Monday, March 2, 2015

Beach Day for the Bride

Between us, Bill and I have six boys. No daughter-in-laws and no grandkids.  Until now. Almost.

The oldest, Brian, is getting married on March 7! 

Brian and Shalise
 
Shalise is a delightful young woman who we adore. They are wonderful together.  In the middle of wedding preparations came the great news that they are expecting!  Baby Smith is due the middle of August!!

They have been working hard on all the pre-wedding stuff and a day of relaxation was in order.  Shalise and I headed to a beach house in San Clemente to meet her mom and girlfriends, while Brian enjoyed a day of doing absolutely nothing - bliss for both :-)
 
The parking lot for our lunch spot was the smallest I've ever seen, but it did have one thing that really stood out for me.
 

A personalized spot just for......me?

After waiting for our table and a bit longer for the rest of our party we enjoyed a delicious brunch at CafĂ© Rae. It is a bright and cheerful little place with tasty organic offerings.  I forgot to get a photo, but everybody loved their choices!

Knowing it was likely to rain we got a condo with enough space for everyone to hang out indoors.  We couldn't check in until 3:00 so we took a chance and headed to the beach.  The stormy skies were beautiful and gave the water a most wonderful color.  We walked down the sand, turning over smooth stones and looking for non-existent shells. The sun peeked out occasionally and the light breeze was refreshing.  Getting to the beach meant descending a very long series of stairs, many that were broken. As soon as I got to the bottom I was already dreading the climb back up!

Storm threatening over calm waves

Many stones but no shells - and no crowds

Bundled up while finding treasures

Killer stairs
After making a "pit stop" at the parking lot, we took the walking trail back. It is well maintained with lovely flowers.  We found a different staircase that looked maybe a little shorter, and definitely in better shape being solid concrete.  Still very steep, I had to make several stops including resting on a bench with a little street art to enjoy. Made it to the top alive.  I really have to work on my leg strength and stamina if I'm going to be hiking all those cool trails!


Flowered path

They are much steeper than they look!

Groovy street art

Shalise got the key, opened the door, and we all said "Wow!" at the same time. The view was incredible!  Lots of big windows and a small patio overlooking water and sky for miles. 
 
Others started arriving, including the massage therapist, and it started to feel like a real celebration. 
 
 

 
Huge living room, everyone in the kitchen



Made me laugh
Girls!



The colors changed continuously with
the movement of the clouds
 
Unfortunately I had to drive back (Shalise's mom was bringing her back in the morning), so I headed out before it got dark.
 
We had no rain on our drive down and no more than a few drops at the beach. It was dry most of the way back as well, but the sky to the north was definitely looking angry.  About Griffith Park both the rain and the traffic started. I arrived safely home a short time later.
 


Out of a wall of gray the sunset burst like a wildfire on the horizon!


It was a wonderful day at the beach celebrating the bride-to-be.  A week from now I'll be a mother-in-law!
 

26 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your new daughter-in-law and soon to be grandchild!!

    Sounds like a fun time with the girls:) All those steps were getting you in shape for the 1000 steps in Bisbee!!!

    Yes, that sunset with the rain clouds does look like a wildfire. Thank goodness it isn't:)

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    1. Thanks Pam. I DID think of those Bisbee steps - I'm going to need a training program before we go there!!

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  2. Boy this is sure going to be a year of firsts for you! Congrats on all the exciting news! The color of the flowers is so pretty. Haven't seen much blooming for a while. The cloud pictures and sunset were gorgeous!

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    1. Yes, our whole world is going to look so different by the end of the year!

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  3. Congratulations! It will be great to have a daughter to go shopping with and you'll likely share a special bond.
    Ron likes the stair stepper at the gym. Just tonight he did 2400 steps in about 40 minutes... My pace is a bit slower than that. LOL

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    1. Thanks Renee. It is wonderful having another woman in the family! Well those beach steps were about 1/10th of Ron's workout so I have a ways to go :-)

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  4. The good news is that every single little hike you take builds up those muscles and readies you for the next one! Beautiful shots and a fun party at the beach, sounds like a wonderful day. Wishing the happy couple a fine wedding day!

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    1. That goal has definitely moved up on the list - every week a little bit farther and a little steeper - and then the hot tub!! Thanks Lisa, it should be a very fun wedding (it's at a campground in Malibu!).

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  5. Wow--six boys and no wives--exciting times coming up especially with a grandchild on the way too!

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    1. Indeed! I have been hugely outnumbered for years!

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  6. Congratulations are sure in order for you with a wedding and a grandbaby in the near future.

    You captured some great beach photos. I love the beach.

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    1. Thank you Geri - it's a lot! We love it too - looking forward to seeing new ones :-)

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  7. 2015 is looking to be a wonderful year of firsts for you!

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  8. Congratulations on the additions to the family. Let us know how you handle being on the road after a new grandchild.

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    1. Thanks Mark :-) It definitely adds a new element to our change in lifestyle.

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  9. Great photos, following you 2 is going to be fun! Hello from St. Monica! You got yourself a great 2-for-one with the marriage & baby! How thrilling! Happy trails!

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    1. Glad to have you along Gayle! It's a lot of excitement all at one time for sure :-))))

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  10. How wonderful!! You are having a wedding in March; we are having a wedding in May. Love your pictures of the beach and the view from the condo is to so terrific!. What a great idea for a place to celebrate. This all sounds like so much fun. Both the banner and "the girls" shots made me laugh. Looks like Shalise has some fabulous friends. My very very best congratulations to the happy couple and to you and Bill!

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    1. Thanks Sherry. They are a great bunch and it was fun spending a little time getting to know them before the big day. The condo was pretty sweet, I could have just sat and looked at that view for hours :-)

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  11. What a sweet and fun gathering in such a beautiful place. (Girls definitely know how to celebrate. :-) ) You must be so excited to be embracing a wonderful daughter-in-law and to have a grandchild on the way! Wishing all of you all the best! Have fun at the wedding. :-)

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    1. It was all of that and more - a perfect day :-) Thanks Laurel, looks like we'll have great weather and lots of fun!

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  12. Congrats Jodee! Beautiful ocean views for a relaxing get together.

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    1. Thanks Maura. Wish I could have stayed longer :-)

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  13. A lovely getaway just for the girls!!..your new daughter in law will be a wonderful addition to your blended family!!..maybe the baby will be a girl and the scales will tip in your favour eventually !!

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    1. It really is nice to have a girl "in" the family! A few more daughter-in-laws will be fun too :-)

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