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.