Goodbyes have begun...

Seeing as I'm leaving California in 8 days, the goodbyes have certainly begun. They are never easy, but as someone once told me, "just because I'm leaving California, doesn't mean my friendships end." Thankfully these words are so true. I have made amazing friends and memories in California over the past two years. The Lord has placed each person in my life for a reason and I'm confident they will all remain in my life, no matter my location.

Friday night my dear friend and co-worker, Yvonne Botta, took me out for a nice dinner. She has become my big sister and I'm going to miss her so much.

Yvonne (aka Latte)

Last night my friends/boss who brought me out to California, The Cummings, and my friends the Botta's took me out for a nice dinner. Each one of these friends have touched my life and I'm so thankful for each and every one of them.

Brent, Yvonne, Keagan, Danielle & Toby

Ezra's 1st Birthday

Meggs and I are lucky enough to be aunts to this adorable 1 year old, Ezra David Swenson. It has been so fun watching him grow and change this past year. He is so adorable and full of personality. His lovely parents, William and Jessica, threw a family birthday party for him last week.

Ezra is so lucky to have these two beautiful ladies in his life (Auntie Meggs and his mommy Jessica).

Jessica made yummy cupcakes that Ezra just loved!
What would a 1 year old birthday party be without cupcake in the hair?!

This is Ezra and his #1 pose (notice the cupcake covered hand).
Happy birthday Ezra!

I'm Seeing Spots!

Prior to moving to the Bay Area, I had only heard about my mom's "California Cousin" Vicky Failing. I first met the Failing's when I moved out here two years ago, and have been so blessed to get to know this part of my family, to have them close and to spend time with them.

The newest addition to the family... and always the life of the party is their beautiful Dalmatian, Keira. She is quite possibly the cutest puppy I've ever seen.

We had a family dinner this past Saturday at their home in San Jose. Their daughter, Lindsay (same spelling and we recently found out we were named after the same person... bear in mind our parents had not seen one another in 30 years until I moved here) and her husband Ian, came from San Francisco... with delicious persimmon cookies (a new fav)!

We always have such a great time together. I'm certainly going to miss them all!

(I love this picture of Lindsay and Keira)

Holidays in the City

Edie, Jessica, Ezra and I made our annual trip into San Francisco to do some shopping and look at all of the San Francisco holiday glamor and glory.

We braved Macy's at Union Square (on a Saturday in December mind you). I thought we were crazy but found some great deals so it was well worth it.We ventured into the St. Frances to see what all of the "Holiday Sugar Castle" fuss was about. This Castle was built in 2005. Along with many other ingredients, over 300 pounds of sugar was used to make this.

We found some good deals... and some not so great ones, but enjoyed the day and each other's company. I must note that the almost 1 year old Ezra was a trooper the whole day!

A Texas Thanksgiving

I've begun this blog just in time to capture the holidays - my favorite time of year.

2010 marks the first Thanksgiving I have not spent in Colorado. Instead I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Cliff and his family in Boerne, TX.

I arrived late Wednesday night after a long day of traveling. Thanksgiving morning I was awoken by Cliff, telling me Bev (one of the cows on the ranch) had a calf. We hurried out to see this adorable calf... whom they decided to name: Lindsay.

She is quite adorable so I'm ok with this... for now. Once she grows to the size of her mama, we'll need to re-negotiate.

The day was spent doing chores on the ranch (feeding the goats, cooing over "Lindsay", etc.), preparing our Thanksgiving feast, speding time with Cliff's family, playing Phase 10 and taking pictures by the fireplace.

It was a nice day, with many delicious turkey leftovers to be consumed the days to come.

The Beginning

As I close one chapter in life and begin to open a new one, I had the thought, thanks to Jessica and Edie, to begin a blog. My hope for this is to recap the two AMAZING years I've had in the Bay Area, while keeping my wonderful friends and family in California and Colorado up-to-date on the new adventures that will come my way.

Bear with me as I figure this whole blog thing out...