Thursday, October 21, 2010

California Trip -- Ellises, Parks and then some

Our good friends The Ellises used to live next door to us in our condo and moved to So Cal a couple years ago. We knew if we were driving all that way, we had to visit them! They kindly let us take over their home for a few days and we had a great time catching up. Finn LOVES them and even though they aren't parents yet, they are soooo good with him. On Sunday, they took Finn to their sunbeam class and he loved it. Kati is pretty much the best photographer ever and has always taken great pictures of my kids. She took a TON of us and put them all up on her website so I could download them. What a gal. Here are just a few:






We walked around the harbor, had a picnic at the park, played games and just relaxed. While at the park, Ian and Aaron coached Finn with a baseball set and it was awesome (that's what Kate and I are watching in the above picture.) Here is a video of Finn in action:

Since I was letting Kati take all the pictures, I didn't get any of the Ellises or one of all of us together...sad. I love friends that you can pick right up where you left off with. We are so glad that we got to see them!

After we left the Ellises, we drove to Matt and Jessica's house. Matt welcomed us to their home with a yummy lasagna dinner and the girls were all very excited to see Finn and Kate.

We were only able to stay with Matt and Jess for a couple days ...I wish we could have stayed longer! But since they had our kids while we were at the beach house (ttthhhhaaaaankyyyyoooouu), it was probably just the right amount of time for them :) While we were there, we went to the aquarium, a family dinner at Chris' house and a dinner at the park with a bunch of Aaron's highschool/our college friends. It was SOOO good to see everyone! Finn had a great time playing with cousins that he rarely gets to see...some he met for the first time! We miss everyone that lives out there so much.





Thank you so much to everyone who made an effort to see us while we were "home". We had such a wonderful time visiting with family and friends that we don't get to see enough.

4 comments:

ec said...

ash! i loved the catch up.

a few things:

1. that beach house with your family looked awesome. what a great way to spend time together.

2. everyone still looks the same. none of the harkers have aged a day since i met you;)

3. your kids are adorable.

4. you are a beauty.

5. that video of finn is to die for. i can't believe he's such a big boy!

i'm sure there was more, but it's late & this comment is getting llloooooooooong!

glad you're back!

Ailyn said...

Looks like you had maga fun. So nice to get together with friends and family.
OH MY GOODNESS YOU KIDS ARE ADORABLE!!!!!!

Andi Kate, Children's Author said...

What great pictures! Fun to see ones where I knew other people too. Also Kate is gorgeous, and obviously takes after her mother, because you look like a freakin model in those pictures! Nice!

Kati Ellis said...

I just barely saw this because I have been wayy behind on reading your blog. Thanks so much for your shout out! We miss you guys so much. It was really so fun to have you.

MUAH!