What a difference a year can make..

Well if you can believe it guys, I have made it a whole year in California, and let's not ignore the truth there were times that I was not sure that it was possilve to survive a year out here. I think back to this day a year ago and let's just say the year that unfolded before me was not at all what I had pictured on my flight over. It is quite funny how God is so sneaky and has plans for you!

So backing up a year ago, I flew out to good ole San Jose on my one way ticket with my favorite little girl in the world, Chloe!! Wasting no time at all I was headed straight down the 101 to my first 49er game all dressed in my cute little tube top. Now a year later, I would say this day is no longer possible for multiple reasons, one being I no longer travel with Chloe but with this cute little buddy of mine that I didn't even know would be apart of my life a year ago, named Easton! Also, any one from San Jose knows you don't travel the 101 if possible it's a nightmare of a highway, you take 280. Second no one in their right mind wears a tube top to Candlestick park, it is always freezing year around. Lastly, just the thought of a flight and a football game all in one day is exhausting with a baby!! Needless to say a year later, I least know how to dress for games, how to get to games and I know to go early because I have a BABY!!! Who would have thought! :)

Alright Drake family,get excited for this... I have actually grown to like many things about California, here are just a few that top my list.. yep there are more than this list! :)
1) WEATHER, need I say  more to any of you Texans
2) Weekend Vacations, being able to go to Napa, the city, Pebble Beach, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay etc.. all just on a weekend is wonderful
3)Mountains, they are so pretty to look at
4) Being driving distance to the Drake families


Things that still just kill me about California:
1) That stupid CRV charge.. ahhhh I really hate it, and to be honest I have chosen to forget about it and continue to buy my water bottles, however every once and a while I see a sign that says "Water bottles $3.99 + CRV", I hate that friendly reminder they post in stores and I get all worked up all over again! :)
2) Not being driving distance from the Salley Family and Texas Friends
3) Everything cost more
4) The school certification process is not only retarded but slow
5) People are not as friendly in Silicon Valley
6) I still miss my old school and working..

ok, I will stop!


I will say that in a year I found myself calling "San Jose" home a few times ( let's not get carried away it won't be a permit home, but a pretty good home for now). We have actually created a pretty good group of friends. We have plans on the weekends again! :) We have a church home that I have enjoyed getting involved in. I have joined  a mom's group aka.. My play group, I still don't feel like a mom, but non the less have meet some great people, some super cute little babies and found lots for Easton to do in the community! Drake is thriving in his job and I am grateful that I have been able to stay at home and explore the new city. I spent the whole year trying to see and do everything that there is to do int he Bay area. I owe my husband a big thank you for letting me play for the whole year and getting to explore things that most people never will get a chance to do. We are also growing to actually really love our "flea" house and we are just one happy little family.

It truly is amazing what all happens in a year! I guess I am not stating the obvious huge change that happened, but we all know that I love and adore our Little boy and he truly makes life much easier, how can you not be happy when you have that sweet little face smiling at you everyday!

A Day of Big First for Easton..

Today was a big day for Mr. E! We packed up and headed to the city for the first time with Easton. And when I say "packed up", I literally felt like I was packing for a trip. Being gone with a baby for a whole day requires quite a lot of gear and back up stuff for the "just in case" moments.

We meet Kathryn and Ryan in the city. It was so good to see them, we miss them. I was glad that they were able to make time for us on their trip. Easton has no idea how many walks he is missing out on with Kat not close to me. This was Easton's first trip to the city!! However, the city is not stroller friendly!

After lunch with them, I headed over to the stadium to go to the 49er game. I was a bit worried about going to the game with Easton, it is just a lot of work to get all the way to the suite from the parking lot. However, we managed, and Easton was AWESOME at his first football game!! He didn't make one peep, just hung out in every ones arms and took it all in. I have a bad feeling I am going to have a huge problem with Mr. E getting a bit spoiled getting to attend so many football games and on top of that getting to be in a suite. I am going to have explain that it is not normal and he is lucky his daddy has a fun job for him!



This was this morning when I was telling him about his big day ahead! He looks excited right?? :)




Gina and Mr. E at the game!!




Apparently, I was the only that was aware we were taking a picture. My boys were on a different page! :)




Yea he is just living the "suite"life!!




Notice, there is a change of clothes! I will just say, it was a good thing we had "packed" this morning, because we needed out "just in case" outfit! :)

 Hope everyone had a great Saturday!!

Girl's weekend...

This past weekend 6 of my girlfriends came to visit me! We had a great weekend. We Spent Friday in the city, Saturday we spent in Napa, and Sunday we went back to the city! It was so much fun and I hope they all come back again! Here are a few pictures.

Weekend with my Mom!!

My mom just left today, but was here for 4 days and we had a great time. We went to the city Friday Night and had a great dinner!! There are so many to pick from there, that it is hard to decide, but we defiantly found a winner!! It is called Louisa's Italian Restaurant, it was cute and quaint, and the 80 something year lady who is the owner still stops by each table to see how your food was.. how cute is that?

In the city were were able to hang out with great friends too, our friends Wes and Amanda from Drake's home were up visiting people, along with our  new friends Ethan and Lisa!! It was a fun night of friends and family. Saturday my mom and got up early and headed to Sausalito for brunch and then to Union Square to shop, but were got treated with the Christmas tree going up, which was neat to see how that all works and the trimming to make it look so perfect!! The ice skating rink was up as well too, so fun!! Can't wait till the Tree Lighting ceremony..oh how I love Christmas time!

Sunday we all went to the 49er game, which was a perfect day for a game at Candlestick it was beautiful weather.. plus they WON!! yea... Cowboys won too...which was a miracle for them this year!! :) lets not talk about Tech however... that is just sad!! :( I told my mom she was good luck for the 49ers, and she just needed to stay forever!! Drake's brother Joe and his two boys were there too, so that was fun!

Here are some pictures from the weekend.. Enjoy!!


The new 49er sales center.. AKA Drake's office.. must be nice to walk down this to your office everyday!!



View of half of the New Stadium and little model!



Model of New Stadium!



Top of the Mark Bar!! You can't see but below us is the view of the whole city!!




I just think she is so pretty, so I had to add this one!!:)




Sausalito, a view of the city from the water!!





The ice skating rink in Union Square!




Christmas Tree going up in Union Square!




49er game, we must be important or something to get on the field.. :)



Goldmine girls!!