wonderful weekend

do you have a cup of tea?  with my camera back in working order and a fabulous weekend in the desert with family, i have so much to share here.  let's start at the beginning...  we met michael's parents and my mom in lake view terrace at the hansen dam park where we would continue on our journey with gigi in tow.  

but before we headed on our way, ez and bee went out to play.  they came upon some footsteps, left from uncle matt, and played the funny footsteps game.

after a short drive we arrived in pasadena to do a little necessary shopping.  michael told ezra, who is such a seasoned traveler now, "we are in pasadena," to which ezra asked, "what language do they speak here?"  oh sweet boy.  why, pasadenish, my dear.  

we went to ZARA to buy michael a suit - not just any suit - an interview suit.  

that's right folks!  michael brought the whole family along to an interview for residency at eisenhower medical center in rancho mirage, california.  we were excited to join him on this adventure and couldn't have done it without a little help from our family.

you see, while i was knitting in the front seat,

watching the train go by,

past the windmills,

gigi was unbuckling her seat belt on the freeway in a valiant effort to calm crying baby in the back.  indy does NOT like long car rides.  

there were a few times where both boys were crying their heads off.  with just twenty minutes left until we arrived to our destination, indy was practically choking on his tears and ezra snapped, "that is it indy!" michael wondered aloud wether any of the other applicants would show up with their family, making a 7 hour journey out of a 4 hour one, stopping along the way to nurse and change the baby and buy a suit on the way.  in case you were wondering, there aren't any good places to shop where we live.  ahhhh....  we just looked at each other and laughed and i think my mom popped a piece of her nicorette chewing gum in her mouth at the same time.  

once we were there, the boys were quiet and the desert scenery was beautiful, warm, and inviting.

our first hotel was small and friendly and my mom and the boys charmed the restaurant staff while michael and i went to the dinner, to which spouses were also invited, the night before his day of interviewing at eisenhower.

i shyly snapped a photo from the side of the front entrance.  they brought us to the health center where we would have dinner in one of the conference rooms.  i was the only spouse who showed up!

after dinner, alone in the hallway, i snapped a couple of photos on my way to the bathroom.  

the building is new and pretty inside and out.  i loved the design elements.  i stayed almost the entire time, but had to rush back to indy who wasn't being settled to bed without mama.  it's only fair to add that he was waiting for mama's milk, because gigi can otherwise keep him very happy and calm.  this was my first time out for dinner with michael since indy was born.  if we want to do this again, i guess it might be time to start pumping and storing and teaching the babe how to drink from a bottle.

the next morning, indy and i ventured out for a walk while gigi and ezra slept in and michael was already at the hospital interviewing.  the desert was charming me.  in the morning the air was crisp and cool yet the sun was warming us up enough to not feel cold.  

we each had a full day of events, michael spent the day having a tour of the facilities and interviews while my mom, the boys and i enjoyed our day at the children's museum (future post to come).  we picked michael up and moved into a different hotel - a time share resorty place made available to us by my brother's girlfriend - where we would spend the next two nights.

we had some relaxing pool time after a spectacular time at sunnylands (future post to come),

a beautiful desert sunset,

a delicious mexican meal with mariachi singers to dance to,

and a great group of family and friends.

in the 'villa' indy explored new surroundings

and watched t.v. with ez.

my brother made breakfast on the morning of our departure while my mom packed snacks for the ride.

we took some self timer shots with the fabulous lighting before it was time to say goodbye.

we enjoyed hanging out with steve and andrea.  thank you for coming all the way from phoenix to meet us and for the lovingkindness you shared with us and our littles.

i am so proud of you michael!  you are amazing.  thank you for taking us on this journey with you.

our weekend away was short but sweet.  we would've liked one more day, but alas half the fun is just getting there and back.  on the way home, we past the windmills again.  

i was co-pilot with a camera again but this time passing the windmills indy was fast asleep.

inspired by the desert shades of brown, i picked up my shawl to knit for the way back.

we met michael's parents near the hansen dam again where there were cowboys buying ice cream from the ice cream man.

and this time chicken was there!

she held and cuddled indy

while he bounced around and did a little jig

and i got to take more pictures of my beautiful baby in the great afternoon light.

he got a chance to crawl outside

and work on his pincer grasp

while his big brother played pirates with some other boys.

it was a brisk afternoon, a 20 degree difference in temperature from where we were.  we enjoyed breathing in the fresh air with the warmth from the desert still on our skin.  our hearts were full with gratitude for family, friends, and michael's hard work that brought us all together this wonderful weekend.