Palm Desert, CA Trip

Well, this was already three weeks ago, but here are some photos! The husband had a business conference in Palm Desert, which is about 2 hours from where my parents live in Southern California. We flew out a day early to spend time with my parents and then we were off to Palm Desert the next day for the rest of the weekend. My parents joined us out there and we had a great time exploring the area.

The conference kept Ray quite busy, so Benjamin and I were with my parents most of the time during our Palm Desert stay. Luckily, we had a nice hotel room and an enormous hotel area to roam about. We also explored the Living Desert (zoo), a large Farmer's Market at the local college, ate lots of delicious food I miss so much and took advantage of some hotel perks.

Before heading to Palm Desert during Benjamin's naptime (he's a great car sleeper), we visited Grandpa at work and got to go in a "kuck!" Basically the highlight of Benjamin's life right there.

The Living Desert was fun to visit and we each were able to feed a real, live giraffe! My dad shot a video of the feeding, too.

Our hotel had boats that took you out into the marina area and we went on that a few times. Lots of shoulder rides from grandpa.

We played some mini golf at our hotel, rode the boat with Dad when he was off work for the weekend and did a little swimming before heading back to LA to catch our flight.

Another California trip down. Another couple plane flights on the books. I really wish I would've kept track of all Benjamin's traveling... would've been cool to count up the hours and note that in his journal. Our next flight will be in 1.5 weeks! We're off to Puerto Rico for what will be Benjamin's final flight as a kid under 2 (otherwise known as his last free flight). Traveling will be a lot less frequent now that our plane costs are increasing 33%. Gulp.

The Motherland Visits

We spent a chunk of time in California this month. I'm sorry I didn't contact all my California friends, but it's just tricky when the goal is to spend time with my family and I saw just about all of you when we were out last in October... Though I was thinking of you all...

The husband was away in Germany on business and that left me with an entire week to escape to the Motherland where it practically rains good Mexican food. Three cheers to that.

We had a nice time hanging out and relaxing. Not a lot to speak on, just lots of love and family time. So I'll leave it to the pictures and a little bit of commentary.

We spent some time at the Long Beach Aquarium where Benjamin was not nearly as interested in the animals as he was the people. Like most places we go... but it was special to spend that time together.

I think the highlights were splashing the water (that animals live in) and playing at the splash pad where he kept shoving away a little girl who wanted to press the button he was guarding.

My brother and his wife came to have dinner with us one night and that was really nice. Otherwise, you're looking at Benjamin going through the doggy door and putting lots of things in his mouth... whether or not those are acceptable items to eat.

Chasing the kitty who has since passed away - outside in the garden with Grandma - out to lunch with Grandpa, Grandma & Mom - hanging out with Alison & Scotty - park with Grandma - staredown at lunch with Grandpa - first coin ride in a Batmobile - Thrifty ice cream! - riding on Grandpa's back

One of the days, we headed to the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden where we had our wedding reception nearly 5 years ago. We fed the Koi fish there, walked around, tried to touch the ducks, and stood on the bridge where we had our first dance & ate our first dinner as a married couple (Mexican food in a Japanese garden! We're so cultured!).

Two weeks later, we headed back to California with the whole family this time. Phew. I needed someone to help me wrangle the kiddo into a nap. He gets a C for the trip to California and a B- for the return flight. Hah. This time, we flew into San Diego and stayed at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad where Ray had business meetings and such. The grandparents came down again and hung out with B so we could have not one, but two date nights! Well, they were business dinners, but still! Most of the time even business dinners are spent wrangling the baby.

How cute is it that he walks to Dad with his hands out? Swoon. First time using the new swim diaper. And that rashguard? 24 months! I may have a small fry, but he's killing it in these outfits!

We visited a place called Canine Companions as an excursion through the business networking meetings and B was quite enamored by the bunnies they had at the facility. He even poked one in the eye. Other photos show our balcony, the hotel lobby, an F-18 we checked out at the Miramar Marine Corps Base where we had dinner in the Officer's Club, and Pizza Port in Carlsbad (that one's for you, Alison! Though we ate at Las Olas instead...).

We're back in the Midwest and wouldn't you know... we have no plans to leave anytime soon... err... well... until the end of the month when we go to Ohio with B's other set of grandparents and Aunt Samantha! But no plane tickets are booked for any future trips. I know, can you even believe it?

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.