Brandi Carlile road trip.....

This is Bob and I in the car heading to Long Beach. We had a great time listening to Indigo Girls and Brandi Carlile's music. After that we listened to a little Harry Potter, The Deathly Hallows..... It has been a year since we both finished it so we thought we would try it on for size again....yep still totally engaging. It was so fun for us to just be together.

Bob got a reservations at the Westin Hotel directly across from the concert venue. It was a GREAT room and the so fun just to walk across the street. This is me standing in front of the Indigo Girls sign.

Here is Bob and I just heading in to the concert.....Bob was seriously 1 in fifty men at the whole concert. He was such a gem to do this for me. A few times we would see a big old lady and he would lean over and say "I think she could kick my ass". I would have to agree.

Brandi Carlile and the Indigo Girls...

The concert was AMAZING! Brandi Carlile sounded better in person even. Her voice is incredible and she was a great performer. When I first heard her I was completely obsessed with her. It was funny to watch Bob because he likes her music but he could not get over her voice and how she could just sing like it was nothing. After she performed she was signing autographs for awhile. Bob was trying to get me a CD that she could sign and right before I made it up she had to leave, so I followed her to the door and I told her how great I thought she was and she said thanks and started to walk away, then I said, "I came a long way to see you" she stopped and turned around looked at me stuck her hand out and said "you did? thank you." So, I shook her hand....Bob was trying to take a picture but it didn't turn out....oh well. It was so fun. He also bought me two cd's and a shirt, he said I couldn't go home with out one. I just like him so much!

This is what I have to say about her.....she will be really really famous someday mark my words! As Bob has said many times the last few days..."her music is haunting" him. He can't get it out of his head.

We had a great drive home, got stuck in a little traffic and missed the Weston twins Blessing....which we were bummed about. The kids had a great time with the Shotwell girls who did a fabulous job watching my kids overnight. Love those two girls. So all in all it was a wonderful little get away! Thanks babe for always spoiling me! You are my favorite person EVER!

Taking a break.....

Okay, I am going to take a little break from posting about our trip, I have so much more to document, but it will have to wait a few days. We got home on Monday night and Tuesday afternoon my husband called to tell me about something he was working on. So here it is....Bob and I are heading to LA in the morning to go see Brandi Carlile and the Indigo Girls play. He found that they are playing together in a small venue and that the tickets weren't sold out. We bought tickets and we are driving (yes, I said driving again) tomorrow to L.A.
We talked about how much fun it would be to have friends go with us but who likes both of these artists? Brandi Carlile is maybe not as well known as she should be. So if you don't know her get to know her music. Pretty much these artist are in my top 5 list. I am so excited. If you like both of these groups, want to come?

I also have to give a shout out to my amazing husband. Let me just say he is the best traveling companion ever. He loves to drive and loves the scenery. We have great conversations....he doesn't get stressed he is just fun. I adore that he found this concert for me. I totally enjoy that he likes my music, and I am just crazy about him. He also went to like 5 different gas stations all over Oregon to find me some Spitz dill pickle sun flower seed, there is no doubt he was made for me! Could you ask for anything more?

San Fran and Fisherman's Wharf

Bryce and Lisa are fabulous host's! They took us into San Francisco our second day there. Here are our cute kids before we took off!
Okay I have both these pictures because I couldn't decide....and at this point what will one more picture do?
The first two grand daughters. When I found out Gwyn was a girl Miranda was one of the first people I called because I knew she would be so glad to finally have girl cousin. Gwyn was devoted to Miranda the moment she pulled her chapstick out.
These three boys are silly. Abe kept trying to make a big deal out of the fact he is taller than Asher because he is younger than him......silly boy.
We went over the Golden Gate bridge 5 times during our visit.....pretty amazing bridge.
Bryce took us to this really cool look out. It was also a WWII site. We enjoyed this little stop.
The three boys hiked up to the top of the tunnel to and coming back down they were a little nervous until Miranda and Lisa started singing the theme song of Indiana Jones. Immediately the boys were adventurous....
Look at Asher's sweet moves.
Uncle Bryce carried miss Gwyn on his shoulders.
Abe just checking things out.

We went to the Maritime museum ships on the wharf....this was our view of the Ghirardolli square.
Lisa acting like Rose from Titanic...okay I may have begged her.
Here are the kids walking up the ship. On a side note, when a man comes up and hands your kids balloon swords tell him no. He gave us these balloons and then had us pay him 6 bucks. We tried to give them back but he wouldn't take them.......totally robbed.
Tucker and Miranda

Sacher!!!!

Gil Bear running with a sword.
Miranda was a great captain.
Arrghhh....pirates.
The boys hanging out on the bottom of the boat.....doesn't Tucker look happy?
These are some of the sleeping quarters on the ship. The cool thing is that Miranda's school came on an over night field trip here. They slept in these and the captain showed them how to work on a ship.

Gwyn trying her hand at row boat.....
Uncle Bryce helped her out.
Nate and Paige just moved to N. California too. They met up with us in the city. Love them, and they are having so much fun....to be married with out kids again?!
We went to sea the sea lions on Pier 39......Isn't my niece beautiful?
Gil was MESMERIZED by the sea lions....I am pretty sure he would have watched them all day. He kept yelling "hi" and then he would make there noises back to them.

Santa Rosa....Big Bro's Birthday!!!

We left Fresno and headed north to my brother and his family in Santa Rosa. We showed up at my brother Bryce's house on his birthday! We got to bring in his 34th year with him. So this is my brother on his Adult Pogo stick! Our Brother Brad is probably, no not probably, he is the nicest brother EVER. He sent Bryce for Christmas this pogo stick.....he did not have his name for Christmas, he just said "he's my only brother, so I think I will send him a really nice Christmas gift."

So, for Bryce's birthday he sent him a Rip Stick. Let's just say this was a hit. After a few days Bob had me pick one up at Target for he and Tuck. Any spare moment Bryce and Bob could find they were out "ripsticking it."
Here was Bryce's fan club.....does it look like Gwyn might love her Aunt Lisa?
Lisa....I have known her for more than half of my life. She has been through all my drama, and I have been through most of hers. Being with her is so fun and comfortable. We shopped for grocery's together and giggled. We work really well in the kitchen together, she doesn't mind if I get a little bossy. I just love her. She is my kindred spirit. Isn't this picture pretty of her?
Lisa made Bryce his favorite cake.....carrot cake!
Here is the old man blowing out candles!
I think he is handsome! Thanks for letting our small army invade your life for a few days.

Fresno.....

I am really embarrassed about how I look in this picture but since it is the only one I have of me on our trip.... I am documented!

On the very first leg of our trip we went back to our old town of Fresno, Ca. Bob and I will both tell you that this is where we really grew up. Moving away from home was really a great thing for our little family. When we moved to Fresno, Tucker had just turned three and Abe was 18 months old. We had a FANTASTIC group of friends and so when ever we get the chance we go visit them. This is Amy, Jamie and Myself. I am looking pretty sad after our long drive.....Seriously, Jamie looked like she had just stepped out of a photo shoot....oh wait she did (family pictures)! Amy and I were feeling a little under dressed!
Jamie and Logan had the Arnolds and us over for pizza and some good old hanging out time! Bob had some really good friends that he played basketball with almost every morning. Bob's and his boyfriend Jeff were so glad to see each other. This is how the night ended with some boys in their 30 somethings wearing Nacho Libre masks and scaring the kids!
This is Ashtyn.....she might be a serious tomboy!
All the kids played and played. Their was a bounce house, swords, and dress ups.....nothing but fun for all of them. When we first moved to Fresno we all had2 children so that was 6 total. As to date we are now up 12 kids.


For some reason Logan had this thing in his back yard?....But the boys thought that is was great.
Jeff and Logan
Just scaring Gil......

This is Reagan and she is really cute....
The kids eating some pizza....
Here is Nash who is quite the character....he had MAY different outfits on.

Abe was always known as the fatman while living in Fresno......not so fat anymore!

Titan is Jamie's youngest and he was absolutely edible. He is just about walking.
Duncan is probably the prettiest boy I have ever seen.....I'd be okay if he married Gwyn.

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These are our pictures from about 41/2 years ago. This was just before we moved. Jamie was my first friend in Fresno. She is still one of my favorite people. She has been their for me in some of my saddest moments. She is always a spiritual leader for me. Not only is she incredibly beautiful she is disciplined, loving, giving and a wonderful friend. She was also the best pool buddy anyone could have had:)
Amy is on the left, Misty(she and Jared came by to see us before they left out of town...love them) is in the middle and Jamie on the right. Amy is great! We always stay with she and Jeff when we come...I promise Jamie it will be her turn next time. Amy and Jeff have come to visit us many times and we talk all the time. I love to talk to Amy because she makes me laugh and is always good for a little gossip! She amazes me with her mad mothering skill for 4 girls. These two were crazy and had 4 kids in five years....who does that?
Here were the Arnolds when we left....loved their house...sigh! I still dream of your pool.
The Lawrence family before we left! They now have 4 boys.