First leg of Vaca

We flew up to Napa (specifically the Calistoga area) a couple of days before all of the wedding festivities began. It was so beautiful and relaxing....exactly what we needed! I will let the pictures do the talking...

one of my favorite things about wine country is the beautiful landscaping

early morning bike ride

view of our pool, one of the most relaxing parts of the trip...sitting poolside, reading, sipping on a sangria=aaahhhh

picnic lunch outside of oakville grocery--the best sandwiches!!

view from Barnet family vineyards, gorgeous 

only downfall of our trip up to Barnett family vineyard

wine caves

same spot, one year later!

enjoying wineries on a blue bird day (and no humidity!)

soon to be sauvignon blanc, my current summer favorite

A few shots of our suite at Solage. If you are ever in the area, this place is amazing! It is hard to leave the property because it is so beautiful and relaxing. It is pricey, but they run specials on luxurylink. 

outdoor hot tub

outdoor terrace

cute cottage feel with bikes

After 2 nights in Calistoga, we headed South to meet everyone in San Fran. On the way down, we rode Highway 1 along the coast. It was beautiful (although I did think I might get car sick several times) We stopped and at Nick's on the bay. They are known for their oysters and rightfully so....yum!

Hog Island Oysters and a draft beer...Gigi would have been proud

Next up....wedding festivities in SF

Preview of San Fran

Annie and Gary's wedding was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Here is a shot of the newlyweds:

So happy! (and don't you LOVE Annie's dress?!) she was a stunning bride

Another of my favorites:

Segway Tour, so much fun! 

More to come on our trip....

To Lane

Happy half year birthday Lane boy!! You are getting so big!!! Your daddy and I love you more than I ever thought possible. You weigh 16 pounds and 3 ounces and seem pretty tall (I am not sure exactly because the nurse didn't measure you at our last appointment, which now is bugging me because I would like to know, but oh well) You eat a lot these days...your favorite baby food is sweet potatoes and apples, you don't even mind the peas now. Your favorite things are: johnny jump up, Miss Mary who takes good care of you while we are working, your dog brother Amos (who is surprisingly tolerable of your pulling on him, poking him, etc.) and your bath play toys. I love when I come home from work and you give me the biggest smile and start babbling away telling me about your day. It always sounds pretty interesting. You are now a drool machine, but still no tooth in sight. Everything goes straight to your mouth. You also can roll from one side of the room to the other and are trying your hardest to crawl, but not quite getting it. I think you will persevere soon, and then I know I will be in big trouble! We are so thankful that God blessed us with you. We are praying that you will be a man of integrity and honesty...we pray that you know the Lord at a young age and that He will use you to show love and compassion to His people. Your smile shows me His love everyday!
Here are some pics of you at 6 months :

"Mom, I am ready to eat, NOW!"

"Can we please be through?!"

 

 His sitting up=tripod

 Playtime with Daddy:

We'll be Back...

after a week long trip to California! We are headed to our cousin Annie's wedding in San Fransisco with a couple day detour in wine country. I am so excited! We have been super busy at work this month, (such a blessing!) and I am ready for a little R&R. Annie and Gary are a precious couple and I am looking forward to celebrating their marriage. He is a California cowboy, seriously. He and his brothers run their family cattle farm and raise grass-fed beef. How cool is that?! Here is a shot of the soon-to-be Machado's:

aren't they cute?!

with the bride to be and MOB

last year in Sonoma

I will miss my sweet boy, but he is in good hands! 

My favorites of the moment

My running shoes, Karhu. Ugly, yes...comfortable, oh yea  If you are in the market for a new pair, I would highly recommend. (not for a aerobics shoe, really just a walking/running shoes as they are more light weight and would not offer as much ankle support) I also wear them at work.

Our swimming pool. To be honest, I was not excited about having a swimming pool...the upkeep, safety aspects, etc. but, I was totally wrong. We jump in for a late afternoon dip almost everyday. Lane loves it, and it really is relaxing. The only downfall is the mosquitos. We just got tiki torches with the insect repellant oil, but they are everywhere! Anyone have any tips?

Vitamin C Obagi
My SIL, Lacey recommended this as I have several brown spots on my face from pregnancy. I have only been using it for about 2 weeks and can already see improvement. It is kind of pricey though, I wonder if rubbing lemons on your face would work just as well :)


Reading: Just finishing the Hunger Games series. Seriously addicting, but different. I can't believe they are  for young adults. I think I read Caddie Woodlawn and Christy as a young adult. I also have been reading BabyWise step II. Hard to believe we are almost to the-- don't throw food on the floor, bang your plate on the table, etc. stages. For you moms out there-do you do playpen time? Right now we do blanket time, but have not started time in the playpen. I am slightly skeptical. Does time in the exersaucer count? Other good reads this summer--Unbroken by Elin Hildebrand, a few Kristin Hannah beach reads,  the Pioneer Woman's book. Next in line: All in by Gene Chizik and Summer Everlasting by Ann Brasheres (the conclusion of the Sisterhood pants, which I did read all of them)

Also, if you are in the Birmingham area, go check out Shindigs my brother's food truck. He is parked around UAB during the week (11-2) and Railroad Park on Saturdays. Here are a few shots that my sister took of his food:

banana chocolate bread pudding

salmon burger

"Chadillac" chicken sandwich with figs

YUM!!! Go try it out!!

MAS Reunion

We had a great time catching up with old friends and classmates this weekend. Here are some pictures from the events:

Friday night cookout at the Kirkpatrick home

beautiful as always

Welcome banner a mom had saved since Prom

lots of mingling and catching up

On to Saturday by the pool:

Lane meeting Evelyn, Kalee (who is holding Lane) and Dillon P's little girl. Precious. she is 10 months old

hanging with Steven

Saturday night at the Country Club:

Jeremy and Lee with their significant others

James catching up with the Drs. Tuckers (who are now Selma residents!)

Kalee, me, Mags, and Elizabeth

CARM

yes-- the teachers called us "The Dream Team" because they thought we were such a good class...little did they know!

CARM husbands, even in appropriate order! (for you Mr. Mike!)

Jamie our class Pres. accepting "the most interesting job award"...what does he do? something to do with bull semen? I never quite understood

MAS class of 2001 (minus about 30)

we then spend the evening trying to break it down Bobo style:

Today we are all worn out and doing a lot of this:

(we just received baby Einstein MacDonald farm DVD, he is mesmerized)