I would hope that everyone assumes that Mom and Dad made it home safely after the frantic tone of my last blog, and if so – you are correct! After wondering through Venice at 3AM, they made it to the train station in time to catch that 5AM train to Bologna, taxied to the airport, caught flight #1 to Frankfurt (where I think they took their first breath), and settled into their trans-Atlantic flight home to Houston. I followed them on Thursday and got back in time to rest up for our fishing tournament in Corpus Christi the next day. Unfortunately, the weather was COLD and rainy, but we still caught a ton of fish, I got to see my honey (after NINE weeks) and all in all had a great time…especially Lisa…
picture perfect!
After a great weekend with family and friends, I headed back to Houston for the week. I was able to unpack, do laundry, repack, get a bit of work done, and most importantly see some of my favorite people. Next stop, Palm Desert for 3 days of music, hippies, and the best people watching you can imagine – Coachella! Three of my old co-workers from Bakersfield – Elena, Rachel, and Isobell – picked me up from the airport (which is awesomely retro, and I recommend that everyone fly into the Palm Springs airport at some point in life) and we were off for a weekend of camping! As usual, Coachella did not let me down and it was a weekend full of entertainment (and dust)!
Coachella car camping
Lake Eldorado, our home for the weekend
Lake Eldorado at night
Night #2: DUST STORM
One of the many art installations - mirror walls, selfies were mandatory.
Elena's candid shot of me and the robot
FINALLY, I got back to Bakersfield, back to my babe, and back to catching up on sleeeeep! The next weekend was Easter weekend, which meant back to Los Angeles for my annual trip to the Hollywood Bowl! Natalie and I have been going to Easter at the Bowl for the past 4 years, so naturally we couldn’t break that tradition! It dawned on me this year that Easter is my favorite holiday. I’m not sure if it is a result of my recent trip to two of the most spiritual cities in the world (Istanbul + Rome), or if it’s just that I’m getting OLDer and I am more in tune with the stories behind our sacred days. Over Easter weekend, I really reflected on this beautiful life and how incredibly BLESSED I am by the people who consistently send love and support. Now, don’t get me wrong (MOM) I still love what Santa leaves me under the tree, but there’s no doubt in my mind that I could not live without my people :)
Spending the weekend in LA was also a little reminder that California will forever be my second home! Chad and I drove down to Santa Monica on Thursday night where he gave me a tour of his old stomping grounds including an authentic Italian dinner and whiskey dive bar, again - who doesn't love LA? As usual, Natalie planned a perfect weekend full of sunshine, delicious food (and drinks), good friends, and another gorgeous Easter service!
Santa Monica Pier
Good Friday dinner at Villa Blanca
Just hanging with Lisa Vanderpump...
1 of 453,098 selfies Natalie took at our pool day
My FAVORITE day of the year...Easter at the Bowl
Back to Bako where I got to spend some quality time with friends and some of my favorite babies – the Weaver’s (Curt and Rosalie) and little Addalee...
A trip to CA wouldn't be complete without seeing this little nugget...Miss Addalee Posey Grant
Then we were off to Stagecoach! Just think Coachella minus the hippies plus rednecks, and a LOT more beer. Stagecoach is in the exact same venue as Coachella with changes to the food stands (no vegan options this weekend), art decor (old stagecoaches rather than robots), and obviously the performances. I think the pictures can speak for themselves...
#flipcup
my brunette babes...
Thank goodness for these cuites
act natural
sisters
NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND!!!
Stagecoach...mullets, NASCAR, and plumber's crack.
I rounded out my trip to CA with one awful stomach flu (thanks, Stagecoach!) that happened to be on Chad's birthday - nothing like ringing in 27 with an infected girlfriend. Luckily, it was just a 24-hour bug and I made my flight back to Tejas without spreading my germs, I hope. I stopped in Houston for the night before heading back to the motherland for a long weekend. I was able to spend some MUCH needed quality time with my old college roomies, Elise and Julie, and my sweet, sweet Nana, Papa, Aunt Bettie, and Uncle Jim. Already looking forward to my next trip back to Dallas (and Northpark)!
Pitstop in Houston to see this goober and his SWEET new ride.
Talk about role reversal...dropping Mom off at work after making her Derby Day hat
A little Northpark beauty
Northpark + La Madeline + my Nana = PERFECT day
2 of the best ladies on this planet
Always love getting to visit with Chad's sweet Grandma!
Back to Houston and back to work in the downtown offices, woooomp wooompp. BUT at least I got to hang out with this precious thing....some pretty awesome people too.
BELLE BEAR!
We spent Mother's Day weekend in San Antonio. Special thanks to all my fab friends who have been praying for my Ma to get well. She had a pretty rough battle with pneumonia, but is definitely on the mend. She will be back to her normal "tea time" with white zinfandel and cheetoes in no time!
Some things never change...
Beautiful Mother's Day weekend poolside
After my LAST week working in the Houston offices I headed to Austin to celebrate Chad's sister's graduation from UT Law. Along the way, I got to see Taylor, Jeff, and their sweet new addition, Mr Bowen Lee. It was a absolutely beautiful weekend in Austin. Being able to spend time with Chad and his family, AND coming back to Houston for a quick birthday celebration with the best people in the city made it VERY tough to leave.
FINALLY meeting this cutie, Bowen Lee Walker
Can't go to Austin without a tour of the State Capitol
Gospel Brunch at Stubbs
So I'm back in Malongo, and back to my normal Sunday blogs. I arrived back in camp on Tuesday and I've been battling with jet lag ever since. We have really ramped up our construction activities, so I had no other choice but to hit the ground running. Needless to say I've been in bed no later than 9PM each night, and I'll definitely be taking my Sunday afternoon nap today :)
DONE!
I hope everyone back home is enjoying a nice, long Memorial Day weekend! I'll definitely be thinking about all of our service men and women who help keep America safe and sound. Special shout out to Papa, Uncle Jim, John Neely, Uncle Tommy, and Braidon to name a few :)
AND a big happy 25th birthday to my "little" brother - love you D!!! Great Ocean Road...are you ready to go back??
5 weeks this hitch...5 days down, 30 to go! xoxo...
