Labor Day Weekend In Cali.....

Labor Day Weekend Shelley and I headed for Carlsbad ..... Northern San Diego to spend the weekend!


Hot Lifeguard!

Friends from Phoenix that were in San Diego joined us on the beach in Carlsbad for the day!

Great day on the beach, local farmers market,good food, good company, and Amazing Weather= Perfect Trip!

Tony and Kolter...

Seeing my good friend Christian from DC who now lives in Cali.....( only pic we got of him that night! )


Dinner followed by Ice Cream

I had 2 friends running the Disney Half Marathon about an hour north of where we were staying and thought it would be fun to go run it with them. So we went to bed the night before around midnight and had to be up by 3:45 to get on the road. Here is our pre-race photo....

We DID it! Way to go Rach on your first half! Check out those heavy duty medals...!

My friend Tracie also finished her first half with her sister in law Karey! Ladies you did awesome! Love you both and I am so proud of you!



Post Race Pic..... After Re-Fueling

Dinner after a few hours on the beach after our race! Wahoos Tacos.

Followed by Red Mango Frozen Yogurt.....Rachel and Shells




Fire on the beach! Amazing Smores !

Monday we spent a few more hours on the beach before having to head back to Phoenix. It gets harder and harder to go back every time I come to California! Maybe it's a sign????

Last but not least..... Oh Yes..... had to get my Pinkberry fix! Gets better and better every time I have it!

I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!! THANKS TO MEG AND ROB FOR BEING SUCH GRACIOUS HOSTS AND SHARING THEIR PLACE WITH US!

There Is No Place Like Home IN August......

August came this year and I decided I needed to get home for a long weekend. My friend Shelley had never been to Portland so we tried to fit in as much as possible! There truly is no better place to be in August then Portland/ Seattle .... and the weather was gorgeous!

The trip started Friday night with an extremely delayed flight getting us in 2 - 3 hours later then planned... meaning 1/2 in the morning. Saturday morning we were up nice and early for an amazing run through the hills of Portland with plenty of sunshine, fresh air, and blackberries to be picked along the way! We then got ready and spent the day in downtown Portland.......


Saturdays Market...
Candy/Soda stop at Pioneer Square for a much needed Pick Me Up

Riding the Max Train...

Trolley to the Pearl District...Powell s Books, fountains, Anthropologie, Buffalo Exchange, etc

The next day we headed up to Seattle with my mom to see my brother Brandon. We had a great dinner at The Matador in his neighborhood of Ballard outside Seattle. Then Shelley and I were able to stop by my good friend Devins place to visit for a while.






Pictures on the pier... Mom and I ... and lots of Shels and I

Meeting Brandon for lunch at Anthony's on the Pier

Mom and Shels outside Pikes Place Market. Seattle was so much fun! We had a little shopping and sight seeing before heading back to Portland. Thanks Bandon for letting us stay with you!




We headed back to Portland and met up with my good friend Arianne at the Rose Gardens. It is absolutely beautiful there and a must see for everyone new to Portland. So only fitting I took Shels there.



Amazing flowers...


scariest house ever...

Shelley is a great picture taker and captured many great places on Northwest 23rd ...one of my favorite places back home

Amazing Bagel Place.... Noah's ... We ate these several times while we were there

Also a Fav of Mine... Pizzicato... Amazing Pizza and Salads... Also ate there a few times







We were joined by my friend Tracie for dinner at Papa Haydn's on 23 rd and had some great food. I love these girls!

Shels and I

Last but not least..... Burgerville ..... FRESH Blackberry Milkshake ..... A Must For Anyone In Portland/ Vancouver in August. ITS PHENOMENAL. This is us getting one last fix before we flew back to Phoenix. : )



The trip was so much fun and definitely not long enough. I always feel so rejuvenated after being home for a few days and enjoying familiar surroundings! I especially Love being able to spend time with my mom... who i definitely don't see enough!