California: Day 3

(Sorry I have been slacking on posting the about the rest of the trip. I got a Cricut at work this week and I play with it ALL day, every day. I promise to refocus....soon!)

On our third day of the vacation we got to do some sightseeing. We had to get the beans for the reception down in San Luis Obispo. We decided since we would be down that way we would go to Morro Bay. So after breakfast we loaded into the van. My brother-in-law Dave and nephew Adam, and Sean and Stefanie were going to go with us. My sister and baby Sam were staying home due to the colds they had. Killian was the entertainment of the car ride. She was talking, yelling, being silly and then she fell asleep. We are very lucky to have such a good kid in the car. Dave and Adam got to experience the “Sean Guided Tour of California” and Sean’s great driving skills on the windy, hilly roads. Adam thought it was great, just like a roller coaster.

We got to Morro Bay and of course took pictures with the rock in the background. As we were walking out on one of the piers the Seans thought it would be funny to make the entire pier wobble. I did NOT think this was funny! I thought the entire thing was going to collapse into the ocean. Thankfully, it did not and we were able to see a jelly fish swimming under the pier. We all ran to one side to see it, and as it disappeared under neither us we all ran to the other side where he popped up again. I tried to be sneaky and walk back across the bridge before the Seans were aware, but I only made it about half way before the wobbling started. We had to stop at a surf shop so the boys could get sandals for the wedding the next day. I really wanted to buy Killian a little wet suit, but really there is no need for one in Illinois. We continued on to some other stores and got some souvenirs. Our tummies started to growl and we knew we had to bid farewell to the Rock. We still had to get beans, and drive home for the bridal shower that evening.

Big Giant Rock at Morro Bay

Killian and I on the pier in Morro Bay.

See the jellyfish!

Scary Birds!!!

We stopped at a Smart and Final for the beans. Sean kept referring to this store as Fart and Final, so I was a little scarred to see what we were going to see. I have to save it is just like a Fareway or very fancy Aldis. We found the beans, which are not the beans we think of here in the Midwest. Apparently when Sean said we are having beans what he meant was chili. (Whatever you call them, they were delicious.) We loaded our giant containers of beans in to the minivan and took off for home, well rental home.

We made a quick stop in Atascadero at the Jack in the Box for lunch. We got it all to go since the Graff family was going to be coming over early to hang out/meet us before the party. We met up with the line of waiting Graffs in Paso Robles at the hotel that was very conveniently at the bottom of our road. We did all the hellos, hugs and introductions while we tried to scarf down our food as quickly as possible. It was so great to finally meet everyone! Shortly after arriving food needed to be bought and cooking needed to start. So some of the girls (and husbands) ran to the store, while others got busy in the kitchen. Stefanie and I sat back in amazement of these girls. We are not cookers, bakers, or anything having to do with a kitchen other then eating. The food arrived, and all the boys left to go shoot at the Ranch. I think Sean was more excited to shoot then to get married the next day…just kidding…kind of. Sean’s mom arrived with some more food, balloons and a quick hug and off she went to get ready, I think.

Katie, Colleen, Erin, Kira and Lauren taken over the kitchen.

Sean just standing in the kitchen.

Christa making the pretty flowers even prettier!

Once the guests started arriving it was show time. The food was amazing and the games Erin planned were so fun. There was a jeopardy style game and the other game required making a story using candy bars. Team Orange won the jeopardy by $0.01. They were tricky enough to bet everything but a penny. The other teams just bet it all! Way to be gusty ladies!!! If I remember correctly the final question was something along the lines of what I like most about Sean, or my favorite trait he has. All three teams guessed incorrectly. The answer was he is a happy person, infectiously happy even!

Erin and her awesome Jeopary Board.

Aunt Katie reading to Killian while her team finishes their candy story.

The winning board! (click to enlarge)

Board #2 (click to enlarge)

There was presents and brownies (the best brownies EVER) and very sleepy babies. Killian did not want to sleep with all these people to play with so she got to hang out at the party for awhile. She did sneak away to hang with Papa Craig in his room. As the party was ending and the clean up began some boys returned to the house. We finished cleaning, packing up cars and chatted for awhile before we finally headed for bed. We had a big day in store for us the next day.

Lauren and I at the party!

Pretty pink and brown polka-dots for decorations.

California: Day 2

Bright and early on Thursday morning we woke up to Killian coughing and sneezing. Oh no! She had caught the cold her cousin Sam got right before we left. She didn’t seem too bothered by it, so we planned to continue about our day. We had to meet with our DJ, do a final walk through at the Pavilion and we had to get our marriage license. We figured since we were going to be right by the Zoo we would meet up with Mark, Erin, Aubree and Bryce.

Sean and I headed to get our license while Killian took a nap at the house. Getting the license went smoothly and we were back home in a jiffy. We packed our sun block, hats and cameras and headed off to Atascadero. We met with our DJ first while everyone walked around outside and checked out the park. I think the DJ was very relieved to find us very laid back and go with the flow type of people for the music selections. He informed us of some festivals going on locally and good places for surfing. He grew up in Newport and it was very hard for me to NOT make any OC comments. I still miss that show. When we figured out where he would be located for the reception and the ceremony we were pretty much done. Next up on our agenda, a meeting with Audrey from the Pavilion. Audrey was such a great help with planning this wedding from Illinois. She answered all our questions, gave us information about the area, and even gave my sister and step-mom info for hair salons. We did a walk through of the building and the gazebo. She showed us the floor plan for the reception and seating for the ceremony. She showed us some pictures of previous parties, but she said she was so anxious to see how ours turned out because she had a meeting with Sean’s mom and she had told her what she was planning. Audrey had never seen a reception done up with balloons, so she quite excited to see pictures afterwards.

During all of our meetings poor Killian was have some problems. When Sean put her sun block on that morning he thinks he got some in her eyes or put it on her hands and she then got it in her eyes. They brought her in to us at the Pavilion and she could barely keep her eyes open! We thought at first it might have been allergies mixed with her cold, but after awhile Sean remembered the sun block he put on. He said he got some in his eyes too and they were still burning. After some debating on whether to take her home, get some medicine or keep on to the Zoo we decided to try the Zoo.

Killian's eyes all pink and swollen.

Aw my poor baby girl!

We met up with the Winters, Mark, Erin, Aubree and Bryce. This was the first time Killian and I met them. After hugs, hellos and some traveling talk we headed into the Zoo. Killian just kept her eyes on Aubree. She is very curious about kids, but has to warm up to them. That took about two minutes and then they were walking hand-in-hand and playing. Sean and Erin both agreed the Zoo seemed much bigger when they were growing up. But it turned about to be the perfect size for us. By the time we saw everything Killian and Sammy were ready for another nap.

Aubree getting a drink/photo opp.

I certainly can't let the kids have all the fun!

Aubree and Killian walking together through the zoo.

Aubree helping take care of Killian.

Sammy enjoying the zoo.

Sean was very anxious to hang out with his brothers some more so he called them on the way home since they would be getting out of school at that time. We met them at the high school and they followed us to the house. They got a tour of the house, the pool, and then the brotherliness started. Sean was determined to get Ian in the pool. He recruited Daniel to help. They were nice enough to take his belongs out of his pockets first, and even his shoes I think. After a few minutes of wrestling, dropping Ian on his head, a knee to the face, Sean Hoover was called in to finish the job. Sean and Sean were able to finally toss Ian into the pool. Sean commented on how strong and squirmy his little brother had gotten. Once Ian emerged he tried to retaliate, but Sean was running all around and hiding. Ian relaxed only to be knocked in the pool some more by Daniel. Then Daniel was in the pool! Sean being such a good older brother lent them some dry clothes to head home in. We all hung around for a bit and talked. Killian was warming up to the boys a little. She really liked all the noises her Uncle Daniel was making for her.

Sean and Daniel trying to get Ian in the pool.

Had to call in the big guns to finish it.

Ian trying to get Sean back.

Sean happy to be with his brothers.

Eventually the boys had to return home and we needed to eat dinner and put very sleepy children to bed. Sean had planned to meet up with his friends that night. Luckily, Killian went to bed easily and my sister, brother-in-law, step mom and dad all agreed to keep an eye on her while we went out. There was a bar in town that we went to called Monteleones Rock. This is definitely not a typical bar that we are used to here in the Quad Cities. The bar is located on the end of a row of businesses. In fact it looks like a store or garage from the outside. Once you enter it is decorated with musical instruments, rope lights, art work, some bleachers, a shed and a very unique table and stools. The bar has a stage for bands and patrons to share their musical talents. Stefanie and I couldn’t believe what we were seeing; there were dogs….running around in the bar. Sean quickly found his friends and started reminiscing about growing up together. Sean H., Stefanie and I got to hear lots of stories that night. Sean H. also made friends with the pug that was in the bar. It was good to finally meet the people from Sean’s stories and to hear new ones that Sean would never offer up himself. But atlas we were all still adjusting to the time difference and headed back for bed.

California or Bust! Day 1

At 3:30 A.M. on a chilly Wednesday morning 9 weary travelers emerged from a chi-town hotel. The final destination- California! We had already put 3 hours of driving behind us and we still had 6 hours of flying and another 4 hours of driving ahead of us. We loaded our gazillion bags, strollers, car seats, diaper bags and kids in to the hotel shuttle. We made our way to the airport and tried to figure the best way to get through the airport with all our stuff. Thankfully the guys are excellent pack mules and strollers can carry kids and bags! Sean and Stefanie were lucky enough to be in charge of the wedding dresses and Sean’s suit (they truly were my life savers!). The staff at North West Airlines was very helpful with getting our strollers and car seats sent from Chicago straight through to LAX. We made it through security fairly easily; apparently not too many people are up at 5 o’clock in the morning. Since everything went smoothly we were able to get some food and relax before boarding.


The flight from Chicago to Minneapolis was not full so we were able to sit where we want. We all strapped in and started to get nervous. This was the first flight for Stefanie, Adam (age 8 ½), Killian (1 ½) and Sammy (6 mon.). They all did wonderfully! Killian went to sleep as soon as we took off. Her eyes got a bit big as we started down the runway, but the fatigue and engine noise put her right to sleep. During our short time in the sky the flight attendants were asking us about the bags and who was getting married. My sister and her husband Dave told them it was Sean and I gettin’ hitched. A few minutes later they came back with a complimentary bottle of wine for us and best wishes. Killian slept the entire flight and woke up happily as we landed.



We unloaded the first plane and made our way to the next terminal, had a break for potty/diaper changing and loaded on the next plane. Again, Killian slept most of the time. She was up entertaining everyone around her for about 20 minutes. She made a quick trip to the back of the plane for a diaper change and to talk to Stefanie. The flight attendants said she was the “Best Baby Ever”. Okay that may have not been their exact words, but something to that effect. We landed at LAX, got our luggage and headed to the car rental place. As our party was getting on the shuttle, we heard a very loud whistle. My sister and I instinctively turned to look for our dad. And to our surprise there he was! They still had to get their luggage so they took the next shuttle. Once we all made it to Enterprise we got to sit for awhile. Dad and Sean were in charge of getting the rental vans. This took quite some time. Sean thoroughly inspected everything about the vans. Finally, we got two acceptable vans after Sean rejected a previous one for noisy breaks. Off we go, again!


The car ride to SLO County was gorgeous. We got to see palm trees, mountains, ocean, crazy motorcycle drivers, and giant California mansions!

A shot of the mountains while we were driving.

We stopped at an In and Out for burgers- delicious! Sean made sure to send Ian a message to rub it in that we were eating there. I think Ian was more excited to know his Baby, Killian, was on her way to see him!

Killian's excitement to be driving again!

Sean was the tour guide for our van. My dad was too busy in his van yelling about Sean’s driving skills. Apparently changing lanes A LOT and speeding up on a freeway entrance is a California thing. Poor Sean got picked on for his tour leader skills. Every gated property on the road he thought Never Land Ranch was on he pointed to and said there it is, oh wait maybe not. Stefanie, Sean and I just laughed at him. The other point of interest- Lake Cachuma was coming up. He kept informing us to look over this turn….and nothing! Finally we got to see it, we informed him that time that we saw it and he said, “Yeah that’s it!” The rest of the ride was pretty quiet; people were falling asleep or just relaxing. As we came into Sean’s old stomping grounds the point of interests came back. We learned that his friend’s dad owned this land and cattle, this place was where he did something, this is where he went to school, his church, this is where he drove dangerously and so on. You could definitely see the excitement in Sean’s eyes.

The view from our house.

A deer munching on the property.

A lizard by the pool. The boys had fun trying to catch one.

We made our way to the rental house (Gorgeous!) unpacked, took Sean and Stefanie to their hotel and headed over to the ranch. Unfortunately our timing was just off and Sean’s mom and sisters had just left. So we got to see his dad, brothers and grandma. Killian was a bit tired so we couldn’t stay long. We grabbed the pack and plays and back to the house we went. We slowly finished unpacking, ate some diner and crashed!