Birthday Trip to SF


This last weekend my colleague and friend Ruthie, gave me a one night stay at The Donatello, San Francisco for my birthday.  My mom went with me and we had such a fun girls trip (no Emily).  On our way to the city we stopped at Hobby Lobby and spent over two hours.  We went nuts.  Fresno seriously needs a Hobby Lobby!!!!!  
When we arrived in the city we did a little shopping and then went to mass at the first cathedral in California.  It was a beautiful church and mass.  We then rode the cable car to dinner at Knob Hill Cafe.  Gina recommended this spot and it was AMAZING!!!!  It is an absolute hole in the wall; there's not even a spot to wait if they don't have a table.  Luckily we didn't wait too long but even if you had to wait it's totally worth it.  I had Spaghetti Carbonara and my mom had a house made spinach, mushroom, and artichoke pizza with a Caesar salad.
We then headed over to one of my favorite spots in the city for dessert.  We enjoyed a white chocolate blueberry bread pudding at First Crush Restaurant.
The next day we were looking for a breakfast spot we ate at many many years ago.  After googling some places we decided it was a place called Dottie's.  When we arrived we knew right away it wasn't the right place.  We stayed anyways since the reviews were so good.  Clearly everyone else read these reviews because we waited an hour outside to get a table.  It was pretty good but not sure it was worth the super long wait!  The best part of the meal was a coconut white chocolate french toast, yummy.
The rest of day was filled with birthday shopping.  We finished our day by eating at the Cheesecake Factory at the top of Macy's.  
On our way home we pulled off at Treasure Island and we just caught the sunset.  Someone gave me this tip and I would have never known to stop here for such an incredible view.  You see the city skyline and both bridges and on a clear, calm day like we had it was breath-taking.
Thank you so much Ruthie for the wonderful getaway!  Thanks mom for joining me and treating me to good eating and shopping!


Cable Car Selfie

Inside Dottie's









Annual Girls Trip-Shell Beach

Every January us girls take a trip to the coast.  This year we went back to The Cliffs at Shell Beach.  On our way down we stopped in San Luis to going shopping downtown.  The weather was gorgeous and we found some fun things.  After shopping we headed to the Cliffs and ended up not leaving until Tuesday.  We had dinner at Marisol and then had a relaxing evening at the hotel.  Monday was absolutely beautiful so we walked down to the beach and picked up rocks and ran to and from the waves.  Emily loves the water!  We had lunch on the patio at Dolphin Bay which is always a treat.  The afternoon was so nice that we laid by the pool.  Emily made fast friends with two little girls and followed them a dozen times from the pool to the spa.  Late afternoon my mom and I enjoyed the WORLD'S best massages!  Tuesday we had a lazy morning, ate lunch at a new restaurant in Pismo, and shopped at the Pismo outlets.  Our mini vacay flew by but was very relaxing and so much fun!
Thanks Mom for spoiling us girls!  We always have the best time.














Christmas decor & Our Housewarming Party

I made these Christmas Wreaths and I LOVED how they turned out!

My mom made these pillows for me.  Thanks MOM!



Kevin and I made this JOY Marquee Sign.
















A HUGE HUGE thank you to my friend Julie for writing on our new chalkboard.



Thank you so much for all our friends and family who came to celebrate with us in our new home.  Also thank you to all those who helped with the party!  A special HUGE thank you to my mom who helped tremendously with the party.


Christmas 2013

Christmas Eve we went to mass and then we spent the evening at Kevin's grandparents which is an annual tradition.  We enjoyed a family dinner then opened gifts.  It's always a very fun night. 

Love my see thru top:(





























When we got home we prepared our cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.





Seeing where Santa will enter



Daddy reading the Night Before Christmas



Christmas Morning we woke up to presents and the milk, cookies, and carrots gone!



Emily telling us where Santa came and went.








We then went to Kevin's mom for Christmas breakfast and more gifts.


This picture kills me.  This totally sums up their relationship-Emily LOVES Jake-y and Jake's face says it all, lol!

This is her immediate reaction after planting a wet one on her cousin.



I could not believe that Emily opened her new scooter and jumped on and took off.  She's never even seen a scooter and she knew EXACTLY what to do.







Christmas Day evening we spent at my mom's house for a delicious meal and our final gifts.





Give this girl a cup and socks (below) and she's totally happy!





Swimming on Christmas:)  We got in Voa Voa's spa after gifts.


To end the night we sang Happy Birthday to baby Jesus.

We have so much to be thankful for.  It was a wonderful Christmas filled with faith, family, love, and laughter.  God Bless.