All That Caz

At the beginning of August, we headed for Cazadero, up north on the Russian River, for a girls' getaway weekend.  Melissa's aunt graciously offered up her cabin to us, and we had a great time eating, chillin' and dancing on the deck.

Car one headed north on Thursday afternoon, and Melissa, Kasey, and I stopped in Occidental for "fine Italian dining" at the historic Union Hotel-it's been around since 1879.  Get a load of this: entrees come with minestrone soup, a generous salad, and a variety of antipasti, including salami, cheese, olives, kidney bean salad (the best thing there, if you'd believe it), and bread sticks.  Needless to say, we didn't make much headway on the entrees once they were finally put in front of us.

The next day, after a pit stop in Duncans Mills (population 175) for sustenance at Gold Coast Coffee and Bakery, we dropped Kasey off at her family's house in the Cazadero hills and then continued on to Armstrong Redwoods State Park.  It was wonderful to get the landscape of Muir Woods without the ambiance of (too many) screaming kids and inappropriately dressed tourists in hoards.  

The Parson Jones tree, below, wouldn't quite fit into the frame, as it is approximately 62 times my height.

That evening, car two arrived with Brittany, Gio, and Melissa's coworker/friend Katie in tow.  We left the house soon thereafter and headed for pizza and live music night at Raymond's Bakery in "downtown" Caz.  Nothing says Friday night like pizza and beer, you know?  We sat at the aquamarine table.  Just kidding!

The highlight of the evening was when Brittany sat down at the table, turned to me, and exclaimed, "Guess who's here?!"  I couldn't imagine who we would know that would be at Raymond's, until she told me: it was our pal Lucky, whose pants-less escapades you may remember from Kristen's bachelorette.  I was afraid what he might reveal if I got too close, but just know that's him, below, sitting all the way to the left.  Apparently Raymond's is the spot to be on a Friday night!

The next day we headed to our favorite (so far) little spot on the river, loaded up with PBR, french onion dip and Ruffles, and pool floaties.  What more could you want out of life?  It was such a relaxing day.

Fast-forward to the evening back at home, and we were holing up for a night of BBQ, mac salad, and s'mores, not to mention games, lots of wine, private dances to Pony, too much fun with a selfie stick, and a follow-the-leader dance party that got out of hand in the best way possible (equal parts laughter and quasi-cardiac arrest).  

Theme to the weekend: Skrillex and Diplo feat. Justin Bieber, Where Are U Now.

It was so nice to have a lovely place to stay while we were there, and I hope we can go back again soon!

Kristen + Daniel

On June 20, 2015 two really good people pronounced their love for each other amidst a background of pine trees and a foreground of people who love them immensely.  Kristen, our California girl, met her North Carolina mountain man at grad school in Chapel Hill.  Several years later, after many trips out to visit all of us in CA, and some of us going out to see them in NC, there we were in Mount Shasta, prepared to celebrate their marriage!

The rehearsal dinner Friday night was amazing-definitely a huge highlight of the weekend!  It was hosted by Kristen's aunt and uncle, Maggie and David, at their home in Mt. Shasta.  They prepared a delicious three-course meal all themselves, and served it on eclectic family china collected by various couples over the years.  There was also special beer with a custom label for the bride and groom!

The lovebirds were quite the celebrities over the weekend, so we felt excited any time we got Kristen to ourselves.  She and I had been talking weeks before about the risks involved with crying during your ceremony and turning into a puffy, red-faced monster.  To mitigate this, that evening I gave her a white hanky with blue embroidery, hoping it would also serve as her "something blue" for the big day.

There was lots of mingling, and at one point we got regaled by Uncle David's telling of how he met his wife, Maggie, which involved a party with a hot tub in the woods and a striking absence of clothing.  Oh, to be a young hippie living in Shasta.

Two more adorable lovebirds, the MOB, Carolyn, and her hubby, Brenn:

Our table was the obnoxious one in the back.  Boy, were we having a blast with our little UCSD reunion!

For the weekend, we had rented a huge house with a pool that slept a dozen people.  It was the perfect party house!

Saturday morning was upon us before we knew it, and Kristen came over to relax a bit before it was time to start getting ready.  We started with a cuddle session and then moved on to the pool!

Here's six out of eight girls from our freshman dorm, Harlan Suite 108, representing!  Amazing to still be in each others' lives ten years later to celebrate occasions such as this.

Obligatory apple-watch controlled photo of the group looking all spiffy before we left for the ceremony!  Quite the transformation.

We got settled into our seats at Carolyn and Brenn's house, on pins and needles, we were so excited.  The energy was mounting and we couldn't wait to see Kristen in her white dress!

 

Kristen was glowing, and the ceremony was beautiful; very inclusive of everyone in attendance.  Her uncle officiated the ceremony, and both sister of the groom, Laura, and Brittany read poems.  

Soon it was time for their heart-felt and personal vows.  I loved their telling each other that one was their biscuit and the other was their gravy, which tied their vows together so sweetly and really injected some southern lovin' into it all.

And there you have it folks, Mr. and Mrs. Brookshire!  You could feel the weight of the moment lift as we all kicked into celebration mode.  

Enjoying apps and drinks


Suite 108, and my favorite photo of the day

13 UCSD grads in attendance!

Our table, right after dinner

There were so many beautiful speeches.  I have to say Kristen's dad's was my favorite.  He told about how he used to volunteer in her class when she was little, and how she was always so eager to answer the teachers' questions, even before they had finished asking them.  Her hand would shoot up in the air and she'd exclaim, "Oh, oh, me!"  He said those were some of his favorite memories with her.  Then he described that when she met Daniel, all he could see was that little girl throwing her arm in the air and yelling out, "Oh, oh, me!"  He had us all in tears.

Kristen had asked me to give a speech as well, and I was equal parts honored and nervous.  I blacked out for most of it, as usually happens when I'm in front of crowds, but I know one line I'm really sorry I forgot to say when talking about living together freshman year: "Since Kristen was in water polo, we got used to her being in various states of undress, and I like to think this 'clothing optional' lifestyle will carry over into her married life."  I'll have to be satisfied with imagining the blushing!

Another big highlight of the wedding festivities was the couple's first dance.

Well, actually their second!  They started with a very sweet slow dance, and then kicked up their heels cackalacky style for the next (they had even changed into tap shoes earlier on without us noticing).  Check out their surprise for us all, below:

After that, everyone got involved, and I so enjoyed watching Daniel and his family do their thing.

Aside from Daniel's grandmother giving us all quite a fright later in the evening when she took a tumble, the reception was lovely and filled with such great joy!

The weekend was a priceless opportunity to be together with great friends that are all so spread out across the country these days.  I also enjoyed getting to spend time with both families, and see them become one.  Kristen and Daniel, a huge thanks to you and yours for hosting such an incredible weekend for us all to celebrate with you.  We can't wait to see what the future brings for you both!

These Are My Reflections

If I were really talented this post would be scored by a Christina Aguilera vs. Usher mashup, or at least a Glee version that layers the Mulan classic "Reflection" on top of "Confessions Part II".  Instead, you'll have to imagine just how great (or potentially catastrophic) that would be.  So excuse the corny title; now you know what I was going for.

This past weekend I spent with my parents in Vacaville, and while garage saling with my mom, we drove down Monte Vista and stumbled upon Vacaville High's senior graduation.  I realized that 10 years ago almost to the day, I was sitting out on that football field, nervous, emotional, and extremely hot, imagining what the future held for me and what my next ten years would be like.

I knew there would be milestones: that I'd go to college, get a job, and become a grown up.  And yet of course as I look back on these last ten years, it's not the big milestones that stand out, but all the wonderful little things that have added up to equal such an amazing life.  Getting a dog for the first time ever, resulting in endless wonderful little Emma kisses.  Discovering pistachio gelato at Sorbetteria Castiglione in Bologna.  Finally moving to San Francisco and getting to live with my best friend every day.

And the people!  You guys have really made it something else.  From UCSD to Bologna, Siena and the villa to San Francisco and Box, I'm constantly amazed at all the wonderful friends I've accumulated around the world (I would need to post an impossible number of photos to include all you incredible people!).

I've gained so much confidence and perspective over these ten years.  I've learned about things not happening as you expect they will, but just as they should.  I've learned that ten pounds is a small price to pay for daily gelato.  I've learned that geography doesn't measure closeness, that you ought to read parking signs, and that it doesn't really matter what you do, but with whom you do it.  

And I've learned that a decade goes by really fast.  Here's to another ten years of new experiences, friends and family old and new, and self discovery.  Oh yes, and food.

Kristen's Russian To Get Hitched

For our dear friend Kristen's bachelorette party, her Maid of Honor, Natalie, Brittany, and I surprised her with a trip to Guerneville on the Russian River.  Kristen lives in North Carolina so she came out just for this (as well as her bridal shower in Concord on Sunday!), and she was so excited to just spend a weekend with friends and let the surprises roll in.  The first surprise was that Amanda flew out from Chicago for the weekend!  Check out the unveiling:

We had a great time with the details that would make her feel extra special, including hanging photos of her with all of us over the years around the house.

Here's the cast of characters for the weekend:

Natalie, Emma, Ari, Kristen, Brittany, and Amanda,

enjoying the finest Costco has to offer!

The location could not have been more picturesque.  Our deck overlooked the Russian River, and was surrounded by every shade of green you could imagine.

Friday night we spent at the house, hot tubbing, snacking, and playing games.  Since Kristen introduced me to Scattergories and it's one of her favorite games, I made a personalized wedding-themed one for her with the letters being her future initials, KHB.  After that, we played a game we called Hubba Bubba, where her fiance, Daniel, answered an array of questions ahead of time about himself, Kristen, and their relationship, and Kristen had to guess his responses, with errors resulting in the punishment of adding an extra piece of bubble gum to her growing wad.  The questions ranged from simple facts to touching memories to scandalous confessions.  It was amazing to watch Kristen's reactions, and also to learn more about their relationship!

Later, before playing naughty Pictionary ("I don't know...balls?!") and extreme charades, we brought out the stripper Ken cake!

The next day we spent a leisurely morning at home and didn't get out of the house until almost 2.

I swear the trip was in California and not Bali, but who can tell?

When we finally ventured out, we stumbled upon a wine and food festival in downtown Guerneville and spent some time there basking in the sun, sampling the local cuisine, and hoarding highly-coveted forks.  We asked a cop to take a picture of the bachelorette group, and he instantly pulled out his handcuffs as a joke (the people in Guerneville sure are friendly).

The whole gang!

Photobomb!

Next we headed to the river for some sunshine.  While there, we played Cards Against Humanity (I successfully lost) and were serenaded by bagpipes that were playing for a wedding procession on the bridge.

#sharingstreams

That evening, we got primped to go out in downtown Guerneville, adorned with fresh flower crowns inspired by Brittany.  Here we are making them Friday morning before we left for the river:

And sporting them for our night out on the town!

Bride and MoH!

On our balcony

#heavypetting

We started the night at the Mexican-themed El Barrio, had dinner at Boon, and later moved on to Pat's.  Everyone we came across that evening was so friendly.  At one point, a lady offered to take a picture of the group so we could all be in it, and a few seconds later another lady offered if she could take the picture so the first girl could get in it.  Seriously, such a fun, generous, welcoming crowd down by the river.  Along the same lines, at the tiny and gourmet Boon, the whole restaurant wanted to celebrate with us, and one table even initiated a restaurant-wide raucous cheers to the bride!

The sweet suite: 5/8 girls from our freshman dorm at UCSD!

We missed you, Pree!

"Make a funny face" apparently means "look up and to the side" to everyone pictured above.

Pat's was a dive bar that was filled with some of the most interesting, persuadable people we've ever met.  We kicked off a game of truth or dare, and I had brought several prompts for the girls to choose from.  Kristen's first dare set the tone for the night when she got this guy to happily take his shirt off for us.

There were several other terribly entertaining dares throughout the evening.  Ari had to stand at the bar and fake cry until someone asked her what was wrong, and she ended up getting a handful of free beers out of it.  Brittany had to speak in an accent for the remainder of the game, and the phrase "Two shots of Jameson for the girl from County Cork" will never leave my memory.  Here she is in disbelief that the woman behind her actually thought she was from Ireland and wanted to buy her a drink:

The best story from the night came when some of our new townie friends got extremely involved in our game, to the point where they were making up their own dares for each other.  One girl dared her guy friend (who she claimed would do literally anything) to get the boxers of another guy at the bar.  We didn't think much of it, but he went out into the crowd like a man on a mission.  Before we knew it, this guy named Lucky strutted over to the group, planted his beer on the floor, and started unbuttoning his pants.  We all just stared at each other with our jaws dropped, in disbelief at what was about to unfold.  Kristen later said, "I was trying to remember, did we say he just had to take his pants off?  Wait, no!  He had to give us his boxers!"  And so, shoes and socks still on, he awkwardly wiggled out of his pants, pulled off his boxers and threw them at us, stood in his manly glory for a few seconds, and then put his pants back on.  Our reactions vacillated between shocked silences and screams and giggles.  We may not have hired a stripper for the weekend, but we sure did get Lucky.

Kristen and Lucky 

(I think his boxers are tucked in his pocket)

Oh, what a night.  #guernvegas

Our house on the river was appropriately named "Memory Lane".  Kristen described her weekend as "a celebration of lasting friendship" and I think that's the perfect way to sum it up!

Kristen, we all love you so much and had such an epic weekend celebrating you.  Can't wait for June when we all get to be a part of your and Daniel's celebration of love!

#peekaboo