We're Back!!!!

Brennan and I just returned earlier this evening from a fabulous little get-away to Monterey, California. He worked really hard to win a trip from his work. Thank you, Mike (the boss)!!!!!

Also, a huge thank-you to my parents who loved and cared for our 4 kiddies like the pros that they are. They even invited 2 extras, Rex and Lucy, to join in for a sleep-over on Friday night. The kids could not have been happier to trade us in for Grandma and Grandpa for the weekend. They also, instead of eagerly sending us and their charges out the door as soon as possible, forced us to stay and eat a wonderful dinner with them.


As Shannon quoted on her blog a while back from a book we read by Amy Rosenthal in her book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, "in the end, no one really wants to hear about your trip." I will spare you the play by play, but will touch on some highlights and maybe a few low-lights.


Low-light: Left backpack with camera which I intended to be my carry-on at my parents when we dropped the kids and all their backpacks off. NO CAMERA. Sort of, Brennan had his cell phone camera, but I don't think we have the right cord to be able to upload them. I'll work on it and try and post some later.


Highlight: Brennan got to golf Pebble Beach!!!! This is one of about 50 "once in a lifetime" opportunities this boy has had. He called a couple of days before we left and they told him there was one opening on Friday morning and that he would have to call first thing Thursday morning to try and get it. He did and he got it. I'm telling you the heavens smile down on him. Not that he's had an easy life, but he does seem to get some pretty amazing opportunities. He was thrilled with the experience and even though he had 12 bunker shots, he still managed to shoot an 85. We also ate lunch at the Pebble Beach Clubhouse and it was just beautiful. Good times.


Low-light: While Brennan golfed, I slept in, read a great book and then ventured out around Cannery row near our hotel. I decided to take a risk and asked the concierge if they could recommend a place I could get my haircut without an appointment. It just so happened they could, right across the way there was a brand new place that would love to have me. Interesting experience. I had come with pictures and everything. We chatted about what I wanted, mainly just something updated and fun. She looked at the pictures and seemed excited to make me over. She was so kind, a little quiet, but very nice. While she was washing my hair she told me I had great hair, which I heard as "You have gray hair" "I do?" I said to which she insisted I did. About 5 minutes later I realized she had said "great". It was a little late to thank her. Anyway, once I got all washed and she actually started cutting my hair I became aware that her hands were really shaking. I kept looking at her thinking she was going to tell me why any minute, maybe she was just really cold, maybe she has a medical condition that makes her tremble, I didn't judge her, I liked her, but I did maybe want a little reassurance that she has dealt with this for a while and was completely comfortable and able to cut my hair. Well, she didn't say anything so I sat there feeling more and more nervous and more and more like a jerk for worrying. I don't actually think her trembling affected her cutting, but I am wondering if someone slipped a picture of:

into my few little photos I took in. Because in the end after she got done styling my hair, that is what I looked like, except pregnant and well not nearly that pretty, oh and also I had the disadvantage of living in the year 2009. I'm serious, I have a layer of hair around the crown of my head that is shorter than my bangs. AND, there aren't other layers that sort of blend them in, it's pretty much that fun layer and then chin length. Super cute. Don't be expecting any pictures of me anytime soon, in fact I'm looking for a good stunt double for my brother's wedding photos. Now, I haven't actually shed tears over this yet, because I'm hoping that once I have more equipment now that I'm home, or hats or whatever it takes I will be able to camouflage my fun layer.

Highlight: Walking through Carmel and all the darling shops.

Highlight: Monterey Aquarium.

Highlight: Our beautiful hotel.

Highlight: Driving along the coast from Carmel through some of Big Sur. WOW, amazing.

Highlight: Driving down to a beach on our drive through Big Sur, and exploring a beautiful beach with a freshwater stream trickling into the ocean and huge openings in the rocks which created tunnels which the waves crashed through so beautifully and dramatically.

Highlight: Spending time with Brennan who made me laugh the entire time and patiently and cheerfully shopped with me and waited while I got a pedicure. Having all the time in the world to talk, uninterrupted. It was honestly so great just to be with him all by ourselves and remember why we're so perfect for each other.

Highlight: Coming home to our beloved children. I couldn't wait to see them. Shortly after we got to my parents, I was holding Ben who exclaimed, "I LOVE you, Mom!" Oh, the perfect homecoming.