multiple reasons for bubbly

here, on the blog, i am able to record all things special. last weekend was a rare one, so it has to go down in the books. a couple of months ago my dearest, becky, asked if there was a birthday celebration for her big 4-0, would diegas and i be able to make the trip? i quickly checked with d and done - it was on the calendar. turns out it was the weekend before our 9th wedding anniversary + d and i hadn't been away together since our baby-moon, pre-mila. that was 2.5 years ago! this was the perfect excuse to see a very special friend, celebrate with her and get-away with the hubby in celebration too!

lucky us, our parents and family are always so willing to accommodate any time we want to spend without muffins. my parents graciously took the girls for 3 whole nights (and auntie jackie helped out too!). it's pretty sweet when you can simply miss your kids, but don't worry about them. they honestly were so anxious for us to say goodbye.

the first night we only drove as far as pismo and stayed at the cliffs resort. i had mentioned to reservations it was our anniversary and they upgraded our room, left champagne for us and a card wishing us a happy anniversary. nothing says vacation like waking up to pink clouds over the ocean. and what sweet dreams we had falling asleep to the sound of the water. 

we made it to the bay area just in time for drinks followed by dinner, on the birthday girl's actual birthday. i got to meet all of becky's local friends and see some of her oldest and dearest which i hadn't seen in almost a decade (these couples flew in from seattle and new york - the girl has amazing friendships). when we awoke the next morning, it was party-prep before 25 of her closest friends and a party-bus arrived to take us wine tasting for the day. this group knows a good time (shout out to mere on the 1s and 2s!). becky's husband charley left no stone unturned. we had private tastings at three lovely wineries and a beautiful picnic lunch waiting for us. the views alone were worth the trip. and the whole time, i just kept thinking how lucky i was to be celebrating my anniversary AND playing with friends! the day turned into night and we ate and drank a little more. beck and i kept reminding each other to take in the moment because the weekend would soon be over. alas we said our sweet goodbyes sunday. what a special weekend all around. here's a glimpse. cheers to a happy 9 years honey and a happy 40th lei lei!

the girls so excited to get dropped off with the lavender bouquets they picked for their nana

our room with a view. i woke up to my handsome husband, but just beyond this is what my sleepy eyes saw

coffee + tea on our balcony

sending the girls photo updates

sending evia the hawk in the sky

sausalito dinner

this group = a REALLY fun time (photo cred: driver randy)

on the party bus, bumpy + bubbly. cheers lei!

unforgettable views en route

first stop gloria ferrer

tasting in the oak grove at bartholomew park winery

lovely picnic (photo cred: erin m.)

from my seat while i tasted at nicholson ranch, breathtaking

texting the girls "we're on our way back to you"

our little sunshine

we discovered the allergy walk through a sb newspress article. we read it to evia and she immediately took interest with the realization that others have food allergies just like her!! her reaction was heartwarming really. i didn't realize just how "alone" she felt...when at birthday parties, she can't have the princess decorated cake or the pizza crust at a restaurant happens to be brushed with egg. she always takes it like a champ and i've learned to always have a back-up treat for her or know that something is on the menu wherever we go where she can enjoy a special evening out too! some friends of ours are even so kind to always make evia a special egg-free option set aside at events or when we stay with overnight. but this was the event that was going to show her that she had some camaraderie in her food allergy challenge. the walk was being put on by f.a.r.e (food allergy research & education). we created a team the day we read the article and committed to raising funds and walking in the chase palm park course. unfortunately, there was not enough interest by the santa barbara community with only a few teams created and it was cancelled. 

we were encouraged to come down to the los angeles walk and boy are we glad we did! evia had received a letter from alexander the elephant, who has a peanut allergy expressing his enthusiasm in her participation. the walk was mc'd by jo frost, the infamous super nanny and she walked the course with all of us, which was fun. they had great vendors. we learned of a new epi-pen (administers the same drug, voice activated and so easy for care givers who aren't as familiar with the epi training). we also walked away with some great allergy-free swag (mama and papa especially enjoyed the LARGE vegan 70% dark chocolate bar by pascha).

our friends and family were so generous to sponsor evia and help in our efforts to raise funds for research and education which will hopefully bring an end to life threatening food allergies or a cure in our lifetime! in the process we learned about friends that have allergies - which is always so comforting to know there are others that can relate to our own challenges. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!! our team alone came in with just under $600!

check out the photos below, of team sunny side up (d came up with the cute name): 

in our team sunny side up tshirts - go team!

there was no food allowed in the walk "area," so the girls ate their lunch on the outskirts with their sunglass-swag from the lb children's hospital

pre-walk fun!

walking the 5 mile course with papa

hitchin' a ride!

jo frost, f.a.r.e's national ambassador at the course turn-around

such great vendors: enjoy life (yummy snackies free of the 8 most common allergies), auvi-q (voice activated epinephrine auto injector), cool new ap contentchecked (scan any bar code and see if it contains your allergy ingredient and alternative options suggested!)

saved this swag for mama and papa! gluten, wheat, soy, eggs, dairy, nuts and peanut free!! soooooooo yummy!