october and then some...

It's been a busy 6 weeks.  We have done lots of traveling and made big announcements.  

learning daddy's favorite game

riding the 'horse' at the mall! 

instead of pulling toys out of the basket,
Reese prefers to get in with them!

The official announcement.  PS, no one noticed the shirt...

oh how she LOVES elmo!

The Marine Corps Marathon

I wasn't planning on running at all since it was cold, I was preggo and when I am preggo, I vomit a lot.  I decided to tough out some of it.  I ran the last 20 miles with Tiffany (very slowly). But we had a great time!

great place to finish the race!  Such an awesome statue

Mom and dad took Reese to McDonald's that weekend and she wouldn't eat anything.... smart girl!

Since pumpkin carving was out for the 1 year old, I thought finger painting might be fun.

Reese agreed!  

Reading night time stories with Grandpa Frank

After dropping Reese off in Florida with Gran Gran and Papa, Matt and I headed west with the Phipps'
These are the Sea Lions at Pier 39

Golden Gate

Next we headed down to Monterey and walked around Pebble Beach.  Sadly, to play this course, it costs $500 +.  so we just looked longingly at those wealthy enough to be out there chasing that white ball around. 

Well, Matt and Derek looked longingly.  Aimee and I pondered more fun ways to spend a thousand dollars

At the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. 

Oh San Diego.  We hopped on a flight on Wednesday night from San Francisco to San Diego because it was almost as cheap as driving.  We got in fairly late, around 9pm and the boys took the tram to the car rental facility.  San Diego is huge and the airport is disproportionately tiny.  Matt and Derek quickly realized, while waiting in line, that the car they reserved wasn't going to be available.  We had 3 large suitcases plus 2 very big golf bags plus 4 people. We really needed the car we paid for... Enterprise isn't so good at keeping the reservation (insert Seinfield joke).  Thankfully a tank pulled up (way larger than we reserved but it would do the job) and Matt volunteered to take it off their hands for the no increased fee.  Around 11:30 we finally pulled up to the Torrey Pines Hilton and I ran in to check us in since the reservations were under my name and prepaid on my credit card.  I quickly discovered that Enterprise is not the only company in San Diego incapable of keeping a reservation.  The Hilton had given both of our rooms away.  And they had NO rooms available.  Lovely.  After stomping my feet, pitching a fit and yelling at the front desk clerk, I stormed out and sent the guys in to take care of the problem.  30 minutes later we were driving to Del Mar where they had set us up to stay for the night and 30 minutes after that we were dreaming of the fantastic suite they promised to fit us with the next day. Boy, does Hilton know how to apologize.  I think we were in the best room in the hotel overlooking the 18th green of Torrey Pines. We have yet to get our money back, but they added a few free perks in along the way.

Lastly, we hit up San Diego.  This is Coronado Island.  We saw all the UNC BBall players wandering around before the big game out on the ship.

The boys played at Torrey Pines... I won't mention how much it costs to play here.  Oh yes, that is the baby making quite the statement.  Last time I looked bloated until I was 24 weeks... this time I started looking pregnant at 10 weeks!

We ate amazing desserts

And we enjoyed the incredible view from our upgraded balcony.

Once back in Denver, it was time for family bonding.

And back to the grind.  This is Reese, all alone in Bible class.  She doesn't seem to mind, she gets all the hammers and animals to herself :)