LA and seeing a doctor every day this week.

The good news is we got away overnight before everyone started crumbling apart. Rian's company put him up at the Bonaventure hotel because he had two late night "meetings" (Clipper and Laker games) and more morning stuff with clients downtown. So.... I got to go along and just play. And eat. And sleep in. Although my body still woke up at 6:45am. Not ok.

View from our floor 27 room.

Rian and I had a few hours to hang out around the hotel and meet one of his clients for drinks. I took off early to meet my sister and mom for a night around the city. After riding the Bonaventure elevators (never gets old) we walked to Perch. AMAZING. It was like hanging out with the skyline of downtown LA. The details of this building and rooftop bistro were so different and it all felt magical.

After drinks we walked to Bottega Louie for dinner. My mom and I had never been there. I was blown away. First by the huge beautiful Patisserie up front. Then by our food. We shared a few amazing entrees but the Trenne, oh man... no other pasta will ever do.

We sat in front of the pizza flipper which was fun. Our waiter made us take a picture in front of the stove and then the flipper got upset at us and I was crying because I was laughing so hard.

I said goodbye to Lauren and my mom close to 11pm about when Rian got back from the game. The next morning was relaxed and we walked to breakfast at Engine Co. No. 28 for breakfast and people watching. Afterwards Rian got to work and I took off to get the kids. A quick getaway.

An extra special shout-out and thanks to Rian's dad for taking on three kids (age 4 and under) ALL BY HIMSELF. And not only that... he had to deal with a preview of some of the sicknesses that came on this week. Charlie has an ear infection, Skyler has blepharitis (inflamed eyelid), Wallace still has a cough and I have a sinus infection. Also, Gypsy is currently at the vet for a hematoma on her ear. Also the vet told us she has cancer. There it is. Quite the week.

ONE

This kid turned one and we celebrated at a sweet little shaded park in Tustin. Charlie is easy-going, playful, likes to chase and be chased, gets giddy when he’s allowed to play in the bunk bed, likes to sneak up the stairs or sneak his hands into the toilet, loves playing in the dishwasher, is a rough-houser, a cuddler, and has won over all our hearts. Happy 1st birthday, Charlie.

My mom, mother-in-law, and a couple of my best friends. Can't wait for J's baby in July!!

Scarlett giddy over spotting her daddy :)

Some Zeulners.

Crazy girl looks like she slept in the park all night.

Here she is again.

Cutie pie Camdyn.

Wally and his neighbor friend, Emi... love her!

Grandpa and the birthday boy with birthday hairdo.

Poppa with his pop.

Charlie's crayon favors.

Birthday boy didn't quite make it through.

Late March

We decided to put artificial grass in the backyard. Rian tore down the bouganvilla, dug out the grass, and did layers of drainage prep before laying the new stuff. It looks awesome and the kids are in love.

Springtime bathing beauties

We dedicated Charlie at church with family and our close friends. It was sweet and sacred and something we did with each kid, choosing a unique life verse for all 3 of them. We gave Charlie Colossians 3:17. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Before our loved ones prayed over him, Rian read a blessing we wrote to him. It's at the bottom.

Charlie, we love you so much! We pray that you will grow up to follow Jesus closely—That you will seek Him at an early age and continue to grow in your understanding as you make choices on your own. Mommy and I commit to praying for you all the time and following God’s leading as we rely on God’s strength to raise you into a man of God. We pray that we will set an example for you in our daily lives and you will see the power of the Holy Spirit living in us and guiding us. We pray that we will encourage you to practice and use your spiritual gifts and that you will grow in wisdom and influence to attract others to love God, too. We pray for your protection as you grow physically, relationally, emotionally, spiritually and in all other areas of this fragile life on earth. We pray that you will gain understanding of eternity and live with an eternal perspective, knowing there’s more to life than what is physically around you. We pray that you will savor God’s blessings throughout your life and set up stones of remembrance that will always remind you of how faithful our God is to us. You are one of Mommy and Daddy’s huge stones of remembrance as we will always be reminded of how much God blessed us with you. We love you and dedicate you to God now and for your whole life.