Raleigh

For the long fourth of July weekend, Steve and I made our annual jaunt to Raleigh to visit Jacque & Jason. Here we are on Friday night getting ready to consume an oyster shooter. I was not aware of what I was about to partake in. Since I dispise both tomato juice and oysters it wasn't a win-win for me. But the others seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. We had an awesome night.

But then the next morning I woke up with the flu. Talk about good times...or not.

Regardless, it was was wonderful to see everyone.

Napa: Saturday

Napa Wine Tasting: Friday

San Fran/Napa: Thursday

Last Thursday through Monday was spent in San Fran and Napa celebrating the wedding of our friends' Michelle and David!

On Thursday we flew in and spent the afternoon in San Fran before heading up to wine country.


Jen and I in front of our fav Pier 23.


Steve and Alcatraz in the background.


Steve and his oysters at Pearl in Napa.

The Jens and me at Pearl.

Napa Valley Get Away....Ahh...

A week ago Friday I flew out to Napa Valley to see my very close friend, Michelle, and her fiance' David for some fun, sun, wedding planning, vino and more vino!


Saturday morning I got to see Michelle's wedding dress. It is GORGEOUS.

Saturday morning Michelle also had a pre-wedding makeover. This girl grabbed me twice. Once for this picture and once to make me the Purple People Eater with my eyes.

Michelle and I sipping champagne at Mumm.

Dinner and drinks at Solage in Calistoga.

What a beautiful night and scenery.

The first sips of a fun day of wine tasting.

Winery#2.

Winery #3. No photos were taken at wineries #4 & #5 as I was just focusing on keeping my head up (not very successfully).

Mini KD Reunion!

I left for my 2nd of 3-weekends in a row of flights and headed to Chicago for a mini KD Reunion with three of my sorority sisters.

It was a wonderful weekend in many ways.


Since none of us live in Chicago, we stayed at Steph's parent's house. Me, Steph, Amy & Angie.


Hopkey, Steph and me at dinner Friday night. It was a beautiful night to be outside.

What great memories (then and now) of being a KD.

All of the kids (I was the only without) Saturday morning at the splash pool!

Hopkey and Alex.

Steph and Kai.

Raleigh Adventure (Saturday)

On Saturday, we awoke (way early for going to bed so late) and hit up the 4th of July parade.

Sam and Peyton enroute with their sippy cups.

Tom and Jodi's daughter Malia as the highlight of the parade!

This photo of Jac (the hostess with the mostess) was taken by 4-year old Malia but it's adorable.

Jason and Steve with their stogies (oh yeah, and their Bud Heavies).

Fresca Vodkas!

This is such a sweet picture of Jac and Sam.

Jodi is not afraid of leftovers. :)

Raleigh Adventure (Friday)

As we did last year for the 4th of July weekend, Steve and I flew to Raleigh, NC to see Jacqueline & Jason on Thursday.

Somehow we pulled off three nights in a row of staying up until 2a.m. That is so not normal for any of us and very impressive for Jacque considering they are expecting their second child in 10-weeks!

On Friday the boys started drinking their Bud Heavy and putting together the baby's dresser. We later decided it should be tested before a changing table is put on it :)

On Friday night the boys went to a Durham Bulls ballgame with some of the neighborhood guys, and we had a girls night.


My best friend and me...

My sister-in-law, Ann's best friend, Jodi, and me...

The Iowa girls in Raleigh.

Girls' Night Out!

As I mentioned, the boys went to a ball game and had a good time. This photo was taken after 1a.m. Tom (Jodi's husband), Sal and Steve. Sal is apparently coming to live with us according to him.

The Festival of Testicles

Multiple years ago...Steve first heard about this festival called the Testicle Festival.

We didn't know where it was in Missouri but, my oh my, has Steve been talking about it since. It has been the one place he's wanted to experience.

As we were driving into the greater Ozarks region OOH billboards started popping up promoting the Testicle Festival the weekend we were there!

So on Saturday afternoon the (adult) boys jumped in the car and stood in line for well over an hour for testicles.

Sadly, the organizers didn't forecast the testicles correctly and they were gone before the boys could taste. But regardless, Steve got his wish, has some koozies and can truthfully tell anyone who asks that he has been to a testicle festival!

Babies on the Boat

On Friday of our Ozarks vaca, we rented a boat.

Nate was the keeper of all things maps at all times.

Look, I could totally take him home with me and pass him off for more than my nephew :)

Baby Evan spent 4-hours in this life jacket and was still happy.

Between the life jacket and grandpa's tummy, he had plenty of cushion :)

Nate wasn't a huge fan of the boat so a nap was a good thing.

That was until he was able to "drive it".

My god, little boys (and girls) are cute!

Why do I look so far away?