Pismo Video...

Pismo...

Our post-basketball trip to Pismo was almost completely sabotaged by my lingering throat infection (the worst of which left me unable to eat, drink, or talk for 3 whole days). Finally, after a 3rd communication with the doctor and a 2nd antibiotic, we felt confident enough in my recovery to head to the coast, and we are so glad we did!

Our trip started out with a rather unfortunate yogurt spill...right on Henry's face.


After we got Henry cleaned up, the boys watched some college basketball...and by some, I mean lots.


Since we packed in a hurry, we forgot a sippy cup for Henry. He got to drink his water directly from our glasses the entire weekend. He loved this.


Henry loved to climb under and through the dining room chairs...


After we unpacked a bit, and ate some lunch (tomato soup & yogurt for me...which was the most I'd eaten in 3 days!) John wanted to play some golf at the 9-hole course in Pismo, so Henry & I walked along (some men golf to get away from their wives & kids...John brings us along). We went around 4 o'clock on Friday afternoon, so the course was almost completely empty.









Henry spent lots of time playing with the beach house toys...


We pushed Henry in the swings south of the pier.



We walked on the pier...


And, of course, we spent lots of time just lounging and hanging around the beach house. Just like at home, Henry gravitated towards the bathroom & kitchen cupboards.


Oh, and John worked with Henry on throwing left-handed...


We are so thankful for the opportunity to use the beach house. It is so nice to be able to relax together after a busy basketball season. Despite all of the fun things we did, I know the highlight for Henry was getting his daddy all to himself for the weekend. Nothing can top that.

Fresno...

We spent the weekend in Fresno. John & Jay watched the Valley Championship basketball games at Selland Arena (they were there from 12pm-10pm!) & Henry and I spent the day with some very dear friends & family. We ate lunch with my friends (& former college rommates) Sheila & Maurecia at Sunnyside Deli, and as a bonus even got to see Maurecia's new house. It is always a treat to see them and catch up. It was especially nice to finally be able to introduce them to Henry.

After lunch Denise & Jill & I did a little shopping. (I'm not a big shopper, but my wardrobe last spring was filled with maternity clothes & last summer...post-pregnancy clothes. I was in dire need of a few staples). Henry couldn't have been happier about having his 2 aunties around! He sure does love them alot. Good thing Fresno isn't too far away.

We stayed the night with Denise & Andrew as we were planning to spend time with Grandma Sue, but unfortunately she got sick and was unable to hang out with us. The good news about our overnight stay was that Henry slept through the night in the pack 'n play! This was a welcome miracle. No earplugs for Uncle Andrew this time :)

Andrew made a smoothie in the morning (he's still on his liquid diet as a result of his broken jaw) & Aunt Denise shared hers with Henry. I'm pretty sure he drank the whole cupful. He loved it!



After Henry finished his smoothie, we headed to Batter Up, a baseball themed breakfast restaurant to celebrate John's birthday with Jay & Jill. The food was delicious, but, of course, the company was even better. Henry loved playing peek-a-boo with Aunt Jill while we were there.



I think this weekend was a simple reminder of how lucky we are to have such wonderful friends & family.

Saturday, Saturday...

Traditionally, John and I have tried to spend a weekend away prior to the start of basketball season. We decided that this year it would be easiest to make a few day trips together rather than deal with the packing of overnight baby gear. I had my sights set on a day trip to Tehachapi to pick apples, select pumpkins, and bask in the crisp fall air...

Henry, however, came down with a fever on Friday night, so we were a bit worried about traveling with him. He seemed to be feeling much better on Saturday, so we decided to forgo Tehachapi and settle for a family farm stand in Arvin instead. We packed a picnic lunch and set out, only to discover that this particular family farm is quite popular and literally crawling with people...we were a bit disappointed. We were looking for more of a small-time farm atmosphere, and while this farm had plenty to offer in the way of variety, it was far from the intimate farm experience that we were after...

We did take this little picture of Henry with their pumpkins though:

So we decided we would indeed travel the extra 20 miles east and head for Tehachapi. I left all of my apple picking research at home, so we just figured we'd stop and ask the locals for a few good farms to visit. Turns out that the end of October is not the best time to go apple picking...we should have gone earlier in the month, or even in September, but there were a few apple farms that were still open. We couldn't find a U-pick farm, but we did find a lovely 20-acre orchard with the nicest farmers you could ever meet. They sold us some delicious apples and pumpkins and then sent us on our way. It was a good day, even though it didn't go as planned. Next year we'll make sure to plan our apple picking trip a bit earlier in the season though :)

Henry with our 3 pumpkins

We decided to forgo our packed picnic lunch, and eat here. It's John's new favorite pizza place. He discovered it while at a tennis tournament last spring, and has been eager to take me ever since. It did not disappoint.

After we returned home, we took the picnic lunch that we didn't eat, and had ourselves a picnic dinner in the backyard...

Then we got down to the business of carving our pumpkins. It's been a long time since I've carved a pumpkin, but it's kind of like riding a bike...once you learn, you never forget :)

I'm not much for the traditional jack-o-lanterns. Too time consuming & too much room for error. I decided instead to drill holes in each pumpkin to form the first letter of each of our names: J, K, & H. Very quick & very easy.

I was quite pleased with the way they turned out, considering they took me all of 5 minutes to "carve".
Then, afterwards I took all of our pumpkin seeds and roasted them with a little salt & olive oil. Yum.

Despite Henry's sniffles & our lack of preparation it turned out to be a good day. We love fall!

Happy 2-month birthday Henry!

...He celebrated by taking the day off from his afternoon nap...lovely. Thanks Uncle Andrew for the pictures!