Big Sur - 2011

Jessee and I have been talking about doing a "brothers camping trip" for years...and finally had our first annual trip last weekend! Nicole said it was okay to go as long as I wrote about it in the blog. So here it goes...

I had never camped in Big Sur and just wanted to spend some quality time with my older brother and get away of life's constant headaches. Although one landslide to the north and another landslide to the south made it a little more burdensome to get in, it made it much less populated with other people and much more enjoyable. My cell phone stopped working about 50 miles from our campsite which made me feel both disconnected and liberated simultaneously!

Jessee had arrived about 30 minutes before me and was already getting situated in our campsite next to a small grove of Redwood trees where two creeks converged and masked all sounds of the beach road we just exited on. We were both happy to see each other and wasted no time catching up and heading out to explore. Even though we had both been up since 4:00 am or earlier we were anxious to get into the explorations that awaited. Limekiln State Park is on the southern end of Big Sur and we first attempted to hike over a large cliff after the trail ended like typical brothers egging each other to go further and neither knowing when to say enough. It took a couple near disasters to accept that we were no match for the rugged terrain and head back to camp defeated with a quick stop at the beach to relax a little. We cracked a couple beers and watched a whale spouting about two-hundred yards off shore. She was probably enjoying the perfect weather just like we were. We took a really brief swim just to refresh before heading back to camp. After a great BBQ chicken dinner we got rested for the next day.

We attempted to explore all of Big Sur. We started by hiking a few miles up a huge incline hill for a breathtaking view on the coastline. The trail was more like an old overgrown trail and a couple guys willing to imagine where it went. Over the hill was a lush grove that pictures could not do justice and I know both Jessee and I were blown away as our constant banter stopped for about 30 minutes as we just took everything in!

We grabbed lunch down by the ocean. We walked through an old man-made hole in the cliff and settled next to a cave made by years of the waves pounding it. Beside a seal coming to see what the Ernest brothers were up to, we were once again separated from most of the human world.

The afternoon was still open so it was time for our long hike. We went up to Andrew Molera State Park and got started. After forging a small river about waist high we took the beach route. We made quick work of the first few miles and cut off to Spring trail which ended at a red sand beach... We'd never seen red sand like that before.

We moved on to the forest and overgrown terrain that few travel and we guessed no one had traveled this year yet. Beside some water snakes and garder snakes startling us, we hiked at a moderate pace, just enjoying the company and beauty that nature was letting us look into.

That night we cooked the most amazing t-bone steaks and topped it off with what every camp should have... No not whiskey (which we also had of course).... SMORES!!

I was going to leave out this final part, but it was a memorable part of the trip, plus writing everything down is what allows us to revisit these great memories. I didn't mention that Saturday we noticed Jessee's rear tire going flat and had no choice but to put in fix-a-flat since his lugs needed a lock that was no where to be found. This made our exit interesting as I followed him over the mountain exiting Big Sur. Unfortunately even when we got back into cell service range we couldnt find any open shops within a couple hundred miles, so Jessee was going to cross his fingers and head for Chico (plus we read a review that someone left fix-a-flat in for a month). I was about 30 minutes in the opposite direction when I got a call from Cara saying that Jessee had made it, not a month, but about five miles. He then locked his keys in the car with it running on the side of a deserted road with a blow out!!! We had a couple laughs as I called a tow truck. Jessee broke a piece of fence off and jimmied in the car after about 40 minutes just before the tow arrived. One shop stayed open until 1 pm and we told him to wait for one more car...please.

It was a great trip with a slightly comical ending. I loved Big Sur, getting away from work and reality for a bit, but the best part was making time for me and my brother to reconnect.

Stepping Out

Last night was a milestone for Skylar, she took her first legit steps. Jake was luring her with his iPhone and she went after it. She definitely did a face plant at the end, but it didn't seem to faze her. We are really hoping that she will be walking at her first birthday party.

Birch Aquarium - La Jolla

Well it was another fabulous weekend in San Diego! We could not of asked for better weather once the weekend hit, so when we woke up Saturday morning we decided we needed to go out and enjoy it.  After having waffles for breakfast (Skylar's favorite) Jake and I decided to take Skylar to Birch Aquarium in La Jolla.   Jake had never been before and I had gone once for a school assignment for my geography class back in college.  The early birds we are, we arrived right as it was opening, which was a good thing because it got crowded pretty quick. 

When entering Jake started looking for a map, which we quickly realized you didn’t need because isn’t very big.  Skylar seemed to enjoy looking at all the aquariums, but was easily distracted with all the kids running around.  I think she enjoyed watching all the kids more than the fish. 

We headed to the hugely advertised Shark Tank expecting to see Jaws swimming around but were disappointed to just find a couple tiger sharks in a small tank.  The Shark photo booth was definitely the highlight of any of the sharks we saw.

You can't beat the view that the aquarium has.  It sits up on the cliffs of La Jolla looking directly out to the Pacific.  Skylar really loved playing in the fake coral.  She was hoarding all the starfish from the other kids who came up and wanted to play with them.

After the aquarium we decided to take a quick stroll around La Jolla Cove before heading home.  Skylar napped while Jake and I admired the ocean which we both do miss now that we are living in the suburbs.  Luckily before we left Skylar woke up and was able to look at all the sea lions at the Children's Pool.  It was a great family outing for the three of us and we look forward to more of them as the weather just gets better.

First Pool Experience

When we moved into our new place one of the great things about the community is the pool area.  So when the temperature was over 80 last week I decided Skylar and I would enjoy the weather and go swimming. After our workout in the morning we went to Target and picked up swim diapers and a raft.  I lathered Skylar up in sunblock and packed our beach bag with towels and snacks and we headed up to the pool…but of course, nothing happened as I hoped it would.

Before entering the water

Once we arrival I noticed that Skylar had already peed in her swim diaper and had a huge wet spot on her swimsuit, so I figure it was time to hit the water.  I placed Skylar in her raft in the pool and she immediately began to scream and cry.  She hated the raft and didn't seem to be a fan of the pool.  There was a little boy, probably Skylar’s age who was also in the pool in the same raft as she who was having the time of his life, while Skylar didn't enjoy one second of it.

I decided I didn’t want to make everyone else’s time at the pool unbearable by having to listen to a screaming baby so I took Skylar out of the pool sat her on the lounge chair where she put her stone face on and didn’t perk up again until I gave her some snacks.  After she cheered up I let her cruise around the lounge chairs.  Finally in a happy mood she decides to take a big poop in her swim diaper.  Thank goodness I brought an extra swim diaper, but in my rush to get to the pool I forgot wipes.  So needless to say, we had to head home after only being there less than an hour and the pool experience I was hoping for didn’t turn out like I was picturing.  Luckily summer is just beginning and we will get another shot at it.



Before poop



Darci & Blake's Housewarming Party

Now a days it’s pretty rare when we get to see our friends so when Darci and Blake planned a housewarming party I lined up my mom to babysit like a month before because I was so excited to see everyone.   Darci and Blake got married last summer and they just purchased their first home together.  It’s a really cute 2 bedroom townhouse not too far from their old apartment.  I really think that Darci and Blake should both quit their current jobs and start an interior design company together because their townhouse was too cute for words.  

There was an amazing spread of appetizers and drinks and a good group of people had already arrived and had drinks in hand.  It was a good mix of people.  Blake's really good friends from college and their wives were there, as well as Blake's family.

   

It was New Years when we had seen Dianne and Jake last, so it was so nice to get to catch up.  Jake & Jake were attached at the hip for whole night.  Dianne and I kept seeing the two of them having these deep conversations.  It was also nice because Darci invited Kelle and John Stagnaro.  Kelle was in my sorority and her husband, John was in Jake's fraternity.  We would love to see them more often, but unfortunately don’t, so we need to work on that.  It was great chatting with Kelle and Jake even in his tipsy state on the drive home was like “Oh, I’m totally have lunch with John next week!”

There probably was about 20 people at the party and half of the girls were pregnant.  I think Dianne, Darci and I were the only ones who weren’t pregnant, so by 9:30/10:00 the party had cleared out and it was just us left.  Blake, Jake and Jake went down to Blake’s man cave to play darts while us gals just hung out in the living room and relaxed.  We missed Jackie and Bryan who couldn't make it since Lincoln was sick and of course Jenn and Matt weren't able to come out for the party since they just had a baby a week before.  Even though we don't get to see our friend very often, when we do get together it's like we never skip a beat.  I honestly think that Jake and I have some of the greatest friends anyone could ask for.  Big THANKS to Darci and Blake for being such great hosts.  It was a great night out.

S U R P R I S E ! ! !

Well last week was my birthday and it was the big 3-0.  I wasn't too depressed about turning thirty.  I feel like my life is pretty good.  I'm married, I have a baby, I have a good job, I haven't found any grey hair.  I just wanted to celebrate it but not have to plan the celebration, so I left it in Jake's hands.  I'm not going to lie I didn't expect Jake to do much.  Jake has been super busy with work and I just assumed he wouldn't have time to plan anything big.  I figured he would just take me out to a nice dinner and that would be it.

To my surprise, Jake threw me a 30th Surprise Party which was so amazing of him.  All week he had been giving me fake clues about what I thought was just going to be a dinner date.  After bringing my family into the whole game plan, he told me he had to go into the office on Saturday, which he has NEVER done before.  To which I didn't think twice about it and told him not to worry about missing the lunch celebration my parents, aunt, grandma and cousin were taking me to.  So while I'm out at lunch, Jake is running to Costco picking up all the food and liquor for the party.  He told everyone to get to our house around 1:00 to help set up.  During all this I'm just sitting at the restaurant trying not to eat too much because I know I'm going to have a big dinner later that night. 

Too say the least I walk into the house to be greeted by 30 of our friends/family in our family room saying "SURPRISE"!! I guess I was in such shock everyone told me I immediately closed the door on the whole crowd and started to tear up.

The house was decorated with all cheesy 30th Birthday decorations, there was a ton of snacks and two cakes, and of course Jake got ingredients for my favorite drink....Appletini's.  Lets not forget the life size poster Jake had professional made of me hanging on the wall.  After the champagne toast, I got to mingle with everyone and hear how Jake had been planning the party for weeks and was calling everyone a few times a week to make sure they were still coming.  Jackie and Darci helped out a bunch with giving Jake names and numbers of who to invite and Darci hide all the decorations at her house.  Jake grilled up carne and pollo asada for everyone and was doing the majority of the bartending.  By 6:30pm everyone had headed out and Jake, Skylar, Erin, Matthew and I hung out until Skylar's bedtime.

I would have to say that was one of the best surprises ever!!  I would have never expect Jake to put together something like that, and especially be able to pull it off as great as he did.  I definitely have the worlds greatest husband and couldn't of ask for a better way to spend my 30th.  I love you B!! It's going to be hard to top this birthday party, I definitly have a lot of live up to when I plan Jake's 30th later this year.

Play Date!

Now that I'm working part time it's really nice because Skylar and I are able to have more play dates.  Of course, the two main people we wanted to have a play date with was Jackie and Linc, so on Friday they both came up.  It was a beautiful day so we took the babies on a walk up to the local shopping center where we grabbed lunch and sat outside.  By the time we were walking home Linc was hungry and had himself some butternut squash at the house, while Skylar showed off her crawling skills. I think Linc really enjoy all of Skylar's toys because Jackie already wants to get him some of the same ones.  I think the highlight of the day was when Skylar decided to fart in Linc's face and then just crawl away, as if she didn't do anything.  Very unlady like if I may say, but Jackie and I were laughing so hard.  It was really fun to have the two of them together and I can't wait until they are both walking and can really run around and play.