4-11-10

TOUGH DAY AT THE OFFICE

SAD DEPARTURE

MOM AND HER GIRLS

SANTA BARBARA SIGHTS

SPRING IS HERE

HORS D'ŒUVRES

ABBEY ROAD?

HAPPY NEWLYWEDS

HALI AND CHRIS CLEAN UP WELL

PAR-TAY

TWISTIN' THE NIGHT AWAY

THE GANG IS BACK TOGETHER AGAIN

Driving 40 total miles to and from LAX to pick up Jen's parents took us a total of 3 hours. LA traffic is truly out of control at all hours of the day. Apparently rush hour starts at 5:30AM and ends at about 5:29AM. This just means the best time to drive in LA is NEVER. Thursday evening we rendezvoused with Ericka at the Dresden in Los Filez. Walking through the threshold, we did not merely enter a bar, but it was more like we stepped into the 1920s. A husband and wife duo have been entertaining the Dresden's hip clientele every evening for the past 30 years. It was a great spot to see some live music before heading North with the family.

After a lovely rehearsal dinner in Camarillo Friday evening, in honor of Melissa & Geoff's upcoming wedding, we spent Saturday afternoon exploring Santa Barbara. It's a lovely beach town with a thriving skateboarding community. If you walk out on the Wharf, you will notice cleverly disguised donation cups strewn on the sand down below by the area's many bums. One sign on a blanket read: "Obama's not the only one who wants change." We scored a used Jules Verne novel in a used bookstore and enjoyed walking around town before returning to Camarillo to get ready for the wedding.

Spanish HIlls Country Club provided a beautiful and scenic setting for the wedding. The descending sun illuminating the valley provided a breathtaking backdrop for Melissa and Geoff to say their vows. We had a great time dancing the night away and enjoying food and drink. Our wedding was outstanding and we wish it could have lasted longer, but sometimes being a gracious guest is easier than being a gracious host. It was a lovely night and a real treat for Jen & her family to reconnect with friends they haven't seen in many years.