we ask for?! (You can’t see it here because the light is bright, but the ocean is right behind us in this picture. It’s pretty much the happiest view you could ever wake up to.)

This weekend was exactly what we needed and we didn’t even know it until we were there! Late night chats with good friends, shopping and pedicure trips,learning sock buns, laying out on the beach reminiscing about BYU and subjecting our husbands to girl talk.

And of course being with this guy all weekend was the best part of it all!

The waves were amazing and one of the guys there got some cool shots of Mitch boogie boarding, which I’ll have to put into their own post. The weather was perfect all weekend!

And of course we had to see a Dodgers game too! Luckily Jenny and Marty were in town that weekend and we got to see them again this summer!

It was a really good game too! Mitch was in baseball heaven.

Afterwards we went to Pasadena for dessert. The place we went to had the most delicious chocolate soufflé (with a raspberry balsamic syrup). My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

MItch went home on Tuesday but I stayed one extra day to spend some time with these lovely ladies! We had an interesting dinner at a hippie café, pizookies at BJs, and spend Tuesday morning at Huntington Beach. How wonderful so see so many great people in one trip. We are blessed with the world’s most wonderful friends! 

I was exhausted by the time I flew home but oh so ready to see my babes. This little guy and I had fun staying up late, playing, and eating the treats I brought home for the kids.

Thank you Sarah for 4 amazing days at the beach! It was bliss.