California! Day 1 & 2

Last month, I flew to California for a girls' trip to San Francisco. It was my first time leaving Lincoln over night! It was wonderful and refreshing and makes me miss my girlfriends even more. Two flew from MSP, two from Des Moines and me from Virginia. We all landed within a few hours of each other, picked up our minivan and drove to Ali's house in San Rafael. Thursday consisted of lounging, catching up and dinner out. It had been five years since all of us had been in the same place at the same time. Since then, we have all had kiddos (some of them have had two). Times have changed, but so many things have not. I love these girls.

What sparked our little reunion, was this little guy, Lucas. A miracle of science and love. He was a great little baby and I think he thoroughly enjoyed being loved on by his six visiting aunties.

We spent Friday afternoon drinking, playing bocce ball and passing around baby Lucas. I am in love with California weather now. Sunny, cool, no humidity. Glenn, when can we get orders to California??

The weekend went way too fast, but not before a little wine tasting in wine country! More pics of that later. This week is recruitment week for the sorority where we all met and it is making me so nostalgic for our college days. If I could go back and tell my college self one thing, it would be to savor every single day. Oh and to dump that guy I dated for entirely too long.

Thanks for hosting a house full of crazy for the weekend, Ali! Love you gals! When is our next reunion??

Happy Birthday Ali!

Happy Birthday! I can't wait to see you and YOUR little man in just two weeks. I love you for letting us all come visit the same weekend so that we can love on your little man together and all of us girls can be in the same place for the first time in FIVE years. That's right, this mama is going on a vacation to visit that new mama. Along with 4 of my closest friends. We're renting a mini van. On the opposite coast! Without Lincoln. I get giddy excited thinking about and then terrified two seconds later. Daddy will do great. I can't wait to see you! Have a wonderful birthday, Ali! SEE YOU SOON!

More babies!

Miss Clara Lynn Johnson was born in to this world this morning at 11:11 am. My BFF has a second little girl to teach how to be an amazing woman! I can't wait to meet her in just about a month. 

Love you and congrats Laura, Nate and big sister Annabelle!

Baby Amelia's Baby Shower

At the beginning of May, myself and 3 other fabulous ladies hosted a baby shower for little Amelia Moran, Chris and Gizelle's baby that is now due in just a few weeks!

We had a pink and blue nautical theme and the other ladies were awesome to host with! So many good ideas!

 Gizelle has been obsessed with waffles her entire pregnancy so we had fried chicken and waffles to eat!

 A message in a bottle for baby Amelia.

We played one trivia game with Chris, but the only other "game" was an ABC book where everyone chose a letter and drew a picture. I found the idea online and used my Criket to cut out all the letters. It turned out super cute and less raunchy that I had anticipated with all the guys/keg/drinking. :)

Is this their future family? Lots of babies at the shower!

H is for Hand!

All of the hostesses and Gizelle!

 She's going to be here before you know it! Enjoy your last few weeks!

Congrats Emily & Chris!

I woke up this morning and found a text on my phone of this handsome guy!

My best friend, Emily, and her husband, Chris welcomed Jack Michael Peterson at 10:51 pm. He was 7 lb 11 oz. he looks just perfect and I can't wait to talk to her.

I talked to her at 2 pm EST and she said things were moving slowly, but they must have picked up quick! I was expecting a December 4th baby!

Congratulations mama! I can't wait to meet him!

Congrats Emily!

The second of my three celebrations on September 29th was Emily's baby shower! Laura and I have been planning via text, email and the phone for the last month or so. More Laura than me! The nursery is going to have an animal/jungle theme so we continued that for the baby shower as well.

We lucked out and had a beautiful Minnesota fall day. Sunny and in the 80s which was perfect since we were outside in Laura's backyard.

We had hot chocoloate and yummy fall foods. Laura (and Nate!) did a great job planning and preparing all the food. I can't believe it's been over 12 years since we all met. I love these girls!

Emily is due November 30th, plenty of time for her little guy to enjoy the rest of football season. He got a lot of football gear to wear!

She got a ton of other great gifts too. Her MIL sewed her a beautiful diaper bag and her mom is sewing her cloth diapers. She's got a lucky little guy and only a month to go until she meets him! I won't be able to meet him until the spring or summer probably, but some of our maternity leave might overlap so I know we'll have lots of time to Skype!

I can't wait to meet him, Emily!

Happy Birthday Hayes!

I made a very short trip home a few weekends ago and managed to hit up 3 celebrations in one day! First was little Hayes' 1st birthday party. Last time I saw Hayes, he was only about a month old.

Such a cute family!

I miss my girlfriends back home so much! I'm glad I'll get to see several of them next week for my baby shower. Happy Birthday Hayes!

Congrats Amanda!

I drove down to Raleigh, NC a few weekends ago to help celebrate my cousin and her baby girl, Payton.

It was a packed house full of generous friends and yummy food.

Amanda, my Aunt Cindy and me!

My cousins, Cheri and Amanda. I can't wait to see pictures and meet the newest cousin. Payton is due the end of September. Only a few more weeks to go!

Congrats Tvedte Family!

My dear friends Missy and Ben ( and big bro Jack) welcomed Brecken Daniel to the family! Congrats!