Miss Nanette

I've known Nanette Willhite since I was just a few months older than Liam.  My family lived next door to her and her husband, Bruce (Mr. B) in San Diego in the early 80s.  I remember hanging out in their hot tub watching hot air balloons land on the baseball field down the hill in the backyard.  They're basically family.  We've spent many a Christmukah and family vacation with them over the years.  My mom and Nanette are BFFs, but I think Liam is fighting Mom for the spot...  

Miss Nanette came for a week for some much-needed "girl time."  It's nice knowing there is someone else out there as OBSESSED with The Bachelor as I am.  Come on, you know you love it.  

I'm so glad Miss Nanette got to get to know my little munchkin.  (Liam calls her "Nett.")  Now, we need to get Mr. B out here ASAP.  They're sure to be fishing buddies.  

Three Years

Three years ago today, Wes asked me to marry him (well, technically, "merry" him.)  For those who've never heard our story and for those longing to relive it, here it is. 

Wes wanted to ask my father for his blessing, so he sought to track him down while I was sleeping on the morning of February 16, 2008. He found the Colonel rappelling from the roof chipping off giant sheets of ice, so Wes climbed up a precarious ladder and yelled out for him. He risked death scaling the icy roof to find my dad so that they could have their man-to-man talk. After nearly causing a heart-attack, Wes told my dad, "I wanted to talk to you up here so that you wouldn't have access to your shot-guns..." Steve replied "Well, I have a couple of shovels, but I don't need them." I was thrilled that my father didn't threaten Wes into submission. 



That afternoon, Wes took me snowshoeing in the Glenwild Preserve with his sister, Tracie. (I thought it was odd that she came without her husband.) We didn't trek very far when we came upon a magnificent outlook of Park City. Naturally, we had to stop and take advantage of the perfect photo-op. I grew nervous as I noticed Wes starting to act a little strange. After we took a few pictures, Wes told me to make sure the pictures came out. He followed me over to Tracie, and as I was skimming through the pictures, I came across one where he was holding a sign that said "Merry me?!?" 



I didn't notice until I was looking at the pictures we had taken that he had been holding a sign and even then failed to connect the events. It took me an awkward moment to realize that he was proposing and when I finally looked at him, he was already on his knee holding the ring. I reacted with some combination of shaking/crying/laughing as he said the following, "Rachael Rawson, I love you- I always have. Will you marry me?" (all in a Scottish accent...Braveheart style.)  I was overcome for a moment and then nodded, hugged him and said "If you'll marry me back." 

We tripped over each other’s snow shoes and fell to the ground laughing, enjoying one of the happiest moments of both of their lives.

That evening, we celebrated our new engagement at Wes's little nephew, Jesse's birthday party.  The vibe I picked up at the party was "FINALLY!"  Next, we headed over to my parent's house to spread the news and get ready for the "Bishop's Ball."  Neither of us stopped smiling for several days (until the wedding planning started...)

It was a glorious day.  Thanks for asking, Weston!  

Gute Freunde

Liam and I were lucky to be able to spend some time with some old friends while we were in California. I first met the Spears family when I was a high school freshman living in Stuttgart, Germany.  So, naturally we met up at a little Euro bistro in Lafeyette called La Boulange (new favorite place.)  Liam made friends with a fountain.

Chad and I were in the same grade at Patch American HS and also the same tiny ward, and we've stayed good friends over the past thirteen years.  We have met up all over the world; from Germany to Virginia, and Utah to California.  His mom was my Young Women's advisor and his older sister, Kim and I got to be close friends while living in D.C. years later.  Kim has an almost-two-year-old named Sam, and I wanted to eat his cheeks.   

Liam and Sam didn't hit it off at first.  Sam gave Liam some harsh words to which Liam responded by crying and putting his head down on his arm on the table.  Very dramatic.  Toughen up, Liam!  

Mr. Chad was an instant hit with my munchkin.  Of course, it didn't hurt that Chad had an iphone...

We also got to hang out with Chad at our host's son's basketball game, where Chad works as a trainer.  I wasn't expecting him to be there, so when I heard someone shouting "RACHAEL!!!" across the stadium, I saw no reason to respond as Wes was walking in front of me and I was a thousand miles from home.  Small world.  We also stopped by Kim's amazingly cute New England style home in Oakland on the way to the airport.  I could totally live next door.  I'm sure Sam and Liam would learn to get along...

Down by the Bay

My gracious host, Kathleen, was kind enough to take Liam and me to Chrissy Fields and Pier 39.  Liam was still wary of the ocean, sand and wind, but is now obsessed with sea lions.  

Ever been to Alcatraz?  

And of course, Liam insisted on calling Grammy and Papa to tell them all about the sea lions...  

Carmel

It will be a sad, sad day when these thighs disappear... 

Snow and sand fall in the same category for Liam...not his cup of tea...

Speak no evil...

Little did we know that the Secret Garden is in Carmel, CA!

This quaint little town was the highlight of my California trip.  I had no idea it existed and it is now one of my favorite places in the world.  This cottage is typical Carmel.  Can I just move in, please?