I know that there have not been many posts as of late, but that is NOT due to lack of Team Oakley activity! We have been swarmed and swamped with work schedules, baby planning, and life that, as we all know, just inevitably happens. But we are back on to share with what has been happening the last few months of our CRAZY CRAZY lives :)
Michael and Beka do not get out to their wonderful home town of San Diego, CA, nearly as much as they would like. But for the last few summers, there has been a joyous wedding to celebrate! First it was Beka's Father and Stepmom, and Beka's Mom and Stepdad. Both were in the same summer, and both were wonderful. The next summer it was Beka's older brother, Zach, and his beautiful wife, Robin. This summer, it was Michael's side of the family to provide the excellent excuse of west coast travel. His sister, Rosanna, was to be wed! Her and her fiancee, Cassidy, were planning their joyous day on June 4th, 2011.
Beka got to go out two weeks early to surprise her sister at her Master's of Education Ceremony, and spend some much needed time with her family.
The surprise went awesome! Beka's dad picked her up from the airport, with her stepmom and two little sisters in the car. Beka heard the screams of her surprised little sisters before the car even stopped! It warmed her heart and soul.
The next day was the Master's ceremony, and she drove there with the little sisters, and saw Rochelle (who she was surprising), across the way, walking to the amphitheater. At first Rochelle did not know who was walking in with the rest of her family, but right as she was about to cross the street, her boyfriend exclaimed, "I think that is Gaga (Beka's childhood nickname)?". Rochelle, in cap and gown, looking so beautiful and professional, ran screaming across the street without looking! After no harm done, many hugs and screams, we snapped this photo, capturing all the joy that the surprise encompassed! Surprise Success!!
At the ceremony, Beka got to surprise all of her siblings, one by one as they showed up, and her Mom, who also did not know of her early arrival.
It was a precious way for Beka to start her two weeks of family time. Seeing her sister get her master's was just the start of an amazing vacation.
One of the best momemnts of the vacation was when her sisters threw a family baby shower for her and her sweet Emery. It was Dr. Suess themed, and so beautiful!
We had two little lovelies at the shower, who, after a complex time of understanding that there was a baby in Beka's belly, patting her belly and saying 'open it', and then trying to lift her dress to see the baby, they did a fun filled scene with balloons to pretend like they were pregnant themselves.
here is glimpse of the joy we all experienced:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaXDHjW2VaQ
Beka also got to spend time with her mom, brother JJ, friend Rebecca, and little sister, Roxanne, at the Santee street festival. Santee is the town Beka and Michael both went to High School in. It was fun to be back and see the city grow.
We even ran in to some old friends that She had not seen in years! they got to marvel over her growing belly, and bask in old, fun times.
Beka also got to chaperone her little sister's AP World History's class up to LA. IT was a fun and crazy time with her little Rosy, and her awesome friends.
After they wet to a rather boring and stuffy museum, they went to the Huntington Gardens, which was so beautiful!
Here are the high schoolers that she was chaperoning having a grand old time at the Children's garden.
They had magnet dust to play with.
Here is Beka's littlest sister, Rosy, showing some love to the statue birds.
This was her favorite picture of the day. These flowers were so beautiful.
This is the Japanese Garden. Beka could have built a house right by the water and lived there in peace. It was fantastic.
Beka is a very visual person, and she was very happy to have all those pretty scenes around her. It was a fun time.
What else did Beka squeeze in before Michael joined her in SD?
Well, there was lots of hanging out in her sister's house, where she was staying. They have what is known as their 'pub room', which is one of Beka's most happy places on earth. .
There was also a partial kitchen renovation in that same house, which, Beka admittingly was more of a cheerleader than anything, but it was still exciting.
There was also lots of hammock outside in the wonderful San Diego sun.
But the BIGGEST most EXCITING thing that happened while Beka was there, was her older sister, Rochelle, got engaged!!!! Her boyfriend, Timmy, and her and my brother and sister in law went out of town, and Timmy found the perfect excuse to pop the question! Rochelle LOVES the outdoors and Timmy, with great style, proposed on top of a mountain, after a beautiful hike.
He gave her a beautiful black diamond. When she called to tell us the great news, Beka was with her little sister Roxanne. They both burst into very happy tears, and went right away to pick up streamers, balloons, and window chalk to decorate their house for their joyous arrival back home. It was so special to be in town while her big sister made this big step in her life.
It was a full, glorious time of family and memories. Beka could not have asked for anything more.
But I bet some of you would wonder what Michael did, while Beka was gone? well, I think this photo sums it up
Yes, this is Michael, at 2 in the morning, with a bowl of half eaten cereal, a nurf gun, and Scrappy. THis was sent to me late one night from our roomate, and future brother in law. When Beka is out of town, Michael is know to do three things 1. Eat lots of bread a cereal, 2. stay up WAAAAY too late, and 3. Let the whole world know how much he misses his other half.
Luckily the late nights and overloads of carbs went by faster than expected, and before he knew it, Michael was on a plane to San Diego to reunite with his wife, her growing belly, and to plan for his little sister's beautiful wedding.
The week Team Oakley was FINALLY together went by way to fast. We were able to go to our favorite restaurants, and meet with our favorite friends.
We also go to do some fun joint baby showers, and baby shopping! We brought two full suitcases home of fun new baby items.
But despite the fact that we were in one of our favorite places, and finally together, we knew we were there for one reason; to celebrate Rosanna getting married!!!
There was the bachelor party, the bachelorette party, the rehearsal dinner, and so many other little planning moments, that when the day came, we were all VERY excited to see all the work come out so beautifully! Michael and Beka were both in the wedding parties, and here are some of their favorite moments captured on film.
The wedding and reception both were wonderful. So full of life and color. At the reception, we managed to have some fun too.
And this is one of Team Oakley's first family photos!!!
It was a trip to remember, and a wedding for the ages. So many fun things happened, and though we were sad to leave our beautiful home town, were were glad to get back to our own home, and all that was waiting there for us.
We know that we don't have much, but we love what we have. And now that there is a little one coming in less than three months, we are more excited than ever to have the little life that we do. We are so blessed, and love that we can share our adventures with you.
Thanks for coming along on this one!
Team Oakley
