Weekend Warriors

I'm so thankful for the weekends with my family. 

This past weekend was a long one since RJ got Friday off work as well as the 4th.

Friday night we went to our friends' farm. They have acres of apples trees, pumpkins, huge gardens, and horses, goats, chickens, bunnies, and pigs. Obviously my kids were beside themselves with excitement. Landon's favorite was swimming in the pool and the pigs. Parker loved the bunnies and the homemade sorbet made from farm-grown fruit. 

RJ and I loved BBQing with friends and praying over our friends who are headed to Nepal to be medical missionaries. They leave this winter and I encourage you to follow their journey here. 

Saturday he headed to Santa Barbara to escape the fog. Since we have a family zoo pass we stopped in just for a few moments to see our favorite animals (Parker and RJ - birds; Landon - leopard, Me - gibbons). Then we rode our bikes to the farmer's market to pick up picnic supplies. The Santa Barbara Courthouse is the perfect place for a family picnic. We lounged in the grass, munched on goat cheese and heirloom tomato sandwiches and watched at least four brides take their wedding photos. 

And then...

***** THE BEST SURPRISE *****

We were biking down State Street when we saw this girl and her hubby strolling down the sidewalk (or maybe they saw us first - that box bike is hard to miss)

Totally squishing my baby's face with a plastic cup

Jessica and I met and became friends in college. After graduation we lost touch but then reconnected years ago via our blogs. I read her blog religiously so I was so fun to see her (and Ian) in person and actually catch up face-to-face.

And, just as I thought the weekend had reached in threshold of goodness, RJ took the kids on Sunday so I could have some time alone. I got to charge a trail run, eat lunch out by myself with a good book and pursue a few thrift stores.