just a little girls trip!

it was officially decided last year that every february a girls trip was in order. this year wasn't any different. my amazing mom planned an incredible week in del mar california for the girls. the weather in chicago was horrible leading up to my trip so needless to say i was excited for some sun. 

the trip was simply perfect. we stayed at my aunt and uncles incredible condo (talk about interior designers heaven) with the most amazing view of the ocean. we could walk about the door and in about 2 seconds end up at the beach! 

we spent the week shopping, exploring new fun streets, playing at the beach, eating way too many good treats and even hit up the san diego zoo. i loved being with lainey bug. it seems like she grows two years every time i see her again. i love that she would chat with me and tell me stories. she would also give baby cousin kisses. melted my heart! 

mom and lainey bug. i think lainey loved having grandma around 24/7. i think grandma liked it too ;-)

just some more fun in the sun! 

just two bumps. megs is due in just a couple of weeks. how fun to have cousins so close together!

i would walk with lainey to the ocean to get water for her sand. every time she would turn around and say "bye guys, we'll be right back...stay there". seriously the cutest little girl!

best group shot we could get at the zoo! 

just some random fun with my best friend! so grateful to have her as my mom // lainey came out one more and said "sydney i found your jewelry"....always so helpful! 

some more fun at the zoo. lainey bug loved seeing all the animals and kept asking to "see more manamals" // don't mind the fat pregnant lady eating ice cream as big as her face....it was needed!  

the view from the patio. a view like this can cure any winter blues! 

all the heaton girls! 

saying goodbye was heartbreaking. the week went by way too fast. i cried the whole last day. it's hard saying goodbye to my mom. i'll see her again in a couple of months but for some reason being away is getting harder and harder. 

thanks mom for the most amazing week! it was so nice to take a break from life and get spoiled from my momma! i am so grateful for your incredible example. i hope i can be half the mom you are for my little ones. 

counting down the days to next years girls trip!!!!

a little beach therapy

there are sometimes when life just creeps up on you. when it seems like the smallest tear will unravel everything. honestly i've come to expect these times in life. not because i live my life "cup half empty"....but because sometimes thats just life. i feel like the past couple of years have taught me that. that sometimes life just isn't fair. sometimes life just falls apart. but, in the end, i'm never broken. it takes some time, a lot of faith, but i'm able to pick the pieces back up and put myself back together again. i have found though that a little something helps put everything in perspective faster....

the beach.

now it may sound funny but there is just something about the beach that heals my heart. maybe thats why i was so dead set on living in california (and maybe still am...). thats why i'm grateful i have the beach for the week. and almost all to ourselves. 

our life hasn't fallen apart completely. but a few surprises hit us this summer. i was almost in tears as i packed my bag. i was ready to get away. i couldn't wait. we've spent the last week enjoying the sun, waves and the most glorious sand i've ever felt. there is just something about putting your feet in the sand, warm sun smiling down on your skin and listening to the waves hit the shore that puts life in perspective. it is as if heavenly father is smiling down on me...telling me "hey i made this for you. just relax and enjoy."

this trip has been the first time in years that i've been able to completely get away. just enjoy life with my mr.  and fall in love all over again. we had the first few days all to ourselves and then my family has joined us for the last half. oh boy did i miss my family. i didn't even realize how much until i saw them for the first time here. 

so if you ever feel like life is creeping up on you....take my advice and head to the beach. it does wonders for your soul. at least thats what i think.

i'll be back in a few days...when we are all nice and tan from the sun (or red...both good), beached out and sand filled. more pictures to come...much more! 

the weekend.

our weekend was perfect! i am falling in love with our big city more and more each day. mr. med school over here has been struggling with a cold. so friday night we stayed home and just rested. saturday we ventured up to the chicago temple with some friends. it was an early start but a prefect way to start our long weekend. the temple was so peaceful and beautiful. right as we walked in i felt at home. what a great blessing!

we were going to have a beach day after the temple but as you can see the weather decided to veto that idea.

loving the self portraits....we had a lot of those this weekend!

instead of the beach day we went to lunch with dan and nicole. how great it is to have such wonderful friends already. we tried the brownstone in north center. recommend by my good friend who used to live here. it was perfect, great food, good prices, and football for the boys.

thanks tara for the great recommendation!
we spent the rest of the day running errands and catching up on weekly things. aka homework for the mr. boo homework! i guess i'll have to get used to that idea.

sunday was again perfect. we are loving our ward here. meeting so many new friends. so great. sadly the cold got to me so the mr. and i spent a bit of time just cuddled up in our pj's.

labor day! what a good day for a break. with both of us struggling with colds we took things easy. slept in, watching a morning moving, ate a big breakfast and relaxed. we finally decided that we needed to get out of the house. it was the perfect day to hit up the beach.

we loaded up our bikes and made our way to the beach. i was so in love! the weather, water, and sand were just perfect.

check it out! i now live next to the beach. too bad it's freezing half of the year. good thing it was perfect yesterday though.

we walked hand in hand down the beach and just enjoyed being outside. we loved watching the little kiddos playing in the water. the heat was a lot easier to handle next to the water.

we took a pit stop to wait for our table for lunch. of course we kept ourselves entertained with "draw something" and self portraits.

i am so in love with this man!

sadly saying goodbye to our beach!

howie officially loves chicago. lakeshore drive is perfect for my cute bike. it was so nice to be out and about. i've been a little scared riding my bike because of bad traffic. yesterday was great practice and i think howie and i will be getting around a lot more!

last night dan and nicole invited us over for a great bbq. we had the most amazing ribs ever! yum. we spent the night talking, laughing, eating and just enjoying new friends.

the girls!

the goods. dan loaded us up with extras. i'm thinking lunch...holla!

it was a great relaxing weekend. we're slowing recovering and hopefully by tomorrow will be operating like normal. gotta love the late summer cold. at least we were able to enjoy a bit of our holiday.

ps. thanks to everyone for your sweet comments on my last post. it was just what i needed to get a fresh new look on life. i'm ready to try some new things and get out and serve!