SoCal with the 'rents

It was so fun to spend several days with my parents in southern California! They stayed a few days after a work trip to hangout with us which was so perfect because we love an excuse to go down to SoCal. 

We met up with them in Santa Barbara, one of our favorite places, and stayed at the Bacara Resort with this view from our balcony. Great way to start the trip, right? 

We just love SB. It's so quiet and peaceful but not out in the boondocks. It has good food and is close to LA. (Someday I will post my suggestions for the ultimate SoCal vacation). We had a fun time taking the 'rents around to a few of our favorite restaurants in SB and then headed for L.A. 

No trip to L.A. is complete without a Diddy Reese ice cream sandwich. Mom's a superstar with her sunglasses on inside. When in Rome right...

Probably the most unique experience of the trip was visiting the Magic Castle. This place was so odd and really indescribable. I wish they allowed pics because I could do a better job of describing it that way. 

It is an exclusive magic club with an old school strict dress code (yes believe it or not we did not choose to dress this way). For example, men can share their jacket with a lady when seated but when walking around the castle men have to wear their jacket. Very specific right?

One of my dad's childhood friends performs at the castle from time to time and was able to get us in. Unfortunately he wasn't performing that night which is probably just as well because I'm almost certain he would have embarrassed me. 

My parents still love to talk about when I was his assistant as a kid and how funny it was to watch me try so hard to separate these metal rings. He would separate them like it was nothing then hand them to me and I tried so hard and couldn't do it.

Since you aren't allowed to take pics inside this was the last pic we got. The first 3 magic shows were amazing. The last one was terrifying because, once again, I was selected to be the assistant during the show...it was just like the old days. No rings this time just pure Linds stagefright. If you know me very well you know that being in front of an audience is about the worst thing that could happen to me. My only saving grace was that the other girls asked to assist was drunk and made me look a little better. I guess my calling in life is not to be a magicians assistant and I'm ok with that. 

After the Magic Castle we headed to our rental house about 45 minutes south of LA in Laguna Nigel. The house had lots of space to hangout and enjoy life. It was so peaceful and relaxing and perfect. 

Mom and Dad were in CA for a work trip and one of their events was a Great Gatsby themed party. Aren't they cute!

Our last meal was in Venice Beach at Baby Blues BBQ. Good BBQ and the best banana pudding I've ever had. 

We stayed a few extra days in LA after the 'rents left. We got lucky that the weekend we were in town was the same weekend as our friend Grace's art show. To make matters better it was in an ice cream shop. Sold!

And it's always fun to see these guys. Chris and Jared took us around LA and kept us entertained.

Also, they took pics for us so we didn't have to take selfies. 

Still no Kardashian sighting. What's up with that?  Maybe next time. 

OKC Couchmans

We had a great time visiting the OKC Couchmans earlier this year. It was our first trip to Oklahoma City so we tried all of Bryan & Jill's local favorites and had some good quality time with the fam. 

 I think everyone's tweeting about how much fun we were having. 

Bryan had a lucky night at the Casino. The rest of us were praying for the gamblers souls outside. 

We had some good ole' fashioned fun! You're never too old to play on the playground! 

 And, as a bonus, I got to meet Graham and see Kat! Graham is full of personality. He's such a calm and cool kid with style. He's way cooler than I am. Wish I had a daughter to prearrange their marriage. 

Christmas 2012

First stop, Houston. 

When we pulled into the driveway Santa and his reindeer were waiting for us to arrive.  I'm sure the neighbors were also glad for us to arrive as it was 2am and the Clark Griswold Christmas lights were probably keeping some people up.

Dad spent all month drawing, painting, cutting, & hanging the perfect Christmas scene to welcome us home. What a sweet Dad! The reindeer even sprung to life Christmas night when a strong cold front came through and knocked one through a window.

Christmas Day with the whole gang.

Cousin Kelley joined us for Christmas this year. It was so fun!

Henry was the highlight of Christmas this year. It was so fun to be with him for his very first Christmas! 

That face could get away with anything!

Next stop, Boerne. 

We had such a great time at Couchman Christmas that we didn't stop to take any pictures except this one with Brent's Grandmother JoJo. Next years Christmas goal is to take more pictures at the Couchman's Christmas! 

In closing, I would like to give myself a pat on the back for reaching my 2012 New Years Resolution of visiting Texas more. We came to Texas 5 (or 6?) times in 2012. I'm not sure if I can match that in 2013 but I sure hope so.

Summer + Fall

Catching up here on some end of summer/fall happenings. We've recently celebrated our two year anniversary of being California Couchmans. Crazy! It is starting to feel like home :/ 

Brent was asked to contribute to a fundraising event called "I Don't Believe In You Either", with proceeds going to 826 Valencia. If you don't know much about this charity you should read about it. And, if you visit SF you should definitely stock up on pirate supplies at their pirate supply store. 

Each artist was asked to re-imagine a tree stump based on their own interpretations of Bigfoot. Brent's is my favorite of course...but check out the whole show here.

This summer I switched from working full time to part time. Not working full time is basically my dream come true:)...particularly on sunny, warm days picnic-ing in the park.  

We were so excited to have Jared visit us. The first time he came to visit us (and his first time to sf) it was so foggy you couldn't see the ocean if you were standing in it. The city really redeemed itself this visit. We had the best weather and got to show him all of our favorite spots. And.ate.a.lot.of.food. We are pro's at that. (blog post on sf food coming soon)

Over Thanksgiving Brent got to meet Henry for the first time. Brent loves Henry. He is just the cutest thing ever and we can't wait to see him for Christmas!

Brent's high school band had a reunion this summer for a charity event. I had only heard stories about the band and met a few of the guys but never seen them live. It was a happy day for me to get to see them in concert. Here's Brent singing a love song to me. Just kidding, I made that up. 

We went with some friends to Opera In The Park. It's a free opera that broadcasts at AT&T park. If you show up early you can picnic on the field. The field was full by the time we got there but I think I preferred our seats anyways. Gotta love some back support. We watched the opera, Rigoletto, on the jumbotron which was broadcast live from the opera house. I wouldn't say I loved it but I'm glad we went. 

Brent worked with Nickelodeon to design a logo for the SpongeBob's Christmas special. SpongeBob just got cooler.

And just when you thought you'd seen it all...yes, this is a patio table umbrella in a sunroof. 

Happy 12.12.12

Meeting Henry

My sweet nephew Henry was born on June 20, 2012. It was so hard to not be there in the hospital the day he was born. That is one part of living so far away that I still haven't gotten used to. He was a few weeks early but happy and heathy and as you can see, incredibly adorable.

Mom and Dad were (and are) the proudest grandparents! I was super jealous of my family for getting to see Henry before me but I got to visit in August when he was around six weeks old. Henry is playing it cool here but we had the best time. 

Chris and Henry enjoyed some bonding time too. 

Besides playing with his favorite Aunt Linds and Uncle Chris, Henry loves to talk and smile. This picture always makes me sad I live so far away because he is just too cute.

At the end of my stay, my parents and Colorado cousins came to see Henry and the family. We had the best time and it was over too fast!

And last but not least, I got to enjoy a snow cone (I haven't found those in sf) and Hickory Street Cafe!

Spring Is In The Air

We have had the most amazing spring in SF. I have never seen so many consecutive beautiful days since we've lived here! Luckily the fog has not shown its sorry face around here much. This weather is particularly helpful since I bike to work everyday and lost one of my gloves a few months ago. I'm not beating myself up about that though because I am actually impressed that I kept both gloves as long as I did.

Back to spring....we got our bikes at a perfect time. There are days I'm not ready to end my ride. Maybe I'm so impressed with beautiful weather because it is practically non-existent in my hometown of Houston, Tx. I actually bought shorts the other day because it reached the mid 80's. That is about as warm as it gets around here which is just crazy compared to Texas.

So here's my spring cleaning in pictures. My preferred way to clean.

We discovered this ice cream truck which consumes much
more of my thoughts than it should. 

Their dark chocolate dipped ice cream cone sprinkled with sea
salt is to die for. 

Our friend Sanjay had his art featured in an exhibit at the Asian Art Museum. He has mad skills. You can read more about his exhibit here http://www.asianart.org/maharaja/sanjay.htm

Bryan & Jill's wedding

Mom and I at Bryan & Jill's wedding.

My first time to kiss Henry. (Brent says this is
weird. I can't help it though) 

My first time to hug Henry.

I love you Hickory Street Cafe.