For the Girls

OK...I am not one for getting super sappy and personal. At least not on the Internet. But, right now, it's happening. 

I don't know why I have been so blessed with a group of friends that have stayed so close for so many years. Some of these girls I went to elementary school with, some Jr. high, and the rest high school. People are always surprised when I tell them my best friends are the same friends I've had for 15 + years. I guess it's pretty rare, and I certainly don't take it for granted. 

When we graduated from Olympus High School in Salt Lake City 12 years ago, we said we would take a trip when we all turned 30. Now...it's easy to say that when you are 18 and dumb and have no idea what the world is soon bringing your way. But... we did it! Between the 9 of us that made it to Newport Beach (not everyone could come, and we missed the girls who couldn't come like crazy!!) we left behind 8 husbands, 1 fiancé, and 19 kids! Just us...no strings attached. 

((AMAZING))

I left Seattle for California early in the morning, and walked though the airport basically feeling naked because I wasn't pushing a stroller and carrying 2 huge bags!! Just me...and my purse, and my Starbucks, leisurely passing through the terminal. WHAT!? The flight out of Seattle on a clear day is beautiful, but I quickly fell asleep after take off. I'm talking, mouth-open-face-smashed-against-the-window-snoring-loudly-asleep. 

Because I could. 

Because NO TODDLER.

((AMAZING))

If you ever get the chance to fly through the Long Beach Airport, I highly recommend it. It's the most charming airport I've ever seen. 

The next 6 days consisted of laughing till we cried, crying till we laughed, so much good food, sand, salt, sea, poolside naps, more good food, staying up till 3 am just because we couldn't stop talking, and way to many bags of twizzlers.

There is nothing like your girlfriends. The kind that lift you up and support you when you crash. The kind that don't judge you for wearing the same sweat pants 4 days in a row. (I did that) The kind that have seen you at your worst, and still stick around because they know you'll get better. The kind that make you laugh till it hurts. The kind that cry with you because they feel your pain too. The kind whose trials remind you that yours are minimal. The kind who share their thoughts and beliefs for you to draw strength from. The kind who just let you be you, even when they "don't agree with that!!" The kind that share everything with you...and I mean everything. 

Do you have those friends? Better yet. are YOU that friend? 

This trip was a great reminder of the importance of being a good friend and being there for your girlfriends when they need someone. I hope I am that friend. Everyone should have those friends.

Whitney, Laura, Ali, Linden, Angela, Lara, Sheena, Lindsay

(and you girls who couldn't make it)

I simply adore you.

XOXO  Bittany

ps...thanks for all your iPhone pics!! I don't know who to give credit to...but thanks!!

merry christmas!

we headed to the phoenix desert for christmas this year! it's always nice to see the sun in the winter, as we don't see it much this time of year, in the northwest.

the week started out pretty rough… including a very sick mama who ended up in the ER the night we were supposed to leave, causing us to change flights and leave a day late. then, when i thought i was doing much better and hadn't thrown up for 24 hours, we boarded the plane, and then BOOM!! more barf!! (i have had some pretty bad luck involving planes and barf this year) turns out, i was not really better… and i spent most of the flight in the airplane bathroom. luckily, later that night, i was able to stop the barfing, and even better, sleep. by the next morning i was a new woman. i ate a burger, and thought i would cry of happiness that something actually tasted good, and stayed inside my body! TMI?

the rest of the week was so great. brandon's family is truly wonderful, and we always have to much fun together. christmas eve was especially fun. we spent the day in the sun at the park, and the evening playing games and wrapping presents.

christmas morning was a blast. watching the 2 toddlers open presents and get excited about new toys is too much fun. miles is in a flag/fan/balloon phase. he is obsessed with all flags, ceiling fans and balloons. like…he freaks out at the sight of all of the above. so, he just about jumped out of his skin when he received 2 flags from grandma and grandpa wightman for christmas. he was over the moon, and quickly forgot about every other gift. he didn't let them go for the rest of the trip!

miles and his cousin adelyn became very good friends on this trip. they are the funniest creatures i've ever known. we had a merry merry christmas, hope you did too!

perfect san clemente

on christmas day we set out for one of my favorite places on the earth. san clemente, california. it's perfect. it's simple and quiet and not over crowded. we used to go there when i was a kid, every october. some of my favorite moments and memories in life take place in the little socal surf town.

we met my family there and enjoyed a few days in the sun, on the beach, and down the pier.

{love love love}

the long beach airport is my favorite airport in the world.

enjoying some christmas room service!



my lil homie



grandma & grandpa