Week 40

Monday, Oct. 2nd

Sassy pants ready for dance.

Colombo began his coast to coast to coast to coast trip from Peru to California.

Parque del Amor (Park of Love) in Lima.

He's the sweetest...<3 p="">

Tuesday, Oct. 3rd
I flew to Cali to meet up with Colombo for his business conference.  We both landed at SFO and got to baggage claim within minutes of each other!!!  We got our rental car and started the trip down to Monterey.  We opted to add an hour to the trip and take the very iconic, very scenic Pacific Coast Highway.  It was amazing!  The ocean, the views, the weather, and just being together and having the car ride to reconnect.

We stopped in Davenport (population 375) for a few snacks.  It was the most precious little town.  Blink and you miss it! 

We loved the big, low-rising, harvest, and full-for-a-night moon the days we were there.

 Finally, we arrived at our hotel.

We walked down to the Fisherman's Wharf and tried to get an idea of the area.

Wednesday, Oct. 4th
Colombo had a day of meetings, so I went to Carmel to explore and sit on the beach.  It was absolutely adorable and the shops and restaurant area had a sweet European feel to it.  Sitting on the beach, I had a clear view of Pebble Beach Golf Course and enjoyed watching surfers and dolphins.

Dogs could be off-leash on the beach.  I was amazed how many were there.  They stayed right with their owners and I never heard any barking.  Renna would've been in heaven!!

I joined Colombo at his dinner 'thing' with about 20 people down at Cannery Row on the water.

And then we went back to the hotel for the after party which was a piano bar done so well by a fellow telecomm agent.

 Thursday, Oct. 5th
Jules helped us out with morning rides to school!

More meetings for Colombo, more beach for me.  They were SO CLOSE to the shore!

Thursday night was the big banquet, held in a space that was literally completed (well, still work to be done) that afternoon!  This is Colombo's business coach, Rick and his lovely wife Renee.  They're great!

Magic Johnson was the keynote and he was amazing!  His post basketball life is super impressive.  He was funny and humble and clearly a very smart man!  He's been very successful building businesses in urban areas.  At the end, he opened up for Q&A.  He only mentioned this because someone asked a dumb question (there IS such thing as a dumb question!), but he and his wife every year sponsor 100 students to go the college of their choice.  I think that's an amazing goal!

Friday, Oct. 6th

Friday was the excursion day- pick your treat, on the house.  We opted for massages and then went out on our own exploring.  Though we are bummed that we will most likely never be in Napa again (our conference outgrew the resorts up there), and we have so many special memories of that INCREDIBLE spot, we were also excited to explore a new area.  Monterey is different but incredibly unique and beautiful.

We decided to tackle the famous 17 Mile Drive through the Pebble Beach area.

The waves on this side were easily 9-10 feet high.

Thanks Wikipedia for the description: "Standing on a granite hillside off California's scenic 17-mile drive in Pebble Beach, the Lone Cypress is a western icon, and has been called one of the most photographed trees in North America. The tree is located between Cypress Point Golf Course and the Pebble Beach Golf Links, two of world's best-known golf courses. Possibly as old as 250 years, the cypress has been scarred by fire and has been held in place with cables for 65 years."

Then we popped into Pebble Beach for the loveliest lunch on the course!

Calamari with real squid ink!

I took Colombo down to my beach spot in Carmel where we sat for an hour or so before heading back.

That evening, Intelysis had a pig roast for some of the leaders and a fun salsa band.

The Littles spent the night Pop's- successful bike riding and Costco-ing.

Saturday, Oct. 7th

Pastor Jose and a team dedicated the church Colombo helped build.  The Mayor cancelled school so everyone could participate.  It's by far the nicest building in the village and the people are thrilled about it.

We left beautiful Cali, headed for beautiful Emily Lane.

Familiar San Fran to catch our flight.

The kids ran a 5K.  Meaning Renna ended up on Pop's shoulders.

Maddy was invited to East Catholic's Homecoming by a (girl)friend.  I felt bad I couldn't be there to help with hair and pictures.  She's pretty self-sufficient.  He shopped for and bought her own dress, did her own hair and makeup, and found her own ride.  She's beautiful and every way.

Sunday, Oct. 8th

Home, sweet, home.  

I love this so much!

Hockey times three.

Nathanael had his buds over for his birthday celebration.