Our Growing Family (est. 2008): July 2012

It is about that time...the Wedels are moving to Los Angeles this weekend. From our days at Pepperdine, to the years spent in Palo Alto and now in Santa Barbara, we will no longer live off of the 101 freeway--what a change! The 210 freeway in Pasadena will be the new main street.

Although we could not be more excited about our move to Pasadena and the thought of being so close to family and friends, we do need to reflect on the last 12 months and what they have meant to us.

Exactly one year ago from this weekend, I was just about 8 weeks pregnant, Collin had just finished taking the Bar Exam, and we were setting up house at our little cottage in Santa Barbara. It was Fiesta weekend in Santa Barbara which meant confetti covered the streets of our new town. This year, we will take our 4 1/2 month old to the Fiesta festivities, Collin will finish up his clerkship before beginning his career at Sidley Austin, and we will set up home on the corner of Lake Avenue and Walnut in Pasadena.

Santa Barbara will always hold a very special place in our family's heart. The months leading up to Jude's birth were filled with heartfelt anticipation, nursery preparation, long walks, beach trips, sunsets, and date nights. Since Jude's birth in March, our days have not just been filled with diaper changes, feedings, and tummy time, they have been consumed by heartfelt adoration, walks on the beach, sunrises (from our bed), and family nights. I know Jude will never remember the decorations in his nursery here nor the playtime we had in our front yard, but he will know that he was born in a beautiful and sunny city and had a loving home and community here.

We have spent many weekend afternoons walking the shores at Hendry's Beach and Butterfly Beach, evenings taking in the sunset at Shoreline Park and Franceschi Park, and lunches at Crush Cakes and Jeanine's. Of course, we have also loved to frequent McConnel's Ice Cream, Spice Avenue, Via Maestra 42, the winery on the pier, and the French Press. Another favorite restaurant is Los Agaves. We actually had dinner there for the first time while I was in labor--Jude was born about 12 hours later. I have loved walking to Alice Keck Park, the mission, Rocky Creek Park, and Elings Park. In the last couple of weeks, we also discovered the fun at The Painted Cabernet and the cinnamon roll goodness at Recipes Bakery. Above all these places though, our favorite spot has been sitting at our table in our front yard under the avocado tree with Jude in our laps enjoying a home-cooked meal (or take-out).

We have met so many wonderful people here during such a short amount of time. Our church community has blessed us immensely with their friendship and support. Colleagues of Collin's, mommy friends of mine, and the caring individuals I met during my pregnancy have all made this year so full of joy! Thank you, you know who you are :)

Plans for the next month or so: We move to Pasadena this coming weekend. Collin will be back up in SB for the work week, Jude and I will set up house, and then we will all head to Tucson for 3 weeks on August 11th. After a wonderful stay with the Wedel family in Arizona, we will be back in Pasadena. Collin starts at Sidley Austin in downtown LA the week after Labor Day. After 4 years of college, 3 years in the Bay Area, and 1 year in SB, the plan is to call LA home!

Enjoy some pics from our year in Santa Barbara!