Tuesday Thought

Whenenver I crave sunshine, all I do is remind myself that summer is a state of mind.

Thank you misty, SF weather for making me appreciate slices of sunshine and bright moments and friends.

Camping Weekend!

This weekend was full of sunshine, lake time, and campfire fun.  I haven't been camping since I was in junior high, so I was excited to head to Lake Berryessa (near Napa, CA) with a huge group of folks for a camping extravaganza.  Our camping coordinators made sure we were well taken care of... there was so much delicious food, and plenty of drinks!  Saturday definitely started with a beer and a few rounds of a new favorite drinking game.  The lake was a perfect temperature too! What could be better than disconnecting and enjoying ever second of (slightly) dirt-covered fun?  Life really is better on the lake!

Our room... with a view.  Ha!

Boyfriend and a floatie.

Absolutely gorgeous!

I wish I could always be on lake/camping time all the time!

Los Angeles, Pt. 2

Our second night in L.A. was spent with my bestie Nicole.  This lady just returned from a year teaching in Spain (and she's headed back in September) so we made the most of our time together.  I am so lucky that my boyfriend wanted to go out to dinner with us and listen to us recap all of our college shenans, and spend the night being silly with us.  Whenever she comes back to America, I dream about us living in the same city!

Our last day in L.A. was spent in Hollywood.  Even though it's a little touristy for my taste, I had to show Greg the Walk of Fame and Grauman's.   Safe to say I was a little bummed driving back to San Francisco... I love my college besties!

Tequila shots with one of my favorite people on this planet.

This guy.  He is just the best!

Getting silly.

Definition of our relationship.

Happened upon a Sanrio store in Hollywood, and boyfriend bought me a Hello Kitty dressed just like one of my fave outfits.

 Sunshine and summertime, you are amazing!

Los Angeles, Pt. 1

After a quick stop in Fresno for the 4th, Greg and I continued our road trip and headed to LA!  I went to college at UCLA, so I was stoked to see some of my favorite friends.  Brittany was the most amazing host, Nicoley had just gotten back from a year in Spain, and Ashley was in LA for an (almost) final hurrah.  It was such a blast!   

Here are a few pics from our first day and a half in LA. Santa Monica, UCLA, Westwood, Runyon Canyon, Britt's apartment, Father's Office (for food), The Wellesbourne (for drinks and shenans) were just a few of the stops we made in our first two days.

Hello Santa Monica! I love SF, but I miss warm beaches.

At my second home, UCLA.

Introducing Greg to the library at UCLA.

Night out.  Boyfriend and my bestie Britt.

Nicole is back from Spain!  L-R is myself, Nicoley, Ashley and Brittany.

A little Runyun Canyon fun.

Loves of my life.

Boyfriend and Los Angeles.

More to come tomorrow!

Happy America Day!

Normally, my family spends the 4th of July in Northern California, doing cute small-town activities all day long.  Since my parents couldn't make it up this year (hello slightly awk midweek holiday), my boyfriend and I headed to Fresno to celebrate! And we had the best time.  My parents invited almost all of our Fresno "family," and we ate, swam and lit fireworks.  Two of my best friends from high school even came! If I could have made that night last forever, I would have captured it in a jar and saved the magic for a rainy day.

Yehawww America!

Bestie was just home from a year in Vietnam!  So good to see my sweet Chloe.

3/4th's of the high school crew.

Boyfriend.

Cutest kid alive (other than his brother).

Sparklers.

So good to celebrate America with some of my favorite people on this planet.  4th of July, you are awesome!

Vacation Time!

The fourth of July is my favorite holiday (or a very, very close tie with Christmas).  I have three days off from work - five, if you count the weekend.  And you better believe I am squeezing out every single moment of fun.  I will be stopping in Fresno and hanging out with my family and some of my favorite friends, road-tripping to Los Angeles to see a couple besties from college and soaking up some major sunshine.  On top of all the friend and family time, my boyfriend is coming with me.  Dream city!

In 2010, I flew from Los Angeles to Sonoma just to spend the 4th with my fam.

See ya after the holiday weekend!

A Giants Birthday Celebration

My baby sister Brigi's birthday wish was to celebrate her birthday at a Giants game.  Our boys were playing the Reds on Friday night, and my whole family, my boyfriend, and two of Maggie's friends from school got to join.  It was such a blast!  Garlic fries, watching my dad keeping track of the game on his scorecard, Brigi opening up her presents at the game, laughing until I cried multiple times, wearing a new Giants shirt my boyfriend gave me... these were just a few of the moments that made this a really special night. 

Top: Brigid. Great View.

2nd Row: Jack. Greg and I. My parents.

3rd Row. Beautiful Park.

Bottom: Maggie and her St. Mary's folks, Jack and Michael.  Me and the birthday girl.