tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2085006133596736932024-03-13T12:00:26.013-07:00Meet the Mr. and Mrs!Living Our Happily Ever After since 2008Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-62151592385821528872010-09-25T10:28:00.000-07:002010-09-25T10:28:23.607-07:00Momma B's Birthday/Labor DayAugust through September is birthday time around here!<br />
Kate's birthday is August 2nd, Jon's is August 6th, Jesse's is August 20th, Papa Don's is August 22nd, Bianca's is September 8th, and mine is the 27th. Fun stuff!<br />
Our "holiday weight gain" has already begun--so much birthday cake!!!<br />
<br />
We celebrated Bianca's birthday on Labor Day up in Oxnard with the Mueller clan. What a beautiful day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tOosGhYI/AAAAAAAAFXQ/D6-SCgnkj7U/s320/100_6340.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was such a gorgeous day to spend at the beach!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The weather was perfect, the sand was warm, there was more than enough pizza to go around, and we enjoyed catching up with each other, laughing over old times, and watching a pod of dolphins dance on the waves. Perfect!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tkimlnAI/AAAAAAAAFXg/JvCraFW2yOA/s1600/100_6350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tkimlnAI/AAAAAAAAFXg/JvCraFW2yOA/s320/100_6350.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse and his birthday Momma ♥</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tHl-VnSI/AAAAAAAAFXM/H1-TcT9bQv8/s1600/100_6338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tHl-VnSI/AAAAAAAAFXM/H1-TcT9bQv8/s320/100_6338.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just chillin'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tUel3VwI/AAAAAAAAFXU/49vHhE67bws/s1600/100_6345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tUel3VwI/AAAAAAAAFXU/49vHhE67bws/s320/100_6345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dad and Mom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tarpXtAI/AAAAAAAAFXY/bB61Av80JXQ/s1600/100_6347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tarpXtAI/AAAAAAAAFXY/bB61Av80JXQ/s320/100_6347.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Silly Jon...who wears cowboy boots to the beach?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tf_bRI7I/AAAAAAAAFXc/yOwt17lPq0Q/s1600/100_6349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tf_bRI7I/AAAAAAAAFXc/yOwt17lPq0Q/s320/100_6349.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After spending a loooooooverly afternoon at the beach, we headed back to Mom and Dad's for some of this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tv69ZKFI/AAAAAAAAFXo/lbjpRrAyNwQ/s1600/100_6354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tv69ZKFI/AAAAAAAAFXo/lbjpRrAyNwQ/s320/100_6354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4tqvJbUsI/AAAAAAAAFXk/8XUuFwz9P5s/s320/100_6353.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy birthday, Momma B!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4t29ANfcI/AAAAAAAAFXs/8s2adHkLXa8/s1600/100_6355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4t29ANfcI/AAAAAAAAFXs/8s2adHkLXa8/s320/100_6355.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It will be months until she needs it, but Jesse and my gift to her was a handmade cap and keyhole scarf (gee, I wonder who made it?) in gorgeous hues of orange--her favorite!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4t8vNDXxI/AAAAAAAAFXw/gtY9TDrK_9M/s1600/100_6363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4t8vNDXxI/AAAAAAAAFXw/gtY9TDrK_9M/s320/100_6363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gotta love these two!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have quite the collection of silly pictures of Jesse and Lou.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4wleJUJRI/AAAAAAAAFX0/O3bQDkClY2I/s1600/100_6364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4wleJUJRI/AAAAAAAAFX0/O3bQDkClY2I/s320/100_6364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are the only two pictures I have of the scrumptious spare ribs barbeque we had later that evening, but you can take my word for it--it was delicious!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4w-8RD5FI/AAAAAAAAFX4/oCGgtPGjtv8/s1600/100_6365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ4w-8RD5FI/AAAAAAAAFX4/oCGgtPGjtv8/s320/100_6365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a wonderful day of celebrating Momma B's birthday, relaxing with family, and enjoying good food!</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-26856879308877855352010-09-24T23:14:00.000-07:002010-09-24T23:14:46.187-07:00Jesse's BirthdayMy handsome man is 24! <br />
<br />
We drove up to Oxnard a few days before his birthday to celebrate his birthday and Papa Don's birthday with the Mueller clan. Our fun family celebration was paired with an opportunity to see Laura and Dad perform in the musical, 1776. What a fun day!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ1_4ZyyuiI/AAAAAAAAFVo/1UeMvWi4vx0/s1600/100_6302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ1_4ZyyuiI/AAAAAAAAFVo/1UeMvWi4vx0/s320/100_6302.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm...ice cream cake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ1_gk7mmSI/AAAAAAAAFVk/6BFQD2SGwXE/s1600/100_6304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ1_gk7mmSI/AAAAAAAAFVk/6BFQD2SGwXE/s320/100_6304.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birthday boys!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2AKtwkRvI/AAAAAAAAFV0/CUMoVsVTb9k/s1600/100_6308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2AKtwkRvI/AAAAAAAAFV0/CUMoVsVTb9k/s320/100_6308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
How can a day not be fun when surrounded by all of these crazy people? :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2AEdVqDdI/AAAAAAAAFVw/Tz1LZDh4LZY/s1600/100_6307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2AEdVqDdI/AAAAAAAAFVw/Tz1LZDh4LZY/s320/100_6307.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><><>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2AKtwkRvI/AAAAAAAAFV0/CUMoVsVTb9k/s1600/100_6308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2AKtwkRvI/AAAAAAAAFV0/CUMoVsVTb9k/s320/100_6308.JPG" width="320" /></a> </></div></></><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ1__JlYtAI/AAAAAAAAFVs/Zlq5qWuA7zs/s1600/100_6303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ1__JlYtAI/AAAAAAAAFVs/Zlq5qWuA7zs/s320/100_6303.JPG" width="320" /></a></td><><>
<div></div></></></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2AQS4IV9I/AAAAAAAAFV4/hZVt7vZ28Ck/s1600/100_6313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2AQS4IV9I/AAAAAAAAFV4/hZVt7vZ28Ck/s320/100_6313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2AVynLo9I/AAAAAAAAFV8/d65_fF0PYTY/s1600/100_6314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2AVynLo9I/AAAAAAAAFV8/d65_fF0PYTY/s320/100_6314.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate is still in love with her monocle, and Jon is sporting his new "steampunk" goggles</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2AbE0Nv5I/AAAAAAAAFWA/Vca-5sMxbPI/s1600/100_6317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2AbE0Nv5I/AAAAAAAAFWA/Vca-5sMxbPI/s320/100_6317.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a liiiiiiiiitle special :-)<br />
<br />
After a wonderful dinner, lots of fun conversation, and some gift-giving (don't forget the cake!), we all drove up to Ojai to watch 1776. What a talented group of people. We were all so impressed by the musical that was directed and choreographed by high schoolers. Laura played Martha Jefferson, which was so much fun to watch, and Dad got to play the part of the Reverend (man, that takes some serious acting!) ;-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2Akp5DebI/AAAAAAAAFWE/VPDE0855FqY/s1600/100_6323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2Akp5DebI/AAAAAAAAFWE/VPDE0855FqY/s320/100_6323.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
On Jesse's actual birthday night, we got together with friends for dinner at BJ's and movies at the drive-in movie theater. It was a great night! (These photos are compliments of the amazing <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?sk=media#!/profile.php?id=292200382">Greg Wilson</a>)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2IWO_k30I/AAAAAAAAFWc/BjAHm_uUcFI/s1600/j5.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2IWO_k30I/AAAAAAAAFWc/BjAHm_uUcFI/s320/j5.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gathering friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2I-tT58BI/AAAAAAAAFWg/paIzGu4qhhs/s1600/j4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2I-tT58BI/AAAAAAAAFWg/paIzGu4qhhs/s320/j4.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm...birthday pizzookie!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2JU_enUnI/AAAAAAAAFWk/wdBFktejC9k/s320/j3.bmp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="213" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute birthday boy :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2JkNSRdfI/AAAAAAAAFWo/rqapheJGFw4/s1600/j2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2JkNSRdfI/AAAAAAAAFWo/rqapheJGFw4/s320/j2.bmp" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2NT71q4fI/AAAAAAAAFWw/3ohgx08Hz5Q/s1600/j6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2NT71q4fI/AAAAAAAAFWw/3ohgx08Hz5Q/s320/j6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since there was such a large group of us, we all brought lawn chairs and left the tailgates of our cars open so that we could hear the movie through the radio. It worked!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2J44lXNxI/AAAAAAAAFWs/K9e-DhOliFo/s1600/j1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2J44lXNxI/AAAAAAAAFWs/K9e-DhOliFo/s320/j1.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching The Expendables at the drive-in<br />
(do squinty eyes mean that another Brubaker needs glasses?) :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The weekend after Jesse's birthday, we went to Redlands to celebrate with Momma B, Jan, and Bob. We went to a teppan grill (my first time!) It was amaaaaaaaazing. The food was so good! And it was fun to watch the chef put on such a great show for us.</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2Pz2KoD-I/AAAAAAAAFW0/r4d0DLAFQaA/s1600/100_6332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2Pz2KoD-I/AAAAAAAAFW0/r4d0DLAFQaA/s320/100_6332.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob, Jan, and Jesse--excited about food!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2QlulGlII/AAAAAAAAFW4/_FQFa7m8E18/s1600/100_6331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2QlulGlII/AAAAAAAAFW4/_FQFa7m8E18/s320/100_6331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Onion volcano--so cool!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2RlxDsDjI/AAAAAAAAFW8/dgQjCl_m2oY/s1600/100_6333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2RlxDsDjI/AAAAAAAAFW8/dgQjCl_m2oY/s320/100_6333.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi and teppan grill in the same place? Amazing!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2RvVCrpsI/AAAAAAAAFXE/kk7yS-n1ECQ/s1600/100_6335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2RvVCrpsI/AAAAAAAAFXE/kk7yS-n1ECQ/s320/100_6335.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Happy boy with some birthday ice cream :-)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2R34nU1WI/AAAAAAAAFXI/kWoOcdtKodk/s1600/100_6336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJ2R34nU1WI/AAAAAAAAFXI/kWoOcdtKodk/s320/100_6336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Such a fun night!<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">As you can see, we had a wonderful time celebrating Jesse's birthday!</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-37496584005346694272010-09-21T14:47:00.000-07:002010-09-21T14:48:32.185-07:00Thinking Back to Five Years Ago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkidyKiyqI/AAAAAAAAFN8/_7cp-D8Gz6Q/s1600/5+years+ago.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkidyKiyqI/AAAAAAAAFN8/_7cp-D8Gz6Q/s400/5+years+ago.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">This is what we looked like way back then.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">An energetic sophomore RA</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">and a quiet transfer student.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">It wasn't love at first sight,</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">just a simple camaraderie.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">No fireworks,</div><div align="center">(at least, not until a year later!)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">but lots of laughter that first night</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">as we sat on a lawn for a group outing to listen to the LA Philharmonic play under the stars.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Isn't it fun to look back?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">That 18 year old girl had no idea <br />
she was sitting next to the guy </div><div align="center">who would change her life.</div><div align="center">And now, I can't imagine going back</div><div align="center"> to life as it was before.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJknTWTxXCI/AAAAAAAAFOE/5zEefj-N63g/s1600/BW+kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJknTWTxXCI/AAAAAAAAFOE/5zEefj-N63g/s320/BW+kiss.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-66014371872248384842010-09-21T14:20:00.000-07:002010-09-21T14:21:19.698-07:00Anniversary Trip: Days 5 & 6Our last two days of our vacation!<br />
<br />
One can't stay at the <a href="http://www.mcclellandpriest.com/">McClelland-Priest Bed and Breakfast</a> and forget about it! We were so excited to find this place. Jesse and I still hold onto our common dream (one we each had before we even met!) of having a bed and breakfast someday, so we love treating ourselves once a year to a night at one that fits into our budget. We absolutely loved this one! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJjvkfV1mDI/AAAAAAAAFK0/fifLD6ytOy0/s1600/100_5759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJjvkfV1mDI/AAAAAAAAFK0/fifLD6ytOy0/s320/100_5759.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The house itself was built in 1879 and just breathes of Victorian beauty and richness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJjvx-gMX1I/AAAAAAAAFK8/6ramuCL4IuE/s1600/100_5760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJjvx-gMX1I/AAAAAAAAFK8/6ramuCL4IuE/s320/100_5760.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our room was so beautiful, and it was quite the treat after spending most of our vacation in a tent!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJjv7_SnQxI/AAAAAAAAFLE/mMyOfWpE3eI/s1600/100_5748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJjv7_SnQxI/AAAAAAAAFLE/mMyOfWpE3eI/s320/100_5748.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I looooved the beautiful jet tub</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6NlCmHkI/AAAAAAAAFLc/8gj9tkTy-6I/s1600/100_5749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6NlCmHkI/AAAAAAAAFLc/8gj9tkTy-6I/s320/100_5749.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The B&B was in quaint little downtown Napa and was a short walk away from anything we wanted to see. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at a lovely little Italian restaurant, and then walked around some of the shops and down to the river. It was such a beautiful night! I'm excited to go back again sometime. (I think we learned the lesson that you can't really pack Napa into a one night experience!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you, Celeste, for a wonderful time at your beautiful B&B!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6GwLMu1I/AAAAAAAAFLU/VGIZXLp9gSY/s1600/100_5764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6GwLMu1I/AAAAAAAAFLU/VGIZXLp9gSY/s320/100_5764.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After we said goodbye to our new friends in Napa Valley, we headed back down Highway 1 to Big Sur. We had passed it days before on our way up, and the coastline was sooo beautiful that I couldn't wait to get back to it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6TEPampI/AAAAAAAAFLk/-SJ4RE7yVbU/s320/100_5773.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6cG_R3xI/AAAAAAAAFLs/2mxx9YjKsDI/s1600/100_5774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6cG_R3xI/AAAAAAAAFLs/2mxx9YjKsDI/s320/100_5774.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cute little squirrel!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6hCRtR5I/AAAAAAAAFL0/7QaryI3YXmM/s1600/100_5778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6hCRtR5I/AAAAAAAAFL0/7QaryI3YXmM/s320/100_5778.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse kept having to remind me to keep my eyes on the road while I drove. I couldn't help it! There were so many beautiful things to see! My heart just soars whenever I see the ocean. And to drive up and down it for five hours at a time is like inland-dweller's therapy. We need to do this trip more often. Or just move. Hmmm.... ;-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We had time that night to set up camp... </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkgMRRY0fI/AAAAAAAAFNU/IPq6nNP66k4/s1600/100_5824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkgMRRY0fI/AAAAAAAAFNU/IPq6nNP66k4/s320/100_5824.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and walk around a little bit...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkgT0vmxTI/AAAAAAAAFNc/MmVgVr5q5X0/s1600/100_5831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkgT0vmxTI/AAAAAAAAFNc/MmVgVr5q5X0/s320/100_5831.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkgfYBewyI/AAAAAAAAFNk/Fx3xdoLDs20/s1600/100_5832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkgfYBewyI/AAAAAAAAFNk/Fx3xdoLDs20/s320/100_5832.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkgpvyvKFI/AAAAAAAAFNs/P6JvinL_bwQ/s1600/100_5842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkgpvyvKFI/AAAAAAAAFNs/P6JvinL_bwQ/s320/100_5842.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">see a pretty waterfall...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkgxlUnPwI/AAAAAAAAFN0/sfZBZ-RTS1Q/s1600/100_5850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkgxlUnPwI/AAAAAAAAFN0/sfZBZ-RTS1Q/s320/100_5850.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and a beautiful little shady glen...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> ...but we saved our exciting excursion to <a href="http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_mcwayfalls.html">McWay Falls</a> for the next morning. We had seen reviews about it pop up many times during our online trip planning, and knew we had to go. I'm so glad we did! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If I could pick any location to place my dream house, I think it would have to be with this view:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6n9aRtqI/AAAAAAAAFL8/0JWE_CW27lE/s1600/100_5783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6n9aRtqI/AAAAAAAAFL8/0JWE_CW27lE/s400/100_5783.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The McWay waterfall cascades 80 feet off a cliff before landing directly in the surf during high tide. What could be more beautiful? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse and I thoroughly enjoyed every sight we could see. So many gorgeous things!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6szX2e_I/AAAAAAAAFME/w60rr8HocXo/s1600/100_5785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJj6szX2e_I/AAAAAAAAFME/w60rr8HocXo/s320/100_5785.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse's first gift to me was a pair of Scottish thistle earrings with amethysts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seeing the real thing on our anniversary trip made us both smile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkDod0alAI/AAAAAAAAFMM/SOFdAVcJETc/s1600/100_5789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkDod0alAI/AAAAAAAAFMM/SOFdAVcJETc/s320/100_5789.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkDs92L1XI/AAAAAAAAFMU/w52M2LXqFNw/s1600/100_5788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkDs92L1XI/AAAAAAAAFMU/w52M2LXqFNw/s320/100_5788.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taking in all of the beautiful scenery</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkD2XfCdNI/AAAAAAAAFMc/BMBM1CMSwhU/s1600/100_5791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkD2XfCdNI/AAAAAAAAFMc/BMBM1CMSwhU/s320/100_5791.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkD9iqdSmI/AAAAAAAAFMk/b8VrgxvTx8Q/s1600/100_5800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkD9iqdSmI/AAAAAAAAFMk/b8VrgxvTx8Q/s320/100_5800.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkENZyHQwI/AAAAAAAAFMs/ZhHPqrcDk5w/s1600/100_5801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkENZyHQwI/AAAAAAAAFMs/ZhHPqrcDk5w/s400/100_5801.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just don't think that seeing this every morning would ever get old!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkE-mGcDcI/AAAAAAAAFM0/VjDbDM5Tqg0/s1600/100_5813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkE-mGcDcI/AAAAAAAAFM0/VjDbDM5Tqg0/s320/100_5813.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse running back from seeing what was up the trail.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(<i>isn't he cute?!?</i>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkFG9pApwI/AAAAAAAAFM8/8fRg4_BeUa8/s1600/100_5815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkFG9pApwI/AAAAAAAAFM8/8fRg4_BeUa8/s320/100_5815.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Just* another gorgeous view</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkZmiSunNI/AAAAAAAAFNM/tSFY9v9Agew/s1600/100_5817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TJkZmiSunNI/AAAAAAAAFNM/tSFY9v9Agew/s320/100_5817.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We loved our 2nd anniversary trip!!!</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-25637579331738884812010-08-30T13:38:00.000-07:002010-08-30T13:38:39.551-07:00Anniversary Trip Day Five: Goodbye San Francisco and Hello Napa!We began our fifth day with a visit to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_Ladies">Painted Ladies</a>. We had seen these them on all of the visitor brochures, and being the lover of beautiful houses that I am, I didn't want to leave San Fransisco that day without seeing them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvhSe9cNCI/AAAAAAAAFE8/afln91vL0Jc/s1600/100_5609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvhSe9cNCI/AAAAAAAAFE8/afln91vL0Jc/s400/100_5609.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvhfGDSl4I/AAAAAAAAFFE/qV0zD8yT8xM/s1600/100_5613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvhfGDSl4I/AAAAAAAAFFE/qV0zD8yT8xM/s400/100_5613.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvhsHEYNwI/AAAAAAAAFFM/YEHJ6rDhizs/s1600/100_5614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvhsHEYNwI/AAAAAAAAFFM/YEHJ6rDhizs/s400/100_5614.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It cracked us up that the playground in Alamo Square had little Painted Ladies, too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvhyQoM4KI/AAAAAAAAFFU/DtotmdzAYOc/s1600/100_5617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvhyQoM4KI/AAAAAAAAFFU/DtotmdzAYOc/s400/100_5617.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvh7jdZ2OI/AAAAAAAAFFc/FTcGr92zAOk/s1600/100_5618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvh7jdZ2OI/AAAAAAAAFFc/FTcGr92zAOk/s400/100_5618.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beautiful fountain in Alamo Square right across from the Painted Ladies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After walking around the houses and enjoying the rest of the neighborhood, we went back to the harbor and ate sushi while filling out postcards for our family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THviAxdvC_I/AAAAAAAAFFk/cb7o7kyF8HY/s1600/100_5625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THviAxdvC_I/AAAAAAAAFFk/cb7o7kyF8HY/s400/100_5625.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">YUM!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THviGkgJr0I/AAAAAAAAFFs/gOgrxj2eBGM/s1600/100_5626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THviGkgJr0I/AAAAAAAAFFs/gOgrxj2eBGM/s320/100_5626.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once our postcards were in the mailbox, we got back in the car and waved goodbye to San Francisco </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THviKIEyiaI/AAAAAAAAFF0/u_n8qVsRSUs/s1600/100_5628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THviKIEyiaI/AAAAAAAAFF0/u_n8qVsRSUs/s400/100_5628.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and drove across the Golden Gate Bridge</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THviXHjSoaI/AAAAAAAAFF8/hIDv8dSv_Kk/s1600/100_5634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THviXHjSoaI/AAAAAAAAFF8/hIDv8dSv_Kk/s400/100_5634.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kind people at the church we had visited on Sunday told us how to find the picture-taking spot on the other side of the bridge, so we got out of the car in Marin County and walked back across the bridge (just to say we had) :-)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THviiZ9B4EI/AAAAAAAAFGE/qZtz1N835-U/s1600/100_5642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THviiZ9B4EI/AAAAAAAAFGE/qZtz1N835-U/s320/100_5642.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was <del>just a little</del> windy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THviqI9vccI/AAAAAAAAFGM/pSvloOqmNzg/s1600/100_5644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THviqI9vccI/AAAAAAAAFGM/pSvloOqmNzg/s400/100_5644.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty view on the Marin side looking over the gate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvi0wFUhHI/AAAAAAAAFGU/rp_CJh6dkLs/s1600/100_5645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvi0wFUhHI/AAAAAAAAFGU/rp_CJh6dkLs/s400/100_5645.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was just a gorgeous day! I loved the colors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvi-K3FwbI/AAAAAAAAFGc/zQ8gP_aOTII/s1600/100_5649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvi-K3FwbI/AAAAAAAAFGc/zQ8gP_aOTII/s400/100_5649.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvjWhKO4AI/AAAAAAAAFGk/Hf3bQMd5WYw/s1600/100_5656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvjWhKO4AI/AAAAAAAAFGk/Hf3bQMd5WYw/s400/100_5656.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse was being goofy around the control box</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvjb1mnfRI/AAAAAAAAFGs/Pc2hFN53hv0/s1600/100_5657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvjb1mnfRI/AAAAAAAAFGs/Pc2hFN53hv0/s400/100_5657.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who's that good looking guy?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvjjC6NEuI/AAAAAAAAFG0/JdabVjO4k2M/s1600/100_5658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvjjC6NEuI/AAAAAAAAFG0/JdabVjO4k2M/s400/100_5658.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Still walking across the bridge...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvjoW3xMTI/AAAAAAAAFG8/7Il7ReyOdxw/s1600/100_5661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvjoW3xMTI/AAAAAAAAFG8/7Il7ReyOdxw/s400/100_5661.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jesse was excited that someone had already marked his place for him</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvju4ECEWI/AAAAAAAAFHE/86eSVR9yFq8/s1600/100_5662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvju4ECEWI/AAAAAAAAFHE/86eSVR9yFq8/s400/100_5662.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was fun to walk past so many people who were doing the same thing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you really feel like an adventurer when walking across the Golden Gate Bridge?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvjxHcmovI/AAAAAAAAFHM/l4uABBViPEI/s1600/100_5668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvjxHcmovI/AAAAAAAAFHM/l4uABBViPEI/s320/100_5668.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the most exciting things was that some dolphins put on a show for us. We have about 60 pictures that look exactly like this one.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We also saw pelicans, sea lions, and a whale. It was so much fun! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvj1EGTyVI/AAAAAAAAFHU/gF5z9MJV9SY/s1600/100_5669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvj1EGTyVI/AAAAAAAAFHU/gF5z9MJV9SY/s320/100_5669.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the rarest of all sea creatures, the helicopter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvj5FScQCI/AAAAAAAAFHc/t7nbqTXEna4/s1600/100_5678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THvj5FScQCI/AAAAAAAAFHc/t7nbqTXEna4/s400/100_5678.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">♥</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwFtQEFvMI/AAAAAAAAFHk/nGhGUEMdPsk/s1600/100_5680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwFtQEFvMI/AAAAAAAAFHk/nGhGUEMdPsk/s400/100_5680.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back across, victorious, wind-blown, and...apparently sideways.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwGNaKrLkI/AAAAAAAAFIM/nZ8c4ueZ_so/s1600/100_5704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwGNaKrLkI/AAAAAAAAFIM/nZ8c4ueZ_so/s400/100_5704.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View from where we parked</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwF6PGE3lI/AAAAAAAAFHs/SFLkpDn92K4/s1600/100_5699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwF6PGE3lI/AAAAAAAAFHs/SFLkpDn92K4/s400/100_5699.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwGGmOBVUI/AAAAAAAAFH8/1Q9H6DQ9qJg/s1600/100_5700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwGGmOBVUI/AAAAAAAAFH8/1Q9H6DQ9qJg/s400/100_5700.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello, Jesse!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwGCsS6bQI/AAAAAAAAFH0/wdrDzIGXDTE/s1600/100_5702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwGCsS6bQI/AAAAAAAAFH0/wdrDzIGXDTE/s400/100_5702.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwGKMaUODI/AAAAAAAAFIE/f-LoqZqwszw/s400/100_5703.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a wonderful time in San Francisco! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now off to winetasting in Napa!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwI5Zp6WiI/AAAAAAAAFIU/Tbe1f0D2J4I/s1600/100_5746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwI5Zp6WiI/AAAAAAAAFIU/Tbe1f0D2J4I/s320/100_5746.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We enjoy Beringer wines at home, so when we decided to try wine tasting in Napa, Jesse was very excited to find that we could go on a relatively inexpensive tour of the Beringer Winery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was absolutely beautiful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwJD0k3HRI/AAAAAAAAFIc/pOorgoeTi8M/s1600/100_5741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwJD0k3HRI/AAAAAAAAFIc/pOorgoeTi8M/s400/100_5741.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Beringer Brothers Estate greets you as you drive in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwKvLlNafI/AAAAAAAAFI0/zuteysQbdp8/s1600/100_5705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwKvLlNafI/AAAAAAAAFI0/zuteysQbdp8/s320/100_5705.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our tour guide took us to one of the vineyards. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the vineyard for sauvignon blanc grapes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwK6cYnAmI/AAAAAAAAFI8/IdvAOuzOAnQ/s1600/100_5707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwK6cYnAmI/AAAAAAAAFI8/IdvAOuzOAnQ/s400/100_5707.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sampling some wine</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwLBxp5Q5I/AAAAAAAAFJE/1zktVlXRwhw/s1600/100_5708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwLBxp5Q5I/AAAAAAAAFJE/1zktVlXRwhw/s400/100_5708.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Baby grapes!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwLIFnv2QI/AAAAAAAAFJM/vmmojXXxAkQ/s1600/100_5710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwLIFnv2QI/AAAAAAAAFJM/vmmojXXxAkQ/s400/100_5710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwRo4ywP9I/AAAAAAAAFJU/9LjNw3sd0n4/s1600/100_5711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwRo4ywP9I/AAAAAAAAFJU/9LjNw3sd0n4/s400/100_5711.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rows and rows of grapes. So pretty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwUwXtgu9I/AAAAAAAAFJk/yqQuApdbB6Q/s1600/100_5714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwUwXtgu9I/AAAAAAAAFJk/yqQuApdbB6Q/s320/100_5714.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The back of the Beringer Estate and its grounds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwU20Os2yI/AAAAAAAAFJs/GzIshLnhrJo/s1600/100_5716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwU20Os2yI/AAAAAAAAFJs/GzIshLnhrJo/s400/100_5716.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Heading in to the wine cellar and tasting room</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwVAtRGuNI/AAAAAAAAFJ0/MJzxjNBOVzg/s1600/100_5720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwVAtRGuNI/AAAAAAAAFJ0/MJzxjNBOVzg/s400/100_5720.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It smelled so good in here, and was so nice and cool. Very refreshing after the heat outside!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwVIBTG45I/AAAAAAAAFJ8/rGxxb9Bh19I/s1600/100_5722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwVIBTG45I/AAAAAAAAFJ8/rGxxb9Bh19I/s400/100_5722.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tasting Room</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwVO5MiHZI/AAAAAAAAFKE/21J7YVzUwE4/s1600/100_5723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwVO5MiHZI/AAAAAAAAFKE/21J7YVzUwE4/s400/100_5723.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sampling merlot straight from the barrel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwVTrb06SI/AAAAAAAAFKM/DN_kgtOOsGQ/s1600/100_5724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwVTrb06SI/AAAAAAAAFKM/DN_kgtOOsGQ/s320/100_5724.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwVeUheSBI/AAAAAAAAFKc/_TDQoT-Y7GE/s1600/100_5730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwVeUheSBI/AAAAAAAAFKc/_TDQoT-Y7GE/s400/100_5730.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed our first wine tasting tour!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwVXSduDpI/AAAAAAAAFKU/4Ifscdb7uUw/s1600/100_5728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THwVXSduDpI/AAAAAAAAFKU/4Ifscdb7uUw/s400/100_5728.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a list of what we got to try</div><div style="text-align: center;">So glad we didn't have to pay for all of that!<br />
We had a lot of fun on our wine tour. We'll look forward to doing something like that again!</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-42323503263044154362010-08-26T13:35:00.000-07:002010-08-26T13:35:58.494-07:00Anniversary Trip Day Four: The Sights of San FranAfter church on Sunday, Jesse and I did the 49-mile Scenic Drive of San Francisco. It was good to do once, and to remember that driving around the crazy streets of San Fransisco is not my cup of tea! My tummy and I were very happy to get out of the car and see things on foot instead :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbFaBHyKJI/AAAAAAAAFCU/_Ib896ctsDI/s1600/100_5546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbFaBHyKJI/AAAAAAAAFCU/_Ib896ctsDI/s400/100_5546.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't read maps in the car without getting sick, so Jesse was our fearless leader!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbJBnIZmCI/AAAAAAAAFCk/o7hF9qUmu-E/s1600/100_5547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbJBnIZmCI/AAAAAAAAFCk/o7hF9qUmu-E/s400/100_5547.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some of the sights of San Francisco</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbK05plVRI/AAAAAAAAFCs/yFEMpBD5SXM/s1600/100_5550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbK05plVRI/AAAAAAAAFCs/yFEMpBD5SXM/s400/100_5550.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbK3bgqB3I/AAAAAAAAFC0/oSJVsd2yurQ/s1600/100_5559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbK3bgqB3I/AAAAAAAAFC0/oSJVsd2yurQ/s320/100_5559.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lombard Street is waaaaaaaaaaaay up there</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLK84nK-I/AAAAAAAAFDM/fQrk4jNl86Y/s1600/100_5561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLK84nK-I/AAAAAAAAFDM/fQrk4jNl86Y/s320/100_5561.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good Ol' Alcatraz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLPOz1YlI/AAAAAAAAFDU/JIjCxEkx6TY/s1600/100_5562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLPOz1YlI/AAAAAAAAFDU/JIjCxEkx6TY/s320/100_5562.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty Golden Gate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLWyS2wKI/AAAAAAAAFDc/brRW-VBFz9o/s1600/100_5572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLWyS2wKI/AAAAAAAAFDc/brRW-VBFz9o/s320/100_5572.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy couple</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLdernjhI/AAAAAAAAFDk/FkghHrlhwRE/s1600/100_5579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLdernjhI/AAAAAAAAFDk/FkghHrlhwRE/s320/100_5579.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I liked the lighthouse</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I also like being able to wear hoodies in the summer!!!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLnLd2tEI/AAAAAAAAFDs/KA4PEPaq5L0/s1600/100_5583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLnLd2tEI/AAAAAAAAFDs/KA4PEPaq5L0/s320/100_5583.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lunch at Boudin's Sourdough Bakery (yum!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLye-1A4I/AAAAAAAAFD8/8RVzvZMlimg/s1600/100_5590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLye-1A4I/AAAAAAAAFD8/8RVzvZMlimg/s400/100_5590.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the top of Lombard Street</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbNeDnoTfI/AAAAAAAAFEM/m1w_Ecqb6co/s1600/100_5594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbNeDnoTfI/AAAAAAAAFEM/m1w_Ecqb6co/s320/100_5594.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbNbEB7i7I/AAAAAAAAFEE/6DJORY7_2uE/s1600/100_5593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbNbEB7i7I/AAAAAAAAFEE/6DJORY7_2uE/s400/100_5593.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLsFjubbI/AAAAAAAAFD0/4u4f7S77sL0/s1600/100_5589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbLsFjubbI/AAAAAAAAFD0/4u4f7S77sL0/s320/100_5589.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out the view!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbORJFzCNI/AAAAAAAAFEU/5Atnlw_kyak/s1600/100_5605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbORJFzCNI/AAAAAAAAFEU/5Atnlw_kyak/s320/100_5605.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We ended our night with another trip to Ghirardelli Square for a chocolate sundae and another opportunity to watch the sun set behind the Golden Gate Bridge</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(this picture cracks me up because we forgot to ask that they not put chopped nuts on the sundae since Jesse is allergic. Oops! Oh well, here is a picture of Jesse trying to blow them all off!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbOfsOEGbI/AAAAAAAAFEs/mD2F15jj-Ik/s1600/100_5533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbOfsOEGbI/AAAAAAAAFEs/mD2F15jj-Ik/s320/100_5533.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On our drive back to our hotel, I was determined to get a picture of the Bay Bridge all lit up at night. It's kind of hard to get a good picture from a moving car, though!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbOYoQU60I/AAAAAAAAFEk/Bdubezs9wuU/s1600/100_5536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbOYoQU60I/AAAAAAAAFEk/Bdubezs9wuU/s320/100_5536.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is attempt #1...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...which was much more successful than attempt #2...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbOmK15hiI/AAAAAAAAFE0/AGOnr-TsaXA/s1600/100_5539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbOmK15hiI/AAAAAAAAFE0/AGOnr-TsaXA/s320/100_5539.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But check out how perfectly I centered that palm tree!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That takes TALENT from a moving vehicle, let me tell you ;-)</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-78532147274622947892010-08-26T12:41:00.000-07:002010-08-26T12:41:17.832-07:00Anniversary Trip Day Three: The Mystery Spot and San FranciscoHere we go...finally, day 3!<br />
<br />
We began our third day with breakfast at Denny's and then a trip to <a href="http://www.mysteryspot.com/index.shtml">The Mystery Spot</a> in Santa Cruz. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THawdhbZf9I/AAAAAAAAE_E/3WCLl2FNVc4/s1600/100_5464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THawdhbZf9I/AAAAAAAAE_E/3WCLl2FNVc4/s320/100_5464.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesse questioning the mystery</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THawZ1fI_1I/AAAAAAAAE-8/PHqzwYTFz40/s1600/100_5463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THawZ1fI_1I/AAAAAAAAE-8/PHqzwYTFz40/s320/100_5463.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They're really big about bumper stickers around here!<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THawiCgp6bI/AAAAAAAAE_M/BcJYylTNSgA/s1600/100_5466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THawiCgp6bI/AAAAAAAAE_M/BcJYylTNSgA/s320/100_5466.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THawvl8nCPI/AAAAAAAAE_U/1vmnJ7VXWdA/s1600/100_5469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THawvl8nCPI/AAAAAAAAE_U/1vmnJ7VXWdA/s320/100_5469.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guide<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THawzEoaaII/AAAAAAAAE_c/X7xx1Dmqi8Y/s1600/100_5474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THawzEoaaII/AAAAAAAAE_c/X7xx1Dmqi8Y/s320/100_5474.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this amused me a lot more than it did Jesse!<br />
Still, it's really funny to do a pull-up and end up diagonal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THaw1iYK_wI/AAAAAAAAE_k/ZcnCQAtYduc/s1600/100_5477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THaw1iYK_wI/AAAAAAAAE_k/ZcnCQAtYduc/s320/100_5477.JPG" /></a></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THaw51s8vkI/AAAAAAAAE_s/N3Z_Q8KrX5E/s1600/100_5478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THaw51s8vkI/AAAAAAAAE_s/N3Z_Q8KrX5E/s320/100_5478.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of our favorite things about the Mystery Spot was how the little kids would roll across the floor. They just kind of gave up on standing up straight and decided to have fun with it. There were several times I almost got knocked over by someone rolling into my legs! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After a drive up to San Francisco, we did something Jesse has been wanting to do for years: go to <a href="http://www.thestinkingrose.com/index.htm">The Stinking Rose</a>. He's been telling me about this place since we first started dating! Jesse went there when he was little with his mom, Aunt Leanne, and Uncle Tom. It's a restaurant filled with garlic! Absolutely brilliant. We had such a good time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa0Av0fCUI/AAAAAAAAE_0/eA8MCMHkVWg/s1600/100_5488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa0Av0fCUI/AAAAAAAAE_0/eA8MCMHkVWg/s320/100_5488.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa0aO4dn7I/AAAAAAAAE_8/-XiTsh13ce8/s1600/100_5489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa0aO4dn7I/AAAAAAAAE_8/-XiTsh13ce8/s320/100_5489.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa0dkeeq4I/AAAAAAAAFAE/cPb7MhV90t0/s1600/100_5491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa0dkeeq4I/AAAAAAAAFAE/cPb7MhV90t0/s320/100_5491.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After our amazing dinner, we drove down to Pier 39 and walked around the shops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa0wG832YI/AAAAAAAAFAU/44aGfasHUng/s1600/100_5500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa0wG832YI/AAAAAAAAFAU/44aGfasHUng/s320/100_5500.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look! Baby seal! It's hard to see, but it was super cute :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa02Qj_TvI/AAAAAAAAFAc/fycLMPLcf1w/s1600/100_5505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa02Qj_TvI/AAAAAAAAFAc/fycLMPLcf1w/s320/100_5505.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">"Happy 30th Anniversary, Sea Lions!"</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa0hroT-0I/AAAAAAAAFAM/77jlWEW8oZQ/s1600/100_5494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa0hroT-0I/AAAAAAAAFAM/77jlWEW8oZQ/s320/100_5494.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My handsome man</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa06JG8gmI/AAAAAAAAFAk/rtJvGYLrGmg/s1600/100_5509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa06JG8gmI/AAAAAAAAFAk/rtJvGYLrGmg/s320/100_5509.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">From there, we walked to Ghirardelli Square</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">San Francisco has always been special to me, because it's where my Granny, Papa Don's mom, was born and raised. She lived through the Great 1906 Earthquake, and always had so many stories to share! She was born in 1900, lived until she was 98 years old, and had an incredible memory. I wish I remembered more of her stories, but I love hearing about them from Mom, or Papa Don, or Gramma.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Granny grew up as a friend of the Ghirardelli family. She told stories about how Mr. Ghirardelli would hold her hand and walk her to his chocolate shop, put her on a stool and hand her a chocolate sundae. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I smiled and thought of Granny as a little girl when I saw this hanging in the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa7dFDS60I/AAAAAAAAFA8/h7GZBdRSxU0/s1600/100_5604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa7dFDS60I/AAAAAAAAFA8/h7GZBdRSxU0/s320/100_5604.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse and I have some good history there, too!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Look at this picture of us from January 2007 when we went to San Francisco with our orchestra on tour:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa73yWT9CI/AAAAAAAAFBE/hPKaMe_Wbz8/s1600/ghirardelli.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa73yWT9CI/AAAAAAAAFBE/hPKaMe_Wbz8/s320/ghirardelli.bmp" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It's so funny to think back to that time. We had only been dating for a month...and I had already set up a savings account for my wedding dress!!! It wasn't hard to know that he was the one I wanted to be with for the rest of my life ♥</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa8Myig2HI/AAAAAAAAFBM/mH08WYh4C1c/s1600/100_5516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa8Myig2HI/AAAAAAAAFBM/mH08WYh4C1c/s320/100_5516.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We've grown up just a bit since then, haven't we?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa8xwdq4DI/AAAAAAAAFBU/tF6Jdp5QPes/s1600/100_5518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa8xwdq4DI/AAAAAAAAFBU/tF6Jdp5QPes/s320/100_5518.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything at the shop is pretty expensive, so we decided to share a triple berry sundae. Oh my gosh! It was soo good. Strawberries, raspberries, and lingon berries, cheesecake, chocolate syrrup, chocolate-dipped waffle cone, and chocolate-covered blueberries. WOW!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When we went to pick it up from the window, the nice guy behind the counter said, "Hey, do you guys want an extra chocolate shake? Someone ordered it and then changed his mind. You can have it!"</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse's eyes lit up :-) So here we are, enjoying two amazing treats for the price of one!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa819x8ZQI/AAAAAAAAFBc/P-2IaO6GgkA/s1600/100_5519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa819x8ZQI/AAAAAAAAFBc/P-2IaO6GgkA/s320/100_5519.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We went out to the park to sit on the lawn and watch the sunset. It had a perfect view from all around.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa85cqKPtI/AAAAAAAAFBk/ZPNz0jNF_NY/s1600/100_5520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa85cqKPtI/AAAAAAAAFBk/ZPNz0jNF_NY/s320/100_5520.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa1B5znfaI/AAAAAAAAFA0/ZZKP91brwiM/s1600/100_5513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa1B5znfaI/AAAAAAAAFA0/ZZKP91brwiM/s320/100_5513.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It was the perfect place to watch a beautiful sunset</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa0_0Z-uqI/AAAAAAAAFAs/yCTWc97Hb4I/s1600/100_5512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa0_0Z-uqI/AAAAAAAAFAs/yCTWc97Hb4I/s320/100_5512.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and to give Jesse a chance to do his<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjNXKYvrMfQ"> "Dancing Matt"</a> impression</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa9VAnlVDI/AAAAAAAAFBs/2_ssJOXsKyk/s1600/100_5521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THa9VAnlVDI/AAAAAAAAFBs/2_ssJOXsKyk/s320/100_5521.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and a<em> little bit</em> of shenanigans...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">lol...life with Jesse is never dull!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbBGPxP7gI/AAAAAAAAFB0/_4yO9vFx8yw/s1600/100_5524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbBGPxP7gI/AAAAAAAAFB0/_4yO9vFx8yw/s320/100_5524.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Nope, never dull. Just...wonderful.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbBKwOOlUI/AAAAAAAAFB8/5HE2ZXqkTYM/s1600/100_5525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbBKwOOlUI/AAAAAAAAFB8/5HE2ZXqkTYM/s320/100_5525.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ ♥ ♥</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbBVDDQrQI/AAAAAAAAFCM/v5LNp0qBYe8/s1600/100_5526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/THbBVDDQrQI/AAAAAAAAFCM/v5LNp0qBYe8/s320/100_5526.JPG" /></a></div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-37642005631712149252010-07-07T17:12:00.000-07:002010-07-07T17:12:27.181-07:00Anniversary Trip Day Two: Hearst Castle and Monterey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT78RYnsjI/AAAAAAAAE2o/N4J0iVnkgdQ/s1600/100_5327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT78RYnsjI/AAAAAAAAE2o/N4J0iVnkgdQ/s320/100_5327.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Friday morning: view from our tent in Morro Bay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT8DnmuQYI/AAAAAAAAE2w/mpeHT2hU-YA/s1600/100_5328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT8DnmuQYI/AAAAAAAAE2w/mpeHT2hU-YA/s320/100_5328.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good morning, Sunshine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a yummy breakfast of campfire bacon and eggs, we packed up our tent and got on the road. It wasn't a far drive to Hearst Castle...but I was so excited! Thankfully, there was lots of beautiful coastline to keep me occupied until we got there. I love the ocean!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On our way up to Hearst Castle--do you see it at the top of the hill?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT8I4iOsKI/AAAAAAAAE24/9yW2va6ry_E/s1600/100_5330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT8I4iOsKI/AAAAAAAAE24/9yW2va6ry_E/s320/100_5330.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We got there with enough time to eat lunch at their cafe. We sat at a table and watched tour buses make the climb up the hill to the Castle. Even got to see some of the zebras in the pasture!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took <a href="http://hearstcastle.org/content/tour-1">Tour 1</a>. Since neither of us had ever been there before, we figured it would be a good introduction to the Castle. Also, I've been dying to see the Roman Pool for years, because it's all people ever talk about when they come back from seeing Hearst Castle! Very few people call it "the Roman Pool," though. It's much better known as the GOLD pool! It lives up to its name...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out the entrance! The crazy thing is, our tour guide told us that when William Randolph Hearst invited guests to the Castle, this wasn't the entrance he used. There's an even more elaborate entrance on the other side. (I like this one better, though!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT8bCiaTqI/AAAAAAAAE3A/KDgN8B2ydpo/s1600/100_5331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT8bCiaTqI/AAAAAAAAE3A/KDgN8B2ydpo/s320/100_5331.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So excited to finally be here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT8iu3nUkI/AAAAAAAAE3I/uQ0zbNZJ87I/s1600/100_5335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT8iu3nUkI/AAAAAAAAE3I/uQ0zbNZJ87I/s320/100_5335.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All of the architecture and landscaping is so gorgeous!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT-nGD2uKI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/O1S1QVg73_Q/s1600/100_5338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT-nGD2uKI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/O1S1QVg73_Q/s320/100_5338.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Neptune Pool</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT-xLnTTWI/AAAAAAAAE3Y/0O94KeiqiHg/s1600/100_5341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT-xLnTTWI/AAAAAAAAE3Y/0O94KeiqiHg/s320/100_5341.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Those are all Roman columns from ancient temples and other buildings. They're all different sizes because they all came from different places. Just amazing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty statues</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT-3wn0I2I/AAAAAAAAE3g/ROiZ1bwX0ME/s1600/100_5340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT-3wn0I2I/AAAAAAAAE3g/ROiZ1bwX0ME/s320/100_5340.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just breathtaking!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT--qELuRI/AAAAAAAAE3o/xQ1CwIw4vzM/s1600/100_5342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDT--qELuRI/AAAAAAAAE3o/xQ1CwIw4vzM/s320/100_5342.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the top of the steps</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUBXHsHv-I/AAAAAAAAE3w/ksJ1zY75cNQ/s1600/100_5345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUBXHsHv-I/AAAAAAAAE3w/ksJ1zY75cNQ/s320/100_5345.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse and I decided that we need to become volunteer tour guides here someday. See the modern looking pool ladders in the pictures? Yeah, they're there because swimming in the Neptune pool is one of the tour guide perks!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Steps leading up to the Casa del Sol guest house</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUBl6odl6I/AAAAAAAAE34/uCX5Ne1SRUo/s1600/100_5347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUBl6odl6I/AAAAAAAAE34/uCX5Ne1SRUo/s320/100_5347.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Entering one of the guest bedrooms</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUBqabQCjI/AAAAAAAAE4A/plNLl7SMCuw/s1600/100_5350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUBqabQCjI/AAAAAAAAE4A/plNLl7SMCuw/s320/100_5350.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No flash photography allowed...sorry these are kind of dark.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I loved this room...almost as much as I loved the beautiful white summer dress on the bed :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I want one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I really think I belong in the era of white gloves and lace parasols...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUBvHmxJII/AAAAAAAAE4I/LTAJbZntzm0/s1600/100_5351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUBvHmxJII/AAAAAAAAE4I/LTAJbZntzm0/s320/100_5351.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A more manly room...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUB_EKdiHI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/uuCwNEv0Z1A/s1600/100_5353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUB_EKdiHI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/uuCwNEv0Z1A/s320/100_5353.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I would love to have a patio with a view like this!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUCGzBf_pI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/SIe4ItMY8zw/s1600/100_5363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUCGzBf_pI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/SIe4ItMY8zw/s320/100_5363.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Casa Grande</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUCR5bl5PI/AAAAAAAAE4g/S-ydr058Mzs/s1600/100_5364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUCR5bl5PI/AAAAAAAAE4g/S-ydr058Mzs/s320/100_5364.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the grand entrace to the Hearst Castle. It was a big deal because, right after the discovery of King Tut's tomb, Egyptian artifacts were very fashionable. Hearst researched these two, purchased them, and made sure that everyone who came to his castle knew he was hip :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUCbs0AosI/AAAAAAAAE4o/UpnOX4cbCpg/s1600/100_5366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUCbs0AosI/AAAAAAAAE4o/UpnOX4cbCpg/s320/100_5366.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUCw6Sq2wI/AAAAAAAAE44/wrQ5mDSm0hM/s1600/100_5367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUCw6Sq2wI/AAAAAAAAE44/wrQ5mDSm0hM/s320/100_5367.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUC3fnA7ZI/AAAAAAAAE5A/bBazMOxjLP4/s1600/100_5369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUC3fnA7ZI/AAAAAAAAE5A/bBazMOxjLP4/s320/100_5369.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure that Jesse's favorite part of the whole tour was seeing that W.R. Hearst always made sure there was ketchup and mustard on the formal dining table!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUC-cbyUMI/AAAAAAAAE5I/qqSMFUeeoFA/s1600/100_5378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUC-cbyUMI/AAAAAAAAE5I/qqSMFUeeoFA/s320/100_5378.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div align="center">The Roman Pool was spectacular--just like everyone said.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUDEJRBRtI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/6uAolXmY0Dk/s1600/100_5392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUDEJRBRtI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/6uAolXmY0Dk/s320/100_5392.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Walking on gold :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUDKHm_TRI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/2R2zDG7c4Vs/s1600/100_5393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUDKHm_TRI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/2R2zDG7c4Vs/s320/100_5393.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">None of these mosaic pieces is larger than 1". Can you imagine how long in took to lay these beautiful patterns? Floor, walls, ceiling, everything.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUDXHZgGGI/AAAAAAAAE5o/W0UcnS5Jly0/s1600/100_5398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUDXHZgGGI/AAAAAAAAE5o/W0UcnS5Jly0/s320/100_5398.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">We loved the diving platform. Everything about the pool was just breathtaking.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUDRUoiXnI/AAAAAAAAE5g/Tn7qPu06B80/s1600/100_5400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUDRUoiXnI/AAAAAAAAE5g/Tn7qPu06B80/s320/100_5400.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It's expensive to get to see Hearst Castle, but I'm really glad that we did. I'm thankful that I don't live in as ostentatious a place as that, but I enjoyed getting to see such an incredible collection of antiques and treasures, enjoy beautiful architecture, and see such lovely landscaping. It was worth it!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A few miles down the road from Hearst Castle, we saw seals!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUMc811L3I/AAAAAAAAE54/lZQBFE7iC6k/s1600/100_5402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUMc811L3I/AAAAAAAAE54/lZQBFE7iC6k/s320/100_5402.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I insisted that we pull over to see them and take pictures, but as soon as I opened the door and put my foot out, I pulled it back in with a scream and closed the door. There were little chipmunks <em>everywhere</em>, and those little beggers wanted to eat my bright pink toe nail polish!!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">They were really friendly with Jesse, too...hoping for handouts!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUMTNhD5nI/AAAAAAAAE5w/kGw4TnRpJs4/s1600/100_5403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUMTNhD5nI/AAAAAAAAE5w/kGw4TnRpJs4/s320/100_5403.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUMn1nOILI/AAAAAAAAE6A/q_att76SjKs/s1600/100_5404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUMn1nOILI/AAAAAAAAE6A/q_att76SjKs/s320/100_5404.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out how they would stand up and reach for him</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUMuAlGUVI/AAAAAAAAE6I/z7Aq4JG4mzw/s1600/100_5405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUMuAlGUVI/AAAAAAAAE6I/z7Aq4JG4mzw/s320/100_5405.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse loved it! I was more concerned about rabies than cuteness, but...I have to admit, it is pretty darn cute! (when you're not wearing flip flops!)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It was incredibly windy out there.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUM3OYccLI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/ouLEH9RRmTc/s1600/100_5408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUM3OYccLI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/ouLEH9RRmTc/s320/100_5408.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I could barely even walk</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUNhGaRIPI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/xSuW9ZRZfEY/s1600/100_5410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUNhGaRIPI/AAAAAAAAE6Y/xSuW9ZRZfEY/s320/100_5410.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I felt like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrsghSMzIco">Wilbur the Albatross</a> from Rescuers Down Under</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUNrLKxMnI/AAAAAAAAE6g/XF_OENg-QL4/s1600/100_5411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUNrLKxMnI/AAAAAAAAE6g/XF_OENg-QL4/s320/100_5411.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse nearly died laughing at me!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUN0NYL5VI/AAAAAAAAE6o/jEAGoR6ziyM/s1600/100_5412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUN0NYL5VI/AAAAAAAAE6o/jEAGoR6ziyM/s320/100_5412.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">At first, we only found one seal close enough to see very well.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(but we were still proud of it!)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUSncEAQyI/AAAAAAAAE74/BK6_UphsOtE/s1600/100_5414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUSncEAQyI/AAAAAAAAE74/BK6_UphsOtE/s320/100_5414.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse walked out to see if there were more seals over there</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUN7q3PBDI/AAAAAAAAE6w/hZpA4Yv1cew/s1600/100_5421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUN7q3PBDI/AAAAAAAAE6w/hZpA4Yv1cew/s320/100_5421.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Not much luck over here...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUOC5qG6OI/AAAAAAAAE64/xM1t5O8m-A8/s1600/100_5423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUOC5qG6OI/AAAAAAAAE64/xM1t5O8m-A8/s320/100_5423.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">But look what we found over here!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(Somebody's sure excited about it!)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUOhlC8xGI/AAAAAAAAE7I/OWqUaS6Ru_Q/s1600/100_5427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUOhlC8xGI/AAAAAAAAE7I/OWqUaS6Ru_Q/s320/100_5427.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUOpSVX37I/AAAAAAAAE7Q/iDY8unfyvtk/s1600/100_5429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUOpSVX37I/AAAAAAAAE7Q/iDY8unfyvtk/s320/100_5429.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The dark guy in the middle of this picture cracked us up. He just waddled up from the water, decided he wanted to be between two seals, and wedged his way in. The other two barely even woke up. You think he'd look a little more pleased with himself after an endeavor like that :-)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUOyN2PE3I/AAAAAAAAE7Y/XC08DgZ9gMs/s1600/100_5436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUOyN2PE3I/AAAAAAAAE7Y/XC08DgZ9gMs/s320/100_5436.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This one was one of our favorites. Look how cute he is, hugging himself!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUSVbnOBwI/AAAAAAAAE7w/Io6sU3bOt_k/s1600/100_5443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUSVbnOBwI/AAAAAAAAE7w/Io6sU3bOt_k/s320/100_5443.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> Heeeeeeeeere, pup!</div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUO9uJBB0I/AAAAAAAAE7g/vTux_9zikEs/s1600/100_5446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUO9uJBB0I/AAAAAAAAE7g/vTux_9zikEs/s320/100_5446.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Back in the car...whew! Where's that hair brush?!?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUPB7_o9BI/AAAAAAAAE7o/RXIvvpRu7i0/s1600/100_5451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUPB7_o9BI/AAAAAAAAE7o/RXIvvpRu7i0/s320/100_5451.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A little while later, we were in Monterey. We stopped at the harbor for some sightseeing and dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUU4jmts5I/AAAAAAAAE8A/RmVTwDKzhZ4/s1600/100_5452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUU4jmts5I/AAAAAAAAE8A/RmVTwDKzhZ4/s320/100_5452.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse was excited to get to go to a pub :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was excited for authentic clam chowder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUVNqvYSXI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/1mwg7mm7K80/s1600/100_5458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUVNqvYSXI/AAAAAAAAE8Y/1mwg7mm7K80/s320/100_5458.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty view from our table</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUU9mPI1_I/AAAAAAAAE8I/GQ4-XZdrpTI/s1600/100_5454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUU9mPI1_I/AAAAAAAAE8I/GQ4-XZdrpTI/s320/100_5454.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoying dinner together</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUVDvEIHEI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/Y5CVbA5rgZA/s1600/100_5456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUVDvEIHEI/AAAAAAAAE8Q/Y5CVbA5rgZA/s320/100_5456.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUVSXMLf9I/AAAAAAAAE8g/y9VHDCaHhos/s1600/100_5459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TDUVSXMLf9I/AAAAAAAAE8g/y9VHDCaHhos/s320/100_5459.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a wonderful day!</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-8003479553079136052010-06-29T18:50:00.000-07:002010-06-29T18:50:15.984-07:00Anniversary Trip Day 1: Solvang and Morro Bay<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I've been putting off blogging about our trip because...honestly, going through nearly 600 pictures is overwhelming. But, I'm over it. Here we go!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We began our wonderful trip up the coast by driving to Solvang. Neither of us had ever been there before, which is funny, because I only found out last month that it's less than an hour from where I grew up. What a cute little place! We asked lots of friends before we left about places we shouldn't miss while on our trip, and many of them said we had to go to Paula's Pancake House. So we got to Solvang in time to go there for brunch :-)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRKYZa7vI/AAAAAAAAEyA/VyApxFoFYkw/s1600/100_5266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRKYZa7vI/AAAAAAAAEyA/VyApxFoFYkw/s320/100_5266.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We were a little surprised, though, that as we drove into Solvang, we saw lots of people dressed up like this:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRQiMwbTI/AAAAAAAAEyI/LM2HWmm3JrU/s1600/100_5267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRQiMwbTI/AAAAAAAAEyI/LM2HWmm3JrU/s320/100_5267.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Since when is red lingerie suitable cyclist attire? Especially when the majority of them are male cyclists?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Turns out, there was an AIDS LifeCycle June 5-11th from San Francisco to Los Angeles. We were thankful that we were going exactly the opposite route (Los Angeles to Solvang, Morro Bay, Hearst Castle, Monterey, San Francisco, Napa, Big Sur, LA). Otherwise, we probably would have had these guys in ALL of our vacation photos! As you can see in the rest of our pictures from Solvang, they were everywhere.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRXVbmeCI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/R3OEEM7g5EU/s1600/100_5268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRXVbmeCI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/R3OEEM7g5EU/s320/100_5268.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We were excited to get to go to Paula's Pancake House! It lives up to its legendary status :-)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRfibMQzI/AAAAAAAAEyY/_NM3TIkgBIA/s1600/100_5269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRfibMQzI/AAAAAAAAEyY/_NM3TIkgBIA/s320/100_5269.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So cute with the pretty patio and little umbrellas...just an adorable little place!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We enjoyed some amazing pancakes, as well as eggs, fruit, swedish sausage, and biscuits. Yum!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRk3A6-9I/AAAAAAAAEyg/-n9XdQFeV-4/s1600/100_5270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRk3A6-9I/AAAAAAAAEyg/-n9XdQFeV-4/s320/100_5270.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We began a tradition last year of buying Christmas ornaments on our anniversary trip, so we were set on finding some on this trip, too. We were so excited to find an entire Christmas shop there! Now we'll remember our fun times on our second anniversary trip each Christmas as we put up our tree.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRpMTTmCI/AAAAAAAAEyo/uhZRv-3vKRQ/s1600/100_5271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRpMTTmCI/AAAAAAAAEyo/uhZRv-3vKRQ/s320/100_5271.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I still got my craft fix --even on vacation!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This is such a cute little store...owned by the sweetest lady!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqR5lJKnFI/AAAAAAAAEzA/VOf5efjN_xg/s1600/100_5274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqR5lJKnFI/AAAAAAAAEzA/VOf5efjN_xg/s320/100_5274.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse was very excited for find a family heraldry store. We bought him a proper Brubaker stein (should be arriving any day) and had a lot of fun learning family history from the lady who works there</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRulTRWQI/AAAAAAAAEyw/o4n9F6Ce-CM/s1600/100_5272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRulTRWQI/AAAAAAAAEyw/o4n9F6Ce-CM/s320/100_5272.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">For example, we didn't realize that although Brubaker is a common German name, it originated in Switzerland.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRy_pt9XI/AAAAAAAAEy4/U1iLMyazR3c/s1600/100_5273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqRy_pt9XI/AAAAAAAAEy4/U1iLMyazR3c/s320/100_5273.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">There we are!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse's Superman impersonation</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXEaXdwAI/AAAAAAAAEzI/wHfUEQEHLt8/s1600/100_5276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXEaXdwAI/AAAAAAAAEzI/wHfUEQEHLt8/s320/100_5276.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXKFSQ-vI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/TAPaf8L1Xcg/s1600/100_5277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXKFSQ-vI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/TAPaf8L1Xcg/s320/100_5277.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXRmzcLeI/AAAAAAAAEzY/Lg6et-3nivE/s1600/100_5278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXRmzcLeI/AAAAAAAAEzY/Lg6et-3nivE/s320/100_5278.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXXsV6yOI/AAAAAAAAEzg/ehJCcNTUM0E/s1600/100_5279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXXsV6yOI/AAAAAAAAEzg/ehJCcNTUM0E/s320/100_5279.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">There were about 50 of these guys all over Solvang. It seriously felt like they outnumbered the rest of the tourists!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXeeXjOiI/AAAAAAAAEzo/e_zysJ85LXI/s1600/100_5281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXeeXjOiI/AAAAAAAAEzo/e_zysJ85LXI/s320/100_5281.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We liked the windmill :-)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXlNv4DfI/AAAAAAAAEzw/Ky5ROx9feOU/s1600/100_5283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXlNv4DfI/AAAAAAAAEzw/Ky5ROx9feOU/s320/100_5283.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And this beautiful dolpin bench and fountain</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXqQPMGuI/AAAAAAAAEz4/HHkGwmVPRQY/s1600/100_5284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXqQPMGuI/AAAAAAAAEz4/HHkGwmVPRQY/s320/100_5284.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The afternoon was the perfect time for a raspberry gelato and a chocolate milkshake :-)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXzgNiTVI/AAAAAAAAE0A/g8wI8c5NHW8/s1600/100_5286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqXzgNiTVI/AAAAAAAAE0A/g8wI8c5NHW8/s320/100_5286.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I love all of the cute little shops!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqYFQQqtvI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/Pwo5bIJjslY/s1600/100_5282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqYFQQqtvI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/Pwo5bIJjslY/s320/100_5282.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">blond braids and cowgirl boots.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">What a day for Jesse to wear red!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqYtHPm9hI/AAAAAAAAE04/KKe4bNkOKSM/s1600/100_5293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqYtHPm9hI/AAAAAAAAE04/KKe4bNkOKSM/s320/100_5293.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqYNmPRVnI/AAAAAAAAE0g/cBnrNQn9NaY/s1600/100_5289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqYNmPRVnI/AAAAAAAAE0g/cBnrNQn9NaY/s320/100_5289.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Cute little wishing well</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqYWKLShII/AAAAAAAAE0o/wFKmOxMF2tU/s1600/100_5291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqYWKLShII/AAAAAAAAE0o/wFKmOxMF2tU/s320/100_5291.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqYitK8QuI/AAAAAAAAE0w/JV99-qwAwC0/s1600/100_5292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqYitK8QuI/AAAAAAAAE0w/JV99-qwAwC0/s320/100_5292.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything is just so pretty</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqcZvq2G-I/AAAAAAAAE1I/k2ciaiKt7ZA/s1600/100_5297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqcZvq2G-I/AAAAAAAAE1I/k2ciaiKt7ZA/s320/100_5297.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Even the public restrooms!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqY28FfviI/AAAAAAAAE1A/4tsyZe8WS9Y/s1600/100_5294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqY28FfviI/AAAAAAAAE1A/4tsyZe8WS9Y/s320/100_5294.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">"Hey there, Hans!"</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqcgrQz57I/AAAAAAAAE1Q/M08kxxaMcOI/s1600/100_5299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqcgrQz57I/AAAAAAAAE1Q/M08kxxaMcOI/s320/100_5299.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Farewell, Solvang!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqclNye3uI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/yXonEoGPphk/s1600/100_5303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqclNye3uI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/yXonEoGPphk/s320/100_5303.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Back on the road...Morro Bay, here we come!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(I have rotated this pic so many times...it's destined to be sideways, apparently.)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqcpP2etBI/AAAAAAAAE1g/7lju6sOYEsI/s1600/100_5304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqcpP2etBI/AAAAAAAAE1g/7lju6sOYEsI/s320/100_5304.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty flower fields along our drive</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqctunGzcI/AAAAAAAAE1o/QTqKaODfy7I/s1600/100_5306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqctunGzcI/AAAAAAAAE1o/QTqKaODfy7I/s320/100_5306.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqeb1LOc8I/AAAAAAAAE1w/GFb1D_M3tkI/s1600/100_5307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqeb1LOc8I/AAAAAAAAE1w/GFb1D_M3tkI/s320/100_5307.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Our tent site was perfect! We were right on the edge of the campground, with the moor to our left, and the bay to our right. The harbor was right in the middle. It was gorgeous!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This was our first chance to get to use our beautiful new tent, an anniversary gift from Jesse's mom. It's so wonderful to have one of our own instead of needing to borrow from someone else! Hopefully, this is the beginning of many memorable trips with our great little tent.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqen7QX_HI/AAAAAAAAE14/4l-3QPJFCXA/s1600/100_5308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqen7QX_HI/AAAAAAAAE14/4l-3QPJFCXA/s320/100_5308.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">pretty view</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqeziWj6bI/AAAAAAAAE2A/8QzarNPYCJk/s1600/100_5313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqeziWj6bI/AAAAAAAAE2A/8QzarNPYCJk/s320/100_5313.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Exploring Morro Bay</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqe4uc82CI/AAAAAAAAE2I/o5y4ivdXinw/s1600/100_5318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqe4uc82CI/AAAAAAAAE2I/o5y4ivdXinw/s320/100_5318.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The Famous Morro Rock</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqfAGnpEFI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/_sYHbNlWAPo/s1600/100_5319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqfAGnpEFI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/_sYHbNlWAPo/s320/100_5319.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So pretty!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqhTulAuoI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/s6kqvAxXPzM/s1600/100_5324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqhTulAuoI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/s6kqvAxXPzM/s320/100_5324.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My handome grill man ♥</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqhZOMj4iI/AAAAAAAAE2g/oyqoGdLvfGY/s1600/100_5326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TCqhZOMj4iI/AAAAAAAAE2g/oyqoGdLvfGY/s320/100_5326.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Travel Scrabble, hot chocolate, and stars...the perfect way to end our first night!</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-92044562221572197392010-06-17T10:47:00.000-07:002010-06-17T10:47:06.616-07:00Our Anniversary<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">We celebrated our 2nd anniversary on Tuesday, June 8th.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpYDlxB04I/AAAAAAAAEvg/ck7BKevbxfQ/s1600/100_5238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpYDlxB04I/AAAAAAAAEvg/ck7BKevbxfQ/s320/100_5238.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Ami used to always leave "cards" on the bathroom mirror for Papa...following suit made me smile this year :)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">On each little heart, I had written something I love about Jesse.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse had to work all day, and the school's 8th grade graduation was in the evening. It was a busy day, but we found time to sneak off for dinner together at our favorite sushi place. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpapZGZ1BI/AAAAAAAAEv4/qRyjFELCWpg/s1600/100_5220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpapZGZ1BI/AAAAAAAAEv4/qRyjFELCWpg/s320/100_5220.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ ♥ ♥</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse even gave me a corsage!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpaciwpxnI/AAAAAAAAEvo/5UE7pIGAq-g/s1600/100_5218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpaciwpxnI/AAAAAAAAEvo/5UE7pIGAq-g/s320/100_5218.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Two roses for two years ♥</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpajxnjMnI/AAAAAAAAEvw/-OZPWTXyzw0/s1600/100_5219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpajxnjMnI/AAAAAAAAEvw/-OZPWTXyzw0/s320/100_5219.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Mmmmmmmmmmmm...Sushi!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpb7bXaWaI/AAAAAAAAEwA/k_QvhQhiVYY/s1600/100_5222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpb7bXaWaI/AAAAAAAAEwA/k_QvhQhiVYY/s320/100_5222.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I was surprised by how quickly we left church after the graduation...usually we're there forever after any event! I was even more surprised when Jesse drove us to a classy restaurant for drinks and dessert instead of driving straight home.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpcHTCePFI/AAAAAAAAEwI/hIKilSBsDBE/s1600/100_5233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpcHTCePFI/AAAAAAAAEwI/hIKilSBsDBE/s320/100_5233.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The waitress who served us bustled around whispering to everyone "It's their second anniversary! How cute are they?!?"</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We enjoyed a yummy raspberry cheesecake. So good!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpcM7R4z4I/AAAAAAAAEwQ/5TYfxi9a9CA/s1600/100_5228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TBpcM7R4z4I/AAAAAAAAEwQ/5TYfxi9a9CA/s320/100_5228.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I felt so loved. Even though it was a busy day full of work and big events for Jesse, he still found time just for the two of us. I love him!</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-41868102723095923882010-06-06T08:41:00.001-07:002010-06-09T07:30:43.397-07:004 Years of Loving My Guy, 2 Years of Being Married to My Best Friend<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Jesse and I celebrate our 2nd anniversary on Tuesday. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Here are pictures from the 4 years we've been together!<br />
(We just put these up in our new, beautifully painted living room, so I thought I'd share them with you here, too!)<br />
<br />
There's a big gap since I'm not posting any pictures past April 2009, but they're all on my old computer (internet card is broken) and I haven't transferred them over yet. But you know what we've looked like recently!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvD0XFGV2I/AAAAAAAAEuY/GF1eMc5-neg/s1600/Homecoming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvD0XFGV2I/AAAAAAAAEuY/GF1eMc5-neg/s320/Homecoming.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Homecoming Junior Year</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvDBYCALhI/AAAAAAAAEtw/bWVnN5rVVhg/s1600/bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvDBYCALhI/AAAAAAAAEtw/bWVnN5rVVhg/s320/bw.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Tree swing at the church I grew up</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvDuAAv62I/AAAAAAAAEuA/0X4k-b6B16o/s1600/dad+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvDuAAv62I/AAAAAAAAEuA/0X4k-b6B16o/s320/dad+pic.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Visit to Kansas 2007</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvEgGNjiiI/AAAAAAAAEuw/R3WQpPz6VoA/s1600/wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvEgGNjiiI/AAAAAAAAEuw/R3WQpPz6VoA/s320/wall.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Kansas, taken by Jesse's dad</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvGKZ2BwaI/AAAAAAAAEu4/mnGQkQxvcnA/s1600/oh_happy_day!+BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvGKZ2BwaI/AAAAAAAAEu4/mnGQkQxvcnA/s320/oh_happy_day!+BW.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Our Engagement, 12-24-2007</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvCysEZHMI/AAAAAAAAEtg/QEyEd9asODY/s1600/beach+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvCysEZHMI/AAAAAAAAEtg/QEyEd9asODY/s320/beach+love.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">March, 2008</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvDxeTyutI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/WyCrYILjizY/s1600/grad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvDxeTyutI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/WyCrYILjizY/s320/grad.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Graduation Day! May 9th, 2008</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvC8zLemOI/AAAAAAAAEto/KoHeEf6pCmg/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvC8zLemOI/AAAAAAAAEto/KoHeEf6pCmg/s320/beach.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Two weeks before our wedding, on Jesse's return from Handbell Tour</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvDE0npYyI/AAAAAAAAEt4/DrLO2zgW9mI/s1600/Cancun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvDE0npYyI/AAAAAAAAEt4/DrLO2zgW9mI/s320/Cancun.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Cancun Honeymoon ♥</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvCmjGn34I/AAAAAAAAEtQ/Q_GytL-rEMg/s1600/alina%27s+wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvCmjGn34I/AAAAAAAAEtQ/Q_GytL-rEMg/s320/alina%27s+wedding.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">A Summer full of weddings! Alina's wedding, July 2008</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvCu-PEpCI/AAAAAAAAEtY/e2LJZ2Jc4Vs/s1600/BBQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvCu-PEpCI/AAAAAAAAEtY/e2LJZ2Jc4Vs/s320/BBQ.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Labor Day family bbq at our house</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvD7YRaxsI/AAAAAAAAEuo/IOS3cxCZRxw/s1600/valentines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvD7YRaxsI/AAAAAAAAEuo/IOS3cxCZRxw/s320/valentines.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Valentine's Day 2009</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvTetn0iMI/AAAAAAAAEvA/JgzRtWt53OY/s1600/BW+kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/TAvTetn0iMI/AAAAAAAAEvA/JgzRtWt53OY/s320/BW+kiss.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">April 2009</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">June 8th, 2008</span></em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ two years of being married to my best friend</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ two years of cuddles</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ two years of creating a home together</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ two years of serving side-by-side</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ two years of laughter</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ two years of burned food</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ two years of reading books together</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ two years of dragging each other into craft stores and sports arenas</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ two years of making reality of the dreams we had stored up while dating</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ two years of the most wonderful love I have ever known, deepened every day with God's grace and humility toward one another.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">♥ two years of Happliy Ever After with many more to come!</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-6267260850534669582010-04-24T07:41:00.000-07:002010-04-24T07:41:08.889-07:005:37am. Saturday.The one day I<em> could</em> sleep in past 5 this week definitely didn't happen that way. Jesse and I are still house sitting for our friends, and something got into the dogs last night. I never got past a doze last night, because I kept being awakened by the dogs at the foot of our bed. Usually, they're really good through the night, and I have no idea why they were so noisy last night. <br />
<br />
By 5:30, I'd had it. I climbed out of bed and struggled in the darkness to find the latches on their little dog kennels and let them out. Jesse woke up to the sound of their freedom barks, and he offered to take them outside (those adorable little fluff balls pee--or worse, leave us gifts-- <em>everywhere</em> if they aren't taken straight outside). I was thankful for his offer and headed into the bathroom. "Don't forget to turn off the alarm," I said over my shoulder. "Ok," He said groggily, as he followed the dogs out of the room.<br />
<br />
20 seconds later, I nearly fell off the seat when I heard the shrill siren-like alarm blaring to the whole neighborhood. I heard Jesse run from the backyard and hastily punch in the code, then go back outside with the dogs.<br />
<br />
As I climbed back in bed, the phone rang. It was the security company calling to make sure everything was ok. I told them who I was, and that we were house-sitting for our friends. That my husband had gone outside without disengaging the alarm. As I'm saying all of this, I hear a groggy voice coming from the phonein the kitchen. "Hullow? H-hullow?"<br />
"Jesse, I've got it!"<br />
<br />
Crisis averted, my handsome, tired man climbed back in bed and promptly passed out. The dogs settled down and went back to sleep. And two hours later, I'm still staring at the ceiling. <br />
<br />
We're not allowed to have any pets at the house we're renting, but Jesse is very much looking forward to having dogs some day. Things like this are definitely hurting his chances. :-PBethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-50362265699654630222010-04-16T22:40:00.000-07:002010-04-16T22:40:03.655-07:00Last NightJesse and I like to treat house sitting like staying at a resort...a really cool resort where you can grill carne asada in the yard and enjoy sunsets from the top of a beautiful hill.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S8lHuuf5E-I/AAAAAAAAElo/4sPPKqN_ylI/s1600/100_5028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S8lHuuf5E-I/AAAAAAAAElo/4sPPKqN_ylI/s320/100_5028.JPG" width="240" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look at that handsome man I'm married to!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S8lHzlrvKlI/AAAAAAAAElw/e8JKDPfOllE/s1600/100_5032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S8lHzlrvKlI/AAAAAAAAElw/e8JKDPfOllE/s320/100_5032.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy for the first quiet night all week</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S8lJfdUCceI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/lhOxZ2bTmIE/s1600/100_5031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S8lJfdUCceI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/lhOxZ2bTmIE/s320/100_5031.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">yum!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S8lH6_vZyAI/AAAAAAAAEl4/c3TI14cdB-A/s1600/100_5035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S8lH6_vZyAI/AAAAAAAAEl4/c3TI14cdB-A/s320/100_5035.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoying Jesse's amazing grill-skill: carne asada!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S8lITSIy6OI/AAAAAAAAEmA/gxR2QKUagKs/s1600/100_5037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S8lITSIy6OI/AAAAAAAAEmA/gxR2QKUagKs/s320/100_5037.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gorgeous view</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S8lIXXJrwyI/AAAAAAAAEmI/209gV6Y_luY/s1600/100_5041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S8lIXXJrwyI/AAAAAAAAEmI/209gV6Y_luY/s320/100_5041.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Such a wonderful night!</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-16614260418844268332010-04-05T15:05:00.000-07:002010-04-05T15:05:58.533-07:00Murder Mystery DinnerJesse and I participated in Hope Lutheran's annual Murder Mystery Dinner last weekend. We were 2 of a cast of 8, and it was put on like a dinner theatre with an amazing feast of tri-tip and salmon for all of the guests.<br />
<br />
It was a 1930s Hollywood movie premiere style theme, and everyone was supposed to get really dressed up. That posed a problem for me: how was I supposed to find something 1930's era-appropriate that fit my tall frame AND was affordable?<br />
<br />
I went to seven thrift stores over three months looking for just the right thing to wear, but couldn't find anything. Mom and I looked at dress patterns, and found a beautiful one! Jesse and I went to JoAnn's and used a booklet of coupons to buy everything we needed for a beautiful midnight blue satin evening gown--for $35! The dress pattern came with two styles, and I liked the front of one style, and the back of the other. My mom is an amazing seamstress and was able to piece the two patterns together to get just the look I wanted--as well as adding inches in all the right places so the floor-length style actually reached the ground on me!<br />
<br />
Jesse's character was Stu Dyron (play on words: stud iron) and he was a dashing stunt man turned star of the silver screen. He was supposed to be a womanizer who sought out every new starlet who came to Hollywood. The funny thing was that my character was the only girl he had not been in a romantic relationship with!<br />
<br />
I was Denise N. Dayer (Da niece/the niece and heir), assistant director and niece of the weathy Hollywood producer who was murdered. It cast a bad light on me the whole time, but I turned out innocent :) <br />
<br />
Anyway, we had a lot of fun! Here are some pictures that Jesse's mom took:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S7pZul12ZXI/AAAAAAAAEhI/sadqS8ST0G4/s1600/DSCF1246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S7pZul12ZXI/AAAAAAAAEhI/sadqS8ST0G4/s400/DSCF1246.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Outside right before the dinner began </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S7paf-YEowI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/v1eP4tQVjj0/s1600/DSCF1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S7paf-YEowI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/v1eP4tQVjj0/s400/DSCF1250.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The others in the cast were Loraine, the wife of Hope's principal, Nel, one of the school secretaries, Ben, the 7th grade teacher at Hope, Pastor, and our good friends, Tyler and Stacey Stover. (Not that you can see everyone in this picture!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S7pa1B_AAtI/AAAAAAAAEhY/hGpdS-J6gW8/s1600/DSCF1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S7pa1B_AAtI/AAAAAAAAEhY/hGpdS-J6gW8/s400/DSCF1251.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I feel bad that my back was to Momma B, and Jan and Robert the whole time...but isn't the back of the dress pretty?!? :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S7pbKROfOlI/AAAAAAAAEhg/hpJSkyiyOe4/s1600/DSCF1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S7pbKROfOlI/AAAAAAAAEhg/hpJSkyiyOe4/s400/DSCF1266.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse and Stacey were supposed to be in an intimate relationship. Stacey and I shared a red lipstick, and at the end of each round, I would sneak off with Jesse to add another kiss mark to the womanizer's face. It was funny how many people from our church were genuinely concerned that the lipstick was coming from Stacey!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S7pbaQDql4I/AAAAAAAAEho/edTyBvsynpQ/s1600/DSCF1267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S7pbaQDql4I/AAAAAAAAEho/edTyBvsynpQ/s400/DSCF1267.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taking a moment to smile with Robert and Jan </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Momma B, I'm sorry that we don't have any pictures with you from that night!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S7pbyqbmnnI/AAAAAAAAEhw/AymAXMs5Mbs/s1600/DSCF1268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S7pbyqbmnnI/AAAAAAAAEhw/AymAXMs5Mbs/s400/DSCF1268.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">Here is the entire cast from the evening!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">We had a lot of fun. Thank you, Momma B, Jan, and Robert for coming to see us, and thank you, Mom, for a beautiful dress that was made just for me!</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-48261902697293037132010-03-23T21:34:00.000-07:002010-03-23T21:40:14.225-07:00Our Day at Universal Studios<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Universal Studios have the coolest deal going on right now! For the month of March, all teachers and school employees can get in for <a href="http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/teacher_salute.html">free</a>. A good friend passed that tidbit on to us, and since neither of us has been there in the last 5 years, Jesse and I decided to use our free day last week to take advantage of the deal!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we are loving that we both have school IDs!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mKmuaVuTI/AAAAAAAAEfA/s86Uqck3YJY/s1600-h/with+our+IDs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mKmuaVuTI/AAAAAAAAEfA/s86Uqck3YJY/s320/with+our+IDs.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Jesse gets one as a DCE (he works at both the church and school), and I've been subbing at the same school all year, so I have one, too. Let me tell you, teacher IDs have PERKS!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mK50LJwVI/AAAAAAAAEfI/IBOt01Ea7Gc/s1600-h/in+front+of+the+globe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mK50LJwVI/AAAAAAAAEfI/IBOt01Ea7Gc/s320/in+front+of+the+globe.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Happy just to be together :)</div><br />
We had an absolutely wonderful day! The weather was just perfect--not too hot, and just right for breezy summer clothes. Let me tell you, I was only too happy to unearth my flip flops for such an occasion!<br />
<br />
We figured that since we got in for free, the day was a gift, and we didn't have to worry about long lines or not getting all the rides in. We simply enjoyed holding hands and relishing every moment together since we knew Jesse would be leaving for the week in a few days (he's currently at a camp with the 6th grade class at Hope--just like last year).<br />
<br />
God was good, though! We were never in a line for more than 15 minutes (except for when the brand new Simpson's ride broke twice, so we got out of line and came back later!) We were able to fit in everything we wanted for the day.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Especially things like churros that make Jesse a very happy guy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mN4W2BkPI/AAAAAAAAEfY/Jnr28kX-_Fk/s1600-h/DSCF1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mN4W2BkPI/AAAAAAAAEfY/Jnr28kX-_Fk/s320/DSCF1195.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, ok...churros can make two people very happy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mNcFVHG7I/AAAAAAAAEfQ/d3stOt99WDA/s1600-h/DSCF1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mNcFVHG7I/AAAAAAAAEfQ/d3stOt99WDA/s320/DSCF1196.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here we are after Jurassic Park</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mO_AVVwxI/AAAAAAAAEfg/w15O-O8o5Jw/s1600-h/DSCF1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mO_AVVwxI/AAAAAAAAEfg/w15O-O8o5Jw/s320/DSCF1204.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I survived the 84 foot drop! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I haaaaaate drops)<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mPnjRSMMI/AAAAAAAAEfo/TPCCecin6mw/s1600-h/DSCF1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mPnjRSMMI/AAAAAAAAEfo/TPCCecin6mw/s320/DSCF1205.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Conscious oblivion... :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mQ1--uY6I/AAAAAAAAEfw/yekmlUnLots/s1600-h/DSCF1206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mQ1--uY6I/AAAAAAAAEfw/yekmlUnLots/s320/DSCF1206.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">One of our favorite things about the day was the Animal Actors show they have. This picture is for Laura: it's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TENG4cgxl4">Kevin from The Proposal!</a> Actually, <i>she </i>is Nanu, and is super adorable--even though she isn't the tiny little cottonball from the movie :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mRK0dDI5I/AAAAAAAAEf4/DD0HMBnPi1o/s1600-h/DSCF1209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mRK0dDI5I/AAAAAAAAEf4/DD0HMBnPi1o/s320/DSCF1209.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Also, this little orangutan was a real cutie :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mRcKRVMFI/AAAAAAAAEgA/HvF9x76celY/s1600-h/DSCF1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mRcKRVMFI/AAAAAAAAEgA/HvF9x76celY/s320/DSCF1211.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We also enjoyed the tram ride around the backlots. That seriously is the coolest thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mUBEHWEdI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/PjU0GVU7mcI/s1600-h/DSCF1212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mUBEHWEdI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/PjU0GVU7mcI/s320/DSCF1212.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure the best part of Jesse's day was finding out that there is a Hard Rock Cafe on the Studio Walk. He was so excited! Jesse loves Hard Rock and has been collecting shirts from every one that he visits. He's got a pretty impressive collection, too, since he has one from Hong Kong that he got when he was on handbell tour freshman (I think) year, and one from Canada from the junior year tour (I think). Now he's looking forward to picking one up in New Orleans this summer!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway, here we are! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mRwWRbM7I/AAAAAAAAEgI/JDc34QfiSh0/s1600-h/DSCF1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mRwWRbM7I/AAAAAAAAEgI/JDc34QfiSh0/s320/DSCF1219.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was my first time going to a Hard Rock</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mVZczckFI/AAAAAAAAEgY/agyeZvYzv7g/s1600-h/DSCF1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mVZczckFI/AAAAAAAAEgY/agyeZvYzv7g/s320/DSCF1218.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Following tradition, Jesse got a new Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood shirt, and I got to join in on the fun with a Hard Rock hat. I don't have a picture of the two of us sporting our new apparel, but I will soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can't really beat getting into Universal Studios for free and spending the day with your love!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mXhoxNlcI/AAAAAAAAEgg/9zDvI3JEcsY/s1600-h/DSCF1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6mXhoxNlcI/AAAAAAAAEgg/9zDvI3JEcsY/s320/DSCF1213.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-42285983453255531022010-03-17T12:24:00.000-07:002010-03-17T12:24:12.572-07:00So HappyThis week marks a huge turn around in Jesse and my life together: Jesse has moved his schedule around so that he will be home more nights in the week!<br />
<br />
All that we've known since we've been married is that Jesse is never home before 9pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and of course, busy with church and school events on most Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays. We haven't known what it's like to have more than one sit-down dinner at home a week, or what it's like to have hours to look forward to spending with each other before falling asleep.<br />
<br />
At the beginning of March, Jesse moved his schedule around so that instead of meeting on Monday nights, the high school youth group now meets on Sundays before the evening service, and instead of meeting on Tuesday nights, the college/career group now meets on Wednesdays right after the jr. high youth group. That takes 3 groups that were originally each given their own night, and condenses it down to one night a week and being at church allllllllllllll day on Sundays. (Not even kidding. Our Sunday now goes from 8am-8pm, and since we live 30 minutes from church, it doesn't make sense to go back and forth in one day).<br />
<br />
Since I was so sick last week, we didn't really get a taste of how wonderful this change is until this week. It's so exciting!<br />
<br />
I can still count on one hand the number of Monday evenings Jesse and I have spent together since we've been at Hope. Since Monday was his high school youth group night, he was with them every week--holidays included. Having him all to myself on a Monday is something entirely new!<br />
<br />
To celebrate, we went to the Staples Center to see a Clippers game. Jesse found some really great tickets for seats right on the floor. He was so excited! And that was my first NBA game, so I was excited, too :)<br />
We invited our friends Jon and Mary, and even tried a new Italian restaurant before the game. It was a great night!<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last night, we had a barbeque at home. I figured it's the only way to deal with an 85 degree day in the middle of MARCH! Anticipating our yummy feast, Jesse had marinated the steak the night before, and it was the juciest, yummiest steak I think we've ever done! We also enjoyed roasted corn on the cob and buttermilk rolls. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6EocX0fcJI/AAAAAAAAEe4/cJh0yPTPRW4/s1600-h/0316001936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S6EocX0fcJI/AAAAAAAAEe4/cJh0yPTPRW4/s320/0316001936.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>The whole night just felt like a celebration. I'm so happy that Jesse was able to move things around to make more time for us. I know it means that Sundays are more busy, but to have Jesse at home two more nights a week is amazing. I'm excited just thinking about the things we will be able to do together now. God is good!Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-763365306969457382010-03-09T13:58:00.000-08:002010-03-09T13:58:39.581-08:00Our Valentine's DayI know this is late, but here it is!<br />
<br />
After church on the 14th, Jesse and I drove up to Santa Barbara for a beautiful day in my old stomping grounds. Since we had both been sick that week, we waited until the last moment to make the decision to go. We didn't make dinner reservations, and didn't book a hotel. We figured that we were flexible as far as food goes (who says Valentine's Day has to have a candlelit dinner with roses?) and that if we decided to stay in the area (loving that the next day was another holiday!) we could spend the night at Mom and Dad's house instead of fronting a hotel bill.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://meetthebrubakers.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html">Last year</a> was our first Valentine's Day as a married couple, and the first one that Jesse wasn't sick! Our very first Valentine's Day, we spent in the emergency room because Jesse had a fever of 105! We're not against laid-back holidays :) As long as we're healthy, we're happy!<br />
<br />
Anyyyyyyyy ways, Valentine's Day was beautiful. The weather was just perfect, and we enjoyed every bit of our day.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We got to Santa Barbara around 3:00, and drove straight to the pier so that we could sit and enjoy the breeze and waves.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a7ddiK3EI/AAAAAAAAEdo/Eubny2x03h8/s1600-h/100_4952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a7ddiK3EI/AAAAAAAAEdo/Eubny2x03h8/s320/100_4952.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that we spend so many of our special days at the beach!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Santa Barbara is a special place to us, because it was one of the first dates we went on as a couple.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a75IDbeII/AAAAAAAAEeA/RbzyFzvzdsg/s1600-h/100_4947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a75IDbeII/AAAAAAAAEeA/RbzyFzvzdsg/s320/100_4947.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I made this shirt as a 'gift' for Jesse</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a7miTsh5I/AAAAAAAAEdw/QnUpPiqdBYo/s1600-h/100_4949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a7miTsh5I/AAAAAAAAEdw/QnUpPiqdBYo/s320/100_4949.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(only a guy wouldn't notice that my tag was sticking out!)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The writing on the bottom of the shirt says "He's my #1!"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a7zTCHj5I/AAAAAAAAEd4/yQrQxp079gY/s1600-h/100_4951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a7zTCHj5I/AAAAAAAAEd4/yQrQxp079gY/s320/100_4951.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My handsome man, being in four places at once :)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the Santa Barbara pier, because it's not just a pier. It's a community! Musicians bring guitars, keyboards, harmonicas, fiddles, steel kettle drums. Fishermen bring their rods and chatter while waiting for their catch. Artists set up easels and get to work, with plenty of pieces for sale nearby. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Even the homeless are creative:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(these blankets were set out right below the pierwalk so that people could toss coins while the men slept in the shade.)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a-qkg7eOI/AAAAAAAAEeY/WPmic2Pdo4o/s1600-h/100_4957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a-qkg7eOI/AAAAAAAAEeY/WPmic2Pdo4o/s320/100_4957.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">"Make a wish!"</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a-OL1kAaI/AAAAAAAAEeI/kjugdyJaYFg/s1600-h/100_4955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a-OL1kAaI/AAAAAAAAEeI/kjugdyJaYFg/s320/100_4955.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">"Why lie? Need Beer."</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a-fV1kcAI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/1No7sjgpd-4/s1600-h/100_4956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a-fV1kcAI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/1No7sjgpd-4/s320/100_4956.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">"I know the other guys have bigger blankets, but I'm new at this."</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a-2qnXYxI/AAAAAAAAEeg/_mHQ3RXkYBo/s1600-h/100_4959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5a-2qnXYxI/AAAAAAAAEeg/_mHQ3RXkYBo/s320/100_4959.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I remember this man from years ago. He makes a new sand sculpture every day. Each one is a piece of art.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">My family has been going to <a href="http://www.palazzio.com/">Palazzio</a>, an amazing Italian restaurant on State Street, for about 10 years. Whenever we had a special occassion to celebrate, we would go to Palazzio. Somehow, though, it had never worked out to be able to introduce Jesse to this special tradition. I was bent on bringing him on Valentine's Day!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When we called Palazzio to see if it was possible to make reservations, they said that they were completely booked. They suggested that we put our name on the waiting list when the restaurant opened at 5, and see what happened. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">After enjoying our lovely sunset on the pier, we went over to State Street to Palazzio. There was already a line of people outside, waiting to put their name in. Jesse looked at me like this was a hopeless cause, but I was determined. We stood in line, put our name in, and were told that it could be anywhere from one hour to two. We found cozy little niche in the wal that was still warm from the sun's heat, and enjoyed a local keyboardist as he played "My Funny Valentine," "Moon River," and other classics.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Jesse was so hungry that his food radar was going off and he was pointing out all of the other restaurants that didn't look as busy. I told him to just be patient :)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Fifteen minutes into our wait, they called our names and seated us on the patio. I was so excited! The weather was still just perfect outside, and this way, we could still enjoy the beautiful music coming from the sidewalk. Pretty soon, a man with a saxophone walked up the the guy with the keyboard, and they started playing "L-O-V-E" together. It was so perfect!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I absolutely love the family-style dinners at Palazzio, and was happy that Jesse enjoyed the food, too. (Of course, there aren't many people who <em>wouldn't</em> enjoy that food, and there isn't much of <em>anything </em>that Jesse won't eat!)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we are with our delicious pasta and amazing tiramisu--yum!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5bCcOwQNrI/AAAAAAAAEeo/WMP_Lz70Ln4/s1600-h/100_4960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5bCcOwQNrI/AAAAAAAAEeo/WMP_Lz70Ln4/s320/100_4960.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5bCjE03hLI/AAAAAAAAEew/YW4q9uwXewM/s1600-h/100_4962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5bCjE03hLI/AAAAAAAAEew/YW4q9uwXewM/s320/100_4962.JPG" vt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">At the end of dinner, our waiter came by and gave me a long stem rose! It was a perfect touch to an incredible meal. I'm so glad that it worked out that Jesse and I could come spend another special day in Santa Barbara. We don't need much to enjoy each other, but we were thankful that God worked it out that we<em> could</em> have a candlelit dinner, romantic music, and even roses on our Valentine's Day!</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-55255406852694887032010-03-08T13:58:00.000-08:002010-03-08T13:58:43.953-08:00Jr. High DYGMy very first DYG (and Jesse's 8th or something like that!) was this last weekend.<br />
<br />
For those of you who don't know what a DYG is, don't feel bad. I didn't either, until I met Jesse! DYG is the Lutheran Missouri Synod's "District Youth Gathering" that happens once a year (well, twice: one for Jr. High, one for Sr. High)<br />
<br />
Jesse was on the planning committee for this year's DYG, so he had to leave a day earlier than I did. (You can read about how sweet and amazing he is <a href="http://happyhomemakerme.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-love-my-guy.html">right here</a> )<br />
This year's Jr. High DYG was held at the Hilton in Costa Mesa (not sure whose bright idea it was to bring 250 10-14 year olds to an airport hotel!) They had fun activities for us, an awesome band, a service event, a great speaker, and lots of down time for the kids to go crazy :)<br />
My camera died 2 hours into our time there, so these are the only pictures I have right now. Hopefully, I can steal some from others to share!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5VxPeqXEII/AAAAAAAAEdA/-sJXHhAlx9E/s1600-h/100_4982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5VxPeqXEII/AAAAAAAAEdA/-sJXHhAlx9E/s320/100_4982.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Jesse playing some indoor/on the floor volleyball with our group</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5VxdeudfsI/AAAAAAAAEdI/YaFcJSBDoR0/s1600-h/100_4983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5VxdeudfsI/AAAAAAAAEdI/YaFcJSBDoR0/s320/100_4983.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of our girls decorating a sign for Hope Lutheran (represent!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5Vxq-8GLwI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/l0nONcKMOUM/s320/100_4985.JPG" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Everyone was given some of these crazy slat shades...</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5Vx556eDUI/AAAAAAAAEdY/-zkRHv3WCyk/s1600-h/100_4987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5Vx556eDUI/AAAAAAAAEdY/-zkRHv3WCyk/s320/100_4987.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Matt definitely rocked them the best!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jr. High girls are all crazy about Justin Bieber right now. They found Sharpie pens and wrote "I ♥ J.B." on their shades. I teased them that they weren't allowed to be in love with my husband!</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5VyDA_ZmHI/AAAAAAAAEdg/HUIxyxHMIMc/s1600-h/100_4988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S5VyDA_ZmHI/AAAAAAAAEdg/HUIxyxHMIMc/s320/100_4988.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I think this weekend did a pretty good job of wearing us all out!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">But we had lots of fun, and I've already heard the kids talking about going back next year :)</div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-79674278483032063552010-02-09T13:26:00.000-08:002010-03-05T13:41:47.320-08:00Oops!Oh dear me...what did I do?<br /><br />In a delirious fit of boredom and fever, I accidently deleted my beautiful blog settings last week!<br /><br />It's all a blur, but one moment, I had a layout that I loved, and the next, it was all gone, and in its place was a template. A template! A boring, old, run-of-the-mill template. My picture slide shows, my music playlists, my links, my quotes, EVERYTHING is gone.<br /><br />What did I do?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">This is my plea for help.</span> <br /><br />If you're sitting on your chair laughing at me for being so clueless, if you know that there is an easy fix, this is your cue. Tell me what I need to do to get my beloved blog back in order.<br /><br />If you're a family member who only reads my blog in email form, don't worry about this one (unless you have secret blog skills I don't know about!)<br /><br />I don't want a template, I want my layout back! Darn you, blogger. Darn you, fever!Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-16625402716327774472010-01-04T19:13:00.000-08:002010-03-05T13:41:47.328-08:00The Best Way to Begin a New Year<div style="text-align: center;">One solitary day during Christmas break...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jtSUVwnxI/AAAAAAAAEY0/-pH8x0_L9xE/s1600-h/DSCF1011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jtSUVwnxI/AAAAAAAAEY0/-pH8x0_L9xE/s400/DSCF1011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433853849375907602" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Where we didn't have a place we needed to be...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jtSksrzYI/AAAAAAAAEY8/ogWrSEYKE3U/s1600-h/DSCF1010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jtSksrzYI/AAAAAAAAEY8/ogWrSEYKE3U/s400/DSCF1010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433853853767028098" border="0" /></a><br />A thing we needed to do...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jvUgtS7dI/AAAAAAAAEZM/bxO5VG-mFJs/s1600-h/DSCF1007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jvUgtS7dI/AAAAAAAAEZM/bxO5VG-mFJs/s400/DSCF1007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433856086078844370" border="0" /></a><br />Other than just be.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jvUHQbVtI/AAAAAAAAEZE/8PLyz9yjr8o/s1600-h/DSCF1004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jvUHQbVtI/AAAAAAAAEZE/8PLyz9yjr8o/s400/DSCF1004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433856079246874322" border="0" /></a><br />Corona Del Mar is our favorite escape. We come alive at the water's edge--even if it's too cold to think about going in.<br /><br />There's just something about sitting on a blanket in the sand, with Starbucks, favorite bagels, good books, and your best friend.<br /><br />Thank You, God, that even during a Christmas break as crazy as ours, You gave us this day.<br /><br /><br />A day to smile...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jxKaRytQI/AAAAAAAAEZU/ZGh25gS37Ks/s1600-h/DSCF1003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jxKaRytQI/AAAAAAAAEZU/ZGh25gS37Ks/s400/DSCF1003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433858111577437442" border="0" /></a><br />And to be silly...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jxK-Yq2jI/AAAAAAAAEZc/sCIcXHZRTWI/s1600-h/DSCF1012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jxK-Yq2jI/AAAAAAAAEZc/sCIcXHZRTWI/s400/DSCF1012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433858121269959218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A day to enjoy the world You created for us.<br /><br /><br />And to enjoy the love You created for us<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jxLWluqKI/AAAAAAAAEZk/fCVl33KILno/s1600-h/DSCF1017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jxLWluqKI/AAAAAAAAEZk/fCVl33KILno/s400/DSCF1017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433858127767185570" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-36577411582376790092010-01-02T18:25:00.000-08:002010-03-05T13:41:47.336-08:00New Years'Jesse and I camped out on Colorado Blvd for the second time with our friends Jesse and Kelly.<br /><br />The fun thing that was different between this time and last time was:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jfGqvYyAI/AAAAAAAAEW8/R98dtEjrvhc/s1600-h/100_4651.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jfGqvYyAI/AAAAAAAAEW8/R98dtEjrvhc/s400/100_4651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433838256067758082" border="0" /></a><br />(ta daaaaaaaaaa)<br /></div><br />Last year, when they were just dating, Jesse and I slept in the middle with Kelly on my side and Jesse on Jesse's side--this year, we all got to experience the beauty of double sleeping bags!<br /><br />Here we are just after midnight:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jgJH_mW-I/AAAAAAAAEXE/ZT9aPerOAkc/s1600-h/100_4864.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jgJH_mW-I/AAAAAAAAEXE/ZT9aPerOAkc/s400/100_4864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433839397791751138" border="0" /></a><br />The Sipans<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jgJ7oamMI/AAAAAAAAEXM/qL1EM6GvQik/s1600-h/100_4865.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jgJ7oamMI/AAAAAAAAEXM/qL1EM6GvQik/s400/100_4865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433839411653155010" border="0" /></a>My nose was so cold, I'm lucky that it didn't fall off!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jhoGt4uXI/AAAAAAAAEXc/M3jay6IGfWg/s1600-h/19157_510352917926_142500326_30428623_4928463_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jhoGt4uXI/AAAAAAAAEXc/M3jay6IGfWg/s400/19157_510352917926_142500326_30428623_4928463_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433841029536594290" border="0" /></a>These are the British party crackers that Kelly and Jesse brought. Our crazy tissue paper crowns came from inside of them!<br /><br /><br />The next morning, we were all set for the parade!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jioxELIMI/AAAAAAAAEX8/tSfbl0irZA0/s1600-h/100_4875.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jioxELIMI/AAAAAAAAEX8/tSfbl0irZA0/s400/100_4875.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433842140415992002" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jioQPSCRI/AAAAAAAAEX0/LPuQXLfcva8/s1600-h/100_4874.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jioQPSCRI/AAAAAAAAEX0/LPuQXLfcva8/s400/100_4874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433842131604211986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jinaI9mRI/AAAAAAAAEXk/bKSb3WC_p0c/s1600-h/100_4871.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jinaI9mRI/AAAAAAAAEXk/bKSb3WC_p0c/s400/100_4871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433842117082192146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jin0ECEsI/AAAAAAAAEXs/ZXVF4PUCh5A/s1600-h/100_4872.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jin0ECEsI/AAAAAAAAEXs/ZXVF4PUCh5A/s400/100_4872.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433842124040835778" border="0" /></a>Pilot Chesley Sullenberger (The "Hero of the Hudson") was the Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade<br /><br />This is the float that Jesse's youth group helped decorate...but the day they did that was the same day as Papa's funeral<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jnSVFN8CI/AAAAAAAAEYE/_4msfqsD41w/s1600-h/100_4884.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jnSVFN8CI/AAAAAAAAEYE/_4msfqsD41w/s400/100_4884.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433847252505194530" border="0" /></a><br />This was one of my favorite floats...I just think it's so cute!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jnTC9KQLI/AAAAAAAAEYM/ypnOyy2qAJc/s1600-h/100_4901.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jnTC9KQLI/AAAAAAAAEYM/ypnOyy2qAJc/s400/100_4901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433847264819429554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This was also one of our favorites...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jnTkKtlRI/AAAAAAAAEYU/7QuGZYeELaY/s1600-h/100_4909.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jnTkKtlRI/AAAAAAAAEYU/7QuGZYeELaY/s400/100_4909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433847273734640914" border="0" /></a>How do you not smile when you see a pug dog snowboarding on Colorado Blvd? :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jnUOk4rYI/AAAAAAAAEYc/-JRS9RvU6FQ/s1600-h/100_4910.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jnUOk4rYI/AAAAAAAAEYc/-JRS9RvU6FQ/s400/100_4910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433847285118709122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And check it out--it's Jackie Chan!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jnf3YLvxI/AAAAAAAAEYk/rJ_yYZiIi3U/s1600-h/100_4918.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jnf3YLvxI/AAAAAAAAEYk/rJ_yYZiIi3U/s400/100_4918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433847485049847570" border="0" /></a><br />We had a great time watching the parade<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jpdFgl2jI/AAAAAAAAEYs/iSlpuOmp_VY/s1600-h/100_4881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jpdFgl2jI/AAAAAAAAEYs/iSlpuOmp_VY/s400/100_4881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433849636326857266" border="0" /></a><br />Happy New Year!<br /></div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-55065259559517938052009-12-26T18:04:00.000-08:002010-03-05T13:41:47.345-08:00ChristmasOur Christmas 2009 was shadowed by Papa Chuck's death two days before, but instead of being filled with sorrow, we rejoiced in his <a href="http://happyhomemakerme.blogspot.com/2009/12/good-news.html">homecoming</a> and celebrated a quiet little Christmas.<br /><br />Jesse, Momma B and I drove up to Oxnard on Christmas Day to be with family. It was a very different kind of Christmas, but we were all blessed by being together.<br /><br />Bianca brought the tamales we had made together, and we enjoyed those while opening gifts and sharing memories. Ami, Uncle Todd, Aunt Paula, and Uncle David all came, too.<br /><br /><br />Even though I didn't manage to take any other pictures, here are some pictures of the Brubaker's Christmas Eve!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jc_Qs8AFI/AAAAAAAAEWc/oi6LAPA-zVA/s1600-h/100_4856.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jc_Qs8AFI/AAAAAAAAEWc/oi6LAPA-zVA/s400/100_4856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433835929795821650" border="0" /></a>Our second married Christmas!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jc_8IHK5I/AAAAAAAAEWk/RLY5QrVnapE/s1600-h/100_4858.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jc_8IHK5I/AAAAAAAAEWk/RLY5QrVnapE/s400/100_4858.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433835941452524434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jdAet0mzI/AAAAAAAAEWs/-wvD4xXhY6Q/s1600-h/100_4860.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jdAet0mzI/AAAAAAAAEWs/-wvD4xXhY6Q/s400/100_4860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433835950737496882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jdA3zo0II/AAAAAAAAEW0/Qpj61Bpbv0E/s1600-h/100_4862.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/S2jdA3zo0II/AAAAAAAAEW0/Qpj61Bpbv0E/s400/100_4862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433835957472776322" border="0" /></a>I had told Jesse that when I was a little girl, I always used to "forget" to bring my pajamas whenever I went to visit Ami. She loves satin pajamas, and has a beautiful collection of delicate, soft, cuddly satin pajamas. I was so surprised when one of his gifts to me was my very first, very own set of satin pajamas! ♥<br /><br />Merry Christmas!Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-84499282610076765912009-11-24T09:49:00.000-08:002010-03-05T13:41:47.353-08:00Kansas Trip! (it's about time...)We've been home for over a month, but here it finally is! What a crazy month this has been!<br /><br />Momma B rented a car for the trip, and the three of us made the 24 hour drive together. We left good ol' Cali on Thursday, November 5th, and arrived in Derby, Kansas, the next day. We met Aunt Leann and Uncle Tom (Bianca's sister and brother-in-law) there, took a quick nap at their house, and then caravanned up to Kansas City, Missouri, where we spent the weekend with Momma B's cousins from all over the country! It was fun to meet them and get to know more about Jesse's side of the family (of course, he hadn't met most of them until the same day I did, so we're kind of even in that respect!)<br /><br />We went with the cousins to a really nice steak restaurant the first night (Friday), and on the way home, the hotel chauffeur who had driven us there took us on a mini tour of Kansas City's historical homes. It was quite the tour! He seemed to really enjoy being able to share the homes with us. Some of them were so big, I couldn't believe it. Very ornate and old. We don't have homes that old around here!<br /><br />The next morning, we got up bright and early to meet the cousins at the Midwest Genealogy Center so that we could do research on the Jackson side of Bianca's family (her grandparents). It was an interesting 6+ hours of research! Here's a picture of Jesse pouring over family records:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Swwe99yAJ7I/AAAAAAAAERI/xQLi4RdsqxY/s1600/100_4557.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Swwe99yAJ7I/AAAAAAAAERI/xQLi4RdsqxY/s400/100_4557.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407731302470264754" border="0" /></a>And here we are outside of the Genealogy Library where all the research was conducted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2b5RNecWI/AAAAAAAAETc/Rjbud6jUoO8/s1600-h/100_4558.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2b5RNecWI/AAAAAAAAETc/Rjbud6jUoO8/s400/100_4558.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417157334971347298" border="0" /></a><br />That night, we enjoyed some amazing food at <a href="http://www.jazzkitchens.com/wb/">Jazz</a>. These are the only pictures I have of it, but we had a blast! Just a fun atmosphere with a live jazz band, and amazing Louisiana-style food. YUM!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2dJMDgHXI/AAAAAAAAETk/_hufpTojQSk/s1600-h/100_4560.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2dJMDgHXI/AAAAAAAAETk/_hufpTojQSk/s400/100_4560.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417158707976871282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2dJeL3FQI/AAAAAAAAETs/9C1P8xqibUo/s1600-h/100_4562.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2dJeL3FQI/AAAAAAAAETs/9C1P8xqibUo/s400/100_4562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417158712843769090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next morning, after being treated to a beautiful brunch at the Westin by cousins Susan and Celia, we said goodbye to Momma B's side of the family and headed down to Wichita, Kansas, to see Jesse's dad's side of the family.<br /><br />But not before finding a Crayola store right next to the Westin!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2eZx08KAI/AAAAAAAAET0/q1iKnjXROJY/s1600-h/100_4559.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2eZx08KAI/AAAAAAAAET0/q1iKnjXROJY/s400/100_4559.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417160092505876482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Or playing in the fountains right out side of it... :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2eaysyzPI/AAAAAAAAEUE/dQK9Mst2ZxY/s1600-h/100_4572.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2eaysyzPI/AAAAAAAAEUE/dQK9Mst2ZxY/s400/100_4572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417160109920013554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2eaaINJWI/AAAAAAAAET8/k_hffa30eI4/s1600-h/100_4565.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2eaaINJWI/AAAAAAAAET8/k_hffa30eI4/s400/100_4565.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417160103324099938" border="0" /></a><br />Farewell, Kansas City, Missouri!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2fZe4AmiI/AAAAAAAAEUM/YTgLXZsTtt8/s1600-h/100_4581.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2fZe4AmiI/AAAAAAAAEUM/YTgLXZsTtt8/s400/100_4581.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417161186930104866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And...hello, Charlie!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2fZxq8AWI/AAAAAAAAEUU/MIA6WRCaKYo/s1600-h/100_4584.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2fZxq8AWI/AAAAAAAAEUU/MIA6WRCaKYo/s400/100_4584.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417161191975551330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jesse just loves his one and only cousin (who you may remember from our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?page=6&aid=2011367&id=142500333#/photo.php?pid=30360649&id=142500333">wedding</a>)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2faShIAuI/AAAAAAAAEUc/rxWrNedWab0/s1600-h/100_4587.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2faShIAuI/AAAAAAAAEUc/rxWrNedWab0/s400/100_4587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417161200792765154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2famlr9GI/AAAAAAAAEUk/tDwqgnHJXrQ/s1600-h/100_4588.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2famlr9GI/AAAAAAAAEUk/tDwqgnHJXrQ/s400/100_4588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417161206180607074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Who wouldn't? He is just the cutest thing!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2gj58PY_I/AAAAAAAAEUs/Cw5jAmmaYtk/s1600-h/100_4591.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2gj58PY_I/AAAAAAAAEUs/Cw5jAmmaYtk/s400/100_4591.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417162465505928178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2gkZYc-aI/AAAAAAAAEU0/38dU3MtT-1g/s1600-h/100_4595.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2gkZYc-aI/AAAAAAAAEU0/38dU3MtT-1g/s400/100_4595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417162473945758114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2gkjQyOnI/AAAAAAAAEU8/WCtNTT1P768/s1600-h/100_4597.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2gkjQyOnI/AAAAAAAAEU8/WCtNTT1P768/s400/100_4597.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417162476597951090" border="0" /></a><br />We stayed at Aunt Alice's on Sunday night and enjoyed some Charlie-time, as well as hanging out with Jesse's dad and Diana when they finished their bridal expo that afternoon. Can't believe that we hadn't seen any of them since our wedding! (And that didn't really count as quality time).<br /><br />For some stupid reason, I don't have any other pictures from that night. Guess they just weren't as cute as Charlie :)<br /><br />The next morning, Jesse's dad picked us up and took us to Wichita's <a href="http://www.worldtreasures.org/">Museum of World Treasures.</a> It was a really cool experience. We happened to be there on the 20th anniversary of the coming down of the Berlin Wall, and the museum had a segment of the wall. We met the founder of the museum and talked with him about the wall's history, and then while we were upstairs, we got to watch as three different news crews filmed him talking about the importance of the day. It was pretty cool!<br /><br />Here are Jesse and his dad outside of the museum:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2jk0amOzI/AAAAAAAAEVE/eyYkQU37p-A/s1600-h/100_4613.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2jk0amOzI/AAAAAAAAEVE/eyYkQU37p-A/s400/100_4613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417165779737393970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And the two of us<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2jlC9BMZI/AAAAAAAAEVM/YEiacczBdOE/s1600-h/100_4614.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2jlC9BMZI/AAAAAAAAEVM/YEiacczBdOE/s400/100_4614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417165783639863698" border="0" /></a><br />After enjoying hours at the museum, we went over to Dad Chris's house for a while. On the drive over, he mentioned how they had put a picture from our wedding in their living room. I applauded them and admitted that we hadn't gotten that far yet.<br /><br />Imagine my surprise when we walked in and I saw THIS!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2lnCZVQ5I/AAAAAAAAEVU/U3W0n9Jd0ic/s1600-h/100_4619.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2lnCZVQ5I/AAAAAAAAEVU/U3W0n9Jd0ic/s400/100_4619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417168016873178002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I was speechless. This is the biggest I've ever seen myself. And in my in-laws' living room! Granted, it is also their studio, and this is one of their newest products they are advertising, but STILL! It was so big that I could see my contact lenses :)<br /><br />Pretty funny!<br /><br />This is the view from Chris's back door. Isn't it gorgeous? I think more Californians would be at peace if they had backyards like this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2lnaqr-SI/AAAAAAAAEVc/aw6XwvRYivM/s1600-h/100_4616.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2lnaqr-SI/AAAAAAAAEVc/aw6XwvRYivM/s400/100_4616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417168023388420386" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our short visit with Jesse's dad's side of the family was at its end that night.<br /><br />Goodbye, Charlie!<br /><br />Goodbye, Aunt Pam!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2loQNiNbI/AAAAAAAAEVs/wJbty_en5KA/s1600-h/100_4628.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2loQNiNbI/AAAAAAAAEVs/wJbty_en5KA/s400/100_4628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417168037761660338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Goodbye, Dad!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2lohZtwmI/AAAAAAAAEV0/zMvkH9FLo3w/s1600-h/100_4629.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/Sy2lohZtwmI/AAAAAAAAEV0/zMvkH9FLo3w/s400/100_4629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417168042376151650" border="0" /></a><br />That night, Jesse and I drove back to Derby, Kansas, to join Momma B again and spend our last night out in KS with Aunt Leanne and Uncle Tom (and their 12 black russian terriers.) We did an early Christmas gift exchange, enjoyed some time catching up, and got some much needed sleep before beginning our 26 hour trek back homeward.<br /><br />It really was a wonderful trip. It was great to see family we hadn't seen in 1.5 years, exciting to meet new family we had never seen before, and enjoy the beautiful countryside that was outside of windows the whole trip.Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-28426046786427393462009-11-18T18:31:00.000-08:002010-03-05T13:41:47.361-08:00Thoughts from Two Years AgoI found this today, and it made me smile. I'm so thankful for the changes that have taken place in the last two years--that I've gone from breathlessly anticipating an engagement to being the happy wife I am today. Thankful for those changes, and thankful that some things<span style="font-style: italic;"> haven't</span> changed!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">November 22nd, 2007</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">So many things to be thankful about...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I remembered this morning back to a year ago today...I was so completely in love with Jesse by then, but hadn't told anyone yet (nor had we shared those feelings aloud with each other). It was a secret that made me smile, blush, and ache at the same time. I remember baking cookies for Thanksgiving, daydreaming about him the whole time, and losing track of how many teaspoons of salt I had added to the batch. My heart was singing about him, and I couldn't share it with anyone else!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Now we are soon to be celebrating one beautiful year of dating. I love him so much! And I am so thankful for him. Every day of this year has truly been a blessing. I am in love with my best friend. And now, this Thanksgiving, I'm holding another secret: we're getting married! We're not announcing it until we are officially engaged. But in my heart, I am engaged to him. I've already made that promise to him. All I want is the opportunity to love him and cherish him for the rest of my life. And he has shown the same promise to me in a thousand different ways. The only thing we are lacking is a physical symbol of our promise. But it's coming :) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I am so thankful for him! God, I thank You for putting him in my life, for giving him (and me!) the patience to wait until the right time to begin dating, for the beautiful relationship we have together, for the times we've shared with friends, and for the times we have to spend together alone, for the laughs we've shared together, and for the way that he holds me and prays with me in hard times, for the way our hands join automatically whenever we're within touching distance, for our conversations about the future, for the way You allow us to find time to spend together even in the midst of our hectic schedules, for the quiet times we share together reading, for the teamwork you've created in us--helping each other with homework and projects and commitments. I thank you for the relationships we have built with each other's families, and I thank you for Bianca. I thank you for the joy we find in merely being together, for the thrills I feel whenever he looks at me, and for the dreams we have of all of our "somedays." Thank you for providing for our every need, so that even when we don't see an immediate answer to a situation, we can trust in You and know that everything will work out with Your perfect timing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I love looking at last Thanksgiving and comparing it to this Thanksgiving, with all of the changes that have come this year. So much joy, and so many blessings. Thank You, God! Last year, I knew I loved him, and wanted to date him. This year, I know I love him, and that I want to be his wife! Looking ahead at next year, it fills me with awe to realize that we will be married, and we will be sharing our first Thanksgiving together. So many things have changed in the last year, and so many changes will be made in the year to come. Who knows? Next year, we could all be celebrating Thanksgiving at OUR house!</span><br /><br />And we did :)<br /><br /><br />On Tuesday night at Bible study, one of our friends was talking about us and said how he "went to dinner with the Brubakers." A thrill went through me, and when I looked at Jesse, he had a big smile on his face. We're not just Jesse and Bethany--the newlyweds. In the eyes of others, we're beginning to be seen as one, a set, a family. It's a beautiful thing. We are so happy!Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208500613359673693.post-28381064999627016352009-10-29T14:26:00.000-07:002010-03-05T13:41:47.368-08:00Catching UpIt's been a busy month, and the snowball effect always detains me from blogging when I feel like I get too far behind! I've got to work on that habit...<br /><br />Anyway, by the end of September, we were all birthday-ed out! In the span of a few weeks, my family celebrates my Sister Kate's birthday on August 2nd, my brother Jon's on August 6th, Jesse's on August 20th, Papa Don's on August 22nd, Momma Bianca's on September 8th, and my birthday on September 27th. Whew!<br /><br />On the Friday before my birthday, Jesse came to the school where I was subbing for 7 weeks (over as of Oct. 16th--I miss them). He surprised me with a vase of flowers and cookies for all of my students! What a guy :) The kids loved getting to meet "Mr. Brubaker" (the formality really threw Jesse off, but how can they have a Mrs. Brubaker who is married to Jesse? It doesn't work in their brains!). Jesse even read Green Eggs and Ham to them, to the delight of all!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoK9GVABvI/AAAAAAAAELw/1n0uxr8C3uM/s1600-h/100_4417.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoK9GVABvI/AAAAAAAAELw/1n0uxr8C3uM/s400/100_4417.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398139148143953650" border="0" /></a><br />Birthday flowers from my handsome guy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoLZdIHOwI/AAAAAAAAEL4/OtbYZ0_soEA/s1600-h/100_4422.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoLZdIHOwI/AAAAAAAAEL4/OtbYZ0_soEA/s400/100_4422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398139635300252418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That evening, family gathered at our house to celebrate the September birthdays--Momma B's and mine.<br /><br />Here are some pictures from that evening:<br /><br />Laura and Kate chilling on the couch<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoMzSHce2I/AAAAAAAAEMA/X_ZHjvJjgAQ/s1600-h/100_4428.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoMzSHce2I/AAAAAAAAEMA/X_ZHjvJjgAQ/s400/100_4428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398141178532887394" border="0" /></a><br />Then Mom stole Kate away to go over financial scholarships and all that fun stuff...<br /><br />So Laura and I played with the camera.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoMzxP6QfI/AAAAAAAAEMI/XFLwx56Ga0A/s1600-h/100_4432.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoMzxP6QfI/AAAAAAAAEMI/XFLwx56Ga0A/s400/100_4432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398141186889892338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Jesse joined us and started telling us to pose for different scenarios.<br /><br />"Smile like someone just said you're pretty."<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoM0AzPiHI/AAAAAAAAEMQ/jPFe6zZyMr8/s1600-h/100_4446.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoM0AzPiHI/AAAAAAAAEMQ/jPFe6zZyMr8/s400/100_4446.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398141191064619122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"Smile like someone just said your brother is cute."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoM0u4nOoI/AAAAAAAAEMY/asfiFVtAxZA/s1600-h/100_4447.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoM0u4nOoI/AAAAAAAAEMY/asfiFVtAxZA/s400/100_4447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398141203435174530" border="0" /></a>...yeah...<br /><br /><br /><br />Birthday cake!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoOAFinPYI/AAAAAAAAEMg/JhvOdUy716w/s1600-h/100_4457.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoOAFinPYI/AAAAAAAAEMg/JhvOdUy716w/s400/100_4457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398142498007104898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Das Mommas<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoOAkk-rJI/AAAAAAAAEMo/8U91zUv1LMY/s1600-h/100_4456.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoOAkk-rJI/AAAAAAAAEMo/8U91zUv1LMY/s400/100_4456.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398142506338528402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We had a good night!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On my actual birthday, Jesse and I went to Disneyland (yay for free birthday passes!) with our friends Tyler and Stacey Stover. The Stovers go to our church, and have been married about the same time we have. We love them!<br /><br /><br />Jungle Cruise!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoO2HRfHZI/AAAAAAAAEMw/C04eCVusTcs/s1600-h/100_4460.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoO2HRfHZI/AAAAAAAAEMw/C04eCVusTcs/s400/100_4460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398143426185076114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoO2pXhTzI/AAAAAAAAEM4/-4o_ScCzQpE/s1600-h/100_4462.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoO2pXhTzI/AAAAAAAAEM4/-4o_ScCzQpE/s400/100_4462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398143435337191218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Jesse was a dork and turned his hat inside out for Mr. Toad's crest ("Semper Absurda")<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoPbRAd6aI/AAAAAAAAENA/UQxg-6VUTsQ/s1600-h/100_4463.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoPbRAd6aI/AAAAAAAAENA/UQxg-6VUTsQ/s400/100_4463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398144064453208482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Group shot!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoPbikgyhI/AAAAAAAAENI/PVSWW5m8FzY/s1600-h/100_4465.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoPbikgyhI/AAAAAAAAENI/PVSWW5m8FzY/s400/100_4465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398144069167794706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />They gave me a birthday pin!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoP0_dKTTI/AAAAAAAAENQ/Pxe2Ki_82u8/s1600-h/100_4469.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoP0_dKTTI/AAAAAAAAENQ/Pxe2Ki_82u8/s400/100_4469.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398144506418318642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Jesse tried to get me to go out and do the birthday dance with all the birthday kids, but I'm a boring person.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoQLUHCJbI/AAAAAAAAENY/uKEix5AraOk/s1600-h/100_4478.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoQLUHCJbI/AAAAAAAAENY/uKEix5AraOk/s400/100_4478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398144889919776178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I would much rather be right here!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoQWmt1OVI/AAAAAAAAENg/s5cxFvrbIag/s1600-h/100_4484.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lpX5lseuud0/SuoQWmt1OVI/AAAAAAAAENg/s5cxFvrbIag/s400/100_4484.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398145083892906322" border="0" /></a>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03155402602729763943noreply@blogger.com0