Quack, quack!

On August 4th James, Penelope and I flew to Seattle to see my friends Christy and Andrew. Christy is one of my oldest friends. I met her in grade school back in Louisiana. She is a true little Cajun girl. We started hanging out when I was in the third grade I think. Growing up our moms were best friends as well. So I feel like no friend knows my family better than Christy. Its so fun hanging out with her and her sis because we spend all our time reminiscing about the past, laughing at our families and inquiring about what our old friends are up to now. Christy and her husband Andrew are expecting their first baby in December. I am so excited for them because I know they will be such great parents. They were so great with Penelope too! I used to watch how Christy interacted with her little cousins growing up. She was the fun older cousin that they all looked up to. From way back then I knew her kids were going to be so lucky to have her as a mom. Here are some pics from our fabulous weekend with them. Enjoy! 

I stayed up till 1:30am the night before our flight trying to finish this baby blanket. They are expecting a boy.
His name will be Jackson Brave Bauman. The blanket is made out of that super soft minky material. I made it extra thick too by putting a layer of quilting batting inside. The only thing I was disappointed with was how my corners turned out, but this was my first attempt. So practice makes perfect right? :)

A wedding taking place near Pikes Market.

I love the energy of downtown.

Andrew and Christy were so great with Penelope. 

Most people know I have a slight obsession with chocolate croissants.
I love the ones from La Panier near Pikes Market. They make an excellent latte too. 

Christy and Pen hanging outside the original Starbucks.

                                                        

We had lunch at Cafe Champagne.
Here is Pen stuffing her face.

Later that night Christy's little sis, Bonnie, made us a legitimate Cajun shrimp boil. YUM!

The two sisters jamming out in the kitchen.

Shrimp boil consists of peel and eat shrimp  and potatoes and corn that have been infused with the flavors of shrimp and Cajun Spices. We dip the shrimp in a mixture of mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup. Extreme cajun here.

Bonnie Ann, Christy's "lil" sis. She was on the cheerleading team with me in High School. So adorable.

Saturday morning we started our day at this adorable coffee shop some of their friends own.
This place had a great kids area complete with sanitizing wipes, tons of toys, a kids table, books etc.
Penelope loved it.

Next we visited the EMP museum. So cool.

checking out the avatar exhibit

We absolutely loved the instrument labs upstairs.

There were these cool sound proof rooms where you could pick what you want to do (percussion, voice, jam session etc.)
We had several "jam sessions" which were very fun. Christy, Bonnie and I grew up singing in church. In fact, Christy and I were part of a "trio"- oh yeah. Big time. LOL
It was fun to relive some of that.

Here we are jamming out something crazy stupid. It seems especially weird since theres no music on the video (it only played in our headphones). Penelope was just staring at me like, "what the heck?!"

jammin out preggo style

after that we rode the "ducks"- this is like the Landshark here in SB only on steroids
an absolute fabulous tour.

our tour guide was hilarious

another wedding

gas works park- this place is gorgeous

on sunday Christy took us to the market in Fremont
This is a great little farmers market, but what's also cool is that they have an antique section as well.
I didn't get a chance to browse as much as I would have liked because Penelope was so super hyper here.
she was running all over the place grabbing everything and trying to get behind the booth stands where the vendors hang out.
Crazy!

James enjoying a local soda- I think this one was a pomegranate flavor

after the market we hung out with Sarah's sister Kristen at GasWorks Park

this was an old gas plant the city decided to leave up
its the only plant of its kind left
its considered a piece of art and is striking against the rolling hills and water
It has been featured in several movies including "Ten Things I Hate About You" with Heath Ledger

Penelope in her Stella McCartney outfit!
It even has "wings" that attach to her wrists but of course she wouldn't have that!

blanket in nursery shot :)

for our last night in Seattle we celebrated over at Ivars on the water in Seattle
Here's a shot of the pregnant bellies!

yes another birthday celebration! LOL

and last but not least Christy could not let us leave without some proper Seattle coffee
she took us to Stumptown Coffee on Capitol hill on our way to the airport

Christy and Andrew, thank you so much for such a great weekend. You guys were excellent hosts but the best part was just getting to spend some quality time with you. We love you guys so much and hope everything goes well with the new baby. Congrats!

My Birthday Weekend

This year my birthday was so fun and it actually seems to be continuing through the month! At least being pregnant I don't have to watch my weight while eating out at all these yummy restaurants! LOL

Earlier in the week some of my fun mommy friends took me out for breakfast to D'angelo's which was such a treat but unfortunately I didn't snap any pics. On Friday while Pen was in preschool I spent the day in LA with some friends from my previous job at Univision radio. They took me to this super cute restaurant downtown called Bottega Louie. This is a posh French restaurant that also specializes in super yummy desserts (think chocolates, macaroons, beignets and cupcakes). The packaging was so gorgeous that of course I couldn't resist taking some treats home to share with my family. The food here is amazing and if you are in LA its definitely worth the trip. Not to mention the restaurant itself is absolutely stunning, outfitted in marble and antique brass. So french. Loved it.

these macaroons were every bit as good as La Duree in Paris

what a fun thing to take home right? cupcakes and macaroons!

my onion soup, yummmm and green tea "mojito"- a fun bday pregger drink ;)

um, mushroom fries dipped in an aioli sauce- heaven

girlfriends Leslie and Cynthia! I miss these fab fashionistas soooo much!!!

corner shot of Bottega Louie

Later that night James cooked dinner for my parents and grandparents. James made a fantastic dinner of flank steak with a roasted red pepper sauce, mushroom parmesan risotto and his mom brought a delicious spinach salad. It was soooo goood!

cupcakes I bought earlier that day at Bottega Louie

They were so cute I couldn't resist!

look at this fantastic dinner James made! spinach salad with bacon and raspberries, flank steak with a roasted red pepper cream sauce and mushroom parmesan risotto!

macaroon with gold dust? oh yeah

these cookies were so soft and so creamy inside

The next day my brothers, sister-in-law and mom and dad all hung out at the beach. The guys tried their hands at surfing but there weren't many waves so later we decided to try a surrey ride. What a spectacle we were!

Pen running out to meet dad

she loved this car at the wheels and waves rental shop

I love this shot. Penelope hated wearing her helmet so we had some trouble with that!

Sunday morning we met up with the Mann's for yet another yummy breakfast at D'Angelos followed by yoga at Climbtime. I don't recommend doing yoga right after breakfast btw. ;)

James tried lots of tricks

Monday I put Pen in school and my buddy Kate and I spent the day shopping and eating. She took me out for lunch at the Biltmore. We had so much fun sitting in the sun and enjoying our yummy food. I can't wait to go back!

my seafood pasta, so delish!

smore tart for dessert

 Later that night the Mann's hosted a small birthday dinner complete with homemade mac-n-cheese and ribs and of course strawberry shortcake for dessert. I guess since I couldn't drink this year I ate my way through my birthday instead?? LOL! It was very fun and I loved every minute of it!

such a pretty table

Pen knows how to relax

 Thanks to everyone who shared loving words and time with me this year. 

You all made me feel so special and loved.

xoxoxox

Penelope turns 21 months!

My little Peanut turned 21 months today. I still can't get over at how quickly she is growing up. She is becoming such an independent little lady. She is enjoying trying to dress herself, climb into her car seat all by herself, and figure out words for everything- she is really getting a kick out of communicating with me. I think she enjoys calling the shots now. ;) Here are some fun pics of Pen from the last month.

penelope loved this car at her summer class "Hot Tots"

perfect kid size chairs for P! (lounging at the Padaro Grill)

checking out the sea lions on her field trip on the Landshark (Learning den preschool)

and of course enjoying a chocolate cupcake at Crush Cakes
ahhh its good to be 21 mos.