Our first stop was at Icing on the Cake in Los Gatos to visit my dear friend Jeff Land. It was a short visit, but an excellent one. Brayden didn’t know what to do in the bakery. Only 18 months old and he knows what a cookie is, so he was all over the place. The pictures of Jeff and Brayden sum up the whole experience. I practiced with Brayden while still in NC with pictures of the people he was going to meet, so Jeff was excited to hear Brayden say “Hi Jeff!” in his sweet little Brayden voice. Jeff hooked us up with some sweet treats (another thing I miss about CA!) and we were on our way. Miss you Jeff!!!!!
Next up was a visit from Jamie and Keith Ganly from Santa Cruz. They were nice enough to come visit Brett and I when Brayden was just 3 months old and this time they were nice enough to drive over the hill to spend some time with Brayden and I. It was so great to see them and catch up with them. Jamie and I have been friends since 7th grade and have been through everything together, so to see her with my son really made me happy. The three of us had lunch while Brayden napped and then took him to the park to play afterwards. It was a lot of fun just relaxing and catching up with them and I think they had a really great time with Brayden too!
After Jamie and Keith’s visit it was time to head up to San Francisco. I didn’t have a chance to get up there last time because Brayden was still so small and it was just a hard trip at the time. This time around I was determined to take him up to one of the cities closest to my heart. The drive up was fine and he slept most of the way, but once we were there it would be no more sleeping for Brayden! He was in full stimuli overload! This kid LOVES cars, buses, trains, etc. So to see this many cars and people and business was more than he could take. Brayden and I stayed with my best friend Solene Fouladian. Just like with Jamie Ganly, Solene and I have been friends since 7th grade and have been through hell and back with each other. So to see her interact and enjoy being with my son brought me to tears. While in SF we walked the hills, went to parks, had lunch out, and managed to meet up with two of my other girlfriends, Serena Long and Melissa Bolandi. It was so nice to just be with them and have conversations face to face like we used everyday!This was by far the hardest visit for me to leave from and it pains me still to not be close to Solene on a daily basis.
* Playing hockey with "Scary Aunt Melissa" (as she called herself)
*Hanging with Serena
* Loving Auntie Solene!
Last, but certainly not least was spending some more time with my dear friend Jessica Shyba and her son Jack. These two are only 2 weeks apart in age, but are already so different. Brayden is a spazz and won’t ever sit still and Jack is as sweet as can be and listens so nicely to his mother! HA! Plus, even though they have only been around each other one other time, they got along famously! They were holding hands walking down the street and running around after each other laughing and smiling. It made Jessica and I so happy to see them enjoy there brief time together.I had a chance to see Jessica three times while in CA. We met for lunch the first day I was there, met for a smoothie and a chat at the Los Gatos farmer’s market, and then enjoyed Music in the Park with the kids at the end of our visit. It was way too short, but a much needed visit. She is pregnant and due at the end of September. Right around the time we will be back for Jason’s wedding. So…everyone secretly keep your fingers crossed that she goes into labor early and I can snuggle up to baby #2!!! HA!!! Sorry Jess!
It was a fun-filled and bust week for Brayden and I, but worth every minute!!! Thanks for all the great memories you guys and I love and miss you all more than you know!!
- Sue -
Such fun to see Jeff and "the Little Man" together!
ReplyDelete--Lisa