Summertime and the livin was easy.

It has been so long since my last blog. In all honesty I had kind of forgotten why I used to blog at all. I was recently reminded how nice it is to take just a minute and acknowledge how beautiful life can be sometimes.

This summer was jam packed with fun activities so its hard to know where to begin. So just consider this a highlight reel:)

Toni and I took a road trip to Arizona to visit her In-laws.

                               We stayed a few nights in their beautiful home in Paradise Valley.

and enjoyed...the good life.

                                             and I made a new friend...brother in law bobby

Bobby showing us around old town Scottsdale.

s

Bobby and I having a silly moment.

 

Toni introduced me to salsa dancing, and I am now obsessed.

We shared some hilarious dancing moments that I still can't believe actually happened.

                                                        Bonded a lot with the little sis.

                                            Spent some time with my little asian "siksta"

                                   and her sweetheart of a boyfriend Jeff....or Hefe as she calls him.

                                                                                  <3

                                          enjoyed some really interesting nights out with Dev

this pancho could only be her influence....

Celebrated my 29th Birthday with the besties on a Reggae Cruise.

Then it was Nadine's turn. We celebrated with a yummy Italian meal and wine bar fun.

               Bobby came to visit and we had ourselves a fiesta.....Fajitas, homemade salsa, and Patron.

                                          We had so much fun that night acting like crazy people.

                                   This was us on a midnight shopping run for reinforcements.

That night made me feel like I was 16. This is Bob and I after we hopped a random fence...and pretended to be in jail. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time.

Sometimes you need a little tequila to break the ice...

Teaching Mr. Michael "Bobby" to give a proper foot massage.

                      We tried to make the most of Tones last days in California...and I think we succeeded.

 Then it was Napa time. Nadine, Stefanie and I have been wanting to take this trip for years and it finally worked out. Napa was absolutely stunning! I really didn't expect it to be that beautiful.  This is us walking up to our first tasting at Domaine Carneros.

a champagne tasting...my favorite.

Then it was off to Artesa.

                                

The sign said stay of the grass....so

                Carrie gave us a wine cave tour and taught us some pretty cool things about wine making.

That night we went to dinner at Farm. Best filet and lobster risotto I've EVER tasted....and that's a tall order.

Next day tasting at Freemark Abbey.

                                                                     and Darioush.

                              Last day in Napa was amazing with a morning tour at Schramsberg.

                                          

                                     Stef....being Stef at some crazy Napa Castle.

and me being me.

                                           on to Sterling winery and the Gondola ride.

                     It was over far too quickly....the girls went home and I continued on to New York.

My travelin shoes.

 It poured rain while we were shopping for Toni's new apartment. Luckily the listing agent was a gentleman:)

                                                       After two months of separation.

                                        Then it was off to Tanglewood for Case's music festival.

                                    The house we stayed in was built when Abe Lincoln was President.

I was pretty exhausted by this point.

                                    Nothing like Toni's eggs and soldiers to make me feel better

                                                                view from the porch.

                                Case took us to see where he will be conducting at Lincoln Center

              Last night in New York and one of my oldest friends Taylor took me in and fed me cobbler. <3

                                
                                     I spent my last day exploring the city and of course the park.

and had a delicious burger from the shake shack. Seriously so. freakin. good.

                          met up with Taylor and friends for shuffleboard and beer before the flight:)

and then as always I needed a vacation from my vacation.