Lately...

I've been a bit of a blogging slacker lately, but it's only because we've been busy having fun! Last weekend my dad had a conference in Irvine, so I went up Friday morning to hang out with my mom for the day, and then Grant came up that evening to join us for dinner. We both spent the night and continued the fun through the weekend.

 Friday, my mom and I spent the day at South Coast Plaza, an enormous mall with everything you can imagine. I really haven't been shopping much lately because I know normal clothes won't fit for long, but I'm not really big enough to require maternity clothes yet. However, couldn't let this opportunity pass me up, so...I tried on and bought my first maternity clothes! Gap had a great sale and I got some cute stuff (most of which I'm getting for Christmas).

 Saturday, my dad only had his conference for a few hours in the morning so we finished up our shopping then headed back home (with a stop at Cafe Rio for lunch :) The rest of the long weekend we spent at our house enjoying the beach. Sunday, we had a huge family dinner which was a lot of fun.

My parents left Monday night, but before, we went to Z Gallerie and found some art for their bedroom (which they have been trying to decide on for YEARS) and then decided to take the long (but much more beautiful) drive down Coast Hwy. It was so fun to check out all the different beaches along the approximately 35 miles of coastline we drove. We also drove through some amazing neighborhoods in La Jolla.

 We stopped at Mission Bay for sunset and then headed to get a pizza to enjoy with Grandpa before heading to the airport.

Even short trips are so much fun and it wasn't hard to say bye knowing they'd be back down for Christmas!

 For the most part of I have been feeling pretty good, but I still have my occasional "gross" days as I call them. That's the only way I can describe how I feel...just nauseous and kind of gross, haha. One day this week I was particularly gross in the morning so just hung out and did laundry instead of running, so my workout buddy Heidi and I went for a walk in the late afternoon when I felt better. The sky at the end of our walk was amazing...

Also this week...our family size decreased by 1. Conrad went  home. I have definitely grown to like the little guy, but it will be nice to have some quiet around here too :) We only have 6 more months til we'll have another little thing making lots of noise.

And yesterday, Grant's parents stopped for the afternoon and to spend the night on their drive home from Oregon. It was a short visit but we had a great time. Long beach walk (where we found more sand dollars than I've ever seen on the beach) and some really cool reflections in the wet sand.

 Love the reflection...

 We call this the "putting Mat out of business" photo ;)

 Hurry up December...I miss my husband's sexy upper lip.

Low flying pelican

 This week we have discovered the power of the sand dollar. Who knew they could move so much?! I was amazed to see it the first time, and have found at least one every day since this week.

 And a gorgeous end to the evening.

We had a fun week of family visits and can't believe Thanksgiving is already next week! We had Grant's work Thanksgiving party today...delicious pot luck (I have never seen so much food) and on the beach. The weather today was perfect (definitely a convertible day!)