Coincidences...

On Friday afternoon Jesse came home sick. He's never sick, so that was a shocker. I thought for sure he would cancel his show which was slated for 9:30pm that same night, but oh no not him. He insisted on going after sleeping the afternoon away in a medically induced coma like state. We show up to the cafe/bar named Leela's (which was my great grandmother's name and is one of my favorite girl names) around 9pm. We are the 1st ones there. As Jesse went up to the bar to get a drink I take a seat and start to scope out the place. I see a guy I remember from the Art Institute sitting at a table talking with 2 other people. I don't recognize the girl, but the other guy... You have to be kidding me? It was my old friend Elliot, who I haven't seen in ages. If any of you remember back when I first moved to Denver Monique, Elliot, and I were almost inseparable. He was a great friend, but as time went on and we all started on our separate paths we sort of lost touch. The last time I saw him was nearly 2yrs ago when Jesse and I 1st started dating. I had hoped to see him last year at a mutual friend's wedding, but I was told he was traveling in South America with his sister. I assumed he didn't recognize me and I didn't want to interrupt his conversation with friends, so I decided not to go bother him. Eventually he made his way over to me and said he had been staring at me across the cafe for a good 5minutes trying to decide if it was me or not. The short hair threw him off for a minute, but he said he knew it was me by my eyes. We chatted it up for a few minutes getting caught up on the last couple years of each others lives. He asked me if I had talked to Moe recently and I said not recently, but.... I didn't tell him this... I did text her as soon as I recognized him and asked her if I should go talk to him or not. He said next time she comes to town we should all get together for dinner. Great I'll mention it to her. I pull out my phone and there's a text from Moe. I'm coming to town tomorrow and staying with my sister for 2 days for a class for work. Uh Elliot? Would you like to go to dinner with Moe and I tomorrow night. Sure thing. How absolutely random was that? If Jesse had stayed home sick, I wouldn't bumped into Elliot, and texted Moe, and we would have never all had dinner together to catch up and reminisce about old times. Crazy coincidences! and the fact that the cafe/bar shared the name of my great grandmother and that I had never been there before, but apparently everyone I know has hung out there a million times was just too weird.

Saying goodbye & getting ready for Church...

Saying Goodbye to my new friend Aiden. He was all grins as always.

Taking a family photo for Brendon, Dan, Israel, and London.The kids were not really into cooperating. Good thing Uncle Jared was there to make funny noises behind me.

Jared, Brendon, and Jesse.

Brittani, Jared, and baby Aiden.

Jesse and I getting ready for church.

Jared and Jesse holding up Izzy. He was being a good boy sitting patiently waiting to pose in all the photos.

Playing with my new friend Aiden before church. I think he liked my necklace more than he liked me, but that's ok.

London taking on the cell phone before church.

Izzy posing nicely in his chair.

Brendon and the kids.

Miss London being grumpy, because mom put a headband on her. She ripped it out seconds before I took this picture.

On Sunday morning we all got up and had breakfast together before Jared, Brittani, and Aiden had to head home. The rest of us got all gussied up for Church. Of course we had to take that time to take photos of everyone in their nice clothes. Some were more willing participants than others.

Birthday boys...

The big point of our trip besides getting a way from it all was to celebrate Jesse and Jared's birthdays together. This was a tradition in their family and the boys haven't been together on their birthday in years, so this was really special. We all enjoyed Brendon's wonderful seafood dinner and then Brittani's delicious chocolate cake for dessert. Even little Aiden got to try a taste of the chocolate topping. Mmm... Mmm... Good!

Hunsaker men...

Jesse, Jared, and Aiden sleeping.

Jared holding his chubby baby Aiden. What a happy baby. He's got great dimples when he smiles, which seems to be all the time.

Presents...

London & Israel were big helpers when they painted the paper I brought for wrapping the presents. They both love painting, so it worked out perfectly.

Izzy helping Uncle Jesse unwrap his present. Uncle Jesse got a nice new metal water bottle, some smelly kun-fu shoes, and tickets to the Pixies concert in November all on top of his week long vacation to visit his family. He also received a gift card to buy his next video game when it comes out, some scratch tickets (no big winners, darn!), and his sister Brendon made us some wonderful seafood. Shrimp kabobs and crab that were fabulous. We all loved it!

Jared, Jesse's brother who's birthday is 1 week after Jesse's, his son Aiden and his wife Brittani helping him open his presents. We got him more World of Warcraft cards to help feed his addiction. For those of you who don't know Jared & Brittani met playing WOW.
*Note the pretty paper the kids painted and the lovely card Jesse and I made.

Blowing Bubbles...

Jesse's sister and brother-in-law are celebrating their 10yr anniversary this Friday, so while we were down in Houston visiting them we decided to babysit and give them sometime to celebrate. They snuck out of the house while the kids were napping and we took care of them the rest of the afternoon until dinner time. The big event was bubble time. We went outside to play in the backyard and practiced blowing bubbles. Kids love bubbles. I think Dan & Brendon need to invest in a bubble machine though. Blowing bubbles can be an all day event. London loved blowing bubbles with the motorized bubble plane and Izzy loved blowing bubbles and having me chase them. He especially loved when I would make a loud popping sound each time I touched one.

Play with us Uncle Jesse...

Israel & Uncle Jesse playing trains. This happened several times a day every day.

Uncle Jesse and London walking to the swing set.

Israel swinging. He kept Jesse busy pushing his faster and swinging him higher each time. He really enjoyed it when we'd tickle his feet and plug our noses to say PEE- YEW while he was swinging!

Jesse helping London down the slide. The girl has no fear, she would walk right off the edge.

Jesse and the kids resting, watching Caillou, and having snacks & drinks after playing hard all morning. Those kids sure wore Uncle Jesse out.
*Caillou's theme song was played so many time during our visit that the 1 time we snuck out of the house with out the kids Jesse and I were both singing it as we walked through IKEA.

Izzy showing off his tools that are just like daddy's.

Jesse getting Izzy, who had decided to walk around with a hamper on his head pretending to be a monster getting all of us.

Izzy getting Uncle Jesse. This was also a regular occurance during our trip. He especially loved chasing Jesse all around the house. He would point and Jesse and say run. Jesse normally caved and if for some reason Izzy didn't agree with Jesse's choice of wear to run he would correct him No that way.

Aiden and Uncle Jesse. Aiden's daddy Jared, Jesse's younger brother, is peaking out in the background as well. Aiden wasn't to sure about Uncle Jesse when he first met him. Infact he burst into tears at first sight, but it didn't take him long to warm up.

Look at those chubby cheeks.

Helping shred up the wrapping paper.

Laying on Uncle Jesse. Oops! He fell over. Aiden was such a happy baby. What a cutie!

Izzy copying Uncle Jesse, becaue Uncle Jesse was too tired to chase him anymore.

Dan & Brendon getting a little break from the kids while Jesse entertained them.

Jesse practicing his skills watching the football game and playing with the kids at the same time.