San Francisco 2015

Just got back from the most fabulous long weekend away.

My OB told Ben and me to get away for a few days before this baby boy arrives, so we took his advice and booked our trip to San Fran to visit Chase and Carolyn.  That doc knows what he is talking about, because it is just what we needed.

San Francisco may just be my new favorite place. It is the most picture perfect, gorgeous place that I have ever been to.  Get ready for an overload of pictures in this post, because it is impossible to choose just a few.

We arrived Wednesday afternoon in time for a lunch on the patio in their neighborhood, a walk to the park, a power nap on the couch, and then a delicious dinner near their apartment.

Thursday we ate the most delicious brunch (bacon, french toast, chipotle eggs benedict, chai tea lattes...) then went to Crissy Field to see the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and walk around a bit.  

After, we went to ride the cable car down to fisherman's wharf.  We shopped around, visited Ghiradelli for a milkshake, Chase and Ben tasted the "world's hottest hot sauce", and ate chowder (and tomato soup for me) out of the famous sourdough bread bowls. Yum.  

We hopped on the evening ferry for a night tour of Alcatraz. The views of the city and the sunset from "the rock" were unbelievable. I definitely would recommend that to anyone and everyone.  Even our new "local" friends loved it!

Friday was another busy and fun day.  We started the day with yummy coffee and pastries at one of their favorite neighborhood spots.  

Then we packed our bags and headed across the Golden Gate Bridge (!) to Muir Woods to check out the redwood forrest.  It was beautiful and unlike anywhere that I have ever been to.  We had lots of fun taking pictures with our "selfie sticks" and cracking ourselves up being total goofballs. 

After the forrest, we found an amazing pit stop on our way to the beach.  This gorgeous overlook to the Golden Gate Bridge and the whole city of San Francisco.  Incredible.  

Then we headed to Rodeo Beach for a late lunch and beers (not me!) on the beach.  The beach was amazing.  Black sand, cliffs flanking both sides, and surfers to watch.  

We hightailed it off the beach to Sausalito to have cocktails, appetizers, and watch the sunset.  We had the perfect seat on the patio at a restaurant on the water.  We stayed all night and watched the sunset.  It was the perfect evening.  These pictures are amazing and they don't even begin to do it justice. 

 We had a bit of a rock thrown in our plans (pun intended) Saturday when we went to get the car and it had been broken into.  Luckily, the only thing stolen was some dry cleaning that we actually found dumped out right up the road.  Fortunately they were able to get the windows fixed within a couple of hours and all in all, it definitely could have been worse.

After dropping the car, we walked up to Alamo Square to see the Full House house aka "the Painted Ladies".  It was a beautiful day and the park was gorgeous.  We got some delicious ice cream to walk home with  (snickerdoodle flavor! I was in heaven) and then headed to Union Street for cocktails and to watch the UVA game.

We ended the perfect weekend with an Italian dinner on the patio at the cutest place.  It was the cherry on top to a wonderful trip.

 Ben and I were talking about what part of the trip was our favorite, and honestly, we couldn't decide.  This trip was amazing and perfect.  So grateful to our "travel agents", Chase and Carolyn.  They were the best hosts, awesome tour guides, and they made this weekend such a blast.  We never stopped laughing the whole time and got to see everything we wanted to and more.  Thanks so much sweet friends.  Love yall.

Sorry- boring couple of weeks...

Haven't posted much since the new year.. Sorry about that.

We got sick again last week... flu-like virus plus strep throat does not make for a very fun week.  

Lots of snuggles and sleeping is what has been going on around here.  Hopefully this crud gets better soon!

Cute little Heineys

A little late, but loved having these 2 little rascals together the other weekend...

I don't think it gets any cuter.

Happy New Year!!

2014 was amazing and I think 2015 is lining up to maybe be even better!

We celebrated New Years Eve with the Chanceys in Monroe.  It was a low key night, but always fun when the 4 of us are together.  Jan made us black eyed peas and collards on New Years day, so hopefully we are lucky AND rich this year!

2014 feels like a big blur.  Our first whole year of being parents, working full time, traveling, weddings.. We have been busy.  I think it has been the fastest year ever.  I kind of need time to slow down.

There is not much I would change about this life we are living, but I do have some resolutions/goals for 2015.  I figured it might help keep me accountable to write them down here and next year I can check back in and see how I did.

•  Be more organized- at work, at home, in all areas of my life.  (Ben will laugh when he reads this, but I am really going to try!)
• Be more crafty/motivated with my DIY projects and actually FINISH what I start (another Ben will laugh at)
• Get better at printing/doing something with the millions of pictures that I take
• Be more thoughtful- sending cards/notes to people "just because", remembering birthdays/anniversaries before the day of so I can get something in the mail to people, etc
• Walk Wrigley more often- this will be good for me and for her! Poor dog is so neglected these days...
• Be more faithful about going to church
• Budget and SAVE

I think that's a good start for 2015! 

Happy New Year Everyone!

Kate Lately

It seems like forever since I've done a "Kate Update".  After the month to month pictures during the first year, it is easy to forget to document all the milestones and new things she is doing.  

She changes and learns new things daily.  It's amazing watching her figure things out and learn new "tricks"  I feel like she has really turned into a toddler in the past month or 2.  Where did my baby girl go?

We are still battling with keeping her healthy.  We do nebulizer treatments, inhaler, and singulair every day to try to keep those lungs healthy this winter.  She has been sick a lot, but man, she is just the happiest and most content gal.

She has lots of words and seems like she is learning more daily- "up please", "more more", "happy" (my favorite), "hi", "bye", "dog" (sort of), "nose", "eye", "mama", "dada", "daddy", "hot", "nana", (for banana), "no".  There may be a few more, but those are her favorite :)

She loves to dance, watch baby einstein, eat snacks out of her snack cup (her new security blanket, ha!), push things around the house, anything with music, feed herself with a spoon (very messy, but pretty cute), and she still loves her binky more than anything in the world.

Christmas in C'ville

We headed up to Charlottesville Tuesday night after work and arrived shortly before midnight.  Kate did great in the car (slept most of the way) and Ben and I entertained ourselves listening to the Serial podcast.  Have yall listened to it?  So good...

Christmas Eve we chilled out most of the day in our PJ's playing with the babies.  I'm embarrassed to say that we did watch The Interview.  It's as bad as you thought it would be and definitely not the movie to get you in the Christmas spirit! ha!  After that we had our annual Christmas eve dinner of Beef Tenderloin, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls... YUM.  Doesn't get better than that.  The McCreary crew joined us which was so much fun.  We literally didn't take 1 picture on Christmas Eve... 

I was one happy girl to be hanging with these 2 cuties... Gave me a little practice.  Kate was not very happy to see me holding another baby.  Uh-oh!

Christmas morning came and we got up and ate lots of gunk roll and egg casserole (our other tradition)  After stuffing our faces and relaxing for a bit, Jack and Kate were both ready for naps, so presents didn't really happen until afternoon.  Probably the most exciting present of the day was dad getting a BIKE.. I have a feeling Christmas morning will be MUCH different next year!

Our last day at home was BEAUTIFUL.  65 degrees in Virginia the day after Christmas?  I'll take it! We got the most special treat of having a play date with my 2 life long friends and their 2 little nuggets.  How lucky are we that our babies get to grow up together too?  There was way too much cuteness in 1 room... Their moms and their grandmas are my most favorite people as well... This was my happy place.

 We also got to see Meg, Dick, Claire, Javi, and Uncle Pete for lunch and an afternoon at home.  We hung out at the house and played outside some. Ben and I were in our usual routine of trying to scare people with our mask during their naps.  I think it was the week of failed attempts.  Maybe next time?

We had a little party at the Woods on Saturday night for Katie and Brendan.  One last chance to see all of my favorite people.  Such a fun week.

This trip went way too fast. Kate loves being at DiDi and MRG's house... Who wouldn't?

Sunday we left literally at the crack of dawn (5am...)  My Ben is such a trooper and drove the whole way without complaining once.  Love our daddy.  I sat in the back with this diva gal who only slept about 45 minutes of this whole 8 hour adventure.  She was happy though!

Home by 1 and a family nap was definitely in order.  Happy to be back in Athens, but sad to say goodbye to everyone and this amazing and magical holiday season.