Adorable Award

this makes me smile

San Diego

Here are a few pictures from my recent trip to San Diego. Oh, and did I mention - I'm going back on Wednesday! Woo hoo! I don't know why I think I deserve so many vacations.....

Two of my best girls, Alicia and Natalie, looking at a mail order groom website. There were some interesting "candidates". Or are they "merchandise"? 

I kept seeing groups of Amish/Mennonite looking people! I'm ashamed to admit that I don't know much about their cultures because I thought they didn't take vacations and San Diego definitely doesn't have any local colonies.

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think interior decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves." 

 -Anna Quindlen

I'm A Big Girl

At the ripe old age of 30, I finally have matching luggage.

I'm a big girl now.

via

Honestly, I laughed like a maniac the first time I saw this.

Like a maniac.

One Last Olympic Post

I have a gripe. These Olympics were the first in recent years to not feature baseball and softball and they were missed! The IOC voted in 2005 for the summer host city for 2012 and what games would be up for competition (read the wikipedia entry here). 

I understand that it's necessary to evaluate the various sports every few years but I am completely flabbergasted at the omission of baseball and softball! While at the gym today (yeah, I do that from time to time) ESPN was airing an old Little League World Series.......So riddle me this - there is an international stage for these events yet they are kicked out of the biggest arena? Why do I never seem to catch the World Equestrian Finals on rerun? Oh right, NO ONE CARES. Softball was introduced to maintain the gender balance, so if one of them was voted out, the other also got the pink slip. I think we would do just fine if we had less rhythmic gymnastics....it's creepy.

Don't even get me started on the Trampoline.

Harvest Time

My parents have cultivated a pretty amazing garden and employ the babies (nieces and nephews) to help them pick whenever they're in town. They LOVE picking berries! Probably because they stuff themselves silly with blackberries, raspberries, and anything else they can get their hands on.

Here's the south side of the garden

Porter found a caterpillar and carried it around until it died. Tragedy.

The vineyard! A few years ago my dad planted some grape plants and we mercilessly made fun of him. Unfortunately for us, the vines have thrived and my dad has a great "I told you so" to rub in our faces. Awesome.

No steroids, pesticides or hormones added.

The best way to keep this one distracted - a bowl full of berries. He ate and ate and ate and ate and ate.

I love my family!

The WORST

Truly one of the things that causes me to full body shudder is the thought of someone serenading me. If said event actually happens I can't do the shudder because that would be rude, so I sit there with a fake grin and try to avoid an aneurysm. It's difficult, to say the least.

The type of instrument that is being played is of no matter, I just don't want any part of any of that. I'm sure other people like being sang to, I am just not one of those people. I find it incredibly awkward and I don't know what to say or do in that situation.

I saw a movie tonight where this happened. A guy playing a guitar and singing to a girl on a first date (the horror) and I leaned over to my roommate and whispered probably a bit too loudly, "this is my nightmare!". I'm guessing everyone in the theater is now aware of this fun Rachel fact.

Meghan's Airport Arrival

Before Meghan came home from China I decided to hire Lizzie (a very talented college friend) to take photos at the airport. I am all too often the one behind the camera and I didn't want that to be the case this time. She did an AMAZING job! Truly, they turned out perfectly and are exactly what I hoped for.

I arrived about 20 minutes before Meghan and like always, the family did not disappoint. It was such a great day!

I have spotted the nieces and nephews in this photo and I'm going in for the hugs!

Meghan is home!

I love this photo - Naomi is waiting so patiently

Oh, and I love this one too. Look at their faces!

This was one of the photos Lizzie sent to me as a preview. She said that my dad was hanging back, watching his family and just seemed so content. I have to agree.

Sisters! Just missing Maria.

Grant had never met Aunt Meghan and he was a bit skeptic for the first few hours

You Only Turn One Once!

Baby Grant is one! We just love this little boy to pieces and it is an absolute joy being his Aunt.

I love the idea of letting a kid tear into their own little cake and Grant did not disappoint.

Stripped down to his diaper, ready to go!

He was hesitant, to say the least

In fact, he down right hated it! I guess it doesn't help your plight when Aunt Meghan puts frosting on your nose.

Does this really need a caption? I didn't think so.

Success! Only after his brother showed him the way though

Grant, my wish for you is that you remain as sweet and lovable as you are now. Your family loves you more than you will ever know, thank you for making it so easy!

(PS - the next few posts are going to be family/vacation posts. So what I'm saying is that it's going to be a whole lot of photos of people you may not know or care about. Just a heads up)

xoxo

Trust Fall

awesome

It Has Been A While, No?

I haven't taken such a long blogging break in years! I have no reason, no excuse other than it fell out of my routine, I suppose.

I was in Utah and California for three weeks (!) and had a marvelous time. It was wonderful to welcome home my sister and then my brother, and get in a lot of good family time before returning to my Coast. One of the best parts though, was connecting with friends that I don't get to see all that often.

I was able to spend a few hours with my dear, dear friend, Kristy. I love this girl! We used to run San Diego! I don't even want to try to calculate all the hours watching trashy MTV reality shows, boxes of mac 'n cheese and pints of Ben and Jerry's consumed, movies at the drive in, and Wendy's frosties that I have had with this lady. We haven't seen each other in years and it was like we didn't skip a beat. I was able to meet her beautiful family and fell in love pretty darn quick. It was just amazing luck that we were in San Diego at the same time.

Speaking of luck - Tira was also in town! She and her family live in Boston now and I haven't made the trek up there yet so it was great to luck out and both be in San Diego. Tira and I met in 11th grade and we sat next to each other in Ms. Henderson's AP American History class. The class was a disaster - maybe because we had too much fun in it to pay attention. I love this girl, she always reminds me of good, happy times.

Danica! I had breakfast with Danica and her amazing sister Madi (and Becca was there as well but I see Becca often. I saw her today, in fact). Danica and I went to college together but we didn't really run in the same circles. I would say that we became a lot closer through social media. Holler! Blogging, Facebook, Pinterest and videos of cats have been the catalyst for what I think is an awesome friendship. I love this girl and I am grateful we were able to make it work for breakfast while I was in town and hopefully I'll always get a bit of Danica time whenever I return to Utah.

Up next, my girl Aubry. This is one of my few successful internet relationships. Some people prefer to not have friends that mirror them but when it comes to Aubry it is a joy. We were able to meet up for dinner and it was fabulous! I had to skeedaddle back up to Logan but I'm pretty sure we could have just kept refilling our drink glasses and chatted for hours and hours longer. Love this girl. Seriously. LOVE.

I was able to cram in SO much love on this trip - how lucky am I?!?

Also worthy of a mention (but let's face it, I see y'all a lot more often) I got to go to a wonderful baby shower for my darling friend Ashley and that lead to a get together with some of the best ladies I have ever known. Thank you Kat, Shanna, Becca, Ashley, Bryton, and Charlotte. Always a pleasure to be with loved ones who leave you better than they found you.