Trip to CA and WA

David had a conference in Los Angeles, CA so I decided to go along for the trip.
It was exactly what I needed.  Everyone couldn't believe that I had absolutely no plans but that is exactly what I wanted...to do nothing!  It was perfect.  I read 4.5 books while I was gone.  I LOVE to read but just don't have time to do it at home so when I leave town I hunker down and read and relax.  David always says I have the hardest time relaxing at home but man do I know how to relax on vacation (sans kids).  We flew out to CA on Tuesday and took it easy that night.  Wednesday morning we woke up and had breakfast together and then I found my place next to the pool and started reading.  I fried myself and I am still peeling from it but it was worth it.

Wednesday night I met up with him for drinks with friends and then a nice dinner just the two of us.  While we were at dinner we looked over and recognized Seth MacFarlane (Family guy).
We went through the rest of dinner not really thinking much of it and right after Seth left the restaurant David remembered that one of his teenager patients who has a bad diagnosis really likes Funny Guy so David decided to see if he could catch Seth outside.  He catches up to him outside the restaurant waiting at the valet for his car and asks if he is Seth MacFarlane.  Seth says it depends on who's asking.  David says that he's a physician in Memphis but that doesn't really matter...he has a teenager patient that loves his show and would Seth be willing to sign anything for him?  Seth immediately says yes and rips a piece of paper out of the valets pad and does this below.  David came back in to the restaurant pretty fired up and has since given this to his patient who was pretty pumped.  Definitely a highlight to the trip.

Thursday morning I did more pool side and then met David for a hike through Runyan Canyon.  It was a beautiful hike and perfect weather.

After the hike we headed back to the hotel to change clothes and met up with David's co-fellows from his fellowship in Boston.  It was a great night of catching up and enjoying a nice dinner.

Friday I spent the morning by the pool and then spent time that afternoon at the spa getting an amazing massage.  It was a great way to end our time in CA before we flew to WA.
Friday night we caught a flight to Tacoma, WA to see David's brother and sister in law and meet the newest member of the Spence clan, Jacob. Ryan picked us up Saturday morning from our hotel and drove us around Seattle and Tacoma to see some sights and then we headed back to spend the afternoon with our new precious nephew.  We started by picking up our breakfast from the Farmers Market.
Ryan is super talented and has so many gifts and one of them is creating and building.  He designed and helped build this amazing skate board ramp.  It is extremely tall and is enclosed completely with a roof on top of it.  Pro-skateboarders come to skate on this thing.  It was really neat to see something he put so much time and love into.
We then stopped by the famous Public Market and walked around.  
We grabbed a Piroshky from Ryan's favorite stop.  
We then headed back to their place to spend quality time with Corinne and little Jacob!

I loved having him fall asleep on my chest.  Such a sweet moment that I loved having with him.

That night we headed to dinner at a nice restaurant in Tacoma.  It was a great way to spend a Saturday!

The kids were well loved on and cared for by Dingdad and Yaya in Memphis.  
Thank you Yaya and Dingdad for taking care of the kids so we could have this getaway!  It was a wonderful trip!

Flying with Dingdad

Both boys got enough stickers to receive their special treat and they both picked a special date to go flying with Dingdad.

Miller took a lego man along for the ride and made sure to get pictures of him a few different ways.  After flying they had a special lunch together.

Ron picked up Austin after school on one of his half days and they went to lunch and then went flying.  For the first time they flew over our home and Austin's school.  Austin thought that was really cool.  
An aerial view of Austin's school.

Florida part 2

Part 1 of our Florida trip

Anyone that knows me well knows that my Grandma is one of the most special people in my life.  My grandmother along with my grandfather had a huge impact on my life growing up.  They are some of the most special people I have ever met.  They were married for over 65 years and loved each other through some tough times.  My grandpa passed away almost 7 years ago and I know my grandma misses him terribly.  They are/were wonderful parents, wonderful grandparents, and wonderful great grandparents.  To see my children spending quality time with my grandmother was so special to me.  I wish they could have met my grandpa.

Miller wanted to wear sunglasses like Grandma Maggie.

All of us grandchildren grew up with Grandma tickling our faces and backs so I loved seeing her do that to my children.

It was great to see my dad and stepmother as well. They let us come in and take over their house.
Miller's facial expressions in these next few pictures are priceless. Truly captures my little 3 year old to a T.

All 4 of my children are named in some way after my grandparents.  Robert Forrest was named for my grandpa (Robert), Austin Allen is named for my grandma (Allen is her mom's maiden name), Miller David is for both (Miller is their last name, my maiden name), and Marguerite Anne is named after my grandma (Marguerite is her name as well).  I truly can't express how much I love and adore this lady.

On the flight back we got a special treat...we rode in first class.  There were only 2 people in all of first class so when the stewardess saw me coming on with 3 little ones by myself she asked if I would like to sit there.  Of course I said yes right away.  It really did make things way more smoother.  The boys had plenty of room to spread out and I had an extra seat next to me to put stuff or Maggie in for a second.  The stewardess were also very helpful as well.

10 months is a very hard age to travel with because they are into everything and can't stay still for a second but overall she did pretty well.

This is how I pushed the boys through the airports.

Here is a picture of us with all our stuff and 3 kids in tow.  I was utterly exhausted when we landed but thankful that I went and we all survived.