Beach with my buds...

I had a wonderful day at the beach with The Carter Family.  

Our first stop was The Cottage ~ my favorite breakfast stop in South Orange County.  We had a yummy breakfast and then strolled around Laguna Beach for a bit.

Penny Jane loved her sweet potatoes.

And Sawyer thought the pancakes were pretty good too!

Our next stop was the Rainbow Flip Flop Factory in San Clemente.  I may have a small compulsion to buy flip flops that I don't need... but I live in Southern California and wear them year round, so aren't my impulse buys somewhat justified? :)

We signed the giant flip flop and then headed to the beach.



We parked near the train station and headed to the sand.  It was empty!  The joys of going to the beach on a Monday!

Tysha and sweet Penny Jane.



Tysha is a professional photographer and is super talented.  You can check out her work at www.littleredwagonphotography.com.

She snapped some photos of her favorite guys and I chilled with Aspen nearby.

Sawyer loved the rocks, but wasn't too sure about the water.



I hope that you had fun in the sun today.  Save travels, back to Seattle!

YAY for visits from old friends!

My friend Tysha (who I met in Junior high!) and family visited California this week for a family wedding.  I told them that they had to come stay with me for a night.  It would be like old times... except this time it would include Tysha's husband Jacob and their two sweet kids, Sawyer and Aspen.  We squeezed into my small humble abode and had a great time together!

After dinner (courtesy of Trader Joe's) we took a dip in my pool. 

Aspen Jane, who I named Penny Jane, is six months old.

And her big brother, Sawyer is 2.

Mama and Aspen.





Daddy and Sawyer.

Tomorrow we'll head to Laguna Beach and San Clemente.  So glad that you came to visit, Carter family!!!

Let the Oregon vacation begin!!!

A trip to Oregon almost always includes time at The Thomas Residence.  I sleep in the guest room right next to Dylan's room.  Oh how I love waking up to a squeaky three year old voice shouting, BULINDA???  BULINDA??? I'm ready to get up now!!!

We had some bonding in our jammies and watching Thomas The Train.



We eventually ate breakfast, got dressed and headed to downtown Portland.  Lindsey had an appointment.  So I took Dylan on a little shopping spree.  

This boy never stops talking.  And I LOVE his antics!!!  All through Nordstrom Rack he was shouting commentary.  Uh Buhlinda, that's a pretty shirt.... I like those shoes... I have to go potty... 

We ate a yummy lunch at Chipotle.  (With our shades on).  And then Lindsey drove me to Dana's house.  Dylan put on his sad face and said, I don't want Buhlinda to leave our house.  Love that boy!

Linds and I.  My beautiful friend!

Touring St. Jude

I get to be at St. Jude for a few days for our National Staff Meeting.  We started with a meet and greet with my Gift Planning coworkers.  What a warm welcome!

I toured St. Jude.  Whenever I enter the doors of St. Jude I am full of so much awe and inspiration.  It reenergizes me to do my job ~ to raise the critically needed funds to continue Danny Thomas' Dream.  No child should die in the dawn of life!

The art patient art work leaves me in awe.

And a gelato bar ~ a great new addition to the cafeteria!

Keeping it real!

So proud of my Delta Delta Delta sisters!  I love being an alumna that supports a cause so close to my heart!  They are ahead of their pledge of raising 10 million dollars in 10 years for St. Jude!

Founder, Danny Thomas

A walk down memory lane.  That's me in the Dorothy costume.  The TTU was the winner of the Halloween competition in 2004 with our theme of The Wizard Of Oz.

Shirley!  Shirley and I were co-facilitators for a weekly support group for St. Jude youth.

I miss you TTU!

With my girl, Stephanie ~ my fellow NBA Grizzlie stalker!

With my "two moms" Mama Jill and Mama D.

So blessed to work for ALSAC /St. Jude!!

My "Longest friend ever," Tina and her boys at the park

I got to meet up with my longest friend ever, Tina, for an afternoon at Irvine Regional Park.  She and her family (who I have known since I was a toddler) met up to have an afternoon of train riding, horse riding, park playing and celebrating her son Everett's completion of potty training.  Everett chose to have a, "tractor party."  His Yaya, Yaya Dog (Grandparents), cousins, aunts and uncle joined in on the fun. 

Tina and her 1 year old, Blake.

The tractor boy himself, Everett.  It was hot, hot, hot today.  So we stayed cool courtesy of Everett's squirt bottle spraying.

 

After the train riding, the kidlettes enjoyed pony rides.

 

Uncle Taylor

Baby Faye

The long awaited tractor!

I brought a Tractor Book for E.

B. had fun running around with his multi color soccer ball. 

Thank you Davidsons and Gavins for inviting me to Everett's Tractor Party.  Hope to see you all later this summer!