Pt Reyes Adventure

Continuing with our New Year's goal to get out and enjoy the Bay Area, Klarissa and I snatched up Groupons for horseback riding in Pt. Reyes National Park.

We're so lucky that Abe and Klarissa are always willing to come along on our bizarre-but-fun outings (like driving all the way to Sac-town for cheeseburgers. I don't care what you say, Squeeze Inn was SO worth it.). It's not every day that you make friends who are so "go-with-the-flow" and you actually enjoy being with for 12+ hours.

We started out the day with a stop for the "best glazed donuts in SF". And then made our way across the bridge and up the coast for our horseback ride.

The ride was gorgeous. Our tour guide was a bit strange, but it added to the "charm" of the outing. That, and Patrick's midget horse who wouldn't (couldn't?) canter to save it's life.
(Do you see how far behind me he is?! ha.)

After the ride, we went to a cute little restaurant in Pt. Reyes - where Abe and Patrick got cornered by the President of the Bay Area Porsche club (pronounced Porsh-A mind you. Got corrected on that thrice). We also had the freshest oysters ever. WOW. So delicious. Tasted just like the beach.

Since we were already so far north, we decided to make the most of it and drive up to the Pt. Reyes lighthouse. Have you been yet?? It was incredible. So So So beautiful!!
(Working off the lunch and donuts. Soo many stairs!! Over 300 steps each way.)
Plus we just so happened to time our adventure perfectly with the arrival of the Elephant seals. Who knew! It was so cool to see them waddle around the beach.After long drive home, successfully avoiding car-sickness on the winding PCH, we finished the evening watching the BYU game. I may not like sports (and the screaming that goes along with it) but I do love to watch Patrick and Abe get so excited. Presh.

Baby Shower for Diana Hulme

I've somehow avoided throwing a baby shower for the 4 years we've lived in SF, but when my dear friend Diana announced she was having a baby (And moving to NYC!), I knew it was time for me to pull it together and host a NYC-themed par-tay.

I'm full of great "ideas" but I'm not real good at the execution part. That, coupled with the fact that Diana is the queen of cute (seriously. check out her blog and you will want to hate her too. But you can't because she is so sweet) was some serious pressure.

After enlisting help from some amazing girls, we pulled it off. And it was so fun!!

Although I can't say I wasn't happy when it was all over, (Especially after Ashley and I stayed up all night trying to make caramel apples for the party favors and failed MISERABLY, resulting in an emergency plan b - a stop in our PJ's at the infamous Bob's Donuts at 2am with all the bar-hoppers.) I had a great time and am so excited for Baby Hulme!!!

A few lessons learned for next time:
-Don't attempt caramel apples for the first time the night before the party because you will fail. -Don't put cheesecake out 2 hours before a party bcs it will melt,
-Taisja is a genius and can solve any problem you have before your meltdown starts (including how to get sugar on the rims of plastic martini glasses - honey- duh.)
-Creepy "baby" pictures are hilarious.
-Delegating to people who are more talented than you is ESSENTIAL to a good party.
-There's always someone who's already had the same idea as you and has executed it better than you will. Just get over it and steal their ideas.
-Hand-cutting frilly streamers takes a LOT of time and gives you hand cramps. But even if your husband says it isn't worth it, ignore him because it totally is.

Link to a better re-cap than I can provide:
"Baby in the Big Apple"

p.s. especially special thanks to Klarissa for designing the cutest invite EVER.
p.p.s. all pics stolen from Diana's blog. Thank goodness for friends with nice cameras!

kind of a big deal

Someone is at BYU this weekend "Guest Lecturing" and giving Advertising students tips. (Also seeing Jimmer's last home game. How convenient).

I keep getting calls/texts/emails from friends about how their cousin's sister's best friend is interviewing with some hot guy from San Francisco (confession: I made that part up, they are all referring to him as Patrick) so I guess that means he's making a good impression. Duh.

Movers and shakers over here.

I won't talk about the fact that I've just sluffed around at the apt watching "Bethenny ever after" while he's gone.

It's depressing (and COLD) when you're home alone. But you get to have girl time! I went to the Ballet last night and am having a sleepover tonight. So looks like we're both having fun :)

Love

I interrupt my white-sand-clear-turquoise-water-lounging to make a public display of love for Mr Larsen.

I especially love him when we're on vacation. So this Valentine's Day is especially sweet. How could you not be more in love with someone when your days consist of sleeping in, rubbing sunscreen on his cute sunburned back (poor see-through lover boy) and heading out to play with Sting Rays?


Anyways.

Patrick, you are the cutest husband in the world. I am obsessed with you and I'm pretty sure everyone is sick of us, but I don't care. They are specifically sick of the photo love shrine I have accidentally created at the office. My desk is surrounded by pictures of you, and then when you come by to say hello (since we work together! so ideal!), it is like Patrick overload!! i.e. my dream come true. I joke that it is sometimes too much, but we both know I can't get enough.

I am so proud of all of your accomplishments and hard work. I love how sweet and devoted you are. I can't wait until our next grand adventure. Because with you, it's always 100 times better than I could imagine.

love love love love love love love love love.

Time for more Vacation

It's true. We leave for Grand Cayman a week from today.

I love vacation.

I love that we are going to play with dolphins, swim with Sting Rays, kayak in bioluminescent caves and go horseback riding on the beach (my sly attempt to remind Patrick that he promised me a horseback ride on the beach).

I don't love that I threw my "get ready for the beach" plan out the window on Jan 14th. I gave it a solid two weeks, but alas there is just TOO MUCH GOOD FOOD here.

I need to move to the suburbs.

Counting down the minutes. I haven't been this ready to go somewhere since Christmas!! (You can smack me now).

Guilt Trip...

I've been bugging Patrick for a few weeks about taking me on a date. Like a real "pick you up at 6, wear something cute" type date.

I'm tired of being in charge of planning EVERYTHING. (Minus picking where we eat, he always gets to pick where we eat).

I mean, I know I've got it good and I'm lucky that we even have time to hang out regardless of who's planning, but does anyone else feel like this has happened to them?

Seems like a boy's favorite part about being married is not having to pony up with creative date-nights anymore. (ok his second favorite part). But I'm putting my foot down.

Take me to mini-golf OR ELSE!

p.s. someone made the point that I need to differentiate between FB posts and blog posts; just because I can now post from my phone doesn't mean I have to every time I think about it. Duly noted.

Screw the diet...

I'm getting a double.

The original drive-in.

Well worth the $5.

Forays into red lipstick...

Starting slow, with "berry".

The last time I wore bright lipstick was in college, and Patrick made me cry with his response (or lack there of. Oh boys, they think we can't read their faces).

I'm learning to ignore his looks.

GSP Holiday Party 2010

Tried out "Rent the Runway". Best decision ever.

Where else can you get a $400 Milly dress for $50?? Especially a sparkle dress that I'd never wear again anyways.

4 years of Holiday parties, and we're still having fun. Especially with Mr. Larsen being "allowed" at the last two (one of the perks of working at the same place).

Testing technology

My First mobile post. If this works, perhaps it will inspire more regular blogging?

Leaving, On a Jet Plane...

*I would just like to point out that this post is made possible by In-Flight WiFi.

After a sporadic burst of frequent business travel, I've become quite the "Up in the Air" -esque snob. I'm hitting "Silver status" on Delta on Monday and my extremely optimistic goal is to reach "Gold" by Christmas. Although, at the rate I'm going, maybe that isn't too unrealistic. Then MAYBE I won't be in the back row middle seat anymore (that's what you get for booking day-of flights, I guess. Who knew Detroit was such a popular place?!!)

I'm miffed when the in-flight Wifi isn't working. I complain when the power outlet under my seat doesn't work properly. A year ago, I was content if I got a TV, let alone internet and an outlet to charge my laptop.

If my room at the Westin isn't big enough, or on the "Preferred Guest" floor, I'm irked. Excuse me, where's the bath robe??

All my conversations with co-workers at the hotel bar are about "elite status" or the best hotel rooms. And I'm getting a little addicted to Diet Coke (Why does it taste so much better than water on an airplane?).

What's happening to me? I love my jet-setting ways, but I'm starting to understand why "Road Warriors" get so burnt out.

See you Monday, Detroit. Here's hoping I'm on the 23rd floor. And that I don't forget my underwear again.

STUHRESSED

How much OJ do you need for breakfast for 75 people?

How many eggs and milk do you need for french toast for 75 people?

How many freaking sausage links do you need for 75 people?

The Church camp-out is tomorrow, and I might just be freaking out a little bit.

Let's just say, I'm real excited for this weekend to be over.

over and out.

Best Birthday Yet!

I may be a bit biased, since I'm the one who planned everything, but I think this was Mr. Larsen's best birthday to date.

We started out with breakfast at Dottie's. Although the food wasn't quite up to the hype, it was fun going out to eat so early in the morning and heading into the office already in a sugar coma.
Our busy days at the office (yes, same office, if you've been living under a rock) were interrupted by an ice cream cake. Patrick was late to his own party, but are you surprised? That boy has absolutely no sense of time - and refuses to put his cell phone/text message ringer on. Not that it matters to me that he NEVER answers my calls or texts.

After work, we shopped around a bit until our superlate reso at Wayfare Tavern. O. M. G. such a good meal!! We feasted on Bone Marrow, Uni and Creamed Corn, Fried Chicken and an incredible burger. Not to mention the best mac and cheese I think I've ever had. Birthday boy was so full of cheeseburger, he even passed up dessert.

I fooled someone into thinking that was the end of the celebrations, but Saturday morning I surprised him with a trip out to the Concord Airport. Our good friend, Brynn, and her father were kind enough to take us on a private tour of the bay area from their 4-seater plane. They even let Patrick fly on his own for a bit.
Highlight of the tour? When Patrick took the yoke and said "You know, it's ok I don't really want to fly. No, seriously, I'm really nervous, I'd rather not". Brynn's dad thought he was joking, but I could hear the true fear in his voice. HA!

Unfortunately, our dear fogged-in city was a bit hard to see, but it was still so fun.

All-in-all, what a great birthday. I sure love birthdays, but I especially love the birthday of the love of my life!!!

Just sayin'...

...It's really hard to judge if a photographer is talented or not if all their subjects are ugly.

That said, anyone know a good "family portrait" photographer on Kauai?
Unfortunately, it seems the person who shot this image is fully booked ;)