Nashville & California

Pretend like this post isn't super overdue, mmmkay?

As expected, we saw a ton of people we love and that means we have tons of photos to share. If you don't want to see a trillion photos of the B-monster and his adoring familia, this is likely the post that will never end for you. If you are said familia, this post will rock your socks off.

Can't please everyone. ;)

Nashville was short and sweet. We did a little exploring and listened to some country music and then scooted out pretty quickly. We were there less than 48 hours in total and hopped on a plane from Nashville to California for a very late night with the ol' time change working against us. I really hoped I could meet Molly, but unfortunately she doesn't live anywhere near Nashville and therefore it would have required an intense drive with a 6-month old, by herself. I know how hard that is, so that ended up being a no-go. Note to self: just because you're visiting a state someone lives in that you know, it doesn't mean they are going to be close to your location. Kind of like when people used to ask my husband (who was an Air Force Academy grad and Officer) if he knew their uncle/cousin/sister/nephew/whoever that is also in the Air Force.

Tangent complete. Here's the quick rundown of Nashville before I lose any more readers.

Benjamin meets the King. Yet, he cannot be bothered.

Just before they started setting up to film the TV show, Nashville. How appropriate in... Nashville.

Those are all fake I.D.s, says the bouncer.

Live music!

Las Paletas Peanut Butter Gourmet Popsicle. Similar to the gourmet popsicle place I visited in New Orleans.  With 220 five-star reviews on Yelp, I was up for it. And sure enough, it was delicious. Also bought: chocolate almond.

We took an evening flight from Nashville to California. The next morning, my best friend and matron of honor in my wedding, Alison, and her son Scotty came to visit. Scotty was born while we were living in Germany and is 2 1/2 now. His big sister Gabrielle is 8! Her photo is at the end of this post.

Nevermind the shower hair I am rockin'. This was the best picture of Alison and myself-- the kids had better pictures, but I'm vain enough to not want to post pictures of our double chins. 

Grandma photo bomb!

B's first pumpkin patch! In California of all places. Where I grew up in a very populated Los Angeles, pumpkin patches pop up in empty parking lots and vacant lots of all kinds. Throw down some hay, cart in some animals, add pumpkins and carnival rides, and you're set! Here in IL, I learned quickly that there really are such things as farms that grow pumpkins in the ground at the very place you go and pick them! Maybe next year.

"So I was just thinking..."

For a belated birthday present, my parents rented a boat to take us out on Alamitos Bay. My brother brought dinner from one of our favorite teriyaki joints and we got to meet his wife for the first time (they'll be married a year this month!). It was a really nice time! 

Fun fact: On the first day I introduced Ray to my parents back in my early 20's, we took them out kayaking in this same bay and saw moon jellies. It was a blast.

Such wonderful boys

Maybe Benjamin enjoyed his dinner. Looks like it. :)

Steering the boat with Grandpa.

My brother, his wife Anna, and the latest face B makes all the time. We think it's hilarious.

Post boat riding and dinner eating, we headed back to the pumpkin patch for more fun with Grandpa this time. Notice the attire. This is L.A., people. No long sleeved shirts or mittens like you'll see us already sporting in Chicago. It was 70+ degrees.

Grandparents + B-man

First carnival train ride with Grandpa

Weeeeee!

My, what big hands you have!

This series of photos cracks me up. I'd usually choose just one, but being that I was looking at them in order, I just had to post them all. I'm sure my dad will really appreciate them. ;)

That's funny. Something's missing...

No really. Check out his hair, it's missing!

Happy B-man and his Grandpa up way past his bedtime.

Family photo 

From my parent's house, we headed to San Diego to meet up with Ray's family for his cousin's wedding. I'm telling you, it was quite the trip... hence my excuse to insist on posting so. many. photos.

More Grandpa jokes. What is that on your chin? Hair? But why is it so... white?

Giving a little love to Ray's Aunt Helen

Aunt Helen, Aunt Ceil, B-man, Grandma

I love attention!

Pre-wedding festivities

Great Papa & Dad

Great Gramie & Gramie

Three generations of men

Hanging out with Ray's second cousins and his Aunt Jan

Wedding celebrating! Please excuse the fat mom arms. I eat a lot of chocolate.

We headed back up to L.A. after our wedding festivities ended and had lunch with our friends Nik, Solange, Caity & Oliver at one of our favorite restaurants in Hermosa Beach, El Pollo Inka. Solange is Peruvian and they introduced us to that restaurant (and others!), but Chicago doesn't have much to compare. Especially not in the 'burbs.

Caity, Ray, B-man sporting his L.A. bib. When in L.A., be like an Angelino.

Lomo Saltado and Benjamin stealing a tomato. Gotta watch him; he's sly like a fox.

Lunch crew

After lunch, we headed to Hermosa Beach (where I lived just about 7 blocks away when I met Ray) and had to dip Benjamin's feet into the Pacific! He's experienced the Atlantic and now he's touched the water of both coasts. Our friends took some awesome photos of the occasion.

Where I come from... there's corn bread and chicken amazing weather and gorgeous beaches. And a bright sun that gave me skin cancer. Okay, so it's the same sun as in the Midwest, but it sure seems more intense in the West!

Ray, B, Nik, Oliver on Hermosa Pier

My friends Alison, Nic, Gabrielle & Scotty came down to join us before we headed to LAX to catch our flight so Gabrielle could meet Benjamin. My friend from the beginning of this enormously long post? That's her daughter. I cannot believe she is EIGHT. I was in that hospital room when she was born and it still shocks me she's such a beautiful and smart second grader already.

B was pretty smitten.

If you're tired just looking at our adventures, imagine how we feel! We're staying put for awhile. This might be the first time in ages we don't have plane tickets purchased to go anywhere. Of course I can name at least 3 plane ticket purchases we will be making in the next few months, but they're not booked yet!

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Lighting a candle tonight. 23 months. Next month will mark another year. I'm sure the next month will be more emotional than usual. I ordered his ornament for the remembrance ceremony we'll be attending again this year in December. It will be an annual tradition to honor Andrew.

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I'm being featured on BlogHer's Life Homepage tomorrow! I've never been featured... anywhere! And I get to add this to the side of my blog.