May

May was filled with lots of travel. We headed to Tahoe for Mother's Day weekend where we napped, hiked, had a chance to read and swim. It was a beautiful weekend and the scenery there is just gorgeous. We discovered a few smaller lakes around the "Big Blue" and had a chance to spend some time there. Some areas still had snow and Sasha loved licking it.

But the big trip and event of the month was Lisa's wedding! We did our east coast tour starting in MD visiting Alex's family. All was smooth and we enjoyed spending time with his Mom + grandparents. It was a quick visit but we were glad to see everyone. We went to a park with Alex's mom, Nellie, and Sasha actually wanted to go on the carousel, in the past she's cried when we've taken her on it...so it was a bit of a surprise. While still not completely sure what to think, she decided she wanted to sit on one of the bench seats in a swan instead of bob up and down on a horse but we went 3 times as I think she enjoyed it. Daddy after one time around had to get off though...he was dizzy! Then we went on the train, which Sasha loves right now, and from the expressions on her face didn't seem overjoyed, she kept asking to go on again. The park was huge and we wandered through it with Sasha stopping to play on the swings, these huge wooden cars and another play structure. It was a fun outing and we'll definitely have to go back there.

That Friday we flew up to Boston for the wedding weekend. The first night was Lisa's bachlorette party in the city. We went out to dinner, a very hip tapas place and a comedy club where the comedians were lukewarm. It was still fun hanging with all the girls and we laughed on our own plenty. Then the next day we all headed out to Williamstown in the Berkshires where the wedding would take place. It was a beautiful drive with all the green trees and rolling hills as we made our way out there. The bridal party went straight to a spa for some girl time and pampering and the guys went on a golf outing. Alex and Sasha had lunch with Oma at the hotel and got settled in. We had been moving around so much sleeping was not going well for Sasha..or us for that matter...so Alex and her took a nice nap before the rehearsal dinner. There were about 20 of us at dinner and it was a great way to kick things off. I gave my speech to the happy couple that I think came off ok, I was surprised to find myself tearing up as I read it. But I am just really happy for them and it seemed like the past year had so much planning around it, I just couldn't believe the big day was finally here.

Sunday was the wedding day! We all gathered in Lisa's suite and got ready starting at 8:30...the wedding was at 2:30 but we had to be ready for pictures at noon. It was fun just hanging around all getting our hair and makeup done. Thanks to Julie who did an excellent job on my makeup! I wish you would have done it for my wedding!! Lisa looked beautiful and the vail she wore, made from my Mom's dress, was gorgeous! I really loved it! Everything went off without a hitch, other than we were running a little late with pictures but you can't start the ceremony w/o the wedding party! Sasha with no nap was melting down during pictures...so I wasn't sure how she would do down the aisle or the wedding for that matter. The whole weekend she was SUPER attached to her Daddy so I wasn't even sure she would come with me without having him by her side. To my happy surprise, right before we all walked out she was hilarious and singing at the top of her lungs...we were having so much fun and then when it was our time to go she did great. Other than wanting to jump in a small pond in the middle of the courtyard, she made it down just fine. The ceremony was short but sweet and then we all could just relax and party. The rest of the day was spent dancing, eating good food and talking with friends and family. Everyone had a great time and we're all happy to celebrate the newly married couple. Congrats Lisa + Scott!


Then our caravan headed back to my parents house and while I drove with my Mom we decided to stop for ice cream. They had 30 soft serve flavors, how could you not? However, it took forever to get two cones. The funny part was along the drive we got stuck behind a Mem. Day parade and my Mom was just saying how she's learned to relax more after leaving NY- and that this "country" living [it's pretty rural out there] was for her. While Alex and my Dad behind us were wondering who, my Mom or I, would freak out and lose our cool first...patience is not our strongest virtue. Well, I have to say we both did quite well with the parade but the ice cream wait almost killed us- we were both so impatient and I think my Mom's NY nature is still in there...HA!

Other than these trips, I found out I passed my Pre-Design exam!! Yea!! And signed up for MEP...in July. We'll see how that one goes...

Here's some pics from this month! Hope you enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/amyres/May02?authkey=q3v1xENZo_s

April

Okay, I know it's June and I've missed a few months but I'll try to catch up. So April, not that many pictures this month, most likely b/c I got a nasty flu that took me out for about 10 days.

For us, April is special b/c it is our Anniversary and this year we celebrated our 5th wedding anniv. and 10th overall! That night we went out to celebrate and checked out a new hip restaurant in Oakland. It ended up being packed and we found out it was b/c Chris Rock was performing next door that very night...so once the crowd left we settled in to an excellent dinner and enjoyed having some time on our own. As a gift, I surprised Alex with a really nice uklele, for those of you that don't know he's really gotten into playing and enjoys it so much he goes to a class to play bi-weekly with 40 other dorks, I mean uke players. Ha! This year is wood and while we haven't always stuck to those traditions, it seemed like an appropriate gift. And being the thoughtful, project driven guy he is, he is making me a necklace holder from wood at one of the cabinet makers shop that he works with. Once I see it, I'll definitely post pictures. It is incredibly sweet and I'm excited to get it.

The next weekend we headed to Portland to visit with Abby + Will, Aaron + Jenna, Ann + Desi and Julie [Alex's sister] and her new boyfriend Mike. It was a packed weekend but luckily all of them are incredibly warm and inviting and opened their homes to our entire group! Thanks so much! Upon our landing, we got a glimpse of Greg Oden picking up a lady friend when Will got us at the airport. Now we can say we've seen as much star power in Portland as we have in LA. And thanks so much for getting the car seat and making the time to get us!

Then on Sat, Abby and I went and checked out her wedding site in Hood River. It really is going to be beautiful and we can't wait until Sept.! Hood River is gorgeous and I love the place she chose! Unfortunately, I started feeling awful during this day trip and wasn't able to shake it until a week after we got home...we still had a nice time but as I said to her, I had the type of headache that felt as if someone hit you in the back of the head with a bat. OUCH! It was a hot sunny day and we enjoyed lunch at a restaurant with a outdoor patio overlooking the river- it felt great to be in the sun! But better yet we got some ice cream to cool off down on the main street of the town.

I am also so glad we got to see Ms. Jenna pregnant and the awesome renovation they are doing to their basement. They seem like they are all ready for "pancake" to arrive. We can't wait to meet the little one this summer. We also went on some nice walks around their neighborhood with their brand new BOB stroller- Sasha enjoyed getting out and luckily that was her chance for nap time. It is such a cute area and the bungalows are adorable. I loved "dreaming" about where we would live and amazingly for half the price! AGH! Also we got a chance to spend time in their backyard and they have an incredible garden that gave us much inspiration. Alex + I have decided to start a garden of our own upon our return!

It was great meeting Julie's Mike, he seems like a great guy and is incredibly sweet on her. She's smiling bigger smiles than I've ever seen and as long as he makes her happy we're thrilled! We really are looking forward to getting to know him more! On our last day there, Ann gave us a great tour of the Nike campus and access to the employee store where we bought our share of schwag. Sasha even got two little pairs of Nikes' and is now hip on the playground. Desi unfortunately was in Liberia so we missed seeing her...but we'll definitely be back with so many friends there!

Other than that, I took my next exam for my Arch. License - Pre-design and Alex continued to work on the house, the never ending project...

Here are some pictures to check out from this month:
http://picasaweb.google.com/amyres/April?authkey=V9I5JRoTVGY