Golf, Greek and the Cowboys!

Kurt and I had a busy weekend! Kurt decided we should go down to Oxnard (about 30 minutes down the coast) to check out the Dallas Cowboys training camp. On Saturday we drove down there and did some shopping first (since our shopping opportunities in SB are limited- we don't even have a Target!!). Then headed over to the training camp about 3pm. We don't have any pictures because even though we brought the camera, we forgot the charged battery! Oh well! Guess my picture with Tony Romo will have to wait! On Sunday we headed over to the driving range so Kurt could work on his golf game and I sat and got a tan while he hit some balls. Then we drove over to the Greek Festival that was going on in town and chowed down on some Baklava and Gyros! Probably the best Gyros I've ever had- yum, yum!

It's a...GIRL!!!

We are SO THRILLED!!! Bring on the pink!

Texas girls on the town!

My good friend Darri came to visit several weeks back and I just now got some pics of her visit! Darri and I worked together in Austin and I was so excited she was able to come out and visit since I hadn't seen her in a year! One of the highlights of her trip to SB was the morning the Big Dog Parade marched down State St.! Caesar Millan, better known to animal lovers as The Dog Wisperer, was the grand marshall. We were sad to see Darri go (especially since she probably gets the #1 houseguest award!) but hope her and Danny will be able to make it back to SB sometime in the future!

Hotel Martens...may I take your reservation?

We hosted another group of visitors this weekend- Kurt's parents Murro and Darla. Murro had been to Santa Barbara before for work, but Darla had never visited. They were here for about 5 days, so in addition to showing them the local sites (I think we should just start a tour service!) we also took them out to the wine country. On the drive out we didn't see any signs of the Gap Fire that plagued Santa Barbara in the last few weeks- so that is good news now that it has been put out. While in the wine country we visited Bridlewood Vineyard, the towns of Los Olivos and Solvang and ate steaks at the Hitching Post. If any of you have seen the movie Sideways, the Hitching Post was the restaurant in the movie! The Santa Ynez Valley right outside SB is where the whole movie was filmed. We were sad to see Murro and Darla go since we probably won't see them again for a few months- but it sure was fun while it lasted!

A Tourist Weekend

This past weekend Kurt's brother, Kevin, and his wife, Cara came to visit. We did our darndest to pack everything you've just got to see in SB into one weekend! These two have a lot of energy, so we were pretty much able to do it! We ate some great cajun and seafood, browsed the harbor, shopped on State Street, toured the Museum of Art and visited the artwalk along the water. On Saturday night we went bowling at Zodo's and just had the best time! I have to put in a plug for myself...I beat everyone the first game and lost to Kurt by one point in the second! Cara said she's getting me a bowling ball for Christmas- ha,ha! We will miss these two and had such a great time visiting!

Howdy Y'all!

A side view of Susan and I with our "baby bellies"! As you can tell I have a long way to go still!


Mom and Dad


With my college roomie Rachel Fisher


With my old back door neighbor and childhood friend, Julie Young


My Mom's best friends who are like family to me, Betty Hamilton and Mary Ann Grimsrud



Last week I went back to Texas to help throw a baby shower for my best friend, Susan Williams. Susan in having a little boy that they will name Ethan in August! I also got to see Susan's new house while I was in town- it is so beautiful!! While in town I was able to meet up with lots of old friends for lunches/dinners- with the dual purpose of sneaking in some of my favorite food joints at the same time! It was so great to see everyone and catch up! Lyndsey, Alison and Holly- I am so bummed I forgot to take a picture when we had dinner so I could post it!! My parents were also kind enough to cart me around to look at baby furniture and bedding in the Rice Village and over on 1960. I didn't fly out until the 4th of July, so I was able to go see the Friendswood Parade in the morning and still be back in SB for the fireworks on West Beach with my honey!

Fire Update: This is for those of you that I haven't talked to but have been hearing about the fires in SB. It is really about 6-8 miles away from where we live and more over in Goleta (the little town that borders SB along the coast to the north and where Kurt works). It is the highest priority fire in California right now because it is so close to many homes. Many residents have been evacuated from their homes. We heard they have it up to 28% contained, so it appears to be getting better. We aren't getting much smoke and ash over here in SB unless the winds shift in the evening. It was pretty bad over in Goleta when I flew in on the 4th though- ash falling like tiny snow flurries.